A day in Marrakech with teenagers: the activity that motivates them

You've booked the trip, picked out the places you're keen to see, and then you've looked at your teenager. Visiting the old town ‘to see it’, trailing behind a guide who recites dates, waiting around while someone admires a decor: you already know how that can end. A silence, a glance at the phone screen, and a day that drags on.

Good news: the problem isn't Marrakech, it's the role we give teenagers. As soon as they become players in the day, with a goal, a bit of competition and their phone in hand, the mood changes. Here's how to organise a day in the Medina that the whole family, or the whole gang, will actually want to take part in.

Why teenagers switch off (and how to win them back)

A teenager isn't indifferent to heritage. They're mostly allergic to passivity. What makes them switch off is having a programme imposed on them with no say in it. What hooks them is what you find in a good game: a clear mission, riddles to solve, choices to make, the chance to win.

A few simple principles help a lot:

  • Give them a role: reading the riddle, choosing the direction, taking the photos.
  • Use their favourite tool: the smartphone becomes a gaming device rather than a distraction.
  • Introduce a little stake: a challenge, a score, a friendly duel between teams.
  • Avoid waiting around: the activity should keep moving, not be something you simply gaze at.

The Medina, a natural playground

The Medina of Marrakech is the historic old town, and it is explored on foot. Winding alleys, narrowing passageways, colours, scents, artisans' shops: for a teenager, it's already the setting of an adventure game. You just need to give them a reason to look around.

That's exactly the idea behind an interactive treasure hunt. At QuestRides, the game is played on a smartphone: players follow an immersive narrative, solve riddles and take on challenges while discovering the historic heritage. The history of the places is no longer a lesson; it becomes the clue you need to move forward. To find out more about how it works, you can visit the treasure hunt in Marrakech page.

A treasure hunt designed for playing together

The treasure hunt ‘The Secrets of Moulay Hassan’ is built on riddles, with levels ranging from Easy to Hard. For a group of teens, this progression is valuable: you can aim for a level that stimulates without discouraging, or go up a notch if the gang loves a challenge.

Cooperative or competitive: you choose

The game offers a cooperative mode and a competitive mode. The first suits families who want to move forward hand in hand: parents think things through with the children, and everyone brings their piece of the puzzle. The second appeals to groups who like to tease each other: parents against children, cousins against cousins, team against team. In both cases, the fun comes from a shared game rather than a visit you have to endure.

Who can play?

QuestRides is aimed at families with children aged 8 and over, which means a teenager and their little brother or sister can be on the same team. Groups of friends can play too, up to 20 people. If you're travelling with your teenager's group of friends, or with several families, the format adapts. You'll find more ideas on the family activities in Marrakech page.

What if you'd rather have a tour? The interactive version

Some teenagers, or some parents, prefer a route more focused on discovery. QuestRides' interactive guided tours are tailor-made: you choose the duration, the theme and the options, and the route is built around an immersive narrative. You no longer listen passively; you take part.

This flexibility is useful when you're travelling with different interests: a teenager who loves history, another who's more drawn to riddles, parents who also want to stroll. The interactive guided tours page explains how it works.

Organising your day, in practice

Here's a simple outline, to adapt to your own pace.

  1. Morning, early if possible. In Marrakech, the heat can quickly tire you out, and the alleys are more pleasant to walk before the day settles in. Plan a hearty breakfast, because a hungry teenager is an unmotivated player.
  2. The game in the Medina. Start the treasure hunt or the interactive tour early in the day, when everyone has energy and curiosity.
  3. A proper break. A terrace, fresh juice, mint tea: let the group comment on the riddles and argue over the right answers.
  4. Free time afterwards. Once the game is over, let the teenagers suggest the next stop: wandering through the souks, watching the artisans, going back to a place that made an impression on them.

What to bring

  • One charged smartphone per player or per team, and a power bank if you have one.
  • Comfortable shoes for walking in the alleys.
  • Water, a hat and sun cream.
  • Good humour: the game works better when you accept taking a wrong turn.

Booking without stress

Booking is done via the questrides.com website, then you request a secure payment link on WhatsApp. There is no direct online payment on the site. For the treasure hunt, a 30% deposit is requested at booking and the balance is paid on site. For a guided tour, the full amount is paid via a payment link, then the tour link is sent to you. If you have any questions about how the game is run, the safety page gives further details.

What you'll take away from this day

A successful activity with teenagers is often measured by what they say about it afterwards. Here, the end of the game gives them something to talk about: a photo and video recap of the treasure hunt, a certificate handed over at the end of the game, and, for interactive guided tours, a downloadable photo and video recap report. These are tangible memories that can be shown to friends back home.

Above all, you'll have shared something: a riddle solved together, a fit of laughter in an alley, a teenager proud to have found the answer before everyone else. That's rarely the case in front of a facade you photograph in silence.

In summary

For a day in Marrakech to appeal to teenagers, you just need to let them play rather than follow. A smartphone game in the Medina, riddles suited to the group's level, a cooperative or competitive mode depending on the mood, and a proper break to catch your breath: that's the essence of a successful day.

Ready to give it a try? Discover the treasure hunt on the treasure hunt in Marrakech page and choose the option that suits your family or your gang.