Summer Activities for Teens
Kids can't wait to get out of school to enjoy the summer. But, for a lot of kids boredom comes all too fast. If your teen or tween is like mine, they would be happy to sit around watching TV, looking at their phone, or playing games on their gaming system. Of course, turning their brains to mush over the summer is not ideal, so below are some ideas on keeping those finicky teens and tweens busy this summer.
1. Help around the house
After a long day of school, homework, and after school activities, it's hard to get kids to do chores. But, during the summer when activities slow down, they are left with ample amounts of time to help around the house. Talk to your child about expectations going into summer and have them help with dishes, cleaning the house, taking the trash out, laundry, mowing the lawn, etc. Even organizing their room or closet can be a huge weight lifted. Finding a job that sounds interesting to them will help.
2. Cooking and Baking
Cooking and baking are great skills for your teen to learn. Assign your teen one night per week to cook dinner for the family. They can choose the meal, shop for ingredients (on their own if they drive or with a parent), prep the meal, cook and serve! This will be a confidence booster for the teen and a huge help for busy parents.
Baking treats can be a lot of fun! If you have competitive siblings, they could have a contest to see who makes the best cupcakes, cookies, or any treat that sounds yummy. If they are super creative, they could bake a cake, decorate it, and post pics for friends and family to vote on the best.
3. Find a Job
If your teenager is old enough, finding a job is a great way to spend their time this summer. They can learn valuable skills and start building an employment history.
Finding your first job can be challenging, but there are a few places to start the search. Ask around if local farms, fairs, summer camps or other seasonal businesses might be hiring. Or check for opportunities at local restaurants.
Even younger teens can often find jobs through friends and family if they are interested in babysitting or doing yard work.
4. Volunteer
Volunteering is an awesome way to keep your teenagers busy this summer. And the benefits can be huge. Giving back to the community feels good. And will help your teenager learn compassion and the satisfaction of helping others.
Volunteering is also a great way to learn new skills. And can be a real resume builder for college or future job searches.
Teaching teenagers respect, kindness and the importance of giving back can be very tricky! All of these are important to teach them during their formative years. One way you can do this while also keeping them busy is through volunteering.
There are many opportunities to give back during the summer! Talk to your teen about what causes are important to them or perhaps an area that interests them for future career possibilities. A simple Google search can pull up names of nursing homes, animal shelters, hospitals, local charities etc that allow people to volunteer their time.
Your local library is also a great place for your teenager to volunteer! Have your teenager call them up and ask about what is involved to sign up as a volunteer. Perhaps this is something you could even do with them or they could do with a group of friends?
5. Get Active
Summer is a great time to relax but it’s also a great time to get active! Chances are you do not want your teenager spending the summer inside on their tablet or video game system. So, encourage them to spend some time outside being physically active.
Check your local community for sports camps or exercise classes that might fit your teen’s interests. If they aren’t into sports consider starting an exercise program together. Arranging a few family hikes or going on a walk or run with your teenager is a fun way to enjoy the outdoors and spend some time together.
6. Get Creative
Not every summer day will be sunny or appropriate for outside. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up on limiting your teenager’s screen time. Consider other ways to keep your teenagers busy this summer indoors.
Talk to your teenager about activities that might interest them. Would they like to hit up the local craft store and try some creative projects? Learn to knit? Tie-dye?
Other teens might enjoy reading a stack of books from the library. Some libraries have special summer programming geared towards teenagers. Your teen may also be interested in finding a local class to learn a new skill.
7. Learn Something New
Summer can be a great time for older kids to learn something new. While the idea of learning anything outside of school can sound like a real drag, some kids enjoy learning and are genuinely curious in some topics.
Many workshops, internships and apprenticeships are available for teens to take advantage of. Devoting summer to learn just one skill they can use for the rest of their life will be extremely beneficial. This can be almost anything from learning how to change a flat tire to perfecting a specific craft.
The possibilities are endless and like they always say, “knowledge is power.” If your teen is thinking about heading away for college in the next few years, don’t miss our guide to chores they should know before they go!
Make it an adventure. Not just a means of keeping them busy. Summer should be fun, after all! Don’t forget to reward your teen for a job well done with special experiences they came up with while brainstorming your family’s summer bucket list.
8. Go Camping
Camping is a great way to bond as a family and get away from technology for a while. It’s also a great opportunity for your teen to learn new skills, such as building a fire or pitching a tent.
9. Have a Picnic
A picnic is a great way to enjoy the summer weather and have a meal as a family. You can pack your own food, and have your teen involved in preparing the meal. This is also a great opportunity to teach them about food safety for when they are out on their own one day!
10. Go to the Beach
The beach is a great place to relax, build sandcastles, and play in the waves. It’s also a great opportunity for your teen to work on their tan (with sunscreen of course), and enjoy the fresh salt water air. Encourage them to bring a few friends along for the day!
11. Make Homemade Ice Cream
Who doesn’t love ice cream? Making your own homemade ice cream is a great way to spend a summer afternoon, and your teen can help with the process. Plus who doesn’t love some ice cream on a hot summer day?
12. Host A Barbecue
Grilling out is a great way to spend a summer day. Your teen can help with the preparation, and also invite their friends over. This is a great opportunity to teach them about cooking, and socializing with others.
13. Take a Family Road Trip
Summer is the perfect time to hit the open road. This is a great opportunity for your teen to see new places, and bond with the family. Make sure to plan some fun stops along the way!
14. Visit a State or National Park
There are many beautiful state and national parks to visit during the summer. This is a great opportunity for your teen to learn about nature, and appreciate the beauty of the world around them.
15. Take Up a New Hobby
Summer is a great time to try something new. Encourage your teen to find a hobby that they are interested in, and help them get started. This is a great opportunity for them to learn something new, and expand their horizons.
