50+ Things for Teens To Do This Summer

Schools out, now what? Our teens probably would be perfectly happy sleeping in and playing video games all summer, but we’d like them to do more than that. And I think with unlimited play and sleeping in, even teens will get bored. So to get them out of their rooms and off electronics, what could they do? I asked mine and he muttered “nothing”. I suggested he think about it for a few days and come up with some ideas. If he doesn’t have ideas, I told him mom and dad will suggest a few (this should motivate him).

Maybe something education or creative so their minds don’t go to mush?

Some family time. A weekend activity or a family getaway?

With the Covid-19 Pandemic, it’s even hard this year to figure out how to keep the teens busy. Many camps are closed are this year. In some places, pools are not opening. Even if you live in a place where places are open, you may want your family to practice social distancing and not go to places with crowds. Whether you decide to let your kid go to public places or decide to stay home that is your own family’s decision (along with state regulations).

Some kids will be getting jobs this summer, others will not. If you do let your kids get a job, see what the employer is doing to keep employees safe. Summer break is the perfect time for kids to earn money whether they’re saving for a car, college, or for extra spending money during the year. Check your local labor laws to see what the regulations are for their age. I just googled Arizona and found that kids can work outside of school hours starting at 14 (starting at 10, they can do a paper route).

What to do with teens this summer?

summer job
summer school
summer conditioning camps for high school sports
babysit or mother’s helper
think about life after graduation. College, military, job?
research colleges
SAT prep
online course
online camp
volunteer
craft – make tie-dye shirts, jewelry, paint,
learn a new hobby – photography, sew, programming, drawing
help parents around the house
help parents with the family business
do yard work
start a garden
read a book
play board games
backyard sports – badminton, cornhole, volleyball, frisbee, basketball
indoor games like darts, ping pong
learn to make videos
learn to edit photos
do a DIY project for their bedroom
start a workout program – lift weights, train for a 5k or 10k, yoga
practice driving skills
got that entrepreneurial spirit? start a business
spend time in the pool
drive-in movies
host your own backyard movies
start a highschool scrapbook
try out a new makeup look
practice nail art
journal
write a book or play
learn to play a musical instrument
learn a new language
geocaching
Lego building challenges
make Lego cars and have a race off
learn new cards games
learn to solve the Rubik’s cube

Summer break is a great time to focus on learning life skills so they’ll be prepared once they’re on their own.

learn to cook
learn to bake
car maintenance and repair
home maintenance and repairs

Get outside and be active

camping
hiking
kayaking, canoeing, SUP, surf, boating, waterskiing
Interesting in trying kayaking? We put together a list of Kayaking Essentials for Beginners
fishing
bike rides
skateboarding
golf
driving range
tennis
racquetball
horseback riding
batting cages

Check out these posts for more ideas

With the Coronavirus case on the rise in Arizona, we are choosing to social distance. We had international travel plans for this summer which we have postponed. My son’s sleep away camp was canceled for this year. We have shifted our summer travel plans to camping, overlanding-style. We ordered a rooftop tent for my Toyota 4 Runner and hoping to do several multi-stop camping road trips.

We’d love to hear how you’re keeping your teenagers busy this summer? Leave us a comment or send us a message