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?
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, waterskiingInteresting 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
- 70+ Things to Do with your teenage son
- The 10 BEST 80s movies to watch with your teens
- Family Game Night – the BEST games for family’s with teens
We’d love to hear how you’re keeping your teenagers busy this summer? Leave us a comment or send us a message
