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
- 70+ Things to Do with your teenage son
- The 10 BEST 80s movies to watch with your teens
- Family Fun at Home with Teens during Coronavirus Social Distancing
- Family Game Night – the BEST games for family’s with teens
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
