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Summer Activities for Teens That Will Keep Them Busy

If you have a teenager at home this summer, you’re probably starting to think about how they will be spending their time for those three months. For younger school age kids, crafts, games, and outings to the park are enough. But your teenager probably has other interests.

Often their interests include social media and electronics. But is that how you want them to spend their summer? Probably not. Or at least not all the time. It’s time to come up with a plan. So, check out these summer activities for teens they are sure to love.

Perfect Summer Activities for Teenagers

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Now let’s take a look at some of the best summer activities for teens to keep them happy, healthy, and productive.

teen girl doing laundry

1. Help Around the House

During the school year, most teens are busy with homework and after-school activities. But during the summer, they should have some time available to help out with chores around the house.

This is something to talk to your teen about now at the start of the summer. Make it clear what your expectations are. And find out what jobs they are most interested in taking on.

Cooking dinner for the family is a great way to keep your teenagers busy this summer. Assign them one night per week. Let them choose the recipe, do the preparations, maybe even shop if they can drive. And then prepare dinner for the family. This will be a huge relief for parents, especially those that come home from work right at dinner time.

Other ways teenagers can help around the house is to take over lawn care. Or take on special projects like cleaning out closets or organizing the garage. At a minimum, they should be helping out with laundry and cleaning up after themselves during the day.

2. 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.  Don’t miss our favorite summer jobs for 15 year olds!

Your teenager may not know where to begin the search. While they will need to take some initiative, helping them get started and asking around through your own connections is a nice way to give them a boost in the job search.

teenagers serving the community

3. 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?

4. Get Active Outside

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.

teen boy painting

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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!

9. 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!

10.  Visit a farmer’s market

Summer is the perfect time to take advantage of fresh fruits and vegetables. Farmer’s markets are a great place to buy local produce, and your teen can help you carry everything home. This is also a great opportunity to teach them about healthy eating habits.

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. Attending music festivals

Many cities have outdoor music festivals during the summer. This is a great opportunity for your teen to see their favorite bands, and discover new ones. It’s also a great chance for them to socialize with their friends.

13. Go hiking

Hiking is a great way to get some exercise, and enjoy the scenery. There are many trails of different levels, so you can find one that is perfect for your family. This is also a great opportunity to teach your teen about safety in the wilderness.

14. Hosting 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.

15. Going to the movies

There are always new movies coming out during the summer. This is a great way to beat the heat, and enjoy some time with your teen. You can make it a tradition to go see the latest blockbuster every Friday night.

16. Going on a 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!

17. 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.

18. Playing video games

Video games are a great way for your teen to relax, and have some fun. There are many different types of games, so there is sure to be one that they will enjoy. This is also a great opportunity for them to socialize with their friends online.

19. Taking 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.

20. Learning to cook or bake

Cooking and baking are great skills for your teen to learn. They can help with meal preparation, and also make some delicious treats. This is a great opportunity for them to learn about food, and how to cook healthy meals.

 

Summer Activities for Teens

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