Image: Midjourney/ MomJunction Design Team
Teens are always hooked to their phones for entertainment, and they love playing video games. Thus, if you are looking for fun activities for teens to distract them from their screens, we’ve got you covered.
Excessive screen time can cause teenagers several problems such as depression, anxiety, and sleep and behavioral issues. Thus, you can engage them with things they are passionate about. They only need a nudge in the right direction to indulge in their passions.
We have made a list of some fun activities for teens—activities that are designed to engage their minds and make them more productive. So, read on and engage them in one.
25+ Fun Activities For Teens
Teens are usually reticent about voicing their interests to their parents. Often, you will need to observe them to learn their likes and dislikes. When you know what they like, engage them in activities to develop their social skills, make them more creative, teach them new skills, and strengthen your bond. Here are some fun activities for teens you can try.
1. Jigsaw puzzles
Jigsaw puzzles require concentration and patience. Picking up each piece and deciding where it should go needs logical thinking and tactical skills. Gift your teen a jigsaw puzzle and let them solve it with their friends or by themselves. As they gain mastery, you can opt for more complex jigsaws with more pieces.
Did you know?2. Baking
Baking is a fun activity to do with children of any age group. Teens love baking as it gives them the freedom to experiment with recipes and come up with unique ones. As a bonus, they get freshly baked cookies, cakes, or bread to eat after every baking session. If they are interested, they could even try baking pizzas and muffins. Baking is a skill that will be useful for them later in life too.
3. Cooking
Image: IStock
Just like baking, cooking is an immersive experience. Teens like to play around with ingredients to make things that they want. You can make it exciting by pulling out the stuff in your refrigerator and asking them to create a dish using only those ingredients. Or, you can make it a monthly family event or a cooking night, where everyone gets ingredients they like and cooks a different dish. This way, your teen will also learn the importance of taste, smell, and creativity, which is essential to cooking.
4. Planning the menu
Teens love being included in family matters. Menu planning is an important part of every household. If you ask your teen’s opinion on the week’s menu, they are sure to put in their thoughts according to their likes and dislikes. If they prefer junk food, you can explain the advantages of healthy food and throw in the junk food option once or twice a week. This will make your teen feel heard and boost their self-confidence.
5. Writing
Writing is a peaceful activity. It helps a person purge their mind of all stressful thoughts. Creating a to-do list for the day can make a teen feel in control of their life, and writing in a diary can help them analyze their feelings and behavior. They could start a blog to document things they are passionate about, and you could also engage them in some creative writing games and activities.
6. Board games
As children, they may have loved snakes and ladders and Ludo, but their brains need more stimulation as they grow older. Teens may play these games once in a while, but if you want your teen to spend some time off-screen, you must look for board games that will allow them to think and make decisions. Monopoly, Pandemic, Ticket to Ride, Scrabble, Settlers of Catan, Dungeons and Dragons, etc., are great board games for teens. They involve strategy and teamwork and can help them in socializing with others better.
7. Candle-making
Candle-making is one of the productive activities for teenagers that keeps them engaged and intrigued. Candle-making kits come with instructions that are fairly easy to follow, and your teen can make a variety of candles. You can find several resources for candle-making online as well. Your teenager can develop their own scent by experimenting with different essential oils. Moreover, handmade scented candles make excellent gifts for almost every occasion.
Trivia8. Bowling
Bowling is one of the best games for family nights. When your teens cannot go outside, let them assemble some “pins” made of household items and start bowling right at home. You can use different items every time. Empty plastic bottles are the usual choice, though you can use soft toys, cartoons, or even balls as bowling pins. Use balls, cushions, or cardboard boxes as balls. Change the setup for each round to see who can make the most difficult lane.
9. Writing a letter
Writing a letter is one of the best ways to communicate with people and is a great way to improve their writing skills. Although electronic texts and emails have taken over the communication world, your teen can communicate more effectively using an old-fashioned pen and paper. If they are not sure who to write to, they can write a letter to themselves outlining their dreams and aspirations. Then, store it somewhere safe for them to read after a decade or after they have reached a certain milestone in their life.
Quick fact10. Reading books
Image: Shutterstock
There is nothing quite as satisfying as escaping your world and living in a utopian world. If your teen already loves reading, you can encourage them to read new genres or different formats. If they do not like reading, you can set it up as a parent-teen challenge to see who finishes reading a book first. Set up debates and discussions on the selected book, or try some of these reading games and activities.
Uchenna Umeh (aka Dr. Lulu), a Pediatrician and mother, says, “As an avid reader, this is one activity I don’t compromise on… As a rule, I require that my sons read for two hours daily for every two hours of video games they play! They absolutely hate this, but they still do it. What I often do is, take them along with me to the library or make them go to the library for two hours daily. It ends up being fun for them, but not before they have complained a lot… Finally, they have to do a book report on the books they have read, and we have a day or two set aside to discuss the books. Once in a while, they want to re-read their old favorites, and I allow them, as long as they read (i).”
11. Jewelry-making
Jewelry-making is not only about creating pretty necklaces and bracelets; it could well turn out to be quite a lucrative hobby for your teen. Depending on your teen’s preferences, they can make jewelry for themselves and their friends and family. There are quite a lot of people who make fandom jewelry as well. If your teen is into a fandom, they can attempt making jewelry related to it.
12. Attending a game
If your teen has a keen interest in sports and spends time watching baseball or soccer on TV, you can get them to watch a live match happening in your city. It could be an inter-school match or a bigger one. Let your teen attend a live match to absorb the vibe of the place and interact with the players if they can. It will be an entertaining and even life-changing experience for your teen.
13. Biking
Image: IStock
This is an activity that teens usually prefer doing because it allows them to go out on their own. You can challenge them to ride a certain distance or visit a certain place. Biking is a great activity to go outdoors and get some exercise and ample fresh air. They can also explore new places with their friends and take this opportunity to learn traffic rules.
14. Swimming
Swimming is another activity that will take your teen out of the house and make them happy. They can practice different strokes and experiment with diving as well. Once they are well-prepared, they can hold a pool party with their friends where they can show off their cool swimming and diving skills.
15. Coding
With the rapid advancements in computer technologies, having a grip over programming can give your teen an edge over others. It is a skill that will hold them in good stead, no matter what field they pursue. So, encourage them to spend some time coding and learn to think logically and solve problems.
16. Movie night
Teens love watching movies. Get some of their favorite movies and arrange a movie night with either friends or family. You could ask your teen and others to dress up as the characters in the movies they are planning to watch or make a list of movies that have been adapted from books. Discuss the movies with them–what do they think could have been done differently? Would some other actor be substituted for the ones in the movie? How is the movie different from the book?
17. Museum trips
How often do you overlook local attractions because you feel your teens wouldn’t be interested in them? Let your teen absorb your culture by visiting the local museum. They can share pictures on Instagram and tell the world about the place. You could also arrange a scavenger hunt and let them visit the museum and click pictures of obscure items there. That sounds like one of the interesting educational group activities for teenagers, allowing them to learn while having fun.
18. Drawing or painting
Drawing is an excellent way for teens to express their feelings and spark their creativity. If your teen loves drawing or painting, encourage them to carry a small sketchbook wherever they go. This practice can teach them to observe their surroundings and notice the little things they might otherwise miss. At the end of each day, ask them if they have drawn or painted anything and discuss the art with them.
19. Dancing
Image: IStock
Dancing is an activity that will instantly put your teen in good spirits. If they wish, you can enroll them in professional training for various dance forms. Sometimes, just moving your body to music is a good way to relax. Serotonin, or the happy hormone, is released in your body when you dance, which leads to a good mood and general mental well-being.
20. Listening to music
Listening to music is a good way to calm your nerves. Some people prefer listening to calm music, while others prefer loud music to tune out the world. Encourage your teen to listen to more music by setting up a karaoke bar right in your home. They can sing along to their heart’s content with their favorite artists.
21. Learning a new language
Multilingual children are known to be good at social communication. You could encourage your teen to learn a new language. Find free applications from which your teen can learn languages. You can also learn along with them so that they are motivated. Pick your favorite languages and get started.
22. Learning an instrument
You can find several YouTube tutorials or apps that teach musical instruments. Let your child choose any instrument that they think will interest them and start learning the basics. This is a great workout for their brains, and they will be off screens for quite a while. If they seem interested, you could enroll them in classes.
Did you know?23. Making stop-motion videos
Stop-motion videos are fun to watch. Check out some popular stop-motion videos on the Internet that your teen could use to make their own characters and backgrounds for a stop-motion video. It takes some practice, but once they master it, they can post these videos online as well.
24. Photography
Image: IStock
Photography is a good way of training young minds to think out of the box and see a view that a person sees daily with a different eye. Mobile phones come with good cameras these days, but you can invest in a good-quality camera for better picture quality and a better learning curve. Photographers often hold workshops and send newsletters so that you can learn more about the nuances of photography– explore them with your teen.
25. Hairstyling
If your teen is fond of following the latest trends in hair fashion, they might be interested in hairstyling. Start by designating one day for hairstyling, which means that the teen has to look up various hairstyles and cuts and experiment on you. Encourage them to look up safe hair coloring and straightening practices as well. The more they practice, the more confidence they will gain.
26. Go camping
Camping offers a fantastic way for teens to stay busy and have fun. It gets them outdoors, engaging in activities like hiking or fishing. When they camp with friends or family, it becomes a teamwork adventure. Setting up tents, cooking together, and simply enjoying each other’s company make the trip even more joyful and productive. In addition to having fun, they learn essential skills, tackle problems, and become more independent. Camping serves as a break from phones and screens, allowing them to immerse themselves in nature and stay active. Beyond the physical aspects, camping also leads to an appreciation for nature, offering teens an enjoyable and enriching experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why do teens need activities?
Teenagers can have fun, socialize, make friends, and develop overall. They can explore their interests, learn new skills, and gain confidence by participating in different sporting events and getting along with their friends.
2. How do I engage teens in activities?
Make a list of age-appropriate and fun things to do with teens, and encourage them to pursue their interests. Provide ample opportunities for exploration, offer support and encouragement, and make sure these activities are enjoyable to hold their interest.
3. How much activity does a teenager need?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), teenagers should engage in 60 minutes or more of moderate-to-vigorous physical exercise each day (1).
4. What are some budget-friendly activities that I can do with my teens?
Many of the activities listed here can be done with minimal costs. You don’t need to pay for music or language lessons or take your teens on expensive trips. Instead, you can organize movie nights, play board games, cook or paint together, complete a craft or DIY project, or read with them. All of these activities can be done without breaking the bank.
Recreation exercises are important for teens so introduce them to games and activities that keep them away from the screen and help hone their creative skills and learn new things. This list of fun activities for teens could be a hit among your teen and their friends. And not only will they enjoy being involved in these, but they will also learn new skills that will help as they grow into an adult. Besides the above activities, you may explore other fun activities such as surfing, Go-Kart Racing, and water sports adventures. You could also join them in these activities or invite their friends over for a lovely time together and strengthen the bond.
Infographic: Popular Activities Teens Must Try
The teen years are some of the golden years that pass by flash. So while it’s good to be spontaneous sometimes, a list of must-do activities is something every teenager should have. This infographic lists popular must-do activities teenagers should try with their friends during vacations. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- Experimenting with recipes can be a super fun activity if your teenagers enjoy cooking or baking.
- If your teen already enjoys reading, encourage them to expand into new genres or forms.
- Dancing and listening to music might help your teen relax and have a good time.
- Learning a new skill, such as an instrument or a language, will be educational and enjoyable for teenagers.
Illustration: Fun Activities For Teens To Keep Them Engaged
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. 7 Things Your Teens Can Do This Summer (To stay busy and out of trouble).https://wordsbyblackbutterfly.com/2019/06/02/7-things-your-teens-can-do-this-summer-to-stay-busy-and-out-of-trouble/
References
- Physical Activity Guidelines for School-Aged Children and Adolescents.
https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/physicalactivity/guidelines.htm
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