50 entertaining activities for teens

As your teen navigates the bridge between childhood and adulthood, finding age-appropriate and stimulating activities can seem like a Herculean task. To lighten your load, we've created a comprehensive list of 50 activities for teens. From outdoor adventures that harness their boundless energy to creative pursuits that encourage self-expression, there's something for everyone. Let's dive in!

Outdoor activities

Getting your teens outdoors and into nature is a great way to clear their minds. Try suggesting these options next time your teen needs an energy release. 

1. Go on a bike ride

Bike rides aren't just for kids — your teen will enjoy it, too! Find a local bike path in a park or your town, and get the whole family pedaling!

2. Outdoor yoga

Yoga offers many physical and mental benefits, and it may just be what your teen needs when they seem a little stressed. 🧘 Try outdoor yoga in your yard, a local park, or a beach if there's one nearby. 

3. Try hiking

Is there a nearby hiking trail your teen can explore? Show them where it is and invite their friends along. Or, make it a bonding experience and make it a parent/teen adventure!

4. Go swimming

Hot summer days are the perfect opportunity for water sports like swimming. Take your teen to a nearby community pool, beach, or lake and let them splash around. 

5. Play tennis

Do you have a few tennis rackets in your garage? Grab them and take your teen to a rec center with tennis courts. Teach them how to play and see who wins!

6. Take the family dog on a walk

Most pups love a long walk full of chances to explore their surroundings and meet other dogs! 🦮 Encourage your teen to take the family dog on a walk through your neighborhood or to a dog park.

7. Go camping

Camping is a fun outdoor activity you can usually do any time of the year if you have the proper clothing and equipment. Take your teen camping at a local campsite, or make a trip out of it and camp at a state or national park!

Educational activities

Learning doesn't have to be boring. Here are a few educational (but fun!) activities to boost your teen's knowledge and skills.

8. Sign up for an online class

There are thousands of online classes your teen can sign up for — and many are free! Check out online learning platforms and find a course they're interested in.

9. Apply for an internship

You might think internships are for college students, but many companies accept teenage interns, too. Getting an internship can expose your teen to career fields that interest them. 

10. Learn a new language

Becoming fluent in a second language can open up future career and educational opportunities. Or, it can prepare them for an upcoming vacation or future study abroad. 🌍 

11. Teach them how to budget

Eventually, your teen will be responsible for managing their own household finances. Start their financial literacy journey by creating a budget. Or, show them Greenlight's Level Up app, which uses bite-size lessons to teach teens how to save, earn, spend, and invest.

12. Join a first aid and CPR workshop

A first aid class teaches teens what to do in a medical emergency. They'll learn to perform CPR, care for wounds, and help someone with a sprain or fracture. First aid and CPR are a must for any teen who babysits or is around people with health issues. 

13. Visit a museum or historical site

Take your teen to the local art or history museum and let them explore. 

Arts and crafts

Have you got a creatively inclined teen? Awesome! Let's look at artsy activities that fuel their imagination and artistic talents.

14. Learn to knit or crochet

Teaching your teen how to knit or crochet is a skill they can carry through life. As they improve their skills, they can make scarves, sweaters, socks, hats, and many other useful items.🧶 If you don't know how to knit or crochet, sign them up for a class at your local art supply store or encourage them to explore beginner videos online.

15. Put together a family photograph album

Time passes quickly — and soon, your teen will be an adult with their own home to run. Ask your teen to share their favorite family photos with you and have them printed at your local photo store. Then, your teen can assemble a family photo album they'll love to look back on when they're older. 

16. Make a bath bomb

You can find bath bombs at many makeup stores, but why not have your teen make a few for themselves in a scent they love? Once they're done, they can store their bath bombs in the tub for a relaxing evening or use them as gifts for friends.

17. Tie-dye shirts (or shoes)

While you might associate tie-dye with summer camp, there's no reason this can't be a year-round activity your teen can enjoy at home. Round up a few t-shirts or a pair of white canvas shoes, and let your teen get to work with their next fashion statement.

18. Get into candle making

Candles can add ambiance — and lovely scents — to your home. Teach your teen to make their own candles with an appealing smell. 🕯️ If you've never made candles before, visit your local library and see if they have any books on candle making or search the internet for guidance.

19. Try coloring

You can find coloring books for teens online or at retail stores. Let them pick one out and spend a few hours coloring their favorite design. Once they're done, you can hang their masterpiece on the refrigerator or frame it for their room.

Sports and fitness

Health is wealth, right? Here are some sports and fitness activities that'll keep your teen healthy, active, and pumped up.

20. Put together a neighborhood pickup game

Do you have a teen who loves to shoot some hoops? Gather a few neighborhood kids who also enjoy basketball for an afternoon game! You can try other group activities for teens, like volleyball, baseball, or soccer.

21. Hit the golf course

Golf is an enjoyable sport teens can play throughout their lives. Sign your teen up for golf lessons, or teach them how to play yourself. They'll enjoy getting out on the greens and hitting a few balls. Forego the golf cart and walk the course on a pleasant day for extra exercise.

22. Strap on some roller skates

Does your teen have a pair of roller skates in the garage? 🛼 Get them out and encourage them to skate the neighborhood. Try your local roller skating or ice skating rink if the weather's poor and you can rent a pair of skates.

23. Go to the gym

Gyms are full of exercise equipment like weights, treadmills, exercise bikes, and ellipticals. Some offer regular weightlifting, barre, spinning, and boot camp classes. Take your teen to the local gym and let them choose an exercise they like!

24. Try skiing

If you live in an area that gets snow, skiing or snowboarding can be an exciting activity for your teen. Sign them up for their first skiing lesson, then let them hit the slopes! Most ski resorts allow you to rent equipment for a small fee. 

25. Sign up for a local sports league

Is there a sport your teen loves but is just learning to play? Sign them up for the local rec league. They'll get experience and meet other teens who enjoy it, too!

Cooking and baking

Is your teen a budding chef or baker? Great! Let's discover some kitchen activities that'll let them whip up some delicious creations.

26. Show them how to make cookies

Does your teen have a favorite cookie? Instead of making a batch yourself (or buying grocery store cookies), find the recipe and let them make a family dessert!

27. Let your teen plan family dinners for the week

Show your teen how you plan family meals. Ask them to pick out a few favorite recipes and determine what ingredients you need. Then, take them grocery shopping. They'll learn about food costs and how to make a grocery list.

28. Make a birthday cake

Does someone have an upcoming birthday? Ask your teen to make the cake. 🎂 To up the challenge, encourage them to make it from scratch instead of a box.

29. Ask them to make dinner

Do you have a busy workday coming up? Instead of grabbing takeaway on the way home, let your teen make dinner for the family.

30. Make smoothies together

Smoothies are easy to make and don't require lots of ingredients. Choose a recipe and make breakfast smoothies on a weekend morning. 

31. Saturday breakfast in bed

Do you love pancakes or waffles? How about scrambled eggs or breakfast sandwiches? Let your teen make you breakfast in bed on a Saturday morning (bonus points if it's your birthday!). 

Community service

It's never too early to start giving back. Let's discuss some community service activities to teach your teen the joy of helping others.

32. Volunteer at a local homeless shelter

Shelters can always use an extra pair of helping hands. Volunteer together at your local shelter and help distribute food or gather needed supplies.

33. Play with dogs and cats at the local animal shelter

Some animal shelters seek volunteers to help with tasks like feeding dogs and cats. If your teen loves animals, sign them up to help.

34. Participate in an environmental clean-up

Charities and environmental organizations sometimes organize community clean-ups. 🏞️ Volunteer for the next one in your area.

35. Start a community garden

Is there a common area in your neighborhood that would be a great garden? Get your teens and neighbors involved and start planting! 

36. Have a garage sale and donate the earnings

Do you have a lot of old toys and knickknacks your teens no longer use? Ask them to gather everything for a garage sale. Your teen can donate a portion of their earnings to a favorite charity.

37. Sign up for a charity run or walk

Non-profits and community organizations frequently hold 5Ks to raise money for charity. You can sign your teen up for the next charity event and encourage them to solicit donations from relatives and close friends. 

DIY projects

DIY projects can be super fun and rewarding. Let's find some cool projects your teen can tackle.

38. Redecorate their room

Older teens may outgrow their childhood bedroom decor. Discuss ways they can redecorate, such as moving furniture around or painting their room a new color.

39. Ask your teen to help with a home repair

Are you remodeling your bathroom or installing new weatherstripping? Ask your teen to help. They'll learn a few lifelong skills they can use in adulthood.

40. Show your teen how to make a car repair

Some car repairs don't require a trip to the shop — you can do them yourself. If you need to replace your wiper blades or a brake light, show them how it's done. You can also walk through basic auto care, like checking oil and tire pressure. 🚗

41. Mow the lawn

During the spring and summer, you may need to mow your lawn weekly. Teach your teen how to mow. If they enjoy it, they can earn some extra money mowing lawns for neighbors who need help, too.

42. Paint or restore furniture

Is there an old dresser or desk in your home that could use a refresh? Show your teen how to restore it so it looks new again.

43. Start an herb garden

Take your teen to the local gardening store and let them select a few herbs to grow at home. Basil, oregano, parsley, and rosemary can all be grown indoors, saving you a few dollars in groceries and providing fresh seasoning for family dinners. 

44. Clean out the closet

Is there an area in your home that could benefit from reorganization? Put your teen in charge of the effort. Let them organize a closet, kitchen cabinet, refrigerator, or whatever else you need help with.

Tech and coding

In the digital age, tech-savvy teens are ahead of the game. Let's dive into some coding and tech activities they'll absolutely enjoy.

45. Create a blog

Blogs offer a range of benefits. Teens can write and share articles about things they enjoy. They can also pick up valuable skills in managing a website. Sometimes, blogging can help your teen earn some extra passive income!

46. Have a video game contest

Is there a video game your teen loves to play? Join in the fun and challenge them to a gaming contest.

47. Watch movies together

Let your teen pick a few movies or TV shows to watch together on their favorite streaming service. Sometimes, a relaxing day on the couch (complete with snacks!) can be just what your teen needs after a busy week.

48. Sign up for a coding boot camp

There are lots of apps and platforms your teen can use to learn how to code. Learning a coding language early can help prepare them for high school or college courses they might take.

49. Video call a distant relative

Do you have a relative your teen doesn't get to see very often because they live far away? Schedule a Facetime call to reconnect!

50. Make a video

Encourage your teen to make a short video or film using their smartphone. 📽️ They can get others involved to help plan the video or write a script. 

Broaden horizons with fun activities for teens

It's easy to get stuck in a routine with school, homework, and daily chores. This treasure trove of ideas can help your teen learn more about their interests (and themselves). Whether your teen prefers the great outdoors, getting creative, or developing their tech skills, there's truly something for everyone. For more activity ideas, check out Greenlight's Learning Center!