Every parent knows the feeling when school lets out and it’s finally time to answer the dreaded question, “What am I gonna do with my teen for three months?” It’s a tough one, especially for older teens. By this point, they’ve aged out of most traditional summer camps, but they’re not quite ready to be completely independent. The result is that teens can easily end up spending way too much time on their screens.
So, what can parents do? Well, our advice is to lean into their interests. When they’re excited about something, they’re more likely to be engaged and stay engaged before getting back to their devices. Whether your teen is adventurous, artsy, sporty, or future-focused, we’ve pulled together some ideas that’ll get them pumped for the summer. Let’s jump in!
For the Adventurous Teen
Summer is the best time for adventures! This could be as simple as outdoor camping in the backyard or something more next-level, such as learning rock climbing or ziplining for the first time. You can even add a fun twist to these adventures, like turning hikes into photo challenges. (Pro tip: Use a disposable or digital camera instead of a phone to keep screen time low).
Here is a quick list of activities your adventurous teen may enjoy:
- Hiking with photography challenges
- Rock climbing at local gyms or outdoor spots
- Kayaking, paddleboarding, or canoeing
- Geocaching (treasure hunting with GPS coordinates)
- Skateboarding or longboarding
- Outdoor obstacle courses or ziplining
- Taking a day trip to explore a nearby town
For the Creative Teen
Not all kids are looking to climb a mountain, and that’s okay! Plenty of fun can be had indoors with a big imagination. The best part of summer is the amount of free time teens have, giving them a chance to work on projects and hobbies they may not have time for during school. Take advantage of that and encourage them to hone their artistic talents!
Some creative outlets for your teen may include:
- Learning musical instruments (guitar, ukulele, keyboard)
- Art projects: painting, drawing, jewelry making, pottery
- Writing projects: journaling, poetry, short stories
- Photography with film cameras
- Cooking and baking challenges
- DIY room makeovers or furniture upcycling
- Starting a vlog or mini video series (another tech-based idea, but tons of kids love expressing themselves through videos! And the videos don’t have to be posted on social media).
For the Social Teen
There’s nothing wrong with a summer spent making memories with friends. Sometimes teens need help making plans with their friends outside of their school routine. Below are some creative ways to get a group of teens together.
- Hosting game nights (board games, card games, charades)
- Themed parties (let your teen get creative and pick the theme)
- Organizing sports tournaments with friends
- Movie nights (spice it up with an outdoor projector)
- Starting a book club
- Group volunteer projects
- Scavenger hunts around town
- Group trip to a local amusement park, zoo, aquarium, etc.
For the Sporty Teen
Have an athletic teen who just can’t sit still? Consider using their extra summer time to try new sports they haven’t tried yet. Or, make a challenge out of their sports endeavors: Challenge them to try ten new sports or activities before summer is over. Or reach a specific goal within a specific sport. Maybe your teen will shoot 20 free throws in a row this summer or bench a new weight at the gym.
- Joining community sports leagues
- Learning new sports: tennis, swimming, martial arts
- Fitness challenges with friends
- Yoga or meditation classes
- Dance classes or creating choreography
- Training for fun runs or charity walks
For the Career-Driven and Community-Focused Teen
If your teen is already making big plans for their future, summer is the time to build their resume and their character. Encourage them to find ways to give back and gain valuable experience. Here are just a few ways teens can spend their summer making a positive impact.
- Part-time jobs: retail, food service, tutoring younger kids
- Volunteer work: animal shelters, food banks, community gardens
- Fundraising for an important cause through bake sales or car washes
- Starting small businesses: dog walking, lawn care, babysitting
- Internships or job shadowing in fields of interest
- Teaching skills to others (sports, music, art)
Use Bark for Digital Safety This Summer
If you feel like you need some extra help managing your teen’s screen time, you’re not alone. That’s why Bark offers a suite of parental controls that puts parents in the driver’s seat of their child’s online safety. Whether you need help managing how much time your child spends on tech, monitoring their internet activities, or tracking their location, we've got you covered. Bark offers the Bark Phone, the Bark Watch, the Bark app, and the Bark Home. Check out our products page to find out which one is the best fit for your family.
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Bark helps families manage and protect their children’s digital lives.
