As summer approaches, figuring out how to keep your teens entertained during the long, hot months can be especially challenging.
As the mom to three kids, two of which are teens and one who has graduated into his 20s, I understand! While you don't want to be the program director like you were when they were little, it really is important to help them figure out what to do.
Luckily, there are plenty of summer activities that your homeschooled teen will actually enjoy! Here are the ones that worked for us!
The Best Summer Activities Your Teen Will Actually Enjoy
Beach Day
Who doesn't love a day at the beach? Pack a cooler with snacks and drinks, grab some sunscreen, and hit the sand for a day of swimming, sunbathing, and building sandcastles. Not near the ocean? Head to a lake, the picnic area by a nearby river, or even outside to the pool!
Movie Marathon
Whether your teen is into superhero blockbusters or indie flicks, a movie marathon is always a good idea. Stock up on popcorn and snacks, dim the lights, and settle in for a day (or weekend!) of cinematic fun.
Foodie Adventure
Summer is the perfect time to explore new cuisines and restaurants. Take your teen on a foodie adventure to try out different ethnic foods, or challenge them to a cook-off to see who can create the most delicious dish. Food trucks are also out in abundance during the summer months and make for a fun foodie excursion!
DIY Project
For the crafty teen, a DIY project can be a fun way to spend a summer day. Make tie-dye shirts or dream catchers, create a vision board, or build a birdhouse – the possibilities are endless. If your teen is especially crafty, they might even want to sell their wares at a local summer craft show or vendor event.
Game Night
A classic game night is always a hit with teens – provided the snacks are plentiful. Break out the board games, cards, or video games and spend an evening laughing, snacking, and competing.
Volunteer Work
Encourage your teen to give back to the community by volunteering at a local shelter, food bank, or charity. Not only will it be a rewarding experience, but it will also look great on college applications.
Get a Job
Getting a summer job can be a great learning experience for money-motivated teens. The best part for homeschoolers is that their work availability often lasts longer than their public school peers!
Take a Train
Train travel can be a fun and exciting experience for teens – especially if they've never traveled by rail! Unlike air travel, train travel allows passengers to see scenic views along the way without being smooshed like sardines. For teens who may be used to hectic schedules, a train ride to a nearby city or town can be a welcome break and a chance to slow down and enjoy the ride.
Book Challenges
My 15-year-old is an avid reader, and her favorite summer pastime is reading as many
Outdoor Concerts
Plan an evening to head to a local outdoor concert. Listen to some new bands, try some new music genres, and lounge outside one summer night! Many towns and cities offer free or low-cost open-air musical concerts during summer.
Try a New Ice Cream Shop
There's nothing that says summer more than ice cream! Head to a new or new-to-you ice cream shop and try different flavors. If the outing is a success, see how many different ice cream parlors you can visit throughout the summer! Not near ice cream shops? Try making your own ice cream instead!
There are plenty of summer activities that your homeschooled teen may actually enjoy – the trick is finding which ones work for them! From beach days to DIY projects to a foodie food truck tour, there's something for everyone. Get out of the house this summer and make these warmer weeks ones to remember!
About the Author
Meet Brandi Jordan, the ultimate queen of multitasking! She can be found sipping coffee and binge-watching the latest reality TV show while doing yoga and creating amazing teaching resources for her education and family-related websites. It's a feat, to be sure! When she's not busy working up a sweat or glued to her computer, Brandi loves spending time with her family and getting lost in a good book – preferably with a cup of coffee in hand. She's also a former classroom teacher turned homeschooling mom turned almost empty-nester.
Websites: MamaTeaches.com, HomeschoolingPreschool.com, ThatKidsCraftSite.com
- Summer Activities Your Teen Will Actually Enjoy - June 2, 2023
