Inside: Ultimate list of summer activities for teens to help them stay active
Summertime is coming up, and we all know what that means: school is out! Que the High School Musical summer vacation song! Wait, is that old news now? Ha!
Today we are going to be talking about the many different ways that you can spend your time during this summer season. I’ve been there too many times. You count down the days until break, but as soon as it’s here, you have no idea as to what to do with yourself. I am here to solve that problem with these fun activities to fill your days
I have compiled a list of the best summer activities for teens that will help you create a summer to remember. So check out this list; I separated it into different sections, so pick the one that best fits your likes and hobbies!
And remember: Don’t be afraid to try something new!
Simple Summer Activities for Teens
I thought I would start out with the basics for those of you who are just trying to come up with simple ways to spend your days. These are some great ideas that I think would make any summer special. A lot of these can go hand in hand!
As you are going through this article, I recommend keeping a piece of paper near you to write down the ideas you like.
1. Sleeping – All jokes, but you should be catching up on some sleep during summer. At least sleep for a few days!
2. Drawing
3. Painting
4. Circuit Crafts – If you are lucky enough to have a Circuit machine, look up all the ways you can use it to make different crafts.
5. Rock Painting
6. Candle Making
7. Pottery Making
8. Thrift Shopping
9. Wreath Making
10. Baking
11. Old Movie Watching
12. Volunteer Dog Walker
13. Redecorating Your Room
14. Deep Cleaning
15. Be in Play
16. Learn Origami
17. Wool-craft
18. Learn Dancing for TikTok
19. Make YouTube Videos
20. Listen to Audiobooks – This one can be done while you are completing some of the other ideas on this list! I love getting lost in a good audiobook.
Outdoor Summer Activities for Teens
Summertime is basically synonymous with outdoor fun, don’t you think? So naturally, I had to create a list of fun outdoor summer activities for teens! Though these are simple, sometimes we need to see a list of ideas in front of us to find out what we really want to do. Anything on this list will be a blast!
21. Go for Daily Walks
22. Go On Hikes
23. Go On Picnics
24. Paint Outside
25. Go swimming
26. Go Kayaking
27. Collect Flowers
28. Press Flowers
29. Scavenge Books
30. Climb Trees
31. Go Zip lining
32. Go apple picking
33. Bird Watching
34. Camping
35. BBQ Parties
36. Outdoor Movie Nights
37. Paint with Leaves
38. Sidewalk Art
39. Go to Public Pool
40. Go to Skate Park
Hobbies for Teens
If you want to take up a hobby this summer, I think this is the list for you. Sometimes having a continuous activity to work towards and on is the best way to make the most of your summer holiday. Whatever you choose to do, make sure that it is something you can have fun with.
41. Take a Dance Class
42. Learn to play Basketball
43. Play tennis
44. Play Soccer
45. Learn to Garden
46. Photography
47. Take Singing Lessons
48. Pick Up an Instrument
49. Mountain Biking
50. Play Video Games
51. Learn to Crochet
52. Grow Indoor Plants
53. Collect Different Geodes
54. Make Sun Paintings
55. Learn How to Paper Mache
56. Learn to Do the Splits
57. Take a Classes Online
58. Learn to Skateboard
59. Read an Entire Book Series
60. Create a Morning and Night Routine
Summer Jobs for Teens
If money is a priority for you, then you are most likely thinking about what kind of job you want to get for your summer vacation. It can be hard to come up with one that you might enjoy, so I made a list of the best ones below that go way beyond the general babysitting job option. Really imagine yourself at each, and pick the one that sounds like the most fun.
61. Work At A Restaurant
62. Work At A Bakery
63. Work At A Coffee Shop
64. Work At A Ice Cream Parlor
65. Work At A Grocery Store
66. Work On A Farm
67. Offer Dog Walking
68. Mow Lawns
69. Start A Neighborhood Acting Club For Little Kids
70. Sell Things At A Farmers Market
71. Start an Etsy Shop With Crafts You Make At Home
72. Work As A Receptionist
73. Work In A Bookshop
74. Work At the Local Pound
75. Work At the Bowling Alley
76. Work At the Movie Theatre
77. Start a YouTube Channel
78. Work In a Pet Groomer
79. Work In a Plant Shop
80. Work At a Thrift Shop
Epic Summer To-Do List
Now this one is near and dear to my heart. Every summer when I was a teen, I would come up with these epic to-do lists that would serve as my goals for the summer. It was such a fun way to cross things off while getting experiences with my friends and me.
By the end of it, I had this list as a reminder of all that I had accomplished, big and small. Check this out!
81. Go On an Adventure
82. Bake a Cake and Share It With Friends
83. Create a Fairytale Picnic
84. Go Somewhere New
85. Leave Cute Notes for Strangers to Find
86. Meet New Friends
87. Help a Person In Need
88. Find a Heart Shaped Rock
89. Do Karaoke with Friends
90. Have a Backyard Camping Session
91. Start a Book Club
92. Create a New Drink
93. Dance Under the Moon
94. Find a Yellow Bird
Ultimate List of Summer Activities for Teens
And lastly, I had to include some of the best summer activities for teens. If you have somehow gotten this far without any ideas jumping out at you, this list will be the one. Check it out!
95. Go On a Roadtrip
96. Write a Short Story
97. Paint a Huge Mural
98. Watch Classic Movies
99. Spend Time with Your Grandparents
100. Go to a Concert
101. Spend the Day At the River
102. Pick a Spot In Nature to Claim As Yours – Visit it as much as you can, it will be like your second home.
103. Plant Flowers
104. Start a Scrapbook Journal
105. Upcycle Clothing – Up-cycling is when you take an old beat up piece of clothing and transform it into something new.
106. Create Your Own Neighborhood Map
107. Learn to BMX
108. Find Unique Blogs and Follow Them – Hehe, hi! You can stick with us.
109. Listen to A Weekly Podcast
110. Put On a Comedy Show
111. Create a Handshake with Your Best Friend
112. Have a Bonfire and Make S’mores
113. Go On an Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
114. Make Memories
I hope this list has inspired you as much as it has me. I may not be a teen anymore, but I think anyone can benefit from mindfully spending their time. I may have to do a few of these myself!
Summertime is a period meant for fun and respite after a hard year of schoolwork, so make sure that you dedicate your time wisely. It is all too easy to waste your summer staying in the house all day doing nothing but scrolling on TikTok(that app is ADDICTIVE), so by making a list of things that you want to do, you are helping yourself make more lasting memories.
If you loved these ideas, why not carry on the fun? I have so many other activities and ideas that would be perfect for the summer months. So check those out!
I am Natalie, the eldest sister of two teens. I hope to bring not only a fresh outer perspective but an internal one as well when writing here.