From Bored to Bustling: Ideas for Engaging Our Teens

Are your teens saying “I’m bored” too often this summer? If so, here are some ideas to keep them engaged and productive for the summer months. 

“Summertime and the livin’ is easy” might be a line from a once-popular George Gershwin song, but as our children get away from the structure of school (or homeschooling), one of their most popular refrains can become, “I’m bored!”

How can we keep kids engaged and productive throughout the summer?

Possible things for teens to do

As a follow-up to our “Meema Camp!” blog post, we thought we’d offer some supporting thoughts for engaging tweens and teens in activities. We’ll leave the spiritual application to you as parents and grandparents, but we thought having a list of options close at hand would be helpful.

Here is a list of suggestions from a Google search of things for teens to do. You could print this out and have your tweens and teens look at the list and highlight any items of interest. If the summer doldrums hit, there might be something of interest listed here.

The list

• Learn something new. YouTube can actually be used productively. “How to” videos teach things like how to tie a tie, make DIY science experiments, draw, or plant a patio garden.
• Volunteer. This can help young people develop a sense of social responsibility. Some volunteer opportunities include nursing homes, Habitat for Humanity, a community food bank, an animal shelter, community green space maintenance, the Ronald McDonald house, etc. You can also check with your pastor to see if any local members need help with weeding or lawn care. 
• Intern. This would be for older teens. It would be helpful to find a mentor among family or close family friends.
• Make a portfolio.
• Learn some key words and phrases in a foreign language. 
• Find a new hobby. This can enhance a person’s analytical, critical, communication and creative skills and can improve one’s physical and mental health. Hobbies could include sewing, painting, learning a new sport, crocheting/knitting, cooking/baking, etc. 
• Read!
• Take a computer course.
• Find a new and interesting recipe and cook it.
• Put together a jigsaw puzzle.
• Plan with a digital planner (learn how to set realistic, achievable goals).
• Take a free online course.
• Create art. (Maybe this would be a way to repurpose or recycle.)
• Research potential colleges. 
• Research possible vocations.
• Learn how to create (and stick to!) a budget. 
• Learn how to do laundry.
• Learn a new life skill.
• Learn how to write code.
• Host a movie marathon.
• Learn a new card game.
• Make a bucket list.
• Picnic in the park.
• Do something kind for a neighbor.
• Open a bank account.
• Rearrange and decorate your bedroom (you might have to clean it first!).
• Go to a museum.
• Go geocaching.
• Learn a musical instrument.
• Exercise.
• Listen to a podcast (COGWA Teen podcasts, Discern podcasts, Verse by Verse or others).
• Ride a bicycle.
• Wash the car.
• Do some yard work.
• Start a small business.
• Try a DIY project.
• Take a photo walk. This can train you to be more aware of your surroundings.
• Try gardening or patio gardening in pots. 
• Connect with extended family.
• Plan a fun family activity.

There should be enough suggestions above to prevent the “I’m bored” refrain. We hope these thoughts will help engage the gears that move your teen from bored to bustling. 

Let us know how it goes and have an enjoyable rest of the summer!

If you’d like to read an example of how to turn ideas into action, read our “Meema Camp!” blog post.