Exciting And Fun Activities For Teens This Summer

Last Updated on: 24th June 2025, 11:25 am

My teenager is on her gadgets all the time. It’s a nightmare. We need to find her something more exciting to do in the summer months, especially since the weather is already so nice. But it can be frustrating when you know there’s a whole world of summer fun activities for teens waiting outside. As a parent to a 15-year-old, I know firsthand how hard it can be to encourage teens to unplug their gadgets. Their whole social life is online, but with a little bit of creativity and planning, you can help your teen rediscover the joys of summer without using phones and gadgets. And, you never know, you might even make some family memories along the way. Here are some ideas for fun activities for teens this summer.

Embrace The Great Outdoors With Adventure, Exercise, and Exploration

Photography Walks

Tilly loves photography. Why not encourage your teen to see the world through a camera lens? Grab your camera and take a walk somewhere local. Get a bus or train to a different city and document the journey in photos. Give them creative challenges like capturing reflections, unusual textures, or the changing light at dusk. It’s an activity that combines exercise, mindfulness, and creativity, all without a single notification pinging. You notice more when you are concentrating on taking photos, the small things that you would usually miss. Something that Tilly gets involved with is Pride throughout the summer; She offers to take photos for the Pride march and shares them on the Pride social media.

Nature, Ar,t and DIY Activities For Teens This Summer

There’s something magical about creating art from what you find outdoors. Collect some leaves, stones, or wildflowers and have a go at making mandalas, painted rocks, or pressed flower bookmarks. These simple crafts are not just fun but also help teens reconnect with nature and exercise their creative muscles. They can use them to decorate their bedroom and then smile as they remember the awesome day out they had with you.

Cycling and Walking Challenges

Set a summer distance goal as a family or with friends. Map out some local routes, discover hidden footpaths, or take a train to a new town and explore on two feet. Keep it interesting by planning a treat at the end of each milestone—perhaps a picnic, an ice cream stop, or a visit to a quirky village café. We always say that the best days out are when we visit a new place and we get lost. We find places we wouldn’t have seen otherwise.

Family Adventures: Making Memories Close to Home Activities For Teens This Summer

Mini Day Trips by Train or Bus

You don’t have to travel far to have an adventure. Take a leaf out of our travel blog and plan a day trip by train or bus to a nearby city, seaside, or countryside spot. Let your teen help with the planning—give them a budget, a map, and the freedom to choose activities. It’s a brilliant way to foster independence and decision-making skills, all while spending quality time together.

Picnic with a Twist

Challenge your family to a “potluck picnic” in the garden or local park, where everyone contributes a homemade dish or snack. Teens can get creative in the kitchen, try new recipes, and even present their food with a bit of flair. You could add a friendly competition for the most inventive dish or best picnic presentation.

Outdoor Games and Sports

Bring back classic games like rounders, frisbee, or even a family sports day with sack races and tug-of-war. Invite neighbours or friends for a mini-tournament. Physical activity is fantastic for mental health and helps relieve stress. It’s all about some good old, silly fun.

Learn Something New: Skills for Life (and a Bit of Fun)

Home Cooking Challenges

Pick a theme—perhaps Around the World in Five Dishes. And let your teen take charge of cooking a meal. Cooking together is a life skill that builds confidence, encourages healthy eating, and provides plenty of opportunities for laughter (and the occasional kitchen disaster story!).

Upcycling and DIY

Encourage your teen to upcycle old clothes, furniture, or décor. From tie-dye t-shirts to transforming a tired bedside table, these projects are not only eco-friendly but also a great way to express personal style and ingenuity. Upcycling clothes also helps your teenager learn about fast fashion and how easy it is to throw clothes away, when they can upcycle to make something new.

Volunteering and Community Projects

Many local organisations welcome teen volunteers over the summer. Whether it’s helping at a food bank, animal shelter, or community garden. Volunteering is a powerful way to boost self-esteem, learn new skills, and make new friends. It’s also a gentle reminder that there’s a world outside their usual circle of people and that they can make a real difference.

Mindful Moments: Supporting Teen Mental Health

Journaling and Creative Writing

Encourage your teen to keep a summer journal, doodle diary, or try creative writing prompts. Reflecting on their experiences, dreams, or even worries can be a healthy outlet for emotions and a way to build self-awareness.

Yoga and Mindfulness Outdoors

Set aside time each week for family yoga or mindfulness in the garden. Even just ten minutes of stretching or quiet breathing in the fresh air can help teens feel grounded, reduce anxiety, and improve mood.

Give Them Independence—With Boundaries

As our teens grow, they crave more independence. Let them take the lead in planning activities, setting goals, or even inviting friends for a garden camp-out or barbecue (with a little adult supervision, of course!). Remind them that summer is about balance—rest, adventure, connection, and yes, a little bit of boredom to spark creativity.

Activities For Teens This Summer Can Be Fun

A screen-free summer doesn’t have to mean a boring one. With a little imagination and encouragement, your teen can have a summer packed with adventure, creativity, and connection—no WiFi required. And who knows? You might just rediscover some of your own favourite summer pastimes along the way.

Do you have a tried-and-true screen-free activity for teens? Share your ideas in the comments below, or tag us on Instagram @misstillyandme—we love seeing your summer adventures!

Wishing you all a safe, happy, and memorable summer,
Vicky & Tilly