100 Things to Do This Summer with Teens

Looking for fun and meaningful ways to keep your teens engaged this summer? From outdoor adventures to kitchen fun, here are 100 things to do this summer with teens.

As a mom to a 14-year-old and an 11-year-old, I know that summer can feel both full of possibility and a little overwhelming. We’re balancing screen time, social plans, downtime, and trying to make real family memories in between.

If you’re like me, you want your teens / tweens to have fun, stay connected, and try new things – not just stare at a screen 24/7 (though there’s room for funny YouTube Shorts, too!). Whether you’re planning weekend adventures, need daily inspiration, or just want a go-to list when the “I’m bored” feelings kicks in, here are 100 things to do this summer with teens. These ideas are organized by category to help you mix things up – inside, outside, one on one, with friends, or with the whole family.

Outdoor Activities

1. Go on a local hiking trail
2. Plan a family picnic in the park
3. Try paddleboarding or kayaking
4. Visit a splash pad or public pool
5. Organize a water balloon fight
6. Join a beach or river clean-up
7. Start a backyard garden together
8. Play pickleball or tennis
9. Go on a photo walk
10. Rent bikes and explore a new neighborhood
11. Try geocaching
12. Camp in the backyard
13. Plan a sunset walk
14. Go fishing (even if it’s just catch and release)
15. Take the dog to a new dog park
16. Set up a mini obstacle course
17. Try frisbee golf
18. Have a tie-dye party outside
19. Stargaze with a blanket and snacks
20. Try rollerblading or skateboarding at a local park

In the Kitchen

21. Make homemade pizza from scratch
22. Try baking bread or cinnamon rolls
23. Host a cupcake decorating challenge
24. Make a TikTok-inspired recipe
25. Learn how to make sushi
26. Try a themed dinner night (Mexican, Italian, etc.)
27. Make homemade ice cream or popsicles
28. Create your own smoothie combinations
29. Bake and deliver cookies to neighbors
30. Host a pancake brunch
31. Try canning homemade jam
32. Make fancy mocktails with fresh fruit
33. Bake and taste-test different brownie recipes
34. Do a “Chopped”-style cooking challenge
35. Grill something new together
36. Learn to make one really great family meal
37. Try your hand at making pasta from scratch
38. Make freezer meals for busy nights
39. Host a family bake-off
40. Make DIY snack mixes for movie nights

Museums, Culture & Learning

41. Visit a local art or history museum
42. Try a virtual museum tour
43. Visit a science or nature center
44. Take a walking history tour
45. Check out library summer programs
46. Try a teen book club
47. Visit a planetarium
48. Explore a new cultural neighborhood
49. Learn basic photography skills
50. Take a free online course together
51. Try journaling or creative writing prompts
52. Visit a local art exhibit
53. Attend a workshop or lecture
54. Explore a botanical garden
55. Create your own family ancestry chart

Events & Community Fun

56. Go to a summer fair or carnival
57. Attend a local outdoor concert
58. Visit a farmers market
59. Watch fireworks on Canada Day or the 4th of July
60. Try a food truck festival
61. Go to a baseball or soccer game
62. Look for a drive-in movie night
63. Visit a flea market or craft fair
64. Take part in a community art project
65. Host a mini block party with neighbors
66. Join a local fun run or walk
67. Check for teen nights at local venues
68. Volunteer at a local charity or food bank
69. Plan a themed potluck with friends
70. Go to a street performance or festival
71. Take a group painting or pottery class
72. Enter a local contest (art, talent, baking!)

PG Movies to Watch Together

73. The Parent Trap (1961 and 1998)
74. Hidden Figures
75. Enchanted
76. Paddington 2
77. Luca
78. Akeelah and the Bee
79. The Goonies
80. Yes Day
81. Queen of Katwe
82. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
83. Soul
84. Wonder
85. Little Women (1994)
86. Finding ‘Ohana
87. The Sandlot
88. School of Rock
89. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
90. Nim’s Island

Unexpected Adventures & Creative Outings

91. Visit a mall and hunt for a vintage photo booth
92. Try a walking food or photo tour in your own city (or DIY one)
93. Explore thrift shops and create themed outfit challenges
94. Take a spontaneous day trip using only public transit
95. Visit a hotel lobby café just to pretend you’re on vacation
96. Try a silent “bookstore date” with matching drinks after
97. Spend the day “people watching” and sketching at a busy park
98. Go on a mission to find the best iced coffee or bubble tea in town
99. Have a museum scavenger hunt (make your own list of items!)
100. Recreate a famous movie scene in your neighborhood and film it

Save this List: 100 things to do this summer with teens

This list is my secret weapon for those days when time seems to stretch on and “what are we doing today?” becomes the most-asked question in our house. Some days, it’s YouTube and snacks. Other days, it’s swimming, baking, or a fair. Summer is long, but it’s also fleeting – and finding those little pockets of joy with my teens is what I’ll remember most.

What’s on your list this summer?

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Emily Smith

Emily Smith, Editor of The Best of This Life, has been crafting lifestyle content and delicious recipes for over a decade. Featured on platforms like BRIT + CO, Today's Parent, and Chatelaine, she writes about family, food, home, and wellness, inspiring readers to live well and savour life's beauty. Based in Ottawa, she shares her adventures with her husband, two beautiful kids, and their mischievous cat, Zoro.

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