Things to Do With Teens: Fun Family Activities with Teenagers

As kids get older, finding things to do with teens can feel challenging. They become more independent and get busy with friends, school, and work responsibilities. You might find they're less enthusiastic about family time than they were when they were younger. But connection doesn't have to fade as your kids become teens. With a little creativity and intention, you can still enjoy fun family activities with teenagers that don't feel forced (or "cringe") and that just might become some favourite shared memories.

Before I get into the list of fun ideas for families with teens, here are a few tips for how to go about choosing and planning activities that will work best for your family:

How to Make Things to Do with Teens Feel Less Forced

** Scroll down if you just want the list of ideas! **

It’s easy to fall into the old habit of planning for our teens (like when they were young kids) instead of connecting with them. If you’ve ever felt like your efforts to plan family time land with eye rolls or indifference, you’re not alone. The good news? There are ways to make things to do with teens feel more enjoyable for everyone. These simple mindset shifts can help with planning fun family activities with teenagers that they’ll want to be part of.

Let Them Take the Lead

What do your teens want to do? Discuss ideas as a family and give them ownership over the activity choice. 

Meet Them Where They Are 

Try doing something your teens already like to do. Play their video game with them, ask for a playlist of music they like- connect through THEIR interests.

Casual Over Formal

 Something casual or spur-of-the-moment can be less pressure. Go for a short walk & chat or a spontaneous ice cream run!

Consistency Over Perfection 

Try setting up a weekly tradition. It doesn't have to be a big thing and you don't have to make amazing, magical events happen. Consistency builds trust and rhythm- and memories! 

Remember, some attempts will flow and some won't. It's okay if your teens are moody or disinterested one day- try not to take it personally (remember, you feel that way sometimes too!)  Keep trying without any guilt trips. 

When you let go of the pressure to make family time feel perfect, you open the door to more natural, relaxed, and enjoyable moments with your teens. If you’re looking for things to do with teens that feel meaningful instead of forced, this list is for you. Here are 15 fun family activities with teenagers that encourage connection, laughter, and lasting memories.

12 Fun Family Activities with Teenagers

1. Family Movie Night- Their Way

Finding a movie that everyone in the family wants to watch sometimes feels impossible! Try letting your teens choose the movie (even if you're not that into their choice).  

Let them have fun with choosing snacks (make a treat at home or go out to buy something special- you could even come up with a theme for the snacks if you're planning ahead).

2. Cook a New Recipe Together

Let your teens pick the dish and work together after school to make dinner or dessert together!

You could let them do the ingredient shopping, too. One of our daughters recently suggested it might be fun for us to give them a budget & a list and let them do the grocery shopping without us there.  This could be a great learning experience for them (to shop deals and see what it's like without our guidance) and she even thought it would be fun! 

Other ideas: let your teens direct the effort, or let them film it for fun.

3. Go For a Drive with a Great Playlist

Driving together invites great conversation.  You could bring some of your favourite songs from your youth, and your teenagers could bring theirs. Listen together and see what you think of each other's favourites. Some of our best family vacations with our teenagers (as teens or younger kids) have been roadtrips!

4. Shared Journal

Create a shared journal (or Google Doc or Digital Photo Album) where you can share questions, jokes, memories, things you appreciate about each other, etc. There are so many directions you could go with this!

5. Volunteer Together

Choose a cause your teens care about or serve someone you know who is in need of help. You could volunteer at an animal shelter, environmental cleanup, food bank, etc.

Volunteering is one of the most meaningful and productive activities for teenagers — it builds empathy, life skills, and a sense of purpose while allowing you to connect as a family.

6. Work Out or Try a Fitness Challenge Together

Go for regular walks, try yoga, or do a silly workout video challenge together. 

Last year I joined a gym and my membership let me bring one family member with me each time I went. It was fun to have one-on-one time with each family member at the gym- walking and chatting on the treadmill with one daughter and learning tips for how to lift weights with the other daughter who took a "Power Fit" class in high school.

7. Recreate a Childhood Photo

I've always thought this would be fun to do! Find a funny photo from when your teens were little and recreate it with them now. It could be a hilarious activity if you've got teens who would get into it!

8. Visit a Local Museum or Cultural Event

Find an event or location to visit locally. Try to find something that ties into their interests (an art museum, a music festival, a history or science museum).

9. Make a Family Vision Board

Talk about your family and individual dreams, plans. Figure out what matters most to each of you and to your family as a whole. You could make a Family Bucket List or "Launch List" (a list of things you want to do as a family before your kids "launch" out into the world on their own).

10. Take a Class or Workshop Together

Try a family paint night, take a pottery class, practice photography, try an art tutorial, etc.

Recently, one of our daughters started taking Sign Language lessons. Each week she teaches us what she’s learned, and we practice together at dinner using flash cards and the alphabet. Even though we don’t know as many signs as she does, we can still spell words to each other—it’s like having our own quiet little language.

11. Plan a Surprise Day

Let your teens plan a family day & surprise you with it! You could give them a budget to work with and let them go for it!

12. Binge a Show Togeher & Discuss It

Whether you choose to binge a show or want to meet each week to watch the next episode of Survivor, this is an easy way to create a shared experience.

The Real Value of Finding Things to Do with Teens

Spending meaningful time together doesn’t have to end when your kids hit the teen years. With a little flexibility and a willingness to meet them where they are, you can create fun and lasting memories through simple family activities with teenagers. Whether it’s trying new things to do with teens or revisiting favourite family traditions, these moments of connection can strengthen your bond in surprising and joyful ways.

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