It’s time to start thinking about summer… if you already have not done so! Have family fun with teenagers and explore all these awesome ideas.
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Teens are quite the interesting group of people. It’s not always easy to figure out how to have fun with a teenage daughter or son. I’m hoping that there is something here that will pique your child’s interest and you can have a fun moment together.
1. Learn
1. Get Ready for the Barn Dance
Summers are a time for running in flower fields and listening to country music.
Check out tutorials on YouTube and learn the steps to a couple of popular line dances, such as Footloose and Barefoot Blue Jean Night. God Blessed Texas is a great one for a beginner dancer.
There are a ton of different tutorials, and the steps might vary based on who is teaching. I like Dirt Road Dancing tutorials. Well, their Footloose one is not one of their best.
2. Phone Photography
The cameras on the newer phones are amazing. Though it seems that teens excel at taking photos, there is always room for improvement.
Take an online class or watch tutorials and learn a few new tricks for taking the best summer photos ever.
2. Games
1. Head Shoulders Knees CUP
My teenage girls have played this fast-paced game with their friends, and they love it.
It’s great for a large group but works as a family game too.
Items Needed
- plastic cups
How to Play
The object of the game is to grab the cup when told to do so.
- Choose a “caller.”
- Ask the players to pair up and face each other.
- Each pair gets a cup that is placed between them.
- The “caller” shouts commands like head, shoulders, knees, toes, waist, back, and neck. At the end of the command list, the “caller” throws the word “cup.”
- The players try to grab the cup.
- Whoever gets the cup is the winner of that round. He goes and finds a new partner to play with. The others are out and sit down.
- The game goes on until you have only one player left. As a family version, you could collect points, and the one with most points wins.
2. Llamas Unleashed
It’s all about the llamas nowadays.
With their relaxed “no prob llama” attitude, it is no wonder they are so popular.
In this fun Llamas Unleashed board game, you collect llamas, rams, and goats while attempting to destroy the other player’s farms.
3. Palace
The games you can play with just a simple deck of cards are convenient. Keep the cards on the coffee table or in the car so you’ll always have them nearby for playing a round of Palace.
3. Talk & Riddle
1. Conversation Starters
- If you could do one thing every day for the rest of your life and not worry about expenses what would it be?
- What makes a good friend?
- What was your favorite book when you were little?
2. Riddles
- What is a deer with no eyes called?
- Which is the longest word in the dictionary?
- Why do bees hum?
Answers:
- No “eye-deer”
- “Smiles,” because there is a mile between each “s.”
- Because they don’t know the words.
4. Special Days To Celebrate
May 7 National Tourism Day. Talk about places you’d love to travel. If vacations in faraway places are not doable right now, be a tourist in your town.
May 10 National Clean Your Room Day. It’s time to do some spring cleaning!
May 13 National Fruit Cocktail Day. How about a friendly competition on who can create the tastiest fruit cocktail. Or create a fruit buffet for after-dinner dessert.
May 20 National Be A Millionaire Day. One can always dream. What would you do if you had millions? Look into ways to invest and retire in style.
May 25 National Towel Day. Grab new beach towels for the summer.
5. Books To Read
1. Please Understand Me II: temperament, character, intelligence by David Keirsey.
I’m fascinated with personality stuff and studying people… two of my kids would say that it’s creepy but I admit, I’m a people watcher.
My oldest is also interested in understanding why people behave certain way. She loves to write, and uses personality books in developing characters for her stories.
2. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins.
If your teen likes Hunger Games, he will appreciate this novel which takes place a decade after the war between the Districts and the Capitol.
3. The Unwanteds Collection by Lisa McMann.
This fantasy series is for tweens and younger teens. Of course, older teens might enjoy it as well.
6. Egg Roulette Challenge
What you need:
- a carton of eggs
Prep:
- hard-boil most of the eggs, leave a couple raw
- put the eggs back in the carton
Do the challenge:
One by one, grab an egg and smash it on your head. The person who made through the game without cracking a raw egg on his head is the winner.
7. DIY
1. Macrame Plant Hanger
Does your teen like plants? Or macrame?
This tutorial shows you how to make a macrame plant hanger. What a fun thing to put in your teen’s room.
My fourteen year old daughter has one of these in her room. Hers is from Michaels. She recently redid her room. Painted it white, bought beige bedding, and put several plants in her room.
It actually looks really serene… interesting choice for someone with such a strong and active personality.
2. Luggage Tags
Camps and road trips are such a big part of summer. And if your family is anything like ours, you don’t travel light.
Whether you bring one or several bags, these fun DIY luggage tags make your bag stand out.
8. Gifts
1. Scarf Scrunchies
A cute collection of scarf scrunchies that keep the hair in place during the summer fun.
2. Hammock
When you have this hammock and accessories, rain or bugs won’t be a problem.
Setting it up is a breeze. The straps are long and don’t require you to tie any knots! They have 5 loops, so you can easily adjust the hammock to the perfect height.
3. Bike Pump and Repair Kit
If long bike rides are something your teen enjoys, get her a handy mini bike pump and glueless puncture repair kit.
Explore the entire collection of Have Fun With Teens ideas.