Fun Activities for Teenagers

Finding fun activities for teenagers can seem like a challenge, but sometimes the tried and true simple activities are the best. If you are a youth leader, teacher, or someone else who works with teens, then you may want to try some new and unique approaches offered in this article as well. One of the most important things to remember when planning activities for teens is to think like a teen. What you find fun as an adult may bore a teenager to tears. What you find silly or boring may thrill a youth group member.

There are some group games and activities that just never go out of style.

• Bowling
• Basketball tournaments
• School sporting events
• Movie night
• Pizza parties
• Swimming
• Ice Skating
• Visiting local museums and attractions

A Note of Caution: If you are working with a group of teens and plan to take them to a local museum, run the idea past them first. For example, a group of 20 teens may be thrilled to learn you are planning to take them to the zoo, or they may react by thinking you are calling them babies. You just never know with the 13 to 19 year old crowd, so always run ideas past them first and get their feedback.

Teens love games, but they need to have some challenge and bite. While most teens aren't ready for grown up games like Euchre (there are always exceptions, of course!), many will enjoy group activities, such as:

• Mafia – Mafia is a game similar to heads-up/Seven up, but with role playing involved. Although it has a similar flavor to the younger child game, that is where the similarity ends and strategy takes over. You can find detailed instructions on how to play Mafia and its variations at sites like Princeton's Rules of Mafia.

• Sardines – Remember this game from your child hood? Take it up a notch by playing it in a dark building and having everyone hide but two, who will hunt for the others. The hunters grow in number as people are found. A few words of wisdom when playing hiding games with teens would include having them go in pairs or groups and only allowing boy teams or girl teams (no mixed gender teams).

• Board Games – Teens particular enjoy games like Imaginiff and Win, Lose or Draw.

Remember that many teen boys are very competitive, so be on the lookout for anger issues. If you notice the competition getting too rough or out of hand, it may be time to end the game and call a tie between those in the running to win. Most of the teens won't like this at first, but it can avoid a major conflict. Of course, if everyone is playing nicely, there is nothing wrong with having winners and losers. This prepares teens for real life!

If none of those ideas fit what you need or you're just looking for a fun activity for your family? You may want to try something a little out of the ordinary.

• Snow tubing – There are many places around the country that offer snow tubing during the winter months. The whole family can join in this type of fun.

• Retreats – Consider having a retreat for your class or Sunday school youth group. Team building exercises are terrific fun for teens, but be sure to allow some down time for the teens to gab, chat, eat and just hang out.

• Bonfires – A simple cookout, campfire songs and gooey smore's can make lasting memories.

Almost anything can be turned into fun activities for teenagers with the right attitude and a joy of spending time with them. Teens truly know if you enjoy being around them and they will respond accordingly. Remember that they are no longer little children, and don't treat them as such. At the same time, they are not yet adults and you shouldn't expect them to behave like an adult. Keep your ears open to things the teens in your life enjoy and try to think of how you can turn that interest into a fun activity.

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