Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Bored Teens? 10 Inexpensive Activities to Keep Teens Entertained


Last week, Melissa over at www.momsplans.com  wrote about frugal activities to entertain young kids while they are home for the winter break.  That got me thinking about what my family is going to do over the holidays.  My four kids are ages 8, 11, 15 and 18. Brittany and Dwight, my two teenagers, are pretty good at entertaining themselves.  However, they do not have an endless supply of entertainment money.   Here are some activities that they like to do when they are running low on cash:


  • Rent a movie and watch it with friends.
  • Video games with friends.
  • Listen to music or play an instrument.
  • Get a bowling coupon.  These packages are usually good for up to 6 people and you can divide the cost between you and your 5 friends.
  • Sleepovers with friends.
  • Make a cake and decorate it in a silly way.
  • Manhunt with a bunch of friends.  (For you ole timers like me, manhunt is similar to Hide and Seek.)
  • Play Frisbee at the park with friends.
  • Meet your friends for a dollar sundae at a fast food place.  Or, make ice cream sundaes at your house.
  • Read a book.
Or...

  • Pester your younger siblings.  (Ok…I threw that one in.  But based upon how much this happens at our house, this must be their favorite activity!)

Have you noticed a common theme here?  Friends!  Teens don’t have to go to concerts, restaurants and theatres to have a good time.  They just want to be with their friends and hang out.  Sure beats my suggestion when they are bored ---clean your room.

5 comments:

  1. Watch out on bowling, prices seem to have skyrocketed for this activity! The last time I went it was this crazy price of $20 per game per person. Ended up being a $100 night out after a few games and food. Not sure if coupons will cut the cost enough....

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  2. Neo - The normal prices have definitely gone up on bowling. However, we often get coupons for our local bowling alley that are $30 for 2 hours of bowling, shoe rentals and a pitcher of soda for up to 6 people. These are like golden tickets for a group of teens!

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  3. I love the manhunt idea. That is the best game. I haven't played in years.

    A great list but I love your suggestion of cleaning their room. I always make my kids complete a chore if they say they are bored. I am kind of a mean mom. :)

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  4. In our house our 10 year old is really on his own so pesters us (generally me). It is difficult to avoid as I work at home and Maria is also at home at the moment.

    Fortunately his older (post-teen) brothers are around as well as his auntie so he spends time either playing snooker in the garage, football (soccer2u) in the park or embroidering(!!!).

    But we do owe him rather more time which we will spend with him over the holidays.

    Bowling with friends is an option but he will need me to be there with him.

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  5. John @MoneyPrinciple - Sounds like your house is a busy place too. I am looking forward to spending some fun time with my kids. The cookie factory begins today! I may be chocolate covered by the end of the day. Now...what is snooker?

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