Fun Ways for Teens to Enjoy Summer Break

Summer break is the ideal time to engage in various fun activities that you may not have had time for during the school year. Whether you're staying home or heading out, think about redecorating your room, selling unwanted items, or hosting a sleepover party. Enjoy the summer weather, go swimming, and take evening bike rides. Additionally, you could do something productive, like finding a part-time job or visiting a college you're considering applying to.

Find Activities at Home

Step 1. Work on your cooking skills by trying new recipes.

Enhance your cooking skills by experimenting with new recipes. If you enjoy cooking, try making some delicious dishes and treat your friends or family. You can find new recipes for mac and cheese, chocolate cake, or cheese omelets, or whip up dishes you already know how to make.

• Bake something sweet, like cupcakes, pastries, or homemade bread.
• Try a new recipe and surprise your family with a new dish for dinner one evening.

Step 2. Make a movie.

Create a movie or shoot a music video. You can direct, film, and edit the entire project yourself, or invite friends or family to join in. Come up with a fun idea, grab a camera or phone, and start filming!

• Consider making a short film that lasts about 5 minutes to show your family later.
• Shoot a simple music video by setting up the camera and dancing with your friends.

Step 3. Refresh your room.

Update your room. You might paint the walls a new color (with your parents' approval), buy new bedding or decor items, or simply rearrange the furniture to give your space a fresh look. Get creative and redesign your room to reflect your personality.

• Look through magazines or search online for inspiration on decorating teen rooms.
• If you want to buy things for your room but are on a budget, check out dollar stores or browse classified ads for unique and affordable items.

Step 4. Get creative with art supplies you already have.

Engage in creativity using the art supplies you have. If you have paints, markers, crayons, colored paper, or other art materials, gather them and see what you can come up with. Try using paints to decorate boxes, notebooks, or even clothing, and create unique jewelry with beads.

• Decorate a shoebox with colored paper and markers to make a time capsule, or embellish a backpack or a pair of shoes with rhinestones for school.
• Cut out flags from different fabrics, attach them to a string, and hang them in your room.

Step 5. Host a clothing swap with friends.

Organize a clothing swap with friends for a fun time. If you have a lot of nice items you no longer need and want to trade them, coordinate with friends to set up a swap. Ask your family if they have anything they'd like to exchange, and plan ahead with your friends.

• You can share this idea via phone or post on social media.
• Make sure your items are in good condition; otherwise, they won't be eligible for swapping.

Step 6. Invite a friend for a sleepover.

Invite a friend over for a sleepover. You can invite one friend or host a party with several (with your parents' permission). Order pizza, watch movies, play games, or simply spend the night chatting.

• Let your friends know in advance if they need to bring anything, like a blanket and pillow.

Step 7. Read an interesting book on a very hot or rainy day.

On a scorching or rainy day, curl up with an interesting book. If you have a carefree day and just want to relax, find a comfy chair and spend some time reading. This could be a book from your summer reading list, one you've wanted to read for a while, or your favorite book that you love to revisit.

• You can download books to an e-reader or phone so you have them handy anywhere.

Spend Time Outdoors

Step 1. Swim at a local pool, lake, or other body of water.

Swim at a local pool, lake, or another body of water. Summer is the best season to take advantage of warm weather and open pools. Spend a day at a nearby pool or visit a lake. If you're swimming in a lake or another body of water, make sure it's safe and permitted.

• If you don't have a public pool nearby, you might be lucky enough to swim in a friend's pool.
• Always apply sunscreen to avoid burns, especially if you plan to be in the sun for several hours.

Step 2. Go for a walk or hike with friends.

Take a walk or hike with friends. This is a great opportunity to explore your town or enjoy nature. If it's going to be a hot day, consider inviting friends or family to hike early in the morning or in the evening to avoid the heat.

• Even a walk around your neighborhood can energize you.

Step 3. Ride your bike in the park or around your neighborhood.

Go for a bike ride in the park or around your neighborhood. If you have a bike, take a leisurely ride with friends or family. You can enjoy a relaxing ride through a shady park or cruise around town to stretch your legs.

Step 4. Learn a new sport.

Try your hand at a new sport. Perhaps you've always wanted to try rugby, frisbee, or croquet, but never had the time. Start practicing your skills on your own, or gather a group of friends to train together and learn the sport more quickly.

• Look for information on whether there are any local clubs or camps where you can learn to play soccer, basketball, or bowling.

Step 5. Grow a garden with delicious fruits and vegetables.

Grow a garden with tasty fruits and vegetables. There are many plants that bloom and bear fruit in the summer, like various berries, peaches, corn, and green peas. Choose a plant you’d like to grow, plant seeds, or buy a seedling to watch it thrive throughout the summer.

• You can plant seeds or a plant in your garden or grow them indoors in pots, depending on the type of fruit or vegetable you want to cultivate.

Step 6. Go camping with friends or family.

Head out into nature with friends or family. Invite your friends and relatives to go camping or spend time in nature. You can set up in the woods, a park, on the beach, or even at your own summer house. Bring a tent, enough sleeping bags, and food for everyone while you're outdoors.

• If you decide to camp in a public area, make sure you don't need special permission.
• Check the weather in advance to ensure it won't rain during your trip.
• You can bring bread and sausages to roast over the fire, toss a frisbee with friends, and pack cards to play in the tent.

Step 7. Have a picnic with friends or family.

Organize a picnic with friends or family. Invite your friends or relatives to enjoy a picnic in the woods, park, or even at your own summer house. You can ask everyone to bring their own dish to share, and don’t forget to bring a blanket to sit on.

• If it’s a hot day outside, find a shady spot for the picnic under a tree and bring plenty of water or other drinks.

Visit Public Places

Step 1. On a scorching day, visit a museum.

On a hot day, consider visiting a museum. Look online for a museum in your area or town that interests you, whether it’s an art museum, a science museum, or a history museum. You can go alone to explore the museum or invite friends.

• Check if the museum has free admission days.

Step 2. Plan a trip to the movies with friends for a fun outing.

Plan a trip to the movies with friends for a fun outing. Check what films are showing in theaters that you and your friends want to see. You can buy popcorn and snacks or eat beforehand to enjoy the movie worry-free.

• This is a great entertainment option for a hot or rainy day.

Step 3. Visit the library to look for interesting books.

Head to the library to hunt for interesting books. If you want to spend some time reading but don’t have new books, go to your local library and see what they offer. You can read an interesting book from your summer reading list or find a book on a topic you want to learn more about.

• The library may also have movies, CDs, and audiobooks available.
• If you don’t have a library card yet, ask the librarian how to obtain one.

Step 4. Invite friends to an ice cream parlor to cool off.

Invite friends to an ice cream shop to cool down. On a hot day, ice cream or a milkshake is a perfect way to beat the heat. Invite a friend to meet you at the nearest ice cream shop or ask your family to join you.

Step 5. Gather a group of friends to attend a concert.

Gather your friends to go to a concert. Plan to see a performance by one of your favorite artists, or if the opportunity arises, check out a free concert happening in your area. Summer is a popular season for concerts, so many opportunities will open up as you start looking.

• Check online to find out when various artists are coming to your town.

Step 6. Play games with friends, like bowling or laser tag.

Play games with friends, such as bowling or laser tag. Ask friends or family members to join you for a fun time at a bowling alley or laser tag arena. This will be especially exciting with a larger group.

• You can grab a bite to eat before or after playing with friends or family.

Be Productive

Step 1. Try to find a summer job to enhance your resume.

Look for a summer job to improve your resume. There are many summer job opportunities you can pursue, even if you don’t have much work experience. Consider positions like a promoter, babysitter, dog walker, or city landscaping worker to earn some extra cash over the summer.

• If you live within walking distance of small shops or fast-food restaurants, ask if they're hiring seasonal workers.
• You can also consider an internship if you want more experience related to a specific profession.

Step 2. Learn something new if you have a specific interest area.

Take the opportunity to learn something new if there's a specific area you're interested in. Perhaps you want to learn a new language or build something out of wood. Think about a skill that would be useful to you, and search online or at your local library for more information.

• If you're about to turn 18, study the rules of the road on your own so you'll be prepared for driving school.
• Other skills you might want to learn include hiking skills, cooking new recipes, or sewing.

Step 3. Visit the college or educational institution you plan to attend next year.

Visit the college or educational institution you plan to apply to next year. Summer is a great time to gather important information about tuition costs, required documents, and entrance exams. Prepare for tests, work on your essays, and consider asking family members to accompany you to help you feel more confident.

• Think about joining friends if they plan to visit a college, or invite a friend to go with you.

Step 4. Volunteer to help those in need.

Volunteer to assist those in need. This will benefit others and positively impact your resume in the future. Consider volunteering at local animal shelters, nursing homes, or food pantries.

• Other options might include cleaning up a local park or working at another community location.

Step 5. Refresh your knowledge in subjects you struggled with in school.

Brush up on subjects you found challenging in school. If you didn't excel in math or English last year, summer is a good time to work on topics you're struggling with. You can search online for information, skim through books at the library, or ask a friend to help you with material you find difficult.

• Make a list of topics you need to review to know where to focus your time.

Step 6. Sign up for a summer camp or classes to learn something interesting.

Enroll in a summer camp or classes to learn something that interests you. If you're into dancing, rock climbing, or programming, look for information online or ask friends and acquaintances. There may be classes or camps in your area related to your interests.

• There are usually many different courses or camps available in the summer, whether academic, artistic, outdoor, sports-related, or travel-oriented.