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Original poster

13 challenges for a 13 year old - any ideas?

28 replies

Patchworksack · 03/10/2019 10:02

My oldest DS is turning 13 later this month. He's been told not to expect too much in the way of gifts as he has been bought an expensive bike and new kit for a hobby in the last few months. I like the idea of presenting him with a 'coming of age' challenge involving 13 tasks - bonus points if they involve the number 13. Disclaimer - I have shamelessly copied this idea from a Guardian journalist. Any brilliant ideas I could incorporate?

OP posts:
Coffeeandchocolate9 · 03/10/2019 10:04

I'm not sure he will feel that 13 challenges is a very good gift! But if he wants to do them...

Walk/cycle 13 miles (including navigation with compas and map perhaps?)

Original poster
Patchworksack · 03/10/2019 10:08

He knows he's already had his (very expensive) gifts from us and he'll get plenty from other people. He likes treasure hunts and challenges and I think if it is presented as helping to increase his independence then he'll enjoy them.
Cycle 13 miles is a good idea - thanks!

OP posts:
GoldPaperStars · 03/10/2019 10:16

Learn to say a word (“Hello” perhaps) in 13 different languages. That would be a great party trick as he gets older!

WhereDoesThisToiletGo · 03/10/2019 10:16

13 minutes without looking at his phone?
Spend less than 13 minutes in the bathroom in the morning?

CrumpleHornedSnowcack · 03/10/2019 10:18

crikey - mine would need a spend more than 13 mins in the bathroom & wash properly

Original poster
Patchworksack · 03/10/2019 10:20

Thanks goldpaper good idea!
13 minutes without his phone is a good one.
He would definitely be with crumplehorned 's son - less time washing is not something I would encourage!

OP posts:
Tidypidy · 03/10/2019 10:38

Cook 13 meals - separately!
Read 13 books in 13 weeks.
Bake 13 cookies and decorate with 13s.
Try food from 13 countries.

Coffeeandchocolate9 · 03/10/2019 10:56

Choose 13 herbs/spices he's never cooked with before, and cook a dish with each? that would be good setting him up for adulting

Write a 13 lines long poem or story?

Overseasmom100 · 03/10/2019 11:08

Do 13 things for good causes...

Set his alarm 13 minutes earlier next week, each day

Try 13 new foods (fish/salmon, new crisp flavour, snails, squid, tofu, venison, pease pudding, curry, celeariac, etc...)

Give 13 thoughtful comments to 13 people over the next 13 days

Take 13 personal items (socks, gloves, scarf etc...) to a homeless shelter

Ask him for his 13 best things in life to date

Read 13 pages of a book a week

Take 13 food items to above

Learn to say hello my name is .... in 13 different languages

Delete 13 people off social media that are there just because...

Write a 13 line poem or song

Give £13 of his birthday money to a good cause/charity

Overseasmom100 · 03/10/2019 11:08

ooo and another one

Write down 13 future hopes, dreams or goals

Original poster
Patchworksack · 03/10/2019 11:28

Thank you tidypidy coffee and overseasmom
13 new foods/different countries/new spices idea - will pick something along those lines.
I like the 13 line poem and the 13 future hopes!
Volunteering is a good one - maybe 13 sessions?

OP posts:
gigglingHyena · 03/10/2019 15:55

Find 13 geocaches.
Visit 13 places by public transport or bike.

bellinisurge · 03/10/2019 16:02

I really like this idea. I'll see if my soon to be 13 year old can come up with ideas that I agree with!

Spied · 03/10/2019 16:02

13 small acts of kindness in 13 weeks and record in a diary.
13 hours of gardening/odd jobs/dog walking for someone local/family or friend in need.
13 items he doesn't use/need to charity shop
A goal a year for the next 13 years

betternamepending · 03/10/2019 16:11

Learn a new sport or skill
Do 13 push ups
Can you find a nature walk within distance that is 13 miles?
Win from 13 different people in chess

BlackeyedGruesome · 03/10/2019 16:47

Learn 13 home are tasks... Eg. Putting out the bin at the right time, and fetching it in. Washing Sports kit, sorting clothes for a wash, cleaning the loo etc.

AdaColeman · 03/10/2019 17:07

Learn to play a tune (perhaps a Christmas carol) on a musical instrument, you might spot one in a charity shop.

Find a nearby trig point on a map, and walk up to it.

Take photos of all the challenges and make them into a slide show.

Original poster
Patchworksack · 03/10/2019 17:16

Geocaches is going on the list, and 13 tasks in the home.

OP posts:
Mayvis · 03/10/2019 17:21

Listen to 13 new albums (new to him, could be older albums).

Learn about 13 historical figures.

Read a book by 13 different authors.

Mayvis · 03/10/2019 17:23

Learn 13 new countries, their flags and their capital cities.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 03/10/2019 19:19

Find out the 13 songs that have been number 1 on each of his birthdays

Run a half marathon (13 miles)

Leeds2 · 03/10/2019 20:39

Swim 13 lengths of the swimming pool.
Buy 13 items for the food bank.
Stand on one leg for 13 minutes.
Learn his 13x table.

Wonkybanana · 03/10/2019 20:44

Give him 13 bags (you choose the size) and ask him to go around your neighbourhood and fill them with litter?

Original poster
Patchworksack · 07/10/2019 10:16

Thank you, more good suggestions!

OP posts:
SamBeckett · 07/10/2019 16:09

Put the bins out for 13 neighbours, or put the bins out for one neighbour for 13 weeks.

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