Things to do with DH & young teenagers at weekends.

[Ieatmarmite]

I'm looking for activities (as inexpensive as possible) to do you do with DH and young teenagers at the weekend. I'm thinking of things that will take 2 or 3 hours. I'm compiling a list for now and for when lockdown is lifted, so all suggestions are welcome.

We bought a canoe last year. Set up is pricy... But ongoing the only cost is the annual membership of the Canoeing club (covers insurance and access fees).

We had a fab afternoon out today. Got in the car, each time we get to a junction flip a coin and see if we go left or right. Heads left tails right. Additional rule is that we can't stay on the same road for more than 5 min and after that flip the coin again and see whether we take the next left or right.
Next rule is that we get out at whichever touristy type attraction we pass.

Today we did an 85 mile round trip and stopped at a castle we'd never seen before (only 30 miles from home), a weird little public garden with amazing plants and hidden paths, and a macdonalds Normally kids would not have been the least interested in any of this bar Macdonalds but I think knowing that each stop was not the overall purpose of the trip made them a bit more tolerant.

We actually talked in the car about random shit, being a bit excited about where the day might take us, and all absolutely loved it! Teens are 12 and 14. It was a bit of a "yes" day and we bent the rules if we didn't fancy heading towards home when the coin flippage may have directed us there.

Kids spent most of their time looking out the window and noticing things that normally they'd miss because their heads would be stuck in devices.

Cost= fuel and maccys. I did ponder taking a picnic but it made it even more treat-y to have a takeaway when we haven't had one for yonks.

Will definitely do this again. Their company was excellent and we all laughed a lot

Love that idea!

Geocaching
Bowling
Mini golf
Stunt kite

Now sure where you live, but I always buy a family & friends railcard & use that ( Covid permitting now). If we go to London the kids can choose one paid for attraction ( if it's on the reductions offered by railcard, through work etc) They can then choose to go wherever they want as long as its free ( science museum etc) Other than the paid for attractions we've managed to have a day out including train for under £30. I always pack enough food to keep us going & allow enough funds for an icecream. Always used to do National Trust, but as they got older the attraction wore off

My experience is, that as children become teens, the best way is to support them in their interests and hobbies rather than trying to make them come on forced family fun fun family days out.

What are they interested in ?
What are their hobbies ?

I agree with BackforGood. Teens usually have their own social life with friends anyway. We used to take ours, with friends, to festivals and outdoor concerts (& indoor ones), but that isn't happening at the moment.

I think they normally want to develop independence around this age and go out with friends /clubs rather than family days out.

Things we do together:
Rowing / punting / canoeing
Swimming
DS likes mini golf
Boat trips
Alpaca walks

Generally anything risking death is very popular like ziplining, rock climbing.

But I would mainly let them do activities and clubs by themselves if they are confident enough to do that and want to do that.

I also agree with Backforgood. You have to go with what they're interested in.

Stuff we do together;
Escape rooms
Escape room puzzles at home
Outdoor escape room
VR Escape rooms
VR games generally
4d cinema
Theatre - normal, outdoor and online in lockdown (dc choose shows/films/comedians)
Trip to nearest City for wood fired pizza and bubble tea

Today we went for a walk to pick wild garlic but that's really unusual and says more about how bored they are with lockdown tbh

We tend to base our days out mainly around their interests but with a dd and a ds who are quite different this can be quite varied. Often dd& I do things together and dh and ds do something together. It's often not worth paying for 4 people to do something when only 2 are interested.

Things that all 4 of us like doing are escape rooms, high ropes/zip wire, go karting, crazy golf, bowling, experiences like up at the o2 or indoor skydiving