Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

What do you teens do with themselves over the school holidays?

88 replies

JustlookingNotbuying · 04/08/2022 08:44

I do quite like the summers holidays as it’s not such a mad rush in the mornings but I wonder if 6 weeks is too long for older kids.
My 14 year old dd has a few friends but they are either on holiday, visiting the other parent in different parts of the country or out with family on day outs etc.
When my dc were little they spent time with grandparents, at the park and played for hours in the garden but now dd is that bit older she’s just hanging around at home which will be particularly tough from now as our darling dog passed away on Monday and she would normally walk him and spend time with him whilst I was a work, she is really struggling with the grief.
What do your teens do over the 6 weeks?

OP posts:
Mellowyell292 · 04/08/2022 08:56

DS is 13, only child. I'm finding it quite difficult. We used to do lots of play dates or we'd see my friends and their DC but that just doesn't work anymore. All his friends are on holiday this week so he's just been at home with me. We do have a dog so we've walked him daily.

The rest of the holidays should be easier as we're away for a week, he's going away with a friend for a week and then all his other mates will be here for the remainder.

Charles11 · 04/08/2022 09:03

Mine are
Hanging out with cousins
Doing Online work experience
Seeing friends for bike rides and football
Completing set homework
Gaming
Chores and cooking

Snowdropsarelovely · 04/08/2022 09:26

We are finding it increasingly hard as DD gets older, she is also 14. I paid her to do lots of housework the first week of the holidays when I was still at work! We're having a few weeks abroad but to be honest now that she's too old for kids clubs she does get a bit fed up with just DH and I. Making friends on holiday was so much easier when she was young. Hopefully she will be able to have a few days out with friends when we're home, but it's difficult because lots of them are on family holidays at this time as well. I think there is pressure to look like they're having a wonderful time for the whole 6 weeks when in reality the most definitely some boredom

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

14 year olds Families
Pr1mr0se · 04/08/2022 09:36

Snowdropsarelovely - my parents used to share a villa abroad with friends who would be another family with similar age children and we'd share the cooking and have together and separate time during the holiday. It worked well. Perhaps that would work for you in future to give your teenager a friend to spend time with on hols.

MaxOverTheMoon · 04/08/2022 09:40

My dd goes to a youth club and they have put on trips over the summer holidays and activities in the club during the day weekly. She also went on NCS residential, plus we've had/having two camping holidays. She's really busy so I don't mind the odd day of her slouching about on tech.

I'd really advise you finding a youth club, dd has been going since 13/14 and it's really opened up her world as her friends from school seem to sit in on tech all day every day.

IggyAce · 04/08/2022 09:45

My dd 15 is has been hanging out with friends or in her room. She’s off on holiday with her friends family for the weekend.
We had a full on 5 days in London last week so I didn’t plan much for this. But I’ll arrange to meet with cousins and other family members over the next few weeks.

TammyOne · 04/08/2022 09:48

Not enough. Friends are on holidays most of the time. Our council are shit and provide nothing for older kids- they even took away all the football goals on the re grounds at the start of summer! I wish I could have booked a villa with a pool somewhere for two weeks so at least there would be a swimming. Local pool is rammed and teen won’t go.

felulageller · 04/08/2022 09:56

Phone phone and more phone. It's doing my head in!

FiveGoMadInDorset · 04/08/2022 10:00

My 16 and 14 year old are working some days and the other days the 14 year old is driving me mad

weebarra · 04/08/2022 10:01

I really feel for DS1 who is 14. He has a group of friends at school but none seem keen to hang out over the summer. Same with 12 year old DS2. Both are ND, but capable and independent.
They've spent the summer doing the occasional organised thing - cooking, rock climbing. Out with me when I'm not working.
DD is 9 and a social butterfly, but she can also go to a summer club when I'm working.

doodleygirl · 04/08/2022 10:10

Mine went to a camp from age 11 to 16. Started at 5 days in yr 6 and culminated with a month tour of Israel aged 16. Rest of the hols were spent on holiday with family and hanging out with friends.

TeeBee · 04/08/2022 10:13

Mainly having long lie-ins, going on various holidays, going to the beach, hanging out with mates, swimming in their friend's pool, playing football. They'll probably have their friends over to hang out this weekend to light the firepit/make smores and watch the football.

LondonWolf · 04/08/2022 10:23

I'm very lucky. I have two close-ish in age who actually like each other Grin so they chill together a lot. We've been on holiday for a week, I am decorating their rooms, which they're helping with. I am planning one day out a week, as long as it involves lunch they'll come out with me. I don't really get stressed about screen time/gaming etc. They work hard at school/college, they can do what they want in the holidays.

Branleuse · 04/08/2022 10:25

Im barely seeing them. They stay in their rooms. Its really weird this year and a bit sad

Pyewhacket · 04/08/2022 10:31

Usually, the older two work over the summer and my sport obsessed 14 son would be playing cricket, swimming or endless rounds of golf with his father. Only this year they are going to see their grandfather in the US for two weeks, and then two weeks on the family farm where I grew up, which is now run by my cousins.

I spoke to my mother for the first time in ten years so I may go and see her, if I can get a flight. A week in the south of France could be fun. My husband will be playing with his bus, as in a real one : little boys never grow up, it's just their toys get bigger. 😊

Ragwort · 04/08/2022 10:36

My DS is 21 now so we are past that stage but he loved (still does!) playing cricket so that took up endless time, he also helped coach younger players and as a young teen would attend sports camps. Also part of a youth club that met up and did activities. He latched on to a friend who had his own swimming pool one year so that was a real bonus! He and I would also go to our local lido. A day out in our local city was always a favourite. DH would take him camping for a couple of short trips.

Ragwort · 04/08/2022 10:37

NCS is great if available in your area - but for 16 year olds I think.

BiscoffSundae · 04/08/2022 10:39

I posted a thread as although mine are 10 and 11 they both have asd and have no friends, I find the summer holidays too long and getting harder as they get older as they are getting too old for certain things and don’t want to go anymore, otherwise they are spending all the time at home.

WeAllHaveWings · 04/08/2022 10:40

At ages 12-15 they were out the house most days late morning till late evening, whatever the weather, all over on bikes, meeting friends, having lunch out, playing footie, going to local lesuire center, hanging out at friends houses.

It is one of the big positives from social media, they could all connect and easily meet up during hols.

If they didnt go out they would be connected to friends in playstation chat.

familyissues12345 · 04/08/2022 10:41

DS1 - 18 - working most evenings and when not he's out with mates (or asleep)

DS2 - 13 - total opposite - he's quite introverted, likes his own space, so hasn't been up to much. Plays on the Xbox, sleeps in etc. This is my first year working during hols so I try and get him out when I can (usually involving food!) but not always successful. He seems happy enough, we're going away at the end of the month which will be good

Lightning020 · 04/08/2022 10:41

Ds goes to army cadets camp next week for 8 days. He has also not long returned from a week in London visiting his dad's family.

He goes out cycling with friends plus goes boxing Wed eves plus meets friends to either walk round town or hang out at theirs.

Beyond that it is of course the usual ps4 gaming plus you tube and Netflix as well as being on his iphone in his room.

paulmccartneysbagel · 04/08/2022 10:42

I was just thinking this morning that summer holidays used to be play dates, trips to the park, feeding the ducks, craft activities at home. Obviously now none of these things appeal. DD either wants to go shopping or sits on her phone. She is not making any effort to communicate with friends and arrange something.

DS would spend all day every day chatting to his mates on his PS4. At least he is getting some socialising out of it.

Decafflatteplease · 04/08/2022 10:48

Mine spent a few days staying with grandparents.

We go swimming/ gym / beach most days so that's keeping them occupied.

Also baking, making pizzas etc

Are there any council run things on in your area? Our council is putting on teen sport events

ShanghaiDiva · 04/08/2022 10:55

My dd finished GCSEs in June so has about 11 weeks off so:
two weeks of work experience
three weeks away in the Uk with us
meeting friends
gym
her athletics club runs throughout the summer which has been great
crocheting in preparation for a Xmas fair
although she has not been bored I am fed up if all the driving as bus service is appallingly unreliable

LindaEllen · 04/08/2022 10:58

DSS18 spends 24/7 in his bedroom, on his computer, screaming at video games, and does not like being told to come off it. He won't come down for meals, therefore eats junk food and microwave meals in the middle of the night.

I am counting down the days.

Swipe left for the next trending thread