What do your 15yo boys like?

[TheSpottedZebra]

Yes, massive generalisation!
But tell me anyway.

My nephew who I've not seen much is coming to stay for some weeks, and j don't really know what he likes to do /eat. Will he stay in his room all the time or will he be sociable?

Yes I've asked his dad. I'm none the wiser.

My son loves days out just the two of us, he really values one on one time. He likes museums, comedy shows and EVERYTHING to do with food. Loves cooking himself, trying out new recipes and playing around with spices to better meals we cook often, as well as eating out. He likes going for coffee (usually an iced frappe) and travelling around new cities looking at architecture. If the city has a tram or a cathedral that's even better.
He does not like sport. He doesn't mind music but isn't really 'in to' music iykwim. Also not bothered by clothes or brands. Definitely not a stereotypical teen

To add, with visitors he is usually really chatty and stays with us most of the time. He will eat whatever he is given.
Teen dd is the exact opposite though so 🤷‍♀️

Aww,he sounds lovely,thanks for answering.

I'm not even sure what IS a stereotypical teen!

Food sounds like a way in...

To be honest I found 15 a really hard age.. surly and lucky if I got a grunt. Maybe just mine though!!

After a lifetime of eating very little meat, he wants steak with every meal.

Loves tech, animals and music. And machines of all sorts. Likes playing d&d and computer games.

Is fairly sociable when visiting with relatives. Likes exercise and moving around a lot.

They like the WiFi code. Immediately.

Then yes to food

Yes I wonder if this will be closer to the mark for me. Yikes.

Playing with you? Or with mates?

Both. He loves including us in his games, and will chat about them with us for as long as we have the patience for it.

Sport and any kind of activity eg climbing/ paddle boarding / watersports.
Hanging out with friends; earning money so he can spend it on nice clothes ; food-lots of it both healthy and unhealthy, cinema, bowling, parties and sleeping in late!

Current one likes his Xbox, books of random facts/strange but true, trivia games and may ask a thousand questions or just grunt.

Edit STEM toys too

So basically he is the son of my sister who passed away. And he's coming to stay and i dont really know him anymore.

All I've got from his dad is that he's not into anything in particular- isn't sporty, isn't into music, isn't into geeky things. Has he just been left to fester in his room?

How long is he staying for? I would say don't try to ask him too many questions (they tend to get answered with grunts or noncommittal answers) but be really open to listening to whatever he comes up with, and engage actively with whatever it is.

Poor little boy, lovely that you will get to know him again.

3 weeks, ish.

Mine's 14 and a half! He likes computer coding and building things within computer games. Stuff like Portal, Minecraft (Redstone and mods, particularly the create mod.) He likes most foods and eats a lot of veggie stuff and salads. Also loves his Golden Arches and Pizza junk food fix. Really dislikes conversations he hasn't initiated. Hates most sports. Enjoys a walk, beach and a stick, parks with squirrels to feed, board games and TV

Food would score high. Basketball. Playing, watching. Going to the gym. Hanging out with one close friend who also likes basketball and working out (and food). Buying sweets from local shop. His phone - there’s usually one game or another he’s playing. YouTube - generally YouTube and fitness content. He likes doing stuff, appreciates days out, holidays etc but unfortunately as a family that hasn’t happened so much recently,

I’m really sorry about your sister.

So I would say you can’t over-fill cupboards and fridge. Let him know he is welcome to help himself. Get him to come with you to super market to refill. Teens always seem to appreciate that. Also let him know he is able to use oven and microwave.

Write Wi-Fi code down. Get him a front door key. Sign post him to nearest shop for snacks etc. I’d maybe leave £20 out for him when he arrives, just so he’s got a bit of cash.

Dont take anything personally wrt grunts, silences, time spent on phone, or on his own. Don’t be shocked if he seems surgically attached to his phone.

WRT activities, don’t ask vague open questions about ‘what would you like to do?’ Instead, book a few things and tell him you’re going. I’d suggest any immersive type sports (eg immersive mini-golf), maybe go-ape if you’re prepared to do with him, cinema.

TV is a good one. For that age, Brooklyn 99 is awesome if he hasn’t seen it, or even if he has. If he shares stuff he likes (tv/music/games/YouTube channels) let him educate you. You don’t have to pretend to like, but just be prepared to try them and take his opinions seriously.

If you drive, then a car trip to pick up takeaway might be a good way to engage. Give him time on his on in house.

Good luck.

Maybe make ridiculous puddings from TikTok recipes? There are loads of accounts that do silly puddings like melting mars bars and using them as bowls, or stuff like that. Just prop your tablet/ laptop up and do it and hopefully he’ll join in. If it goes well, he’ll end up researching recipes then getting ingredients too.

You sound like a lovely auntie!

I have a 14 and 17 year old and as others have said, definitely don't take it personally or think you are doing anything 'wrong' if he's never off his phone. I mean I sometimes worry that I'm on my phone too much but teenagers take it to a whole new level!

I definitely think doing / booking a few things is a good idea. Someone mentioned this earlier but (I don't know where you live) but something like paddle boarding or something He hasn't and / or you haven't done before could be a winner. Also my DS loves amusement arcades... and if you have a pub/ somewhere that has a pool table near you - then that's one of the few things we bond over now!

Netflix is your friend too. I can just about get mine to watch those true crime or 24 hours in A and e things.

And pizza

I also agree with what others have said about (and maybe he won't be the same with you) about not giving him too many choices- at that age they will always shrug shoulders/ be unenthusiastic etc but don't take it personally- if it's something new/ interesting then just do it and your reward will be seeing him enjoy it. You won't get any actual thanks.

Mine also love a theme park. Alton Towers and Thorpe Park have been 2 of the best days out we have had.

Good luck. I totally appreciate that this must feel daunting for you but I bet he'll come away with happy memories of staying with you.

Definitely don't think you have to have big plans every day. They do like time on their own and lounging in pjs is a favourite pastime and he might appreciate that time when he's not having to get up / get dressed and allowed to be 'him'

DS is somewhere on the ASD spectrum and his current special interest is fell walking - absolutely loves OS maps and is very good at seeking out and planning walks. Often with an interesting castle ruin or the like thrown in.

He would also happily fill an afternoon going to a (professional - tricky in July unless it’s the Euros) football game, or some sort of live music £25 a ticket type of venue, bowling, swimming.

A gallery to look at one painting or portrait provided I supplied the info/enthusiasm. Please note he wouldn’t stay long but it could still be worthwhile if it was in some sort of context/didn’t break the bank.

If you’re in London we’d do St Paul’s, HoP etc, Manchester the Royal Exchange, talk about the architecture.

Where are you?

Obviously as PP said, the wifi code before he takes his coat off. But if he has been allowed to fester in his room weaning him off gaming for a few hours a day will be entirely in his interests.

Oh and, in common with others above, loves cooking. Has to be encouraged not to use every pot and utensil in the house and to wash up.

Very sad circumstances, I’m sorry.

I think it's a lovely age, or perhaps I've been lucky. My DS 15 is sweetness and light as long as well fed & rested, he eats huge amounts (growth spurt), getting v strong, sometimes hormonal/emotional/irritable. Confidence goes up and down, experimenting with finding his look (loved getting a nice haircut + some new tops + spot cream but resisted the change initially, had to be coaxed).
Tired, loves an afternoon nap if intense school day (I would want a nap too!). Responds really well to kindness and nurturing. Loves cakes, sweets & snacks, fruit, sometimes baking/cooking with me.
Watching comedy shows, reality TV or documentaries with me + DD, chatting about the participants, goofing around, copying phrases from comedy shows. Watches sci fi and fantasy films with DH.
Art, museums, history, sketching & painting, model making. Computer games, watching stuff on YouTube. Swimming, badminton.
Sometimes family board games, currently learning poker. Also a lot of what my teenagers call "room"; ie one of their favorite activities, "to re-charge my social battery" as DD says. "Room" means lounging in ones own room in PJs, sometimes with snacks + water bottle. Heaven if you ask me.
A mixture of hanging out with family + privacy.
I hope you have a lovely time, hopefully he will warm up. Cooking + eating dinner together might be a nice start? Mind you we tend to not start any cooking projects when the teenagers are mega hungry because their moods are not great then.

What @Pampledample said is great. Good, wifi, tv.

The car is always a good place to talk to teens as there's no eye contact needed and they always seem more willing to open up if needed.

That should say *food, sorry!

As others have said, food. Maybe you could cook a few things together even a pizza from scratch and let him choose his own toppings (also you might teach him a few cooking skills which might be useful). Board games eg Monopoly, Rummikub, etc. A few day trips out depending on where you are/his interests might be good. Maybe a few walks and encourage him to take photos on his phone. Also any quirky restaurants/cafes near you?

Depends on your budget

They like hoodies and trainers if you want a retail therapy day

Any local theatre/comedy?

There is a new deadpool/wolverine film that is likely to be rated 15, if you haven't seen deadpool 1&2 you might like to watch them together first, but be warned if you are easily shocked it's not for you, it's brilliant but it'll crass, rude, offensive, violent, just plain bad and has a leading connection of loss via death.

You would need to check with dad first.

Can you/he play chess? You could get a chess puzzle, so part game and you work out the "checkmate in 3" solution

Bird of prey day

Archery

Go karts

Bowling

Photoshoot somewhere with good backgrounds

Any fairground rides about?

A day climbing something for a view

I would have a look around at where you can get to and what you need to book in advance and what you don't. Perhaps take him out locally first day, even to supermarket and say get some food you like for a couple of days and see if he has any suggestions.

Or if he is arriving to late on first day or you just don't fancy it, cheeseburgers, ice cream, Oreo biscuits tend to work
Lucozade sport drinks

15 year olds like choice but perhaps with a gentle nudge in the right direction

Indoor skydiving

VR arcades
Actually most arcades

You and him both have you sister and your loss of her in common. I would assume, once he is feeling comfortable with you, and if you feel you can, he might want to talk about his mum.

Get him to show you what he likes on youtube it might be quite good or utter toss. Feign an interest!

I hope you both have a great time together.