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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think it's tricky finding good activities for teens on school holidays

36 replies

necromumda · 29/07/2018 19:36

Really struggling. I'm finding lots for younger kids but it's a hard one for a 14-year-old. Area-specific or same where you are?
(any suggestions would be welcome as well)

OP posts:
AlexanderHamilton · 29/07/2018 19:39

Ds is doing summer schools run by his amateur theatre group.

Dd is 16 now but in previous years she did residential ballet summer schools & non residential workshops.

Other than that they occupy themselves.

Hillarious · 29/07/2018 19:50

iPlayer, Netflix and Xbox, surely?

SilverySurfer · 29/07/2018 19:51

Don't teens make/find their own activities? They used to when I was young.

Original poster
necromumda · 29/07/2018 19:54

Mine is an only child so, although I guess he could find something, I am trying to think up a few things to keep the momentum going. (Not keen to just have him sitting in front of a screen and he gets bored doing that). Also very pissed off we have finished all our Netflix series..damn!

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 29/07/2018 19:57

God I couldn't imagine my mum finding me things to do as a teenager

Is there nothing he's found himself?

Does he actually want to do something? What about his mates?

Original poster
necromumda · 29/07/2018 19:59

Most of his mates are away sadly.

OP posts:
allthegoodusernameshavegone · 29/07/2018 20:00

He could get a summer job and earn some money

Original poster
necromumda · 29/07/2018 20:01

allthegoodusernameshavegone we are definitely looking for one. He would love some cash for sure :)

OP posts:
Funnybunnydog · 29/07/2018 20:02

Do you live by the sea? My 8 and 11 year old are doing a watersports week that a lot of teenagers go to. They do surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, raft building, pier jumping, coasteering, rock climbing etc. And we dont live in a particularly watersports centred area just a north east industrial town that happens to be by the sea

AlexanderHamilton · 29/07/2018 20:02

A summer job? For a 14 year old? Tell me where to find such things! It’s hard enough for 16 year olds.

AlexanderHamilton · 29/07/2018 20:03

OP what hobbies does he have normally?

Original poster
necromumda · 29/07/2018 20:05

AlexanderHamilton, a range of things- rugby, cricket, martial arts, music, card and board gaming.

OP posts:
PrincessHairyMclary · 29/07/2018 20:07

There are activity weeks at our local water sports centre, ski slope and theatres aimed at 8-16 years olds running from 10-4pm every day.

allthegoodusernameshavegone · 29/07/2018 20:07

Where we live every hotel , restaurant, holiday camp is desperately looking for youngsters to help out for the 6 weeks, but I do live in a holiday area.

Summernamechange · 29/07/2018 20:07

Our libraries had had some good bits, comic book stuff just for older kids.
We also have a local wildlife charity which only do things with 11 plus.

I think it depends where you live, I look a lot for DD (aged 10) so tend to see it but I don’t think it’s easy to find.

Original poster
necromumda · 29/07/2018 20:08

@princesshairymclary that sounds great!

OP posts:
elliejjtiny · 29/07/2018 20:20

I was wondering that. Ds1 is 12 and most activities seem to stop at age 11 or 12. I remember helping at playschemes when I was 14-16ish.

IceCreamFace · 29/07/2018 20:24

My DC are younger but I sympathise with OP 'in my day' people might go away for a week but there would always be done if your mates around yo hang out with. Now people around my way seem to go away for weeks or have organised activities for their kids for lots of the summer. Makes it difficult to just rely on hanging out with friends as entertainment.

Original poster
necromumda · 29/07/2018 20:31

@icecreamface so true. Not many seem to be around over the summer and it goes quiet here. They aren't "hang out" kind of kids anyway and live quite scattered from each other.

OP posts:
moodyblues · 29/07/2018 20:33

I am struggling with helping my 15 year old to occupy himself too. He hardly comes out of his room, won't come to the beach or any activities with me and his eight year old brother and even refused a shopping trip with me.

So his dad signed him up to the local gym, they have a six week summer holiday tariff for teenagers which was only £30 quid. He is enjoying that so at least he is leaving his room and getting some exercise.

AuntieStella · 29/07/2018 20:34

Sports camps and a touch typing course.

Try your local leisure centre and council website?

bookmum08 · 29/07/2018 20:40

Has he looked on meetup.com? It is mostly for adults but some groups are happy for teens to join. I was thinking of the gaming stuff you mentioned.

lljkk · 29/07/2018 20:46

My 14yo likes long walks, luckily, that's the main thing I'll do with him.
So hospital runs, too (broke his arm the other day!)

Doesn't cricket run all summer, matches to spectate & regular evening leagues?

ScrubTheDecks · 29/07/2018 20:47

Check out the Prince’s Trust volunteering pages Youth Can Do It . Lots of suggestions for volunteering activities specifically aimed at teens.

Mammalamb · 29/07/2018 20:52

As a 14 year old I “helped” at the local playscheme