3 (young) teenagers. 1 week at home. No money.

[TooMuchFiggyPudding]

Any suggestions for keeping them away from their screens and actually doing something (that isn't 'BORING').

Do you have a local parkrun ? www.parkrun.org.uk
Not that I would ever get my kids there but many do ....

How do they? I'd love to know. Wouldn't have any success here either as involves 1) walking 2) messing up their hair 3) being in close proximity to rain and mud.

I fear they are a lost cause.

Board game tournament where winner gets five points, second place gets four points etc. score chart on the wall. Few different games over a couple of days.

Have you tried geocaching? We love it!

I know your children are older than eleven and a half but there are some good ideas A4 list poster final.pdf here

No suggestions but eagerly awaiting other responses as in a similar position! Everything I suggest is greeted with looks of disdain yes I know Asda's isn't very exciting but it gets us out

Pinterest website for ideas/crafts? If they don't like it you'll be so addicted you wont give a stuff about their needs.

Teach them to cook.

Proper cooking of real meals (especially cheap ones like soup), not just fucking cupcakes.

Poker for matchsticks always goes down well here.

Library for dvd's?

A months free Netflix trial, with a family movie night and popcorn? Ok it's a screen, but at least it's a sociable screen.

Definitely the cooking idea - all mine aged 7 - 18 love being shown how to cook.

Any elderly neighbours or relatives who would appreciate them doing some errands or odd jobs? IME teens can be remarkably generous with their time and patience for old people.

Would they be interested in decorating their own rooms?

Sometimes it's worth shelling out for the cost of a can of paint to get the cleaning, sorting, decluttering etc that has to come before the decorating?

Borrow some camping gear?
Bike rides.
Sleepovers (let them invite friends).
Check the Internet for free/ cheap stuff like plays, comedy etc.

Mine aged 13 and 15 still enjoy Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit.
Ask around the neighbours and see if anyone will loan you a board game you haven't tried before.

Microwave popcorn.
Make biscuits.

Pop trivia quiz. Get them to make one up for each other.

Play badminton or ping pong at local leisure centre ?

Cooking and board games in this house ... But did manage to get them all out yesterday for a stomp with the dog, which makes me feel like I've done something about getting them some fresh air ! Not sure they'll fall for it tomorrow mind !
Bikes ? Roller skates ? Get together with friends ?

My DD and her friend had a great time making a stop-motion animation out of clay. It does technically involve computer / screen but is so much more creative than the usual blank stare at facebook. If you've got a digital camera / cameraphone you upload the pics and download some free software to make an animation. It's really easy for techy teens to use, and they can even make their own music / voiceover.

Oh yes ! Stop motion is brilliant to keep them entertained and really creative too !

So glad I'm not the only one.

Board games are met with 'are you STUPID?!!'. Arts and crafts similarly. Cooking only lasts as far as chopping/weighing the first thing before they drift off. Physical movement exercise is, apparently, something only squares do (or whatever the right phrase is these days I am very old ). and it seems that fresh air kills on contact.

However, stop motion might do the trick, also matchstick poker given how combative they are. And we are always trying to give the kids away for sleep overs. No takers yet however...

I've given in to letting them do screen stuff all day and I have been watching all the programmes I have sky plussed. We do lots during other schools holidays but just thought sod it let's do nothing all week.

I solved the cooking thing.

I don't cook in the holidays any more. If they want to eat, they cook (though I usually produce a dinner of some type).

It's amazing how they conquer things like omelettes and stirfries if the alternative is never-ending bowls of cereal - especially if the cocoa pops runs out and the alternatives are stale Tesco cornflakes and porridge [evil]

You need straight swaps for sleepovers - one extra in and two out, followed by two in and one out. That's the only way, so they are always in pairs with a pal.