What can young teens do in the summer in the afternoons

[Anonymous]

Summer is a great time for teens to explore hobbies. There’s all kinds of things he can do on his own: photography, mountain biking, drawing, birding, woodworking, coding, gardening, learning a new musical instrument or foreign language. If he has a passion, that will keep him busy and add some structure to his days. Is he creative? Does he like the outdoors? Does he like to read or cook?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Will have a 14 year old boy who does swim team and then coaches the little kids. He’s done by noon every day. Not interested in day camps and it’s hard because of the timing.

Last summer he spent so so much time on screens every day we are hoping to avoid that. Are there any afternoon camps (we are in moco) that may need help? Doesn’t need to get paid, happy to make him volunteer. Just want him to have a little more structure some days of the week. Would love any ideas you all may have.

First limit screen time. That’s the most important thing IMHO. The phone is the path of least resistance so most teens won’t be motivated to do anything if they have access to unlimited screen time.

maybe a second job, helping with projects around the house, volunteering …

[Anonymous]

Is he on his own during the day? That is, does he have an adult or older sibling who can drive, or not? Does he have siblings? These factors make a difference in terms of possible options.

I have a 14 yo swimmer son, too, and here are some things he did last summer besides swim team: volunteer as a youth counselor at our church’s VBS, swim at the pool for fun with friends in the afternoon, complete the library’s summer reading program, took an online class to get a HS credit out of the way, worked on learning another language via Rosetta Stone (also involves screens, I realize, but educational & fun). Another idea is inviting friends over to play board games or even video games in person. He and his sibling also had cooking competitions from time to time.

[Anonymous]

This is on screens but maybe an online class via something like Outschool some weeks in the afternoon?

Otherwise, many teens will be sleeping in, and yours has a very productive morning. Maybe allow 2 hr of screen time in the afternoon and then tell him to figure out the rest? Reading, biking, friends some days if it works out…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He should offer private swim lessons in the afternoons -- TONS of families will pay him $25 a lesson.

Easier said then done unless you're a lifeguard at the pool. No pool is going to let random people give lessons there. DD was a lifeguard who gave lessons but only the pool she worked at would let her do it there.

He is a swim coach to the little kids already. Wouldn’t be a problem at all at our pool.