When your family is spending time at home, how do you connect with your tweens and teens? Sometimes, they rather spend time alone in their room but they are never too old to have family bonding time!
Here are some fun at-home tween activities and at-home teen activities that the whole family will love.
This article was recently updated on April 16, 2024 by Chicago Parent’s Audience Development Manager, Katina Beniaris. The update included her checking if links are up to date and adding any other recent information. Questions? Please reach out to katina@chicagoparent.com.
Play a board game
Why not make family game night a little more interesting by making it a tournament that can stretch out for weeks? The first person who wins 5 games can get a special prize. Here are some of our favorites to play with tweens and teens: Monopoly, Apples to Apples, Catan and Taboo.
Set up an obstacle course
Your tweens and teens can definitely get into some obstacle course fun. All you need are a few materials like painter’s tape, jump ropes and light weights for the challenges. Plus, you can join in to complete your daily exercise.
Make a time capsule
Why not put together a time capsule that the whole family can contribute? Add in photos, notes and other things you did as a family. Don’t open it for years, or better yet, save it for your grandchildren!
Learn a TikTok dance
We already know that our older kids are already obsessed with the latest app, TikTok. Dances like “Renegade” and “Blinding Lights” have gone viral — maybe your video will be next!
Learn a new dance along with your kids. Sure, you might get a few eye rolls … but you all will still get a good laugh from it.
Organize a themed dinner party
We all need to loosen up, so consider mixing up your normal dinner plans with a theme. You can focus on the food like “Breakfast for Dinner” or “Chinese ‘Takeout’ at Home.” What about getting your family to dress up for a theme? They can take out their dresses and suits for a “Fancy Dinner” or have them get creative by dressing up like a Disney character.
Work out as a family
It’s important to get as much exercise as you can while you’re indoors. There are many free online workouts to try with older kids. Don’t forget to add in some yoga and meditation to help with everyone’s well-being.
Start a book club
If you have passionate readers in your family, organize a book club. You can read the same book they’re reading for English class or find a book to pair with a movie night. Most importantly, find a book that the whole family will enjoy and be willing to discuss as soon as they’re done reading.
Binge watch a show or movies together
Is there a show or movie series you all been wanting to watch? Now’s the time! Pop some popcorn and see what’s streaming. Some of our picks to watch with tweens and teens include: “The Baby-Sitters Club” (Netflix), “Cruella” (Disney+), “Stranger Things” (Netflix) and “Black-ish” (Hulu).
Do a puzzle
While you’re watching your new favorite TV show or movie, add in some puzzle time. It’s a brain workout for the entire family. Don’t have a puzzle at home? We suggest shopping local to help a small business — and explore a new shop with the fam! .
Give back
Now’s a more important time than ever to practice gratitude as a family. Think of ways you can give back as a family. It can be as simple as ordering takeout from a family-owned business or making some art to hang up for your neighbors.
Play a video game
Kids don’t have be the only ones to play video games all day long. Ask them if you can play along their favorite games with them. Here are some fun video games everyone can play: Mario Kart, Heads Up!, Rocket League and Super Mario Party.
Create a cooking or baking challenge
If your kids are obsessed with Food Network’s “Baking Championship” series or “Chopped”, then recreate some friendly competition at home. Challenge the family to make dinner together and assign one dish for each member to make. If you’re craving sweets, bake a cake together but have the kids decorate it in a certain theme.
Plant a garden
For those craving some fresh air, rearrange your garden with some new flowers or a few herbs. Kids can give you a hand. You can also build an indoor garden if you prefer to stay inside — we know spring in the Midwest can be a bit chilly!
Go out on a walk (but make it fun)
It can be challenging to entice your older kids to go for a walk when they’re bored of the same daily scenery. Make family walks a bit more exciting by bringing a ball to throw around while walking, or do 10 squats for every block walked. “I Spy” is also a game that never gets old.
Host an craft night
Turn your home into an art studio and get crafty! There are countless options for getting creative with your tweens and teens. Print out some free coloring pages and use your favorite colored pencils, crayons or markers. Many local libraries offer take-home crafting kits for teens. If you really want to explore your artistic sides together, order a DIY craft kit and make everything from jewelry and mosaics to clay and resin art.
Create a vision board
Vision boards are a fun project for all ages. Use photos, magazine clippings and other craft materials to create a board that represents your accomplishments, dreams and goals. Once the project is complete, take turn presenting your boards. Not only is this a fun, individualized craft, but you’ll learn a lot from hearing your tweens and teens explain their dreams for the future and the young adults they dream of becoming.
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