25 ideas for what your teen can do this summer

Disclaimer:  None of us would have imagined that the world as we knew it would come to a screeching halt because of a pandemic. Now, the horrific scenes of racism, the protests, and the unrest across the country are really concerning, upsetting, and overwhelming. It’s a lot. It’s a lot to take in, a lot to explore our own and our family members’ thoughts and feelings about, a lot to figure out how to respond to, a lot to cope with. 

 That said, I’m also a big advocate of taking breaks and limiting the negative information that comes in for our own self-care and well-being. We can still care deeply about issues, consider them and act accordingly, AND take breaks to rest, rejuvenate, and bring joy into our lives. In fact, I argue that breaks are absolutely necessary in order to be able to do good in the world and not burn out. (This is a great time to model self-care and balance to kids and teens too.) So, right now, I invite us take such a break and focus on how to create some fun, relaxation, and enjoyment in our lives.  

Memorial Day has passed, it’s hot outside, and schools are wrapping up this strange year. You might be breathing that sigh of relief that online classes (and the battle over schoolwork) is over while also wondering what on earth your family is going to do this summer. We hear you!
 
These long, hot days can leave a lot of time to fill for teens, which can be even trickier if you’re trying to work from home and be productive while your kids have tons of nada on their schedules.

A few bits of general advice . . . then on to the list of ideas! 

• Support your teen in finding ways for them to connect with their friends. Friendships can feel like lifeblood to adolescents, and many teens already have some feelings of loneliness and disconnection from not going to school for the past few months. Discuss what your family is comfortable with, and brainstorm options that match for connecting with friends--maybe a backyard movie or game night, picnics in the park, a sleepover, a hike or bike rides, a trip to the drive-in (You can bring chairs or blankets for the teens to sit outside.), etc.

• It’s still helpful to hold your teen responsible for completing their chores. Chores teach responsibility, contribution, and build some grit to do things we don’t want to do. 

• Let your kid sleep in and spend some time (or some days) binging on their fav shows or watching video after video on YouTube or binging their fav shows. This kind of downtime creates that sense of freedom and relaxation that we all could use sometimes.

• Discuss as a family a goal or goals each of you have for yourself this summer. This could be fitness or health-related, reading a literary classic, learning a new skill or hobby, meditating, you name it. We all feel better when we have something productive to focus on. 

What else can your teen do? Here are 25 ideas to share with them. 

• Virtually tour a National Park:
  https://techcrunch.com/2016/08/25/google-now-lets-you-explore-u-s-national-parks-via-360-degree-virtual-tours/

• Start a YouTube channel about your hobby or passion.

• Watch a virtual concert. You could even facetime or Zoom with a friend to watch together: https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9335531/coronavirus-quarantine-music-events-online-streams

• Journal. Think about life goals, write about your thoughts or your day. Need some prompts?
  https://www.creative-writing-now.com/journal-prompts.html

• Bake something, or pick out a recipe and cook dinner. This can be a great activity to do as a family or to have a trusted friend or relative over to do together. Feeling more creative? Do a cooking-show-style competition with what you cook or bake!

• Take Yale’s Happiness class for free: 
  https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/23/health/yale-happiness-course-wellness/index.html

• Paint your nails, give yourself a mani/pedi, do a face mask, or take a relaxing bath or shower. (Yes, guys, you might even enjoy most of these too.)

• Learn a new language or brush up on their language skills. Maybe even talk about planning a future family vacation, and you could all start practicing together: 
  https://www.fastcompany.com/90486395/6-ways-to-learn-a-foreign-language-for-free-while-youre-sheltering-in-place-for-covid-19

• Take a nap.

• Get some exercise! Go for a walk, bike ride, run, or stream some great workout videos: 
  https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene 
  https://www.corepoweryogaondemand.com/keep-up-your-practice 
  https://www.fitnessblender.com/ 
  https://www.youtube.com/user/DrMelissaWest

• Watch a documentary. Feeling cultured? You and a friend could Netflix and Social Distance, and then discuss.

• Apply for jobs or babysit. Many grocery stores and even restaurants are hiring as things start to re-open. Ask your parent(s) if you need some help with the applications. And/or, look into babysitting options. LOTS of parents could use breaks right now, and you might be able to offer your services to neighbors, family members, or family friends, which can feel more comfortable if you know they’ve been quarantining or having similar practices as your family.

• Feeling really creative? Your whole family could get in on one of the painting recreations lots of museums are doing:
  https://mymodernmet.com/recreate-art-history-challenge/

• Or, do a virtual museum tour: 
  https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours

• Find a volunteer opportunity you’re interested in. 

• Virtually tour the Winchester Mystery House! Again, you could facetime or Zoom together to take the tour: 
  https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/321979/winchester-mystery-house-offering-virtual-tours-to-homebound-horror-fans/

• Write down positive quotes, things you’re grateful for, or happy memories, and put them in a jar or write them in a journal to read over and enjoy. (This is actually a technique in Positive Psychology called savoring, and the research shows that it helps.)

• Meditate, or practice mindfulness. So many options to help! 
  https://www.headspace.com/headspace-meditation-app
  https://insighttimer.com/meditation-app
  https://sites.google.com/apps.district279.org/virtualcalmingroom/guided-practice 
  https://www.uclahealth.org/marc/mindful-meditations

• Play an instrument, or start teaching yourself to play an instrument.

• Catch a weekly Cirque du Soleil performance: 
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL0TG_nCqzE&feature=youtu.be

• Try drawing or painting. Go on YouTube and find a tutorial that looks interesting. 

• Create decorations to celebrate someone’s birthday, Father’s Day, 4th of July, or just a random Tuesday.

• Rearrange your room.

• Hang new posters or pictures in your room, re-organize a drawer, maybe even paint or redecorate.

• Read or listen to an audiobook. Libby is an awesome app that connects with your library card, or find books: 
  https://about.jstor.org/oa-and-free/ 
  https://stories.audible.com/discovery

You can even challenge yourself to see what other ideas you or your family come up with. Even though this summer is gonna be different, everyone can still find ways to enjoy your time and get the fun and rest you need.

 
All the best,
Ivy
 

Ivy Griffin, LMFT # 51714, Director
Thrive Therapy & Counseling
she/hers
1614 X St., Suite A
Sacramento, CA 95818
916-287-3430
thrivetherapists@gmail.com
As always, if you’re needing support for yourself or your teen, we’re just a phone call or email away.