Don’t let anyone convince you that the early years were your only window with your son. Research says the teen years may actually matter most. Moms who stay engaged in their boys’ lives during adolescence see real differences in their kids’ behavior and well-being. So keep planning fun things to do with your teenage son. I promise it’s worth it.
One of my favorite afternoons with my teen son started as a simple maple syrup tour and turned into something neither of us expected.
“If you stick around,” the woman next to me said, “that sheep’s going to give birth.” Whaaaat? I stopped in my muddy tracks, took note of her overalls and gloves, then whispered to my son, “Let’s wait.” Together, we leaned over the fence and stared in silence at the sheep lying in the straw. Eventually, the farmer who clued me in climbed into the pen next to the sheep. Moments later, my son and I witnessed something pretty incredible. It’s a memory I hope he’ll carry with him long after he graduates from high school in a few short years.
I want to stockpile good memories like these with my teen son while I can, and that means being intentional about it. Heading out to a farm is just one of 25 fun things to do with your teenage son.
1. Surprise him with tickets to a rock concert (or any concert!).
2. Take him to a movie you wouldn’t normally see.
3. Catch a ball game and let him have fun teaching you the rules.
4. Take him out to eat. If you want to be able to talk, make sure there are no TVs!
5. Pick a new activity to try together, such as fishing, paddleboarding, indoor rock climbing, or bowling.
6. Sign up for a cooking or grilling class together. Let him be the one who impresses you.
7. Rent kayaks or a canoe and spend the day on the water.
8. Plan a hike and picnic in a nearby town. (Getting exercise and fresh air is good for the brain, but don’t mention that. Pitch it as “a day together doing something different.”)
9. Visit a college, and take a self-guided tour of the campus.
10. Build or assemble something together, such as a piece of furniture, a model kit, or anything with instructions he has to read.
11. Go to an expensive car dealership just to look at the sports cars or trucks.
12. Challenge him to a round of mini golf or go-karts and make it competitive.
13. Hand him the car keys, and let him practice driving.
14. Teach him a new card game, or let him teach you a game he likes.
15. Visit grandparents for an afternoon. Have him bring any awards, graded papers, or photos to show off and share. (The grandparents will love it, and he’ll love the attention.)
16. Find an old-timey arcade. Battle him in air hockey and play Frogger.
17. Go to a LEGO convention or a comic con. Check online to see what’s coming to town.
18. See a play or musical. (It might not be his thing—yet.)
19. Tour a historical estate and learn a little bit about the history of your community.
20. Locate a card shop, and spend time browsing together (baseball, Pokémon, etc.)
21. Spend an afternoon at the mall going to all the stores HE wants to see.
22. Find and sample a different ice cream shop. Or donut shop. Or candy store.
23. Go to a farmer’s market. Let him pick the fruits or veggies he’d like to help cook.
24. Attend a local car show (or other traveling event).
25. Find a game shop or bookstore to browse. Let him lead you to the aisles he wants to see.
For more ideas, check out our Mother-Son Bucket List!
What are some more fun things to do with your teenage son that don’t appear on this list?
