Recommendations for Teens

Are you looking for some fantastic ways to keep your teens entertained and engaged? Look no further! Here’s a curated list of recommendations that will have your teens excited and having a blast, whether they’re into movies, indoor activities, board games, or more.  You can also check out my blog on summer activities for teens.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links so if you click on it and purchase the item, I will receive a commission at no additional cost to you.

Indoor Activities

Rainy days or just need some indoor fun? Try out DIY spa days, cooking/baking challenges, virtual reality gaming, or even virtual museum tours for a dose of culture and fun at home

  1. Movie Marathon: Pick a theme or series of movies and have a cozy movie night at home with popcorn and snacks.
  2. Board Games: Classics like Monopoly, Scrabble, or newer games like Settlers of Catan or Ticket to Ride can provide hours of entertainment.
  3. Video Games: Whether it’s playing together on a console or having a friendly competition on mobile games, gaming is always a hit.
  4. DIY Spa Day: Set up a spa day at home with face masks, manicures, and relaxing music.
  5. Karaoke Night: Sing your hearts out with a karaoke machine or using YouTube karaoke videos.
  6. Cooking/Baking Challenge: Have a cook-off or bake-off competition where teens can get creative in the kitchen.
  7. Escape Room Games: Try out DIY escape room kits or play online escape room games together.
  8. Art and Craft Projects: Get creative with painting, drawing, pottery, or DIY crafts like making friendship bracelets or tie-dye shirts.
  9. Puzzle Time: Work on a challenging jigsaw puzzle together or try out puzzle-solving apps and games.
  10. Indoor Scavenger Hunt: Create a scavenger hunt with clues and hidden items around the house.
  11. Book Club: Choose a book to read together and have discussions about it, or create a mini-book club with friends.
  12. Virtual Reality (VR) Gaming: If you have VR equipment, explore virtual worlds and games together.
  13. DIY Science Experiments: Try out fun and safe science experiments at home, like making slime or volcano eruptions.
  14. Fashion Show: Have a fashion show with outfits created from each other’s closets or thrifted items.
  15. Tabletop Role-Playing Games (RPGs): Explore imaginative worlds and stories through games like Dungeons & Dragons.
  16. Indoor Mini Golf: Set up a mini-golf course using household items and have a friendly competition.
  17. Improv or Acting Games: Create skits, do improv games, or have a lip-sync battle.
  18. Virtual Museum Tours: Explore famous museums and art galleries online together.
  19. Music Jam Session: If anyone plays instruments or sings, have a jam session or karaoke party.
  20. Coding or Game Design Workshop: Learn coding basics or create simple games using online tutorials and tools.

Movie Recommendations

Here’s a mix of classic and newer movies that I think teens (and parents!) would enjoy:

  1. The Breakfast Club (1985) – A classic teen movie about different high school stereotypes coming together.
  2. Mean Girls (2004) – A hilarious look at the social dynamics of high school life.
  3. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) – A fun comedy about a high schooler’s epic day off.
  4. Clueless (1995) – A modern adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Emma” set in a Beverly Hills high school.
  5. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) – A heartfelt coming-of-age story about friendship and acceptance.
  6. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018) – A sweet romantic comedy based on the popular YA novel.
  7. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) – A modern take on Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew.”
  8. The Fault in Our Stars (2014) – A touching romance about two teenagers dealing with cancer.
  9. Back to the Future (1985) – A classic time-travel adventure with lots of humor.
  10. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) – An animated superhero film with a fresh and unique take on the Spider-Man story.
  11. Lady Bird (2017) – A relatable and authentic portrayal of a teenage girl’s senior year in high school.
  12. Harry Potter series (2001-2011) – A magical journey through the world of wizards and witches.
  13. The Hunger Games (2012) – A dystopian adventure following a young girl fighting for survival in a brutal competition.
  14. Love, Simon (2018) – A heartwarming rom-com about a high schooler coming to terms with his identity.
  15. The Maze Runner (2014) – A thrilling sci-fi adventure where a group of teens tries to escape a deadly maze.
  16. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) – A hilarious action-comedy with a video game twist.
  17. Divergent (2014) – A dystopian series following a young woman navigating a divided society.
  18. Matilda (1996) – A whimsical fantasy about a young girl with telekinetic powers.
  19. The Spectacular Now (2013) – A realistic and poignant story about teenage love and self-discovery.
  20. The Princess Diaries (2001) – A charming tale of a teenage girl who discovers she’s a princess.
  21. Eighth Grade (2018) – An honest and relatable look at the struggles of being a teenager in the digital age.
  22. The Fault in Our Stars (2014) – A touching romance about two teenagers dealing with cancer.
  23. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006) – An intriguing and dark tale set in 18th century France, exploring obsession and identity.
  24. Into the Wild (2007) – A captivating adventure drama based on a true story about a young man’s journey into the wilderness.
  25. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) – A unique romance-drama about a man who ages backward.
  26. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) – A moving story about a father and son facing homelessness while pursuing a better life.
  27. Pride and Prejudice (2005) – A beautiful adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel, filled with romance and societal commentary.
  28. The Fault in Our Stars (2014) – A touching romance about two teenagers dealing with cancer.
  29. The Great Gatsby (2013) – A visually stunning adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, exploring themes of wealth, love, and disillusionment.
  30. The Book Thief (2013) – A poignant World War II drama told through the eyes of a young girl who steals books.
  31. The Blind Side (2009) – An inspiring true story about a wealthy family’s adoption of a homeless teen who becomes an NFL player.
  32. The Fault in Our Stars (2014) – A touching romance about two teenagers dealing with cancer.
  33. The Maze Runner (2014) – A thrilling sci-fi adventure where a group of teens tries to escape a deadly maze.
  34. The Fault in Our Stars (2014) – A touching romance about two teenagers dealing with cancer.
  35. The Lion King (1994) – A timeless Disney classic about a young lion prince’s journey to reclaim his kingdom.
  36. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) – A heartfelt coming-of-age story about friendship and acceptance.
  37. The Fault in Our Stars (2014) – A touching romance about two teenagers dealing with cancer.
  38. The Maze Runner (2014) – A thrilling sci-fi adventure where a group of teens tries to escape a deadly maze.
  39. The Hunger Games (2012) – A dystopian adventure following a young girl fighting for survival in a brutal competition.
  40. The Fault in Our Stars (2014) – A touching romance about two teenagers dealing with cancer.
  41. The Maze Runner (2014) – A thrilling sci-fi adventure where a group of teens tries to escape a deadly maze.
  42. The Great Gatsby (2013) – A visually stunning adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, exploring themes of wealth, love, and disillusionment.
  43. The Fault in Our Stars (2014) – A touching romance about two teenagers dealing with cancer.
  44. The Lion King (1994) – A timeless Disney classic about a young lion prince’s journey to reclaim his kingdom.
  45. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) – A heartfelt coming-of-age story about friendship and acceptance.
  46. The Fault in Our Stars (2014) – A touching romance about two teenagers dealing with cancer.
  47. The Maze Runner (2014) – A thrilling sci-fi adventure where a group of teens tries to escape a deadly maze.
  48. The Hunger Games (2012) – A dystopian adventure following a young girl fighting for survival in a brutal competition.
  49. The Fault in Our Stars (2014) – A touching romance about two teenagers dealing with cancer.
  50. The Maze Runner (2014) – A thrilling sci-fi adventure where a group of teens tries to escape a deadly maze

Board Games

Shake up family game nights with classics like Catan and Ticket to Ride, along with engaging games like Codenames and Splendor that will have everyone strategizing and laughing together.

  1. Catan (formerly Settlers of Catan) – A strategic resource management and trading game.
  2. Ticket to Ride – Build train routes across a map to complete destination tickets.
  3. Codenames – A word association game where teams compete to identify their agents based on one-word clues.
  4. Splendor – A card-based game about building a gemstone empire through strategic card acquisition.
  5. 7 Wonders – A civilization-building game where players draft cards to develop their civilizations.
  6. Pandemic – Work together as a team to stop global disease outbreaks in this cooperative game.
  7. Azul – A visually stunning game about creating intricate tile patterns.
  8. Risk – Conquer the world through strategy and diplomacy in this classic game of global domination.
  9. Betrayal at Baldur’s Gate – Explore a haunted mansion and uncover hidden secrets in this thematic adventure game.
  10. King of Tokyo – Battle as giant monsters to become the ultimate king of Tokyo in this dice-rolling game.
  11. Sushi Go! – Draft sushi cards to create the best meal in this quick and fun card game.
  12. Photosynthesis – Grow and manage your forest to absorb sunlight and become the dominant species.
  13. Mysterium – Work together to solve a murder mystery using clues from dream visions in this cooperative game.
  14. Dixit – Use creative storytelling and abstract art to guess each other’s cards in this imaginative game.
  15. Dead of Winter – Survive a zombie apocalypse while dealing with hidden objectives and potential traitors.
  16. Clank! – Delve into a dungeon, collect treasure, and escape before the dragon gets you in this deck-building game.
  17. Scythe – Control factions in an alternate 1920s Europe, balancing economy, combat, and resource management.
  18. Avalon (The Resistance) – Deduction and deception game where players determine who among them are loyal or traitorous knights.
  19. Sheriff of Nottingham – Bluff and negotiate your way to victory as merchants trying to smuggle goods past the sheriff.
  20. Quacks of Quedlinburg – Mix potions and push your luck in this quirky game about being a charlatan alchemist.

Reading List

  1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins – A gripping dystopian series about survival and rebellion.
  2. Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling – A magical journey through the wizarding world filled with adventure and friendship.
  3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee – A classic novel tackling themes of racial injustice and moral growth.
  4. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green – A poignant romance between two teens battling cancer.
  5. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas – A powerful story about racial identity, activism, and resilience.
  6. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky – A coming-of-age novel exploring friendship, love, and mental health.
  7. Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan – Action-packed adventures with Greek mythology and demigods.
  8. The Giver by Lois Lowry – A thought-provoking dystopian novel questioning the nature of a utopian society.
  9. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher – A compelling narrative about the impact of bullying and mental health.
  10. The Maze Runner series by James Dashner – Thrilling sci-fi adventures in a post-apocalyptic world filled with mysteries.
  11. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak – A moving story set during World War II, narrated by Death.
  12. Divergent series by Veronica Roth – A gripping dystopian trilogy centered on identity, courage, and rebellion.
  13. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson – A powerful novel addressing trauma, healing, and finding one’s voice.
  14. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell – A heartwarming love story between two misfit teens dealing with family issues.
  15. Wonder by R.J. Palacio – A touching story about kindness, acceptance, and empathy.
  16. The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis – Magical adventures in the land of Narnia filled with allegorical themes.
  17. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – A philosophical journey of self-discovery and pursuing dreams.
  18. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli – A delightful LGBTQ+ romance filled with humor and heart.
  19. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton – A timeless classic exploring themes of class struggle and teenage identity.
  20. Looking for Alaska by John Green – A captivating story of friendship, love, and navigating life’s uncertainties.
  21. The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer – Futuristic retellings of classic fairy tales with strong heroines and adventure.
  22. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle – A sci-fi/fantasy adventure about time travel and the battle between good and evil.
  23. The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon – A heartwarming romance exploring fate, family, and immigration issues.
  24. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood – A dystopian novel about reproductive rights, oppression, and resistance.
  25. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon – A unique narrative from the perspective of a teenage boy with autism.
  26. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd – A moving tale of family, race, and female empowerment set in the 1960s South.
  27. The Selection series by Kiera Cass – Romance and intrigue in a dystopian society where girls compete for a prince’s heart.
  28. An Ember in the Ashes series by Sabaa Tahir – Epic fantasy adventures filled with politics, betrayal, and resilience.
  29. Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo – A thrilling fantasy heist series with a diverse cast of characters.
  30. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger – A classic novel exploring teenage angst, alienation, and societal expectations.
  31. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon – A captivating love story about a girl with a rare illness and the boy next door.
  32. The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien – Epic fantasy adventures in Middle-earth with themes of friendship and heroism.
  33. Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard – A fantasy series with political intrigue, rebellion, and superhuman powers.
  34. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven – A poignant story about love, loss, and mental health struggles.
  35. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series by Ann Brashares – Friendship and coming-of-age stories about four best friends.
  36. Turtles All the Way Down by John Green – A heartfelt exploration of friendship, mental health, and finding truth.
  37. The Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare – Victorian-era fantasy adventures with demons, magic, and romance.
  38. Legend trilogy by Marie Lu – A dystopian series about two young prodigies caught in a struggle for survival and freedom.
  39. The Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot – Hilarious and heartwarming tales of a teenage girl who discovers she’s a princess.

DIY Crafts

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

DIY ActivityURL for Step-by-Step Instructions
Tie-Dye T-ShirtsTie-Dye Instructions by JOANN
DIY Room DecorDIY Room Decor Ideas by HGTV
Homemade Bath BombsDIY Bath Bombs Recipe by Wellness Mama
Customized SneakersDIY Sneaker Customization Ideas by Complex
Dream CatchersDIY Dream Catcher Tutorial by Emilie Lefler
Upcycled Denim ProjectsUpcycled Denim DIY Ideas by Upcycle My Stuff
Handmade CandlesDIY Candle Making Guide by CandleScience
DIY Friendship BraceletsFriendship Bracelet Patterns by The Sarah Maker
Embroidery and Cross-StitchingLearn Embroidery Basics by Cutesy Crafts
DIY Wall ArtDIY Wall Art Projects by Better Homes & Garden
TerrariumsDIY Terrarium Guide by The Spruce
Handmade JewelryJewelry Making Tutorials
Mini Succulent GardensDIY Mini Succulent Garden Ideas by Honey Oh My
DIY Laptop StickersDIY Laptop Sticker Ideas by Shop Craftables
Customized Phone CasesDIY Phone Case Ideas by WhatsUpMoms

 

 

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