So as a mom of Teens and a preschooler, I know too well how many amazing things there are to do in the area for the young children in our lives. There are "Mommy and me" programs, Thomas the Tank activities, Fancy Nancy parties at the Library, the zoo, museums, and so much more! Endless possibilities, really.
But what the heck do you do with your teen or tween that is totally not gonna take his/her picture anywhere near Thomas the Tank Engine... Heck, you are lucky if they will even take a picture with you, right? OK, so there are a bunch of things that they want to do that cost A TON OF MONEY: Six Flags (although a season pass is somewhat reasonable), the movie theater, the local Festival or Fair, Zip-lining (can be inexpensive as a date option), and more.
Hello! At least in our household, we can't afford to accommodate all of those.
So, what is there to do with this age group that is fun, quality time, enjoyable, AND affordable (Repeatable fun that is worth the investment?
The answer lies within each child (from my limited experience). I believe that this age group truly does want to spend time with their family (even though they grumble). This group though will not make it easy, usually. You ask them what they want to do and it is either expensive, does not include you, is only with their friends, and/or they just roll their wonderful, God created eyes at you! UGH! If you are a lucky one reading this and any of the above did not apply to you: God. Bless. You. So Jealous!
I say all of that and promise you, I still have fun with my teens! It's just not the same type of fun as when they were small. It takes a little more effort and a little more creativity.
Let's set a couple of ground rules:
- You can still have quality family time with your teen/tween if they have a friend come along! Trust me on this.... it is super helpful to let them invite a friend. Just don't let them split up from you the whole time.
- You can still go do Six Flags and the "Big Ticket" stuff, but there are some great things you can do that are low cost and excellent for getting to know your growing kiddo.
- Be consistent. Do not give in to the eye rolls. Insist on your time with them!
- If you need his/her help to come up with interests: Create a bucket list of things as a fun project!
- If your child loves the outdoors, sports, drama, art... do those things BUT also expose them to things they aren't as into on occasion! You can laugh later at how awful it was or surprise... they kinda liked it!
10. Visit the MLK Museum and The King Center - FREE
This museum is a top for me because they know about this man. This is history live, up-close, and personal. When you take teens there, I recommend taking the guided tour of the home! Martin Luther King Jr National Park. When you come to the fountain at The King Center, ask your teen questions about what they would change in this world. It may be an odd answer, a cocky answer, or an honest one... but just listen and ask more questions of them.9. Visit a special interest museum - Various Prices
The ATL has so many museums. if your teen likes- Art; The High. or MODA or Michael Carlos Museum or Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia
- Sports; College Football Hall of Fame or Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame
- Civil Rights: MLK Birth place and center for Civil and Human Rights
- Animals: Zoo Atlanta, Georgia Aquarium
- Science: Fernbank, Tellus
- Planes: The Delta Museum
- More Museums:Wikipedia - Atlanta Museums and History.org
- Check for coupons and deals!
8. Date Nights
Date nights are evenings you go out with only one of your kids. This could be Mother/Son, Mother/Daughter, or Father/Daughter; Father/Son. The point is that it is individual attention. One on One. This does not have to be elaborate.- Get a Groupon,
- Use a coupon. If they like Mexican food, take them for that two-for-one entree special at the local establishment.
- You both love Haunted Houses: Go do one together.
- Attempt this at least twice a year. It is SUPER important for them to learn how to treat a young lady or a young man at this age.
- Try out that new hip Top Golf place in Alpharetta.
- Go to the Dixie Speedway.
- Or just let your teen girl play designer and pick out any and every outfit for you to try on at the mall (no refusing, mom).
Just Have Fun!
7. Bowling
Yep, You read that right. Good Ole Fashioned BOWLING!!! Bowling can be super inexpensive and super fun! I am not a fan of the bowling places that have a zillion other "attractions" as they are money suckers, in my opinion. In Canton, there is Cherokee Lanes that has Friday and Saturday nights for $13 per person (2 hrs of bowling including shoes). Not bad really! There are always coupons and deals for bowling too! Maybe money is tight and you can't do that for everyone in the family... but you can do it for one!6. The Overnighter to somewhere new
I love Atlanta for a simple reason: You can go 2 hours in any direction and be somewhere completely new! There are so many places! We are avid Choice Hotel customers. We can stay in a pretty decent hotel for a pretty darn decent price. My fav tip: Don't stay too close to tourist attractions on road trips that you have your car. You can stay cheaper at a hotel 15-20 min from your destination!You can also use this as a way to stop in and let your teen walk around some college campuses! Try not to spend more than $99 a night that includes breakfast. Pack a cooler with snacks and drinks! Walking a college campus is free! Find one attraction to see and come home! Also.... let them play their music in the car for some of the drive! (If they are legal to do so... let them drive part of the trip).- Columbus, GA
- Chattanooga, TN
- Cartersville/Rome, GA
- Savannah/Tybee, GA
- Charlotte, NC
- Asheville, NC
- Helen, GA
- Any of your GA State Parks for great hiking! (Camping and Cabins are pretty inexpensive too)
- More ideas:
4. The Theater
OK... I know, you are immediately thinking... no way, not my athlete or computer geek! However, you would be surprised! There are plays, shows, and musicals out there for everyone. Also... the theater does not have to be super expensive. I love seeing Broadway shows at the Fox or The Cobb Energy Theater. However, here are some great ways to make theater more affordable!- Visit AtlanTIX for discount tix to a variety of theaters in the area (I bet there are some you didn't know about)
- Go to your local High School shows. They have bands, choirs, plays, musicals, and often will have other types of theater to enjoy! The seats are very inexpensive. The venue is close by. Your funds help the local school. Win-Win! Sometimes your Drama dept may even have Season Ticket options that may be tax deductible!
- A local children's theater or community theater group in your area! Again, a great option to support arts in your local area.
- If you live near a college.... check out their Arts dept schedules. Near to me is Reinhardt University and they have performances going on quite often!
- Atlanta On The Cheap does a great job of compiling the discounted theater and concert tix for you!
3. Sporting Event
Even your not-so-sporty teen can enjoy a game with his/her parents and some friends! Sporting events can be a very fun environment. This is a great option to bring a friend! This can be pricey too, right? Yes.... but there are some fun ways to cut the price and enjoy sports another way!- Yet again, your local High School sporting events are super fun! Friday Night Lights with the Band! Bring your girls to watch a girls volleyball team. Even if you only go once... its fun! Just beware of the concessions. You can break the bank there. My tip: Eat before you go if you are trying to save money. Many schools will allow you to bring drinks in too. If you aren't worried about the $2 Hot dogs for the whole fam... Great... it supports a great cause.You can buy season tickets too. In our area, they are $55 a person for the football season ticket. That includes admission to any of the middle school, freshman, JV, and Varsity games; Parking pass; and 6 free fountain drinks. Not bad!
- You can go to any of the local University games. Around us, we have Reinhardt, Kennesaw, and Berry College that all have very active sports teams! Even Georgia Highlands College has a baseball team!
- Minor League Baseball: Folks.. this is where it is at! So much more for your money! Here in the ATL we are fortunate to have two and Chattanooga has one! We recently rented out an Rome Braves All-You-Can-Eat Suite with a group of people and we spent $35 per person! Is that something we can do all the time? No, but that is at least what I will pay to go to a Braves game in ATL by the time I buy a ticket and food!
- Goldstar.com has some great deals on tickets to other sporting events
2. Movie Night (Rental at home)
OH Redbox and On Demand Movies... we sure do love you!!! Here is the trick to a successful movie night with your teen or tween... You HAVE to let them choose the movie. Don't try to make them watch "Gone with the Wind" just because you think it applies to their studies or "The Goonies" because you just can't get enough of that ode to your childhood! They really don't care. Just. The. Truth. This is your opportunity to get a glimpse into what they want to watch and where their interests are.- Redbox continuously has codes for free/discounted rentals! Check online ahead of time and reserve the movie online!!!
- Spin by your local Wal-mart, Walgreens, or other store to grab some Movie Theater Candy if you really want that special feel.
- Pop popcorn at home. A whole case of popcorn at the local wholesale/bulk store is around $8!
- Mom... Dad... do not disparage your kids movie pick. Do not be glued to your cell phone! Engage even if you don't like it! We are teaching them, remember, still!
1. FAMILY GAME NIGHT
I am not talking about Chutes and Ladders my friends! No. No. No! Your teens and tweens are way beyond this now! Teach them new games like Rook, Crazy 8's, Farkle, .... I recently played a rather risque game of Cards Against Humanity with my 18 year old and her boyfriend. Why? Because it is what they are playing whether I play it with them or not.- Let them pick out the game
- It's cool to have a friend over. Great for when your kid starts to date!
- They love to play against parents and beat them. It's OK to let them win sometimes. At least you can say you "Let" them win.
- It is a Legacy Builder - If you make this a regular thing in your house, I promise, it will be something that lasts as a favorite for years! (And they will probably do this with their kids too someday)
- Some recommendations:
Try some of these and I promise you that your teens/tweens and you will be having fun in no time!
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