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How to create connections with your teenage son through this big list of mother and teenage son activities.
It’s not always easy to carve out unique one-on-one time with your youngster if you’re like me. And, when you do have a few spare hours or a free weekend, it might be difficult to come up with activities that he would like.
Let’s face it, staying in touch with our sons requires some work.
You might never run out of ideas with this list! At the very least, I hope you’ll discover a few activities that your boy will love.
Mom and Son Date Ideas
Raising an adolescent boy is a difficult responsibility. (By the way here are the best teen parenting blogs if you need help.)
He’s at a crossroads in his life, divided between discovering himself and attempting to fit in. As a result, relating to him might be difficult.
You can’t expect him to behave the way you did when he was a kid. However, he is still too young to accomplish many of the activities that grownups do.
He may wind himself in terrible company with other teenage girls and boys that may not guide your son down the right path. And you don’t want it to happen to your son.
The better way for parents of teens is to ensure your child is growing up well is to make an effort to spend more time with him. But do it in such a manner that he’ll want to spend time with you as well and spending time with your teen son can help create a special bond.
Keep in mind that he’s still attempting to blend in with his peers. He might not want to be seen with you in public if he believes you’re acting “uncool.” So perhaps a movie night at the busy movie theatre on a Friday night isn’t going to be a popular choice of activity.
See also: 7 Best Headphones For Teens: Top Choices For Music Loving Teenagers
Fortunately, you can have a lot of fun with your adolescent son without his becoming bored or ashamed. Here are some suggestions for parent-son bonding:
- You can pack a lunch and hit the hiking trails
- Ghost tours are an interesting and cheap thing to do when visiting a city or town.
- Are teen boys ever too old for a Nerf gun battle?
- Why not train together for a marathon
- Even if you have no intention of bringing home an adorable cat or dog from the shelter, it is fun to pet all the animals and play with them. In addition, this hobby is a huge stress-reliever. It is hard to be in a bad mood when you are around cute animals.
- Plan a themed dinner night
- Ask your son which store he wants to visit, whether you just browse or buy. (Ideas: BestBuy, Apple Store, hobby, tech, or clothing stores.)
- It’s a surefire way to impress your teen boy is to take him to the airport, sit on the hood of your car or in the back of your pickup truck, and get up close and personal with some really big jets. (Pack a lunch, sit on the hood of your car or in the back of your pickup truck, and get up close and personal with some really big jets. Many boys of all ages are fond of planes.)
- What’s your child’s favourite meal or beverage? Is he a big fan of Starbucks coffee, or does he have a hard time saying no to an outlandish gooey gourmet dessert? Use it to your advantage!)
- Teaching your child how to cook his favorite meal/recipe is a great way to bond and have fun together (Despite the fact that boys don’t like to cook, 72% of teenagers—including boys—enjoy watching cooking shows!).
- Make sure to make a big bowl of popcorn or his favorite movie snack for a movie marathon night!
- Collaborate on a TikTok video
- Turn your child on to a new hobby by playing a classic game like chess or checkers, or a competitive game like soccer or basketball. (If he refuses, toss in a few of his favourite foods to sweeten the deal.)
- (Take a moment to consider a short getaway. A mini-vacation doesn’t have to be expensive, and it doesn’t have to last very long. You want to break away from the monotonous daily routine and have some fun together.)
- Having a Rubik’s Cube competition (if your son is a fan of the puzzles, this may be the perfect opportunity for him to outsmart you and, hopefully, teach you a few tricks! National competitions are also available, which are likewise fun to attend.)
- Take in some local music (Check out a local festival or attend a performance at a college. You may be surprised at how great some of the ‘no-name’ bands are.)
- Drive in movie. It’s a great way to spice up an otherwise dull evening if you live near a drive-in movie theater. (Pack the car with beverages and snacks before you go, or buy them there.)
- It’s time to get adventurous and try a new food you’ve both never tried (try oysters, sushi, venison, or another exotic dish. Don’t worry about what it is; just invite each other to be a little daring.).
- Taking a Karate, Tai Chi, or Kickboxing class together (Besides getting in shape and learning something new and cool, your son and you will both be learning something new and really cool together.)
- Having a cooking class with your son might seem like a strange idea to some boys, but others would be delighted to join. (Don’t assume your son will reject an idea – you may be surprised.
- Your son has been playing his favorite video game for hours each day, and you’ve been clueless. It’s time you learned about the game, since your son’s attention is captured by it. My son tried to teach me, and I was a disgrace, but at least he had a good laugh.
- You and your son can test your teamwork skills by taking on an Escape Room challenge (Escape Rooms can be a bit pricey, so look for bargains. They’re difficult, so you’ll be humbled, mother dear.).
- Experimenting is a wonderful method to bond with your son (There are hundreds of experiments to pick from, so you’ll be able to find something that interests him. If you’re stumped for ideas, check out this site.)
- There are always cool sporting events to attend, whether your son is into baseball, football, hockey, soccer, or tennis—and they don’t have to be expensive professional sporting events. Keep your eye out for local high school or college sporting events that are less expensive and just as much fun.)
- Playing card games ( Card games can be a lot of fun! Here are some to play with your teen. ) can be enjoyable.
- (Make it fun! Take a Segway tour of the city’s most intriguing locations, which are probably unfamiliar to you.)
- There are so many ways to volunteer now (especially now). Check with your local homeless shelter, elder care facility, food bank, or animal shelter to see what they need.
- Surprise him with concert tickets (This may be expensive, but he will love seeing his favorite musical artist.)
- Whether you’re watching or riding, cars and boys are on board (31).
- Let your son teach you something new (anything! Whether it’s how to program the remote, bring you up to speed on a new app, or create a shortcut on your computer, let him teach you for a change.)
- It’s time to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather by taking a bike ride (and pack a lunch to make it even more fun).
- It’s a little pricey, but it’s lots of fun to go horseback riding.
- You should check out your nearest science museum if you don’t think museums are fun for boys (35).
- There are many free online classes you can take with your son. Believe it or not, there are tons of them. The trick is finding one your son will find interesting. Here are a few ideas if you’re stuck!)
- Forget take-out, have a pizza night with your son and make your own pizza. These 10 amazing pizza recipes are what to try.
- Build or make something with your child (Here are some great ideas!).
- Miniature golf is a fun, laid-back way to spend a couple of hours with your son (39).
- It’s a hoot to watch your youngster’s face as you ineptly swing at the ball in the batting cages.
- It’s likely your husband will thank you for this later in life, if you take golf lessons together now.END
- Taking a self-defense class is a great option for bonding with your son while also providing him with some critical skills.
- There is no age limit to visiting the zoo or aquarium.(Uh, no, you’re never too old or too cool to visit the zoo or aquarium.)
- Even if your son isn’t into planets or stars, a visit to a planetarium is a cool experience he is sure to love.
- (Employ a qualified instructor to show you how to handle a gun properly if you go to a shooting range.)
- If your teen is bored, do something a little crazy! Here is a World’s Largest Map of World’s Largest Roadside Attractions in America.)
- After skiing or snowboarding (make sure to get a hot chocolate afterwards), 47.
- It’s actually fun to check out a few colleges your son might be interested in if he is in high school. Having him get excited about his future will help him as well.
- (Sometimes, when my son and I are bored, we’ll go looking for a waterfall. It’s a wonderful way to spend an afternoon outside.)
- Sure, driving around with your son and bonding with him is one of the best ways (it sounds silly, but staring straight ahead at the road with him is magical).
- All your relationship really needs is a change of scenery. Visit a town or city you’ve never been to and explore for the day.)
- Visit a model train store or hobby shop (Who knows? He might just pick up a new hobby.)
- Boys usually enjoy adventurous and fun things (53).
- (Warning: You will most likely have to ride the roller coasters.) Plan a day at an amusement park or carnival.
- Even if your son is a bookworm or just loves to read occasionally, visiting a local bookstore is a pleasant way to spend an hour or so to browse or buy (55).
- (Hand over the decision-making to your son and let him plan a fun day. Give him a budget and tell him you’re open to anything. You’ll both have a great time with this one.)
- (Just ask them…) 57 Indoor Rock Climbing or actual rock climbing.
- Whether you prefer outdoor or indoor skydiving, this activity is for the fearless mom!
- It is time for you to hand over control to someone else and let them create a playlist (my son created one for me. He chose the music he thought I would enjoy. I now realise he knows me a lot better than I anticipated).
- There’s nothing better than visiting a waterpark on a hot summer day.
- Let your son plan a beach get-away trip (61).
- It’s OK to eat junk food while bowling, but don’t forget to have fun (and beat your son if you can).
- My son and I enjoy watching stupid and silly YouTube and TikTok videos. What’s fun is getting a peek into his unique sense of humor.)
- Lots of boys love theater (be sure to catch a local play or musical). Some local colleges and high schools offer outstanding shows that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
- Ask your boyfriend deep question about life to get to know him better. (“Where do you see yourself in five or ten years?” “If you could have lunch with one well-known person, who would it be?” “What is the one thing you hope to accomplish in your life?”)
- Grab or buy a few fishing poles and head to the latest pond, creek, or lake to go fishing.)
- (Here is a list of the Best Factory Tours to take.)
- There are so many cool documentaries to watch. No matter what interests your son, there’s a documentary out there for him.
- Even if your canine companion doesn’t have much to say during walks, spending time with him is still important, and I can assure you that he appreciates it.
- Beware: Your son will beat you if you play Laser Tag.
- Some wildlife parks have animals that approach the vehicle and eat from your hand. They are a lot of fun!
- Taking your son to a monster truck show is something every teenage boy should see at least once in his life ( take him to one).
- Spend the day hanging out looking at cool cars or boats you could never afford—it’s actually super fun! (
- Have you ever taken your son ice skating (or roller skating)? Try it!
- Schedule a hot air balloon ride (for the adventurous mothers out there).
- ( Again, if you haven’t gone canoeing with your son, add it to your bucket list. It’s both cheap and enjoyable.)
- No matter how old your son is, most boys love trains.
- Few teen boys can resist junk food (Is anyone craving junk food? Take him out for his favorite.).
- It’s always free to shoot some hoops!
- ( Whether you venture out on an inexpensive camping trip or rent a cabin in the woods, give him something to look forward to and a chance to break free from routine. ) Give him something to look forward to and a chance to break free from routine whether you venture out on an inexpensive camping trip or rent a cabin in the woods.
- Act on a random act of kindness (Here are 105 inspiring ideas!).
- It’s worth checking out your local flea market or thrift store (You never know what you’ll find.)
- (Grab a coffee and go garage-sale hunting on Saturday morning.)
- (A big banana split or ice cream sundae is the perfect way to bond.)
- Instead of taking a regular painting or ceramics class, take one together and tap into his creative side.
- (Create a challenge for competitive boys—with a prize, of course! See if he can cut down on sugar for a week, put his phone down for a certain amount of time each day, or get a better grade in one of his classes.)
- Go on a mini shopping spree (or just wander around the mall).
- (I’ve always been fascinated by the night sky, and stargazing with my son has always been a lot of fun. An inexpensive telescope is all you need to join in the fun.)
- (Here are some hilarious podcasts to listen to together.)
- My son really enjoyed the car race I took him to recently, and he was really excited. Please don’t forget to bring earplugs!
- It’s a wonderful way to get away and enjoy nature if you’re a camping type. However, not every mother is.
- Your son will soon be venturing into the “real world,” so why not teach him a few things about home maintenance by tackling a project together. If you really want to motivate him, compensate him for his “services.”
- Help him create a ‘bucket list’ of things to do with his friends, especially now that teenagers are bored and miss their friends.
- Renting an awesome vehicle for the day or weekend
- Let him see your home town through your eyes and experience your past (take him there and tell him some stories).
- Rent or buy your own paddle board (Either way, taking your boy paddle boarding is sure to be a relaxing and fun experience.
- Save this one for a super hot summer day for go tubing.
- (Here are some simple desserts that are cool to eat.)
- Having a walking adventure at night with flashlights is an inexpensive and enjoyable activity (you are never too old for).
- You both can gain a few cool photography tips by taking a photography class together (and you’ll keep them forever).
- A “new look” (possibly a fresh, cool hairstyle or some new clothes to spice things up) can help 93 help him find what he’s looking for.
How Often To Spend One On One Time With Your Teen
So often we get caught up in all the activities that need to be done with our kids. Whether it’s homework, sports, or homework, we neglect the time we can spend one on one with them. While some things like homework and sports are important, there are other things that can take priority over these. Spending time with your teen is critical because they will grow into adults and you want to be an active part of their development.
One on one time is especially important with preteens and teens because they’re still figuring out who they are as people. They may have questions and concerns about life that they don’t have the answers to yet.
As their parent, you should be a confident presence that listens to what they have to say and encourages them to keep trying new things. This will help them feel safe as they navigate new territory in their lives.
When it comes to how often you should be spending one on one time with your teen, there is no set rule for how much is too much or too little.
You should always try to make it a priority in your schedule, but if it becomes too much of a burden then you can scale back or choose not to do it at all.
Why It’s Important To Spent Time With Your Teen
Spending time with your teen can be a rewarding experience. Seeing their growth and development can be meaningful, and you might learn things that you didn’t know before.
There are a few important reasons to spend time with your teen.
First, they need your support. They may be dealing with a lot of changes in their life and they may need some reassurance that everything will be OK.
Second, spending time with your teen can give you new insights into who they are and what they’re going through. Finally, spending time with your teen can be fun! Getting out and doing something together is always a good way to bond.
Spending time with your teen doesn’t have to be hard. It can be done in a variety of ways: hanging out at home, going to the mall, or even taking them on an overnight trip. The most important thing is that you show up for them and make time for them.
Mother and Teenage Son Activities Bottom Line
Most essential, take the time to spend one-on-one time with each of your sons. There’s nothing quite like a young boy’s (or not-so-small boy’s) devotion for his mother, so make sure you give him the time and attention he craves.
When your kid is watching his wife walk down the aisle the next time you blink, you’ll be able to look back at your young guy and remember your beautiful date evenings together and the love relationship you have.
