When you have teenagers in the family, it can be difficult to know what sort of activities and hobbies to try together. The teenage years present a lot of change in your children, and they likely won’t be as receptive to the sorts of days out you had a few years ago. When you have little kids they're up for just about anything, but as they grow they can become a lot less interested in things and also more reluctant to spend time with parents and siblings. And this is such a shame, as family time is so beneficial. It's well worth doing a bit of research and finding fun things to do that you can all enjoy together so you can reap those rewards- kids that are happier, more open with you, less likely to give into peer pressure and generally just have better outcomes. 

In many ways, a paintball session is the perfect choice for a family day out when you have older kids. Teenagers often love action and energetic activity, so this could be an excellent way to bond with them.  Paintballing is all about strategising to beat the other team; you could even go head-to-head as a family, splitting into two teams to add an extra bit of competitive spirit! Do a search for ‘paintball near me’ to see what’s available in your area. 

Most teenagers love video games, so why not embrace that and organise a video game night together? They likely have an Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, PC, or other type of game console, so ask them what sort of games you can play together and go from there.  Many games have co-op options for two players or four players, and some support even more than that (there are plenty of board game video games, for example, that support up to eight players).

Most cities and towns have an ice rink nearby, and ice skating is a great activity to try if your family enjoys more sporty activities. While it can be tricky to get the hang of at first, there’s no better feeling than flying across the ice Ice rinks usually do their best to accommodate all ages with both larger and smaller rinks under one roof, so if you have a family that’s a mixture of younger and older children, this flexibility really makes a difference. 

Indoor climbing centres have become all the rage over the last few years, and it’s easy to see why. They provide the perfect blend of challenge and safety, as although the climbing feels quite dangerous, the indoor environment means that you’re totally safe at all times.  It’s a great option for teenagers who want to feel like they’re trying something a little more daring.