29+ Activities For 13 to 17 Year Olds (Printables + Reels)

Are you looking for fun and engaging activities for your energetic 13 to 17-year-old? At this age, teenagers are full of curiosity and imagination, eager to explore the world around them.

Whether it’s through creative arts like paint activities, thrilling team building activities, or exploring science activities, there are countless ways to keep them entertained while helping them develop crucial skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity.

In this article, we’ll share a variety of activities that are perfect for teenagers. So, scroll down to get ideas for these activities.

Activities for 13 to 17 year olds

Make a Doll House

Making a Doll House is a creative way for children to engage in imaginative play. This activity allows kids to build and design their own doll house using simple materials, fostering creativity and fine motor skills.

Materials: A large cardboard box, colored paper or fabric for decoration, glue, scissors, and tape. Additionally, you will need small toys or doll furniture.

How to Do:

1. Cut a large cardboard box to create rooms.
2. Decorate with colored paper or fabric.
3. Arrange small toys or doll furniture inside.
4. Let your child add personal touches and arrange items.

DIY Basketball Game

The DIY Basketball Game is a fun activity that allows children to create their own mini basketball game. This project is perfect for developing their crafting skills and providing hours of entertainment.

Materials: Cardboard, colored paper, a small ball, glue, scissors, tape, and a plastic spoon.

How to Do:

1. Cut cardboard for the court base and draw lines.
2. Place a small box with a spoon on one end.
3. Attach a net to a rod on the other end.
4. Decorate and practice shooting skills.

Find The Difference Activity

The Find The Difference Activity is an engaging way for children to improve their observation skills. This activity involves spotting the differences between two similar pictures, providing a great exercise for their attention to detail and concentration.

Materials: A printed Find The Difference activity sheet or simply use our printable, pencils, and an eraser.

How to Do:

1. Print the Find The Difference activity sheet.
2. Give your child a pencil or marker.
3. Have them examine both pictures and circle differences.
4. Continue until all differences are marked.

DIY Pet House

The DIY Pet House activity is a creative project that allows children to make a cozy home for their favorite stuffed animals or small pets.

Materials: A large cardboard box, colored paper, fabric or wrapping paper for decoration, and glue, scissors, and tape.

How to Do:

1. Cut a door in a large cardboard box.
2. Decorate with colored paper, fabric, or wrapping paper.
3. Attach straws or sticks to create a textured roof.
4. Let your child add personal touches and place a stuffed animal inside.

Design Your Hairband

The Design Your Hairband activity is a fashionable project that allows children to create their own unique hairbands. This activity encourages creativity and fine motor skills, providing a wonderful way for kids to express their personal style.

Materials: Plain hairbands and decorative items such as beads and quilling flowers, along with glue or fabric glue.

How to Do:

1. Gather plain hairbands and decorations.
2. Use glue to attach decorations securely.
3. Let your child arrange and attach items.
4. Allow to dry fully before wearing.

Math Activity

The Math Activity sheet is a fantastic way for children to practice their math skills in a fun and engaging manner. This activity includes various math problems that help enhance their arithmetic abilities and problem-solving skills.

Materials: A printed Math Activity sheet…for that you can use our printable, pencils and an eraser.

How to Do:

1. Print the Math Activity sheet.
2. Provide pencils, markers, and an eraser.
3. Guide your child through each problem.
4. Review answers and discuss mistakes together.

DIY Mouse Pad

The DIY Mouse Pad activity is a creative project that allows children to design their own mouse pad. This activity combines crafting skills with functionality, providing a personalized touch to their workspace.

Materials: Fabric, needle, thread, and scissors, along with decorative items such as beads.

How to Do:

1. Cut fabric into a square.
2. Thread the needle.
3. Encourage your child to decorate the edges of the mouse pad with beads.

DIY Coaster Making

The DIY Coaster Making activity is a useful project that allows children to create their own personalized coasters. This activity helps develop crafting skills and results in practical items that can be used at home.

Materials: Thick cardboard, jute sheet, glue, scissors, thread, and needle.

How to Do:

1. Cut cardboard and jute to coaster size.
2. Glue jute to cardboard.
3. Decorate with thread and needle.
4. Let dry before using.

My Chores Chart Activity

The My Chores Chart Activity is a fantastic way for children to learn responsibility and organization by keeping track of their daily chores. This activity helps kids understand the importance of completing tasks and can make household chores more fun.

Materials: A printed My Chores Chart, a pencil, and an eraser.

How to Do:

1. Print the My Chores Chart.
2. Provide a pencil and eraser.
3. List daily chores on the chart.
4. Encourage checking off completed chores daily, using stickers for fun.

Painting a Pot Activity

The Painting a Pot activity is a creative way for children to express their artistic skills while making a beautiful decoration for the home or garden. This activity combines creativity with practicality, resulting in a personalized flower pot.

Materials: A plain flower pot, acrylic paints, paintbrushes, and a cup of water for rinsing brushes, along with newspaper or a protective covering for the workspace.

How to Do:

1. Set up clean workspace with protective covering.
2. Provide plain flower pot and acrylic paint.
3. Let child paint pot with imagination, adding designs.
4. Allow paint to dry completely, which may take hours or overnight.

DIY Mini Golf Craft Game

The DIY Mini Golf Craft Game is a fun activity that allows children to create their own mini golf course at home. This project encourages creativity, problem-solving skills, and provides hours of entertainment.

Materials: A large piece of cardboard, colored paper, glue, scissors, and tape, along with a small ball resembling a ping pong ball and a miniature golf club or stick.

How to Do:

1. Set up the base using cardboard or foam board.
2. Decorate sections with colored paper for greens, blues, and reds.
3. Create a pond and bridge using colorful paper.
4. Craft a small ball and golf stick.

Word Search Activity

The Word Search Activity is a educational way for children to improve their vocabulary and spelling skills. This activity involves finding hidden words in a grid, making it an engaging way to learn new words related to a specific theme.

Materials: A printed Word Search activity sheet or just printout our printable along with pencils and an eraser.

How to Do:

1. Print Word Search activity sheet and word list.
2. Provide pencils/markers to your child.
3. Encourage careful searching for hidden words.
4. Have child circle/highlight found words.

DIY Foosball Game

The DIY Foosball Game activity is a fun project that allows children to create their own mini foosball game. This activity encourages creativity and fine motor skills while providing a fun game to play with friends and family.

Materials: A cardboard box, wooden skewers, clothespins, markers, glue, scissors, tape, and a small ball.

How to Do:

1. Cut holes for sticks in box sides.
2. Decorate box like foosball field inside.
3. Attach clothespins or figures to skewers.
4. Insert sticks through holes and play by moving to score goals.

Play Hide & Seek Game

The Play Hide & Seek Game is a enjoyable activity that encourages physical activity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. It’s a great way for children to have fun and stay active, whether indoors or outdoors.

Materials: No specific materials are required; only a safe and spacious area is necessary for play.

How to Do:

1. Choose a seeker and set boundaries for hiding.
2. Seeker counts aloud while others hide.
3. Seeker searches for hidden players.
4. Game ends when all players are found.
5. Rotate seeker role for next round.

Scavenger Hunt Activity

The Scavenger Hunt Activity is an interactive game that encourages children to explore their surroundings and engage with the environment. This activity promotes observation skills, critical thinking, and physical activity.

Materials: Scavenger hunt cards and a bag or container for collecting items, along with a pen or pencil.

How to Do:

1. Prepare scavenger hunt cards or list.
2. Explain rules and boundaries.
3. Provide cards/list and container.
4. Encourage exploration, review findings.

Make a Lemonade

Making lemonade is a refreshing activity that children can enjoy. This activity not only teaches them how to make a delicious drink but also helps them learn basic kitchen skills and measurements.

Materials: Fresh lemons, water, sugar, a pitcher, a stirring spoon, a knife, a juicer, and serving glasses.

How to Do:

1. Wash and cut lemons in half.
2. Use a juicer to extract juice into a pitcher.
3. Add water and sugar to taste, stirring well.
4. Pour into glasses, add ice if desired, and enjoy!

Play Hopscotch

Playing hopscotch is a classic outdoor game that encourages physical activity, balance, and coordination. It’s a fun way for children to enjoy time outside while developing important motor skills.

Materials: Sidewalk chalk and a small stone or marker.

How to Do:

1. Draw and number hopscotch grid.
2. Throw stone, aiming for a numbered square.
3. Hop through, avoiding stone’s square.
4. Pick up stone on return; repeat turns.

30 Day Skill Challenge Activity

The 30 Day Skill Challenge Activity is a engaging way for children to learn new skills and develop good habits over a month. This activity encourages kids to explore different interests, stay active, and challenge themselves daily.

Materials: A printed 30-Day Skill Challenge chart, along with a notebook or journal and pens or pencils for recording progress.

How to Do:

1. Print the 30 Day Skill Challenge chart.
2. Daily, have your child pick and do the listed activity.
3. Use a notebook to track progress and reflections.
4. Discuss completed activities, focusing on learning and enjoyment.

Lunch Box Notes Activity

The Lunch Box Notes Activity is a fun way to brighten your child’s day. By adding a personalized note to their lunch box, you can provide them with a boost of confidence and love, making lunchtime extra special.

Materials: Lunch box notes or blank paper to craft, along with colored markers or pens.

How to Do:

1. Print or make lunch box notes.
2. Write messages with markers.
3. Decorate with stickers.
4. Cut and place in lunch box.

Fairytale Bingo Activity

This activity is perfect for children who love fairy tales, providing a fun way to improve their memory and observation skills while enjoying some friendly competition.

Materials: Printed Fairytale Bingo cards and calling cards adorned with fairytale images, along with scissors and markers or tokens for marking the bingo cards.

How to Do:

1. Print Fairytale Bingo cards and calling cards.
2. Cut out calling cards.
3. Give each player a bingo card and markers.
4. Put calling cards in a pile or bag; draw and announce them.

Super Heroes Bingo Cards Activity

The Super Heroes Bingo Cards Activity is an exciting game for children who love superheroes. This activity helps improve their memory and observation skills while providing a fun way to enjoy some friendly competition.

Materials: Printed Super Heroes Bingo and calling cards, scissors, markers or tokens for marking.

How to Do:

1. Print Super Heroes Bingo cards and calling cards.
2. Cut out calling cards.
3. Give each player a Bingo card and markers.
4. Place calling cards in a pile or bag for drawing.

Write A Journal Activity

The Write A Journal Activity is a wonderful way for children to express their thoughts, feelings, and daily experiences. This activity helps develop writing skills, self-reflection, and emotional awareness.

Materials: A printed journal activity sheet, pencils, and an eraser.

How to Do:

1. Print journal activity sheet.
2. Fill out date and day of the week.
3. Reflect on mood and mark it.
4. Write about activities, set goals, and note gratitude.

Singing Activity

The Singing Activity is a joyful way for children to explore their musical talents and have fun. Singing helps improve their vocal skills, boost confidence, and provides an excellent way to enjoy music.

Materials: A microphone, headphones, and either a music player or karaoke machine, along with a list of favorite songs or karaoke tracks.

How to Do:

1. Choose favorite songs or karaoke tracks.
2. Set up music player or karaoke machine.
3. Encourage singing along, use microphone.
4. Create stage area, record sessions.

Go for A Pool Party

Going for a pool party is an refreshing activity, especially on a hot day. It’s a great way for children to have fun, stay active, and socialize with friends. Pool parties provide a perfect blend of fun and relaxation in the water.

Materials: Swimsuits, towels, sunscreen, pool toys, snacks, drinks, and goggles.

How to Do:

1. Organize a pool party with safety in mind.
2. Have guests bring swimsuits, towels, and sunscreen.
3. Set up a snack and drink area for hydration.
4. Provide pool toys and plan games for added fun, ensuring breaks for sunscreen and hydration.

Try Nail Art

Trying nail art is a creative activity that allows children to express their artistic side. This activity is perfect for a relaxing and enjoyable time, either alone or with friends, and helps improve fine motor skills and creativity.

Materials: Colored nail polishes, nail art tools, stickers, top coat polish, and remover with cotton pads.

How to Do:

1. Gather necessary materials: nail polish, brushes, toothpicks.
2. Clean nails, remove old polish and shape them.
3. Apply a base coat and let it dry.
4. Use brushes/toothpicks for designs or stickers.
5. Let nail art dry, then apply top coat.

Learn Chocolate Making

Learning to make chocolate is a delightful activity for children. It combines creativity with a bit of science and results in delicious treats that everyone can enjoy.

Materials: Chocolate bars, silicone molds, nuts, spatula or spoon.

How to Do:

1. Break chocolate into small pieces.
2. Melt using double boiler or microwave.
3. Stir in mix-ins.
4. Pour into molds or onto parchment-lined sheet.

Make Comic Book

Creating a comic book is a fantastic way for kids to unleash their creativity and storytelling skills. This activity allows them to invent characters, plot exciting adventures, and bring their stories to life through illustrations and dialogue.

Materials: Blank paper or a comic book template, pencils, erasers, and markers or colored pencils.

How to Do:

1. Brainstorm comic ideas: characters, setting, plot.
2. Sketch characters and outline story.
3. Divide paper into panels.
4. Draw scenes, add speech bubbles, and color. Arrange pages and share!

Create a Family Photo Collage

Creating a family photo collage is a wonderful way for children to celebrate their family memories and display their favorite photos in a creative manner.

Materials: Printed family photos, a large piece of poster board or canvas, scissors, glue stick or double-sided tape, and markers or stickers for decoration.

How to Do:

1. Gather favorite family photos.
2. Choose poster board or canvas.
3. Arrange photos for layout.
4. Secure with glue, personalize with markers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, activities for 13 to 17-year-olds should balance physical, intellectual, and social growth, fostering independence and critical thinking.

Including sports, arts, academics, and community service caters to their diverse interests.

Your feedback is essential for keeping these activities relevant and impactful.