To help prevent this unwarranted attitude, we’ve compiled an extensive collection of activities that we think teens will be hard-pressed to not love. From foodie adventures to satisfy their growing appetite to exhilarating, adrenaline-fuelled days out, simply read on below to get inspired.
Visit a cool café
If there’s one thing most teens love more than anything, it’s visiting a cool place they can post on their Instagram. The good news is that there’s plenty of choice across the UK. From cat cafés to immersive Amazonian rainforest themes to neon interiors, there are all kinds of options to make dining a day out with a difference. (Psst - check out our guide to London's most Instagrammable restaurants for some extra brownie points.)
Afternoon Tea for Two at The Petersham, Covent Garden
Immerse yourselves in the beauty of Petersham Nurseries Covent Garden with a delightful afternoon tea together. Revered for its wistfully wild floral displays and effortless blending of nature and elegance, The Petersham is a sanctuary amidst the hustle and bustle of the city.
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Play Monopoly Live
They probably groan when you try and bring out the board game version of Monopoly, right? But they certainly won’t with this. Across 80 minutes of exhilarating life-sized Monopoly gameplay, players must complete mind-bending escape room style puzzles whilst moving across the board.
Teen Introductory Flying Lesson
Nothing will cure a teenager’s boredom faster than taking flying lessons. Led by a fully CAA-licensed instructor, spend 30 minutes in the air including taxiing and landing. With an opportunity to take full control, this private lesson will count towards a Private Pilot’s licence.
Take on the world’s fastest zipline
Anything with thrilling heights and exhilarating speeds is almost certainly going to delight teens. If you’re going to suggest ziplining, you may as well go big with the world’s fastest - and the UK’s longest - zip line over the Penrhyn Quarry. Reaching speeds of over 100mph, it’s another industry-leading feat of thrills from Zip World.
Face the heights of Go Ape
It’s the forest adventure that everyone’s talking about. With 35 locations across the UK, there’s bound to be a Go Ape adventure near you. Full of canopy exploring, trail blazing and obstacles to tackle, negotiate tree-to-tree crossings high above the ground and finish in style with an awesome Zip Wire finale.
Attend a concert
Fun things to do with teenagers don’t get more electrifying than live music. Whether it’s to see their favourite musical artist or even a day ticket to a nearby festival, nothing beats the energy of a live performance. Not to mention, they’ll have plenty of great content to brag about to all their friends.
Catch a film at an outdoor cinema
From drive-in to deck-chair pop-up cinemas, the outdoor cinema world has a lot to offer teenage movie buffs. Although viewing opportunities vary greatly depending on the weather, it’s a fun way to catch Hollywood blockbusters, kid-friendly classics and sing-along screenings.
Go to a Water Park
The thing about teens is that deep-down, they’re still a kid at heart and they love any opportunity to bring out the inner child. That’s where water parks come in. There’s something about the prospect of a water slide and wave pool that excites everyone. The best waterparks in the UK offer all this and more - fear not, even if the British weather does not cooperate there’s plenty of indoor water parks to while away a day.
Go to a museum
Museums around the world are rapidly changing - they’re no longer old stuffy buildings with boring artefacts. There’s now a wide array of museum themes, meaning there’s sure to be one that’ll peak the interest of your teen. Whether it’s the fashion at the V&A, motorsport at Silverstone or for music lovers the British Music Experience in Liverpool, treat them to a day at the museum.
Family Visit to The Silverstone Interactive Museum - An Immersive History of British Motor Racing
The Silverstone Interactive Museum is an immersive visitor attraction which celebrates the past, present and future of Silverstone and British motor racing. Over 60 hands-on exhibits give visitors the opportunity to try out a variety of activities.
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Meet some goats
If a big day out at the zoo isn’t doing it for kids anymore, hone in on their favourite animal and let them get up close and personal with an animal encounter experience. Friendly, funny and sometimes naughty, an adorable group of pygmy goats are the perfect companion for a day out. Learn all about them, take them for a stroll and enjoy photo opportunities galore; it’s an animal-lover’s paradise.
Have a Spa Day
Sometimes, life for a teen gets stressful. The solution? Encourage them to spend a day relaxing and getting pampered. While spas will have to be chosen carefully as the majority are 18+, some venues offer special treatment packages designed specifically for teens so they can get a taste of the serene spa world.
Revitalise Pamper Day with Treatment for Two with Virgin Active Health Clubs
Revive your body and mind with a pamper day for two at a Virgin Active Health Club. You’ll choose from six locations across the UK, with full access to the facilities including a swimming pool, sauna, steam room and gym.
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Host a DIY Craft Night
If you’re after things to do with teenagers at home, you really can’t go wrong with a DIY craft night. Get them to put the phone down for a few hours and channel their inner craftsman. With so many mediums on offer from colouring and painting to origami and beyond, teens are sure to find one way to get creative and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of arts and crafts.
Virtual Reality
All the best ways to entertain teenagers feature something new and exciting: enter the mind-bending world of VR. Technophile teens will be captivated by state-of-the-art and exclusive VR equipment. Offering more than 30 single and multi-player games, they'll have a full hour to pick and play as many games as they like. Fully-trained staff members will be on hand throughout to ensure they get the most out of their day.
The Dare Skywalk
Wondering how to explain The Dare Skywalk to your easily unimpressed teen? It’s a cross between a state-of-the-art sports tour, an adrenaline-lover’s dream and a sightseeing experience. Decked out in a climbing suit, they’ll scale the height of the brand-new Spurs Stadium, step out on a glass walkway 46.8 metres above the pitch and soak up spectacular views of the capital before heading back down to ground. Cool right?
Play mini-golf
Okay so the actual game of golf might not quite be their thing but a fun game of mini golf? Now you’re talking. From putting balls into clowns mouths to navigating across waterways, a round of miniature golf is a low-stress environment guaranteed to bring out their fun competitive side.
Have an outdoor picnic
There’s a reason people go for the classics, and an outdoor picnic is the perfect example: delicious food, alfresco dining and quality time are just a handful of the reasons why outdoor picnics continue to be such a popular activity. Pack a traditional wicker basket with sweet and savoury treats and make a picnic spread that’s as instagrammable as possible.
Have a movie night
The thing about teens is that sometimes they just don’t want to leave the house. So, instead of forcing them, why not create a movie night from home that will still be an occasion. Pick something you’ve always wanted to watch, order their favourite takeaway and make sure you’ve got plenty of snacks to hand.
Explore Slate Caverns
If zip wiring isn’t their thing, fret not because Zip World still have a trick up their sleeve in the form of their underground adventure tour of the Llechwedd Deep Mine. The 75 minute cutting-edge audio-visual tour features a journey on Europe’s steepest cable railway to explore 10 chambers 500ft below the ground. Whether they’re history buffs or not, this is a great day out.
Browse the markets
Thanks to the social media verse, the market scene has experienced something of a revival. Content creators post their foodie recommendations, like Camden Market in London or Arndale Market in Manchester, and teens are instantly hooked on wanting to get a taste of the trend. Whether it’s the food stalls, independent clothing retailers or homeware stands, outdoor markets are a fun thing to do with teenagers.
Knock some pins
We get it, bowling’s an activity too often associated with kids’ birthday parties. But it’s come a long way since the days of sticky floors and there’s now state-of-the-art bowling alleys all over the country. With venues ranging from American-themed to cool and edgy, it’s worth a trip.
Drink, Dine and Boutique Bowling for Two at All Star Lanes
When it comes to bowling, there’s nowhere better to spin a few pins than at All Star Lanes. Boutique bowling means no more sticky carpets and warm beer, think American food, quirky cocktails and retro lanes. You and your guest can sample it all at a choice of four London locations and one in Manchester. Kick off with a game of All Star Lanes’ finest retro bowling, before tucking into two courses of lip-smacking classic American dining with a twist, alongside one of their amazing cocktails.
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Hike with Huskies
If they’re a husky fan, this is a winning day out. They’ll take a walk on the wild side, husky style, courtesy of Eagle Heights, one of the UK’s most impressive wildlife sanctuaries. Escorted by professional keepers across the picturesque North Downs countryside, they’ll be accompanied by a group of majestic huskies. All-day entry to Eagle Heights is included, so you won’t be short of things to do.
Head to a theme park
We’re spoilt for choice when it comes to theme parks in this country, but you can’t go wrong with a day spent at Thorpe Park or Alton Towers. Both equally filled with heart-racing adrenaline-filled rides, they’re a mecca for teen thrill seekers.
Book in for brunch
Whether it’s a special occasion or you just want to take them out, few things beat the sheer pleasure of brunch. And the good news is that with the rise of this dining trend, there’s brunch spots popping up on almost every corner. Discover all kinds of brunches from global takes on the trend to themed events like West End and 90’s to paired activities like ping-pong and darts.
Teen Abseil from ArcelorMittal Orbit
Something about heights, teens just can’t get enough of. Take them to the capital’s ArcelorMittal Orbit for a spectacular view of London and pair it with an exhilarating abseil over the edge of the open-air platform.
Chocolate Workshop
The sweetest way to spend time with a teen? A chocolate making workshop, of course. Discover the basics of chocolate making, learn to create your own truffles and head home armed with a stack of chocolate goodies.
Sports venue tours
Got a teen that’s already pledged to support a team for the rest of their life? Then a trip to their favourite team’s stadium should definitely be the order of the day. Whether it’s football, rugby or cricket, the UK is home to an array of stadiums that offer exclusive access to areas normally off-limits to the public. And with photo opportunities galore, it’s an event they’ll be able to brag about.
Try their hand at archery
Keeping the sport theme alive, spark a new interest or just get them outdoors with an action-packed double whammy sports day. An archery session will have them hitting the bullseye in no time and axe-throwing will see them let out their inner warrior. The ultimate release of teenage angst.
Laser Tag
Laser tag is an activity that never really grows old. Get everyone together and head to one of the country’s many laser tag venues. Sound, lights and visual effects combine to create a one-of-a-kind atmosphere as players run around, shooting their guns to gain as many points as possible. Who said teens lose their childhood competitiveness?
Driving day
Can’t tear them away from the screen when Formula One is on? Take them for their first taste of life in the fast lane with this driving day. They’ll have the choice of three supercars, including the likes of Aston Martins, Lamborghinis and Porsches. Professional instructors will be on hand throughout the 10 lap/10 minute drive time on the purpose-built track.
Junior Triple Supercar Driving Thrill
Buckle up for the ultimate driving experience with this Junior Triple Supercar Driving Thrill for one. You’ll have your pick of three motors from the world’s top supercars, with Aston Martins, Audi R8s, BMW i8, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Corvette C7, Nissan GTRs and Porsches all on offer.
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Play ping-pong
Ping-pong is another activity that’s seen something of a resurgence in popularity thanks to a myriad of bars adding it as a part of their offering. While teens might not be able to enjoy the drinks packages, they will certainly be able to get involved with playing. The perfect solution to a rainy day, many ping pong places offer discounted games for young players and food offers to keep hunger at bay.
Go to a funfair
Face painting, spinning teacups and candyfloss - who doesn’t love a good funfair? There’s something for everyone so every teenager is bound to find something they enjoy. With game stalls too, make things interesting and see who can win a prize first.
Go karting
Nothing says you’ve got entertaining teens down-pat like delivering on an adventurous day out. And go-karting is the perfect solution - the UK is home to some of the best courses in the world with many offering junior karting packages. Crush lap times, channel inner racers and create life-long memories.
Go hiking
Getting teens to go hiking can be challenging. But the fact it’s proven to reduce stress and even help depression should be a driving force in encouraging them to get hiking. Britain is home to some of the most spectacular parks and National Trust properties, which would provide the perfect backdrop for photo opportunities.
Escape rooms
The stereotype's of teens locking themselves in their room away so why not feed into the expectation and do it for them? Whether it’s Alice in Wonderland-themed or a mission to save Earth from extinction - escape rooms have well and truly exploded over the last few years - and they’re a great way to mix up quality time with teens. (Trigger warning: may cause arguments).
Escape the Wild West Game for Two with Escape Hunt
Grab a friend and get ready for 60 minutes of pure, unadulterated excitement with this Escape the Wild West Game for Two. The two of you will step into the tiny frontier town of East Victoria, having just struck gold - but word’s got out and now the bloodthirsty Bill French Gang are on their way to claim it, ready to kill everyone in the town for good measure.
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Go to a trampoline park
These days, trampoline parks are everywhere, from London to the East Midlands to Scotland and beyond. But for our money, Jump Giants is the one to head to: flip, twist, jump and spin around wall-to-wall trampolines for two hours of bouncing fun.
Plan a weekend trip
Yes, a European city like Paris or Barcelona are some of the best breaks for teens, but their popularity also translates into a pretty hefty price tag. That’s where short breaks in the UK come to save the day to delight even the most sullen of teens. Whether you go for a seaside destination like Brighton or Cornwall, or an activity holiday in the Cotswolds or a glamping break in the countryside, there are plenty of ways to whisk them away.
Bake with a Legend
If they’re Bake Off fans, Bake with a Legend has all the key ingredients for a fun thing to do with teenagers. Led by a former Great British Bake Off contestant, the two hour experience from home will see them unlocking the secrets to brilliant bakes and engaging in a fun Q&A session with their illustrious host.
Watch ice hockey
The ice hockey season runs from August to April every year and with tickets running pretty cheap, it’s a great experience to introduce teens to. Most matches take place on Saturday and Sunday evenings, and the rules are basic enough for newbies to pick up!
Visit the Sky Garden
It’s free, memorable and Instagram-friendly plus if they want to explore on their own, you know they won’t go too far away. Free tickets need to be booked in advance so make sure you nail them down but otherwise you’re good to go! Check out our round-up of the most Instagrammable spots in London for extra info.
Vent some anger in a rage room
Listen, teenagers have a lot of angst and bubbling hormones to try and make sense of. And it’s not always easy to find ways to deal with emotions. That’s where rage rooms come in. In a 30 minute session, they can vent some anger, smashing a variety of large and small items including old TV’s in protective clothing. With supervision throughout, they’re sure to work out their issues.
Looking for more inspiration? We've got plenty for you. Check out our full range of experiences for teenagers, or browse through our Adventure Collection, our range of Food & Drink experiences or our Days Out and Tours.
