What are some activities/hobbies a teenage girl could get into for the summer? All my friends are busy and I'm too young to get a job or drive. Any ideas on what I could do to keep myself busy?
Thanks!
T
I can relate. I grew up in a rural community, so all my friends were far away, too. Here are some things I did (and many that I still do) to stay occupied during the summer. Decorate your room. Be sure to get your parent's permission first. Painting is easy once you get the basic tools and check out techniques--the Internet is full of ideas. You could do stripes or different colored walls, then think about what you can move around and use to create new looks.
Take walks. Not only is the exercise good for you, but you'll see things you'd never notice while whizzing by in the car. Learn something new like dance routines or cooking/baking or tie-dying or woodwork. A new hobby can eat up hours! Got a digital camera? Take pictures of things outside and create a website to show off your pics. There are lots of photo sharing websites so you don't have to do the set-up work. Gardening is fun too. Ask your folks if you can have a little square of the backyard to plant flowers or vegetables and watch them grow. I thought I hated gardening until I tried it. Seeing plants pop out of seeds is magical. Giving a bouquet of flowers that you grew to your mom will probably make it easier to get car keys from her later.
Lastly, read! I'm a teacher, so I have to tell you that, but I'm also a lifelong reader because I love it. If you think you don't like reading, it's probably because you haven't found a book or magazine that suits your interests. Visit your local library and snoop around, or ask for help. Librarians love hooking up people and reading. The nice thing about books and magazines is that they are portable, so you can go sit in the shade, paint your nails, and read away while they dry! Have fun, and have a good summer. (06/23/2007)
By ST
Do you crochet? or knit? Both are easy to learn. I happen to think crochet is easier. There are lots of places that need crocheted items, just do a search on crochet charity and there are tons. There are also lots of sites with the basics. I found one site today that asks for a commitment of 1 item per week. They are very small and 2 are easy patterns. I plan to commit to it after our family vacation this year. This should cost very little, but do something nice for others. http://www.angelsforhope.org/
If you can go to garage sales many times they will have leftover yarn, for sale for very little. (06/23/2007)
By Connie
I am a great grandmother, but I do have a suggestion that I think could be fun for you plus be productive. Go to your local library and volunteer to help with a kids reading program. They will love you for it and you will feel good. I worked in a small town library when I was in high school. I read all the Nancy Drew books, Bobsey Twins and other classic adventure stories. You will never forget this summer project. (06/25/2007)
By ruthvalleygal
I always did a lot of babysitting in the summer. I enjoyed taking care of children and it gave me some "spending" money. And my friends and I did a lot of bike riding (no cars for us back then). If you live in a rural area there should be a 4-H, FFA (Future Farmers of America), or a church group for young people of some sort. Good Luck. (06/25/2007)
If you like dogs, I'm sure there are seniors or housebound folks who would love for you to walk them. (06/25/2007)
By Mary Lou
Learn to sew, knit, crochet, volunteer in local hospital. Take online courses from local junior college called, "Further Learning," that will enhance your knowledge. No college credit is given and anyone can enroll. (06/25/2007)
By Holly
I remember packing a lunch and whatnot and going out for an all-day bike ride. I went to friends' houses. I did get a kick out of visiting some of the more interesting seniors in my church, they are full of stories and can show you scrapbooks of their teen days. You might need Mapquest to print off a map showing your parents your route and how you'll bypass some scary freeway or whatever, so they'll say yes. If Lance Armstrong can tour an entire nation in ten days, how far could you go? God bless you hon! (06/25/2007)
By Kim Ch from WA
Write letters to your friends who are away. I had fun writing letters back and forth even with my friends who were in town during summer. (06/25/2007)
By Allison
I have a step-daughter that spent a few weeks with us in the summer last year, and she was the same way. She spent a lot of time with me in my sewing room, so I let her sew on my machine. It turned out she had natural nack for it! She would spend all day and night up there sewing, making things for her friends and family and me. She has taught herself to make purses and baby quilts and all sorts of things from watching me and from just messing around on her own. You can get a yard of material at Wal-mart for a dollar which is less than a bottle of soda these days. And, there are all sorts of free, easy patterns on the internet just google, even free sewing lessons. Good luck. (06/26/2007)
Get a job. I'm working 2 jobs. I'm on here tho to look for ideas I can use to impress my boss. Ha ha. I'm working on the radio and at a restaurant. Go swimming, hang out, get a job. "Make Some Money!" (07/17/2007)
By Hailie
I know exactly what you're talking about. Go out and make some new friends that aren't busy, and start hanging out with them. Get a friend, and a hobby, like tennis. Spend time outside. Know its not that helpful but all I could think of. Also look for a job. Even though you may be too young, some places don't mind. If not this year, you'll get one next year. But I know a lot of people who got jobs even though they were really young. (07/22/2007)
By Wei
You say you are too young to work. I think you have marvelous advice from previous posts, but may I also suggest that you spend some time every day helping your mother? Ask her what kind of help she needs - kitchen/yard/running errands etc. This way, you will learn skills that you will be able to "sell" when you are old enough to work. And I can guarantee you, your mum will appreciate you for this! God Bless! (07/23/2007)
Michael's and Hobby Lobby usually have free classes on things like beading projects, scrapbooking, etc. They also have free instruction sheets on doing all sorts of crafts. Hope you have a great summer. (08/13/2007)
By Judy
I'm a teen having the same problem. Most of my friends are on vacation. I'm babysitting, surfing the net, and reading. Try reading the Twilight series if you haven't. If your friends come back before school lets back in have a party to celebrate the new school year coming up! (06/13/2008)
By Becca
If you live in a big city, you can plan to take a random bus and just explore the city. Look for all sorts of neat little shops. Don't forget your camera. You can take neat pics. Try planning on hitting some of your city's festivals. Those are always fun.
Maybe even meet one of your parents at work and go out for lunch. You could go Garage Sale Hopping; gather random stuff and make a project out of it. You could make a CD of all your favorite songs and title it "Soundtrack of My life".
You could search easy recipes for drinks. Then ask your parent to take you grocery shopping, load up on ingredients, and mix away. Then have a party when your friends get back and make them all these fancy drinks. Like fun summer drinks. Have a tropic party! Hope this helped! (06/20/2008)
If you feel bored over the summer without your friends, try and meet some new friends that might be around your block. You can sign up for camps to keep you busy, and you can meet some new people too! Once you meet at least one new friend you have some things in common with, ask them to do some different things, such as: make up videos, get exersise in different ways, go swimming, scrapbook, bake, sell your old things, babysit, make a tree fort, or just act like a little kid for a day and play in the water. Try and do a new thing you've never done before! You will be having so much fun, the summer will just wiz by! (06/26/2008)
By Emma
Take some pics! Call some friends and have a blast being silly in front of the camera! (07/01/2008)
I always have the same problem. Try seeing a movie with your friend, go ice skating, hang out at a restaurant, go to the mall, or get your nails done. Most people think there is nothing to do with your friends, but there is surprisingly a whole world of opportunities. Good Luck! And have fun! (12/28/2008)
By catarjuna
I'm a teen, and I love hanging with my friends in the summer. We all live in town so it's really easy to do something whenever. We love having picnics, going to the local coffee shop, or restaurants. We also love flying kites, scrap booking, having movie marathons, going to the beach. Its the best spending every moment of time to use. Have a fabulous summer! (01/07/2009)
By Roxy
My sister had the same problems with her 14 old teenager girl. Last summer she tried an overnight camp for the first time, she had hesitated for a while, but finally went there and never regretted it, and she really loved it. She found an adventure program for teens with lots of fun activities, online, try to find something similar in your area. Good luck, and I hope you find something fun! (02/18/2009)
By greenfan
Add your voice! Click below to comment. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
