Alcohol-Free Activities: Summer Fun & Prevention
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School is out and summer is in full swing—yet for teens, the rising temperatures come with rising risks. That’s because most teenagers try alcohol for the first time during the summer months, when their free time tends to be largely unstructured and unsupervised.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to help your teen have a fun, alcohol-free summer. With a bit of planning and an open line of communication, you can work together to create a to-do list of activities that will make everyone happy. To help you get started, check out our top tips and suggestions below.
Create a Summer Plan
Giving the long summer days some structure should be your top priority. Scheduled activities put limitations on teens’ free time, helping them make better decisions about how to use it.
Start by talking to your child, discussing things they’re looking forward to as well as their summer “wish list.” Talk about incorporating structure—maybe they’ll work part-time at a local business, take on more responsibility at home, do volunteer work, or take lessons. Work together to create a plan that includes this schedule, while leaving plenty of space for fun, hobbies, and adequate rest.
You might also consider giving your child a goal to work towards over the summer, especially if it encourages one of their favorite activities. For instance, challenge them to bike a certain number of miles or read a certain number of books—and set an appealing reward for reaching the goal.
Explore Their Interests
Teen brains are still developing, so this is a great time for them to explore new interests and delve more deeply into those that excite them.
If your child already has a particular area of interest, look for ways to foster that focus and help them hone their skills and knowledge. For example, a teen who loves animals may be able to work or volunteer at an animal shelter for a few hours a week. Let the trend-savvy teen have (almost) free reign to paint and redecorate their bedroom.
Look for camp programs, hobby groups, or summer classes that align with your child’s interests. These serve to break up the day and provide structure, but can also help your child discover their talents and passions—from yoga and meditation to coding to art and music. Try to go with the flow, remembering that skills don’t need to have real-world applications—the experience will still enhance your child’s brain development. So a class that builds wilderness survival skills can be a great choice even if you live in the middle of an urban area.
Having trouble with your search? Check with your local Parks & Recreation department, as these are often great resources for low-cost activities. Your town library may also be able to point you to free and low-cost online classes and other virtual resources.
Get Outside
Take advantage of the long, sunny days and enjoy some outdoor activities together. Even if your family can’t swing a summer vacation, pencil in a few “staycation” days at the beach, hiking, visiting an amusement park, or playing mini-golf. Use this time together for friendly, relaxed conversation that strengthens your family’s bond.
Involve the whole family in preparing for these outings—ask your teen to contribute by comparing different travel routes, suggesting places to stop for lunch, or looking up ticket prices online. Play to their strengths and give them a stake in the trip.
Encourage your teen to get outdoors with their friends as well. Older teens may enjoy planning a camping trip at a local spot, while younger teens should be allowed to pitch a tent in the backyard, if possible. And teens of all ages may love geocaching, which combines hiking with treasure hunting. Participants use an app on their smartphone to find a hidden cache; they then get to sign the logbook to prove they found it, and work towards finding more. This a fun, free way to get exercise throughout the summer and beyond.
Getting Together Safely
Of course, summer is the peak season for parties, and sooner or later your teen will be asking for permission to attend one. Hopefully, they already understand your expectations around alcohol: have you made both the rules and the consequences clear? Even so, it’s still helpful to reiterate that you don’t want them to drink when they head out.
If they’re interested, give your teen space to host a party or get-together at home. This can help build feelings of responsibility in your child, while allowing you to (briefly!) meet their friends and keep an eye on the gathering. For small groups, consider a theme night. Whether it’s painting or crafting, pizza making or cookie decorating, watching movies or playing board games, this is a great way to provide a bit of structure while allowing teens to indulge in their favorite activities.
Keep the Conversation Going
As the summer goes on, continue talking with your child about alcohol, since it’s something they’re likely to encounter frequently, at events of all types. Choose unhurried, laid-back occasions to bring it up, and use a friendly, conversational tone. Let your teen know that they can come to you with their concerns or questions, and that you’ll always be there for them. Although you can’t completely eliminate the risks of your teen experimenting with alcohol, you can provide a strong support system that steers them towards safer, healthier choices.