"There is nothing to do. I'm sooooo bored."
How many times have you heard that today? If it is more than once, you have come to the right place. The quarantine bucket list for teens is sure to give your kids some fresh, fun ideas to kick boredom to the curb while they are stuck at home.
Why a quarantine bucket list for teens?
For our family, the first few days of social distancing were almost fun, like a mini-adventure. We played games, read books and watched movies together. But now that we are a few weeks into it, the fun is wearing off and boredom is setting in.
We are facing many more weeks of being confined to our home and my teens need some direction in their day. Don't get me wrong; I think it is fine to sit on the sofa, eat chips and watch television once in a while, but I don't want that to be the only thing my kids do for the next six weeks.
So my teenagers and I decided to put our heads together and come up with some ideas to keep everyone engaged and entertained. And we ended up with eighty-nine things to put on the quarantine bucket list!
This was also my sneaky way of getting them to brainstorm ideas for themselves, but don't tell them that, ok?
Quarantine bucket list for teens - outdoor activities
Plant a garden during quarantine
Go for a ride and think outside the box. You could take a car ride, saddle up a horse, ride a bike or skateboard or dust off the rollerblades.
Start a garden.
Go for a long walk.
Set up an obstacle course.
Camp in the backyard.
Train for a 5k.
Learn to do a cartwheel or handstand.
Use sidewalk chalk to decorate the driveway and walkways.
Have a picnic in the backyard.
Bird watch.
Play catch or frisbee with your family.
Stargaze and learn a new constellation.
Do sports drills or speed & agility drills.
Watch the sunrise or sunset.
Creative ideas
Coloring books are not just for kids.
Learn a magic trick.
Write a poem.
Origami is trending right now.
Take pictures or shoot videos. You can look online for tutorials on either of these things to sharpen your skills.
Learn to knit, crochet or do needlepoint.
Write a song.
Paint a picture.
Take online singing lessons.
Break out the glitter glue and pipe cleaners for some old-fashioned arts and crafts. Let your imagination run wild or have a family contest for the most creative creation.
Create a scavenger hunt for the family.
Write a short story.
Learn to play an instrument.
Start a journal to record how you feel.
Educational ideas on the quarantine bucket list for teens
A Rubik's Cube will keep teens busy
Read a classic novel, like Lord of the Flies or Alice In Wonderland.
Take a virtual field trip.
Learn a new language. Check out Duolingo to get started.
Solve a Rubik's Cube.
Learn sign language.
Conduct a science experiment.
Read a book series, like Harry Potter or The Hunger Games.
Rainy day ideas
Streaming services like Netflix, Disney+ or Hulu are practically a necessity right now. Binge watch a series with your parents and you will have inside jokes that last for decades.
Skype, zoom or facetime with your friends.
Jigsaw puzzles.
Give yourself a manicure and pedicure and try a color that you would not normally use.
Watch all the movies that were nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture the year you were born.
Cook dinner for the family.
Play a board game.
Learn to braid your hair or try a new hairstyle.
Video games can be a family affair. Find one that is multi-player and have a mini-tournament.
Play a card game, like rummy or solitaire.
These puppies have the right idea. Quarantine calls for napping!
Nap.
Dust off your parent's old photo albums and go through them together. There are sure to be fun stories about some of the pictures.
Try a crossword puzzle or Suduko.
Build an indoor fort in the family room.
Take a long bath or shower.
Play Truth or Dare.
Watch a movie and then recreate the food from it. For inspiration, check out this post.
Make yourself breakfast and then climb back into bed to enjoy it.
Learn a new TikTok dance and make a video.
Break out your baby album and reminisce.
Bake cupcakes or cookies.
Play Dominos.
Rub mom's feet (had to sneak that one in!)
Revisit old video games that you used to love, like Minecraft.
Find the Legos in the basement (does everyone have a stash of these or is it just me?) and build something.
Have a family dance party.
Try a face mask.
Watch mom and dad's favorite movies.
Have a cooking competition.
Quarantine bucket list for teens - ideas to get your body moving
Search on YouTube for old school aerobics videos and do them together. Leotards and tights are optional.
Take a virtual dance class.
Develop a home workout with a mixture of cardio and strength training.
Try yoga or pilates if you have never done them before.
Have a sit-up or push up competition.
Productive ideas on the quarantine bucket list for teens
Apply online for summer jobs.
Write an actual letter and mail it.
Go old school during quarantine and write letters
Watch a TED Talk. Here are some good ones.
Check in with people you haven't seen in a while. It could be fun to connect with your best friend from second grade again.
Clean out your closet or under the bed.
Make a vision or goal board for the rest of the year.
Record your family tree.
Have a family competition to see who can go the longest without touching their phone.
Meditate.
Research places to go on vacation. Find hotels, things to do and restaurants to try in that area.
Clean out the garage or basement (or both!) and then sell items online.
Teach the family pet new tricks.
Make a time capsule.
Research potential colleges and take virtual tours of the ones you like the most.
Redecorate your room. Move the furniture, paint or swap out the curtains or comforter.
Help mom or dad while they work from home.
Make a list of all the things you want to do and places you want to go when you get to leave the house again.
Skype or zoom younger cousins and read them a story
Start a gratitude journal. In hard times, it can be helpful to focus on the good things in life.
Wrapping up the quarantine bucket list for teens
Whew! That was a lot! Did you see a few fresh ideas that you or your teens would like to try?
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