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Summer Holidays 2025 - 10 Fun Summer Activities for Teens

Looking ahead to the summer in 2025, the summer school holidays in the UK run from Wednesday, July 23 2025, to Friday, August 29 2025, giving teens a fantastic opportunity to make the most of their summer.
Whether it’s learning new skills, connecting with peers, or preparing for their future, the summer months can be packed with engaging activities that balance entertainment with development.
This list of ten fun and skill-building activities will keep teens busy, thriving, and excited for what’s ahead.
Explore Local Adventures
- Explore Local Adventures A day trip to a nearby museum, beach, or charming town can feel like a mini-vacation while helping teens develop valuable life skills. Let them take charge by planning the logistics—choosing a destination, researching routes, and budgeting for meals or tickets. This type of activity fosters independence, problem-solving abilities, and organisational skills while offering a break from routine. SBC courses, students have the opportunity to explore famous UK cities like London, as well as some of the city’s most cultural landmarks and museums, enriching their understanding of history and the arts.
- Why it matters: Taking responsibility for planning an adventure helps teens gain confidence, independence, and decision-making skills. It also encourages curiosity and exploration beyond their usual surroundings.
- How to get started: Encourage them to research places they’d like to visit, create an itinerary, and calculate the costs. Provide guidance but allow them to take the lead in decision-making.
Get Creative!
- Dive into Creative Hobbies Creative hobbies like photography, painting, or DIY crafts offer more than just entertainment—they nurture critical thinking and self-expression. Teens exploring these activities learn to see the world from new perspectives, develop patience through trial and error, and build confidence in their abilities to create something unique.
- Why it matters: Engaging in art or crafts encourages problem-solving and innovative thinking. For example, photography teaches composition and storytelling, while painting improves focus and emotional resilience.
- How to get started: Set up a small art space at home or enrol them in a workshop. Providing access to materials and online tutorials can spark their creativity.
Encourage teens to share their creations with family or friends, further building their self-esteem and communication skills.
Master Cooking and Budgeting
- Master Cooking and Budgeting The kitchen is a fantastic classroom for learning real-world skills. Encourage your teen to plan, shop for, and prepare meals for the family—it’s a crash course in budgeting, time management, and self-reliance.
- Why it matters: Beyond learning how to cook, teens develop organisational skills by planning menus, shopping lists, and even sticking to a budget. These experiences teach them accountability and practical life skills they’ll carry into adulthood.
- Bonus growth: Cooking together as a family also promotes teamwork, and discussing recipes can foster cultural appreciation.
For a fun twist, have them try international recipes, combining culinary skills with global awareness.
Get Active with a New Sport
- Get Active with a New Sport Sports like climbing, kayaking, padel tennis, or pickleball challenge teens physically and mentally. These activities go beyond fitness by helping teens build resilience, learn to overcome fears, and develop teamwork skills.
- Why it matters: Physical challenges teach perseverance, an essential life skill. For instance, rock climbing requires strategic thinking and adaptability, while kayaking encourages focus and coordination.
- Getting started: Look for local sports clubs or outdoor adventure centres offering beginner classes. Even non-sporty teens can enjoy these activities for their novelty and sense of accomplishment.
Encourage them to set small goals, such as mastering a paddle stroke or completing a climbing route, to see the value of effort and persistence.
Join a Summer Camp!
- Join a Summer Camp! Summer camps provide a unique blend of education and adventure. Summer Boarding Courses’ (SBC) award-winning summer camps take this a step further by offering a chance to meet peers from 155+ countries, explore future career paths, and build independence.
- Why SBC? Beyond academics, our camps encourage leadership, collaboration, and confidence-building in a supportive, multicultural environment. Explore SBC’s summer camp options and give your teen an unforgettable summer!
Take on Volunteering or Part-Time Work
- Take on Volunteering or Part-Time Work Volunteering or getting a part-time job is an excellent way for teens to gain responsibility, empathy, and real-world experience. Whether helping at a local charity, babysitting, or working in a café, these roles cultivate a sense of purpose.
- Why it matters: Volunteering fosters empathy by exposing teens to diverse perspectives. Meanwhile, part-time work teaches accountability, financial literacy, and time management.
- Examples: Encourage them to volunteer at an animal shelter or join a community clean-up project. For jobs, summer positions in retail or tutoring younger kids can provide valuable interpersonal skills.
These experiences also make great additions to university or job applications, showcasing their initiative and dedication.
Immerse in Self-Learning
- Immerse in Self-Learning Self-directed learning is ideal for teens to explore their interests at their own pace. From watching TED Talks to taking online courses on platforms like Coursera, this activity enhances intellectual curiosity and prepares them for future academic challenges.
- Why it matters: Teens who engage in self-learning develop autonomy and critical thinking. They learn how to structure their time effectively and pursue knowledge that excites them.
- Ideas to try: Suggest they explore coding, graphic design, or even astronomy. Reading books on their favourite topics or attending webinars can also deepen their understanding and broaden their horizons.
This is an opportunity for teens to discover passions that might shape their future career choices.
Plan a Personal Challenge
- Plan a Personal Challenge Creating a summer bucket list or a vision board helps teens practice goal-setting and visualisation skills. These personal challenges encourage them to dream big while teaching them how to break down goals into manageable steps.
- Why it matters: Setting and achieving small goals builds confidence and resilience. It also teaches planning, prioritisation, and the importance of reflection.
- Examples: Their list could include learning a new instrument, running a 5K, or completing a DIY project. Encourage them to track their progress, celebrate achievements, and adapt their plans as needed.
This activity instils a growth mindset, reminding them that effort and determination lead to success.
Host a Family Event
- Host a Family Event Planning and hosting a family event like a barbecue, picnic, or talent show can be a great way for teens to develop event management skills while fostering connections with loved ones.
- Why it matters: Organising an event hones skills like communication, teamwork, and attention to detail. Teens learn to consider logistics like guest lists, activities, and even budgeting for food and supplies.
- Ideas to try: A talent show could showcase their creativity, while a themed BBQ offers a chance to experiment with cooking and decor. Encourage them to involve siblings or friends in the planning process to build collaboration skills.
Hosting such events also strengthens family bonds and provides a platform for teens to express themselves.
Unplug and Reconnect with Nature
- Unplug and Reconnect with Nature Spending time outdoors is a perfect way for teens to refresh their minds and explore the natural world. Activities like hiking, camping, or stargazing foster mindfulness, resilience, and a greater appreciation for the environment.
- Why it matters: A digital detox gives teens a break from screens, helping reduce stress and improve focus. Outdoor adventures build problem-solving skills, especially when navigating trails or setting up a campsite.
- How to get started: Plan a weekend camping trip or a day hike at a local nature reserve. For an added layer of excitement, try activities like geocaching or nature photography.
Nature activities also teach teens about sustainability and inspire a sense of wonder about the world around them.
Why Summer Boarding Courses? SBC summer camps offer a one-of-a-kind opportunity for teens to combine fun with personal growth in a structured, inspiring environment. Whether your teen dreams of studying medicine, excelling in business, or exploring global leadership, our award-winning programs provide the tools they need to succeed.
Speak with a member of our friendly admissions team
Our admissions experts are happy to answer any questions you have and support you in finding the perfect summer experience.