Looking for ways to nurture your kids who’re on the verge of becoming teenagers? This guide of 30 activities for 12-year-olds will inspire curiosity in kids and help them step into those precious teen years with confidence and strength. These activities will also contribute towards building a great relationship between you two. Keep reading to discover new ways to connect with your tween and help them grow into a well-adjusted teen.
1. Slow Bicycling
Riding a bicycle is one of the best activities for tweens to exercise and enjoy the outdoors. Make this backyard activity more exciting by getting them to drive slowly along a line without putting their feet down. You can also add obstacles that they must navigate safely around.
Learn More: SplashLearn
2. Collecting and Identifying Leaves
Make the most of those idle Fall days by getting out and collecting some unique leaves. It’s a fun, educational activity that you can do as a family or ask your kids to invite their friends along. You can also teach your kids how to preserve those finds and identify them.
Learn More: Homegrown Learners
3. Catching Fireflies
Fortween boys and girls, catching fireflies and collecting them in a jar could make for an excellent core memory. While it is tricky to do and only possible in certain parts of the country, it is incredibly fun. Make sure you know where to look, how to catch them, keep them alive, and let them go safely.
Learn More: Firefly
4. Making Scented Rainbow Soap
Making rainbow soap bars is one of the best activities for tweens who prefer the indoors over the outdoors. It encourages them to undertake DIY projects actively and with purpose. The best part? You’ll end up with some cool soaps by the end of it!
Learn More: Art Bar
5. Fixing Broken Toys
A pre-teen is more than capable of fixing their broken toys, so why not let them? It’ll not only teach them how to recycle, repair, and reuse objects, but also teach them how to take care of their valuables. Just be on the lookout if they’re using a glue gun.
Learn More: Sugru
6. Making a Hot Cocoa Bar
Building a hot cocoa bar with your pre-teen is the best activity for those colder months of the year. Let them have fun with the toppings. It’ll be the perfect little treat for family get-togethers or a classic movie night.
Learn More: Inner Child Fun
7. Sending a Care Package
Making and sending care packages is one of the best activities for tweens to practice compassion and kindness. Tween boys or girls can start by sending care packages to a relative or the homeless. If you’re trying something more engaging that improves their communication skills, then get them to deliver toys to a local children’s hospital.
Learn More: School Holiday Shop
8. Creating a Home Art Gallery
Ditch art projects to set up a home art gallery this Summer! Include every piece of art and craft created by the family members over the years and display it proudly!
Learn More: Twiniversity
9. Make DIY Glow in the Dark Yoda T-Shirts
Any Star Wars fan will love this cool Yoda-themed glow-in-the-dark t-shirt. Plus, making it will cost you less than buying other merchandise. This craft project takes up to 30 minutes and you can let your kids take charge while you supervise. You can also try it in other themes.
Learn More: Busy Kids Happy Mom
10. Making Slideshows of Favorite Family Photographs
Let your kids make the next slideshow using their favorite family photographs. It’ll teach them technical skills that’ll come in handy during future presentations. Let them add a soundtrack and visual effects, set up the order, and play it during those weekend family dinners.
Learn More: Mummy to Dex.
11. Playing Murder in the Dark
This detective game for kids is a fun way to pass time during playdates while also helping them improve their communication skills. It doesn’t require any tools, just a room, and a supervisor. The game challenges the kids’ deductive skills and reasoning power.
Learn More: MyKidsTime
12. Role-Playing Lessons on Handling Tough Situations
The teen years are a scary period in parents’ lives and for good reason. From peer pressure to bullying and more, there are plenty of tough situations your kids will come across (even when homeschooled). You can teach them a better and more responsible way of handling such situations over a weekend.
Learn More: Smarter Parenting
13. Leaving Voicemail Messages
Your kids will someday come across a voicemail and wish to leave the person a message. It is wise to let them practice the task now to develop their communication skills. Pick a weekend and let your kids decide the right way to prepare and record a voicemail message.
Learn More: Busy Teacher
14. Trying Out Makeup and Hairstyles Together
Let your kids have fun with their looks and normalize talking about appearances with these cool makeup art activities. You can take a couple of makeup products from your dresser or buy some cheap ones to get started. Don’t forget to take photographs!
Learn More: MatchlessDaily
15. Setting up a Pizza Station
If you’re looking for birthday party ideas for tweens, how about a pizza station? You can help supervise their operations and ensure they get a good variety of healthy ingredients on the table. You can also play some classic party games afterward!
Learn More: Netmums
16. Using the Public Transit
Skip the video games this weekend and take your kids on public transit instead. It’ll improve their communication skills and help them feel comfortable getting around the neighborhood on their own at a later stage. Plan the trip to a fun destination like the ice cream store!
Learn More: Today’s Parent
17. Playing Blindfolded Food Tasting
This indoor game is a must-try boredom buster idea on rainy days when the kids are feeling down. You can play this carnival-style game with a small group or even as a family. All you need is a blindfold and some ingredients from your kitchen. Make sure to tell them what products are safe and which aren’t. Go on a tasting spree!
Learn More: MyKidsTime
18. Creating a Zip Wire
Give your kids access to the backyard to play this classic backyard game. Give them the job of bringing items like water bottles from one end of the backyard to another. Get them the right tools and make sure they don’t put too much load on the wire!
Learn More: Thimble and Twig
19. Going on a Safari Walk
Tick the outdoor exercise and mindfulness practice boxes with this activity. Take the kids and their friends on a 30-60 minutes safari walk and ask them to observe every bird, insect, and animal they encounter. They’ll actively observe their surroundings, increase their awareness, and also ground them in the present.
Learn More: Positive Psychology
20. Changing a Light Bulb
Being able to change a light bulb is one of the most useful activities for kids to learn. Demonstrate the right steps to follow and then let the child practice the same.
Learn More: Listcaboodle
21. Using a Compass
Using a compass is one of the most fun activities for adventurous tweens. Start with an outdoor lesson in directions, how the compass operates, and how to read it. Move on to difficult surroundings and navigation skills as their basics strengthen.
Learn More: Sciencing
22. Foraging
One of the best outdoor activities for kids that you can teach at any age is foraging. It is a necessary survival skill to teach your pre-teen before they independently step into the world. It also helps them bond with nature and their surroundings.
Learn More: Wilder Child
23. Building a Fire
Let the kids level up from roasting marshmallows over campfires by teaching them how to make the fire itself. Do it in a safe space and start small. Make sure to teach them how to put off a fire safely and practice their outdoor cooking skills.
Learn More: Thimble and Twig
24. Writing Stories Using Post-It Notes
One of the most awesome projects for those hyper-imaginative 12-year-old brains is challenging them to write stories. It requires a children’s storybook, post-it notes, and a pencil. Let them read the stories aloud to develop their communication skills.
Learn More: Money Prodigy
25. Practicing Relaxation Activities
Think your 12-year-old is going through a challenging time? These relaxation activities might help them release their stress and may also help them bond with children. You can practice them indoors, in a quiet space without disturbances.
Learn More: Save the Children
26. Trying Mindful Posing
Mindful posing has a great impact on children! It might improve a pre-teen child’s collaboration and cognitive skills, mental health, and well-being. Find a safe and quiet place in your home or backyard to perform them. It only takes 1-2 minutes to see the results.
Learn More: Positive Psychology
27. Managing Their Allowance
You’re giving your kids pocket money. Why not also let them manage it? Create a bank account for your kids if they do not have one already and give them basic instructions on savings.
Learn More: Today’s Parent
28. Participating in Debates
Debating skills can prove quite useful in teaching a tween how to engage in difficult conversations. It may even improve their reasoning and problem-solving skills, helping them avoid arguing with or insulting someone during heated debates. It’ll also allow them to hone their leadership skills.
Learn More: Positive Action
29. Rebooting a Computer
Whether your 12-year-old is or isn’t interested in tech, make sure they know how to reboot a computer. It’s one of the most useful problem-solving skills that’ll help them in later life.
Learn More: Listcaboodle
30. Designing Temporary Tattoos
Let your kids enjoy DIY projects like designing temporary tattoos when they have lots of time on their hands. Get them some printable tattoo paper and create their designs.
Learn More: Money Prodigy
25 Books To Help Your 6-Year-Old Discover A Love Of Reading