Fun Hobbies for Teens & Tweens

Alexandra F. said:  There are so many tutorials on YouTube to help fashion-forward teens and tweens learn to create some pretty cool hair styles. And, if any family members are willing to serve as guinea pigs, learning to cut hair is a great skill to have whether or not teens are interested in pursuing this hobby professionally.

Alexandra F. said:  Teens and tweens who love to express themselves through their personal style can learn to do their own gorgeous nails without having to get them professionally done every time. A full set of nail art supplies is fairly inexpensive, and then it just takes practice, practice, practice!

Alexandra F. said:  Scrapbooking is a fun and creative hobby that also allows tweens and teens to capture special memories in a way they can continue to enjoy year after year. Consider getting a mobile photo mini printer for a special birthday or holiday gift to make it that much easier for them to print photos whenever they are ready to start a new project.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  My 13 year old son loves to play chess. He has played at library game groups (even with adults) and now participates in a chess club at school. It is a game of skill and concentration and challenges the mind and can be played in person with others or online. It is a game that he can carry into adulthood as well!

Alexandra F. said:  Great for getting around, keeping active, or even for trying cool tricks (don't forget a good helmet!!), skateboarding is a great outdoor hobby for tweens and teens who like to keep moving and are able to find and maintain good balance!

Alexandra F. said:  You know The Nightmare Before Christmas, that popular Halloween movie for kids that's also perfect for watching at Christmastime? That's stop motion animation at its finest! And, thanks to free apps like Stop Motion Studio (available on iOS and Google Play), tweens and teens can adopt this fun hobby with relative ease, using Lego figures, dolls or other toys to create their own movies frame by frame.

Alexandra F. said:  My teen recently picked up juggling and I have been super impressed by how she kept practicing even when it was hard, and to see her perseverance rewarded with an impressive new skill. It's a great hobby for improving hand-eye coordination, and a fun skill to show off to family and friends! These beginner juggling balls have worked well for her, and are more reasonably priced than many others we've seen.

Alexandra F. said:  If you've ever seen The Goldbergs (a fun show to watch with your teens & tweens!), then you know how every day family life can inspire the art of future filmmakers! And, modern technology like smartphone cameras and video editing apps like iMovie or WeVideo make the process ever so much easier than it was in the 80s.

Alexandra F. said:  The high quality cameras on today's smart phones make this one of the easiest hobbies for teens to adopt, allowing them to practice capturing the world around them before investing in a fancy and expensive camera.

Alexandra F. said:  A practical outlet for your teen's artistic expression! Gather some nice cardstock, stamps, fancy pens or markers, foam tape, ribbons and any other fun & decorative tidbits, and never give another store-bought card again!

Alexandra F. said:  Thanks to the many step-by-step video tutorials available for free online, this relaxing activity is easier than ever for even a total beginner to pick up on their own. My tween, teen and I have been learning using the free patterns and tutorials on PurlSoho, but any time we get stuck a quick search on Google or YouTube helps to set us straight! I especially love the variety of knitting patterns and designs which make it easy to find practical and beautiful handmade gift ideas anytime of year.

Alexandra F. said:  Yoga is a wonderful way for kids, teens and adults alike to stay fit, engage in a relaxing activity and practice mindfulness all rolled into one. Best of all, it's a hobby that can be shared with others when you join a studio, or practiced independently, for those who might prefer doing workout videos at home.

Alexandra F. said:  Whether it's ice skating, roller skating or roller blading, tweens and teens can enjoy a fun workout indoors or out any time of year.

Alexandra F. said:  Growing your own fruits, vegetables, herbs or flowers takes tremendous patience and care, but offers a wonderfully tangible reward at the end of your labors! Plus, it's a great way for eco-conscious teens and tweens to do something to help care for the environment, too.

Alexandra F. said:  So much of our life is spent on computers that there is something really appealing about taking the time to use pen, paper and the skill of our hands to write beautifully. All you really need are some nice calligraphy pens, and perhaps a book to make it easier to learn and practice the technique, and teens and tweens can dive right in to learning this ancient art.