Replacing the Video Games with Fun Activities in the Outdoors
Teenagers—parents’ worst nightmare. As a whole, the teenage years have a reputation for bringing out broody, sulking monsters. But in reality, these years can be some of the most rewarding, as relationships between teenagers and their dads become richer and more dynamic. Numerous studies have shown that teenagers are less likely to get involved with drugs, crime, or sex when they spend frequent time with their dads (see “Fathers and Youths’ Delinquent Behavior”, 2011).
Studies also show the benefits of our hormone-crazed children getting outdoors. Heading outside helps decrease anger and aggression by dispelling the energy built up while they’re penned up in high school or scrolling social media on their phones. But as society rapidly changes, it can be hard to know how to spend time with teenagers outdoors. Here are three meaningful and interactive activities to bond with your kids while learning new skills.
Activity 1: Blade Craft Basics
Backyard Wild and Wilderness Tame: Your Totin’ Chip is probably long expired, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pass on some basic blade craft skills. If you never earned a Totin’ Chip, you might need to brush up on your own basics (see: Blood Circle). Backyard Wild: The easiest way to give your kids and teenagers some experience with knife skills is to buy a few bars of soap and challenge each other to carve an animal. The soap is much easier than a block of wood and will give you and your teen the feel for carving. Once you’ve accomplished that, grab some blocks of wood or fallen branches and carve some spoons or recreate your lavender-scented masterpiece in wood.
If you need a knife, head on over to the shop and pick up the SRK, she’s a beaut. You’ll also find an additional blade craft challenge to be completed with the SRK.
Activity 2: Night Under the Stars— Who Needs a Movie Night?
Backyard Wild: You could have a movie marathon or a board game night, but here’s a much better option. When we are lacking the time to take a camping trip, pull out a tarp, some sleeping bags, and a pack of playing cards and spend a night in the yard with your teenager. Let them build a fire (or teach them how), roast some s’mores, play a card game or two, and then round out the night by stargazing. Who can see more shooting stars? Who can find the Big and Little Dipper first? What constellations can you name?
Wilderness Tame: Of course, if you can get out into the woods, do it. Set up a tent (with no rain fly) or still just sleep out under the stars. Collect up some firewood with your teenager, encouraging them to use their newly acquired knife skills to break down some kindling. Before settling in for the night, cook dinner over the fire. That’s taming the wilderness.
Activity 3: Geocaching—The Scavenger Hunt For MEN
Are your kids a bit old for “treasure hunting” and scavenger hunts? Then call it geocaching. Geocaching is an activity where you search for hidden caches using GPS or coordinates. Some are just a log to sign your name and others actually have items you can take (as long as you give something in return). They’re a bit like time capsules, logging many travelers before you that have taken on the same quest. But this activity gives a sense of excitement and accomplishment. Challenge your teenager to see who can find the cache first.
Backyard Wild: the amazing thing is, they’re all around you. At the local park, in someone’s front yard, or even on the side of the road. Sometimes you can walk to it, or it might take a short bike ride. You can download an app that will direct you to the location where you begin the search. It might even give you hints, because even once you’re in the area they can still be hard to find. Another option would be to get the coordinates and use a compass or map to get there.
Wilderness Tame: for the ultimate outdoor adventure, hike your favorite trail or spend a night at your favorite camping spot and you’ll likely have caches around you. See how many you can find!
Fortifying the Lines and Building the Future
The teenage years are pivotal for your kids and it can’t be overstated how much of an impact you can have on them as they grow into young adults. Whether you have one teenager or a few, spend time outdoors with them, learning DIY skills together, doing fun things, and bonding. Sometimes this is best done as a whole family and sometimes one-on-one. Both are important to build a dynamic relationship that establishes connection, resilience, and life skills.
An excellent way to make these activities happen is to start small. If you don’t have a summer bucket list, make one that’s printable and post it somewhere the whole family can see it. Work together to make a playlist that you can listen to while you’re on your outdoor adventures. Once you start spending time together, be ready to talk about anything—whether it be sports, video games, mental health, dating, or high school life.
If you’re unable to do these activities due to weather or other circumstances, consider finding an indoor rock climbing gym or volunteer at a local animal shelter. These are great ways to be active and to get involved with nature in a different way.