Ideas for Day Out with Teenage Boys

I think the first idea is a good one =) see if you can rent or buy a protective vest (think body armor) to wear while you play! And definitely wear some fingerless gloves (like weightlifting gloves), and long sleeves and long pants =)
Some other ideas of mine would be bowling, mini golf, laser tag, or just going to a park to play basketball/football/frisbee (if they aren't too embarrassed to play with you LOL). Have you been to the Border Patrol Museum? (we were stationed at Ft Bliss a couple years ago) I think it's pretty interesting and boys would enjoy it. What about going to an arcade to play pool or air hockey?
And don't scratch video games entirely...you can always play a racing game or fighting game or a sports game where all 3 of you can play at the same time; it can be rather entertaining and fun =)

Get some bikes and take some cruises. You can get an attachment seat for the girls so they don't slow you down. Find some good places to ride.

All of the ideas here my two sons would love--but why dont you just ask them...maybe they have something they have always wanted to do!!

Have 3 teenage boys. They do not like new food, yoga or running. Maybe mine are weird. They love paintball, Air soft, Nerf wars, movies, kayaking, canoeing and laser tag! Laser tag does not hurt, Air soft hurts a little, paintball hurts more, but it's OK after an hour.
Rock climbing was a great suggestion.

The boys do not like to hang out with me. At first it hurt my feelings, until I read that it is a healthy part of growing up---for teens to not want to hang out with mom.

But what I have done, is gone places with them and they each take a friend. I kind of hang out in the background and they have a good time with their friends. They like to go somewhere to eat, usually where I do NOT want to go...but I figure trying to make them go somewhere and eat healthy or try new food (oh, the horrors!) would not be fun for anyone.
You do not need to pay for the whole thing. Most of the time my kids take friends along, we have an understanding that they friends pay their own way.

Good luck and have fun with whatever you decide to do!! What a great mom for thinking of the boys, too!

My teenage grandson (age 15) loves paint ball and laser tag--laser tag is not as painful as the paint ball. You could also take them to a baseball game or hockey game and have dinner either before, after or during the event. The important thing is to tap into what they would find fun and different. They are lucky to have you.

Batting cages, go-carts, hiking idea is good, jogging and doing some local 5Ks for charity - besting your times at each-just tossing a ball around, shooting hoops. Let them make a list of 5 activities each - put in a jar, draw 2 a month or 1 a week and try some out. Have fun!!

Hi A.,
You didn't mention where you live - so I'm not sure how much help I'll actually be. If you're in the Houston area, here are some things I"ve done with my boys. (same situation with a much younger daughter). We went to college campuses...NOT boring...we walked around, saw the college life, "planted some seeds" for the future. They loved it. You can even go to a college football game - they LOVE that.
Another thing is exploring...go to Enchanted Rock or some other type of short out of town for the day trip. Boys love to explore.
Good luck with whatever you decide. I'm anxious to read the other suggestions - so thanks for getting the question out there! Go mom!

If you live in the Houston area, go to the beach.
Make it an even more valuable experience: take some
plastic sacks and pick up 20 pieces of trash off the beach and their volunteer work is done, saving the planet.
This may make them more mindful over the disposal of their own trash. We all need to be mindful. It doesn't need to feel like an effort. It can be fun. Sometimes you find treasure. Try to bring home a souvenir that cost nothing.
Make a necklace with your souvenir. Wear it!
Any time spent with your kids is treasure for you both.
I just thought of this beautiful short movie, about 3 minutes. It's worth anyone's time. Good luck. Have fun.
http://www.tacmovie.com/

they might enjoy geocaching. Here's a website for it. http://www.geocaching.com/ You can type in your address and find sites close to you. If you have a GPS for the car you can get by with that and change it to walking mode. I would make it fun and do the hunting away from home. Plan it together, let them pick some sites and then go together. Your younger kids could even get it to it on days you all want to go. They have some where you swap small toys. You could also try laser tag, or a place like Dave and Busters with lots of video games. Or try to find a good old fashion go cart place. Can you handle a gun? Maybe an afternoon at an indoor gun range. Really, you need to try something out of your comfort zone. And try to enjoy it! :) Have you taken them driving? They're at that age... that might be fun for them. Good luck - let us know how it works out!

A.,

I think your paintball idea is great! I have a 6 year old girl. My friend has teenage boys and she sucked it up and played paintball with her two boys. They pieced together the pants and shirt for her. She said that it did hurt, but it was so much fun. Her boys thought she was the coolest mom on earth. The boys gave her a "gun" lesson in their front yard, then they went to the paintball place. Sorry, I'm not up on the lingo. You may save the second idea for another day. They will have great memories of being calm with mom. If they really oppose the second idea, I will go with you. Ha. Thank you for the sacrifice you do while your husband is serving. Have a great day!

Have you ever tried Geo Cache? You could even come up with a plan for placing one and tracking the activity of the cache over time. You need a portable GPS device. You can purchase a basic model for about $100.00 and use it on hikes as well. I did paintball, it is not that bad. Usually the fear of getting hit is worse than taking the hit. However, I bruise badly and heal slowly so I will only do paintball during the winter so I don't have to hear "What happened to you?". Best wishes, sounds like you are a great Mom

I work in youth ministry and plan activities for teenagers all the time. Paintball is one of the most requesting trips with our young people, especially the guys. Keep in mind that though usually washable, it is messy. If you plan on going out to dinner aftrerwards... take extra clothes. I have seen some people ended up with bruises afterwards, but I have also myself walked away completely pain free... it depends on the person. Some facilities offer suits (as opposed to your own clothing)... many of these are thicker with added padding. I also recommend an indoor course, which not only offers air conditioning which you will love after running around in thick clothes, but they usually have it set up with several level (stories)and play rounds with black light and music and so forth... lots of fun. If you are still unsure about all this... try laser tag!! It is the same concept, only electronic. Completely pain free and lots of fun!! As for the yoga thing... no offense, but unless your kiddos are different that the average... that will go over like a lead balloon. You could try hiking adventures, human mazes, or even an indoor water park (though if you do the latter you risk the chance of them ditching you for some girl in a bikini! lol). They also have themed dining... but you have to do something cool like Medieval Times in which you get to watch jousting tournaments and so forth. Good luck!!

A.,
Why dont you take your boys bowling? You can then go out to eat like Chilies or a place they would like?
I hope this helps.
M. Gonzalez
Brownsville Texas

Dinner and bowling or dinner and putt putt golf.

Paintball! My son is 17 and big into paintball. I have gone a couple of times. I actually enjoyed myself. Just layer your clothing. I don't like a lot of the things my son does but I try them at least once! However, I do not do reptiles AT ALL!! I also have a daughter and she is very much the girlie girl like me. So, at times, it is easy to just do "girl stuff". Good luck! You might realize you like some of the things he does.

The 16-yr-old might have an idea in mind. I know my 15-yr-old will let me know "hey, there are a lot of the guys who say they go to ...., Can I go?"

A favorite local spot is an arcade, lazer tag, and miniature golf (lots of neon and black lights). All housed in an air conditioned place (which is pretty important around here in Bryan/College Station).

If you consider the 16-yr-old and 15-yr-old, responsible enough, they might like a half-day amusing themselves at an arcade-type place or doing the miniature golf or lazer tag (if this was my situation, I would insist on a cell phone with them, with the admonition that failure to answer the cell phone (or call as needed) would mean no more such outings).

Have fun!

Lazer Tag would be a great idea. Also a family poolhall would be a nice way to spend some QT with the boys! I don't know if there is a Dave & Buster's near you but it's a great place to go! Half is a resturaunt and the other side is an arcade. They have all kinds of games that you get to play together. Think Chuckie Cheese's for adults! It's one of my favorite places to go! I get their virgin drinks when I go because I don't drink, but I also go at night when there is an age restriction. I think that's after 10 PM. It's a great place to hang out and let loose. You can eat and have fun all in the same place. It also

i read your blog to my 15 year old, and he went with the paintball situation. i think yoga is more chick thing. although a less painful alternative to paintball would be laser tag in my opinion. just ask your boys what they want to do with mom!!!hash it out together, that way the both of you get the full benefit.

Take them Rock Climbing, you will be the collest mom ever, plus it teaches teamwork. There are rock gyms all over good luck!

Wear lots of layers for the paintball-- that sounds more like teenage boys than your other option. You could ask the boys for ideas. I definately agree that it not be video games or a movie. My boys have very different personalities but did enjoy hiking, paintball, bowling,putt-putt golf, water parks, amusement parks, and the science museum.

Go carts & putt putt. I wouldn't try a new restaurant, but take them to one that they already like.

If you are very adventurous, try going on a canoe or tubbing trip!

Good luck.

L.

I don't think the yoga will appeal to teenage boys.

Is there a place to do Lazar tag? Also, try a few hours at an arcade playing games *together*. Check out attending sporting games (hockey, baseball) even if its the minors... Maybe you have a roller derby, even if it is girl on the skates (they might like that?!) Or the rodeo?

Frisbee Golf! Also called Disc Golf

I know it may sound odd but my husband used to play all the time when he was in college with his buddies.

Plus, anyone can throw a frisbee. It's just like golf but you throw the frisbee at these poles with "catchers".

I even looked it up and it said their is a disc golf course in Album Park in El Paso.

As far as professional sporting events, you don't have to always consider the NFL or NBA. Professional Soccer and baseball gamess are affordable to attend, even if you aren't a fan, they are cool to go to. Also minor league hockey.
With the economy stinking, sport teams offer a lot of pkg. deals.

Also:

Biking (mountain biking)
Take tennis lessons or just go play
Fishing?
Batting Cages.

Boys....lazer tag (then it won't hurt YOU) and you don't even have to participate. but why don't you ask them what THEY'd like to do since it's their outing???? Go to THEIR favorite restaurant - let them be the masters of the day!! Have a great time and enjoy!!!! I'd have other ideas, but you didn't say what area you live in and with hills, doesn't sound like it's the Houston area...... :)

I"ve taught high school, and spent more time than I would like with teenage boys.

Paintball.

That's all that needs to be said :-)

Lasertag is much less painful than paintball. Dinner may be asking for too much, especially if it is at a "popular" teen hangout. You could take them to their favorite restaurant, though. What about bowling or batting cages? I like the hiking idea as well. They may think the yoga is lame, though, unless your boys like that sort of thing...

I think it is great that you want to do this with them!

There a lot of places that have the rock climbing walls now,gyms have them sometimes.That might be fun along with a swim after. Then dinner out. Mom can watch if needed the climbing and take the pictures for Dad. Everyone could swim or soak in steam bath,etc. Dinner will fill everyone up and be a good ending for the day. Good luck.

Do you have a place that has mini-golf, go carts, laser tag and stuff like that? My husband is 27 and still loves mini-gold and go carts. It is a fun way to do something together and have time for conversation too. Follow it up with dinner at a pizza place and I think your boys would have nothing to complain about!

Laser tag!! Same principal as paint ball without the pain and both of my boys (17 & 37) love it.

I don't know how far you are from the woodlands but maybe you could take them kayaking at lake Woodlands. Orvis has a rental place and it is fun! What about bowling?

Skip the yoga.
Trying a cool and totally different restaurant is a great idea.

Paintball sounds like fun. Also consider camping with a hike.

I am not familiar with El Paso, but here in Austin, there is always live music. Many times it is free. Or we will go to a Restaurant where they have live music and just hang out and listen.
Maybe ask them what they would like to do.

I am a yoga instructor, and think that everyone should try yoga, BUT... even I think that yoga is not what the boys would choose, it is what you would choose, How about go carts? There is a place in Leon springs right on I10, I promise you would be the coolist mom if you took them there! Or maybe rock climbing? There is one inside The big sports store at the Rim, ( between Fair Oaks and San Antonio, also on I 10. Or ask the boys what they have been dreaming about? Leave the girls with a friend, make it ALL about the boys! They would also love it if you took them somewhere to drive! like a big empty parking lot, or at a friends ranch, where they could get behind the wheel of your car, and it would give them confidence,a nd also show a little trust on your part! They would feel very special. Hoe about a gun club/shooting range? Hope you find something incredible for them. S. ( mother of one, a 24 yr old man!)

Would discourage the yoga/meditation idea. Go karts, putt-putt, bowling, may be a few things they would enjoy.

Why don't you offer that option to the boys. They're old enough to know what they like to do (and I'll bet it's not yoga or the restaudant).

How about both? Tell the boys you will try paintball this time if they will try yoga next time?
My son also liked going to our cities indoor rock climbing gym - they usually have wall options for all ability levels. Another option might be a sporting event (football game or something) although tickets can be expensive.

I think the paintball idea is great. You would totally cool in their eyes. I would scratch the yoga idea and modify it with just a mountain trek with the dogs. Ask them where they would like to go eat - you might be surprised.

Something else they might enjoy is going to the museum (I'm assuming you are in Houston) to the see the clay warrior exhibit - it's pretty awesome for all ages. If you are not in Houston - I'm sure there are other things that are smiliar.

Are they into sports? Perhaps purchasing tickets to something. If you purchase tickets for upper seating you won't have to take out a loan.

Are there any festivals in town that would be neat to go to? The RenFest is coming in October - they would enjoy that.

Ask them what they might like to do that doesn't involve movies or video games.....again - you might be surprised at their answers.

i would definatly run the yoga/meditation by them instead of draggin them and finding out durring class they hate it! an alternative to the painful paint gun would be lazor tag. its super fun! i like the trail run idea. Best way to find out is to ask...what would you do if we could go do any thing together.

Laser tag is awesome and you will all love it! Bowling is good or rock climbing. If you were closer to central Texas, they have were you can do zip lining. That would be fun. GL in whatever you decide!!