The teen years are meant to be learning about who you’re becoming and what you want to be. These years should be spent meeting and making new friends. We are social creatures. Even those who love our company will crave companionship with those who share a special connection or interest.
For teens, social activities are a great way to build upon existing friendships and to meet new people who share their interests. It’s also just one of the crucial ways that teens can work to develop the solid social skills that will stand them in good stead as they grow into responsible adults.
This list of social activities for teens will include ideas for helping them build upon their social skills and ideas that are simply great ways to have fun with other teens.
Teams, clubs, and sports
This is perhaps one of the best ways for many teens to make friends and find a level of confidence that will help them with other aspects of their lives. There are almost countless options available, even in smaller towns. Teens could opt for something familiar or try out something entirely new.
Some ideas could include the following:
- Football
- Soccer
- Baseball
- Track teams
- Swim teams
- Golf clubs
- Chess clubs
- Glee clubs
These are great options for teens who would like to pursue a hobby or passion and will allow for the opportunity to spend time with other like-minded teens.
Taking classes to pursue new interests
Has your teen always wanted to take tap lessons? Perhaps they’ve got an interest in painting, photography, pottery, tennis, or even computer programming. Lessons are often a great way to meet new people, particularly if your teen has anxiety. This is because the initial conversations and activities with new people will help to avoid small talk, which is often one of the triggers for social anxiety.
Getting musical
Does your teen have an ear for music? Learning to play an instrument is not just a skill for someone with an ear but a love for music. It’s a great confidence booster and a fantastic way to meet others. Your teen may also enjoy singing and acting lessons. This is an easy transition into auditioning for school plays and local theatre productions.
Book and movie clubs
Both book and movie clubs can be suitable social activities for introverted teens. Your teen could start or join one at school or use the local library as a way to attract a wide selection of participants.
Volunteering and fundraising
In any community, there will be a need for volunteers and fundraising efforts. Whether your teen is volunteering with an area animal-related agency, such as the animal shelter or a sanctuary, or fundraising and collecting items for a food bank, your teen could meet great like-minded people with every effort made.
Board games and card games
Board game cafes and stores can be found in many cities around the country. Many will host gaming nights to encourage people to enter the store. They may also allow customers just to come in and enjoy a game or two at any time. These places are an excellent opportunity to enjoy socializing with people with interests that align with your own. For a teen into games, this is a terrific idea.
Scouting and similar organizations
While many tend to join these types of organizations in elementary school, many of the groups are very welcoming to teens looking to spend more time outdoors with other teens. These groups are also often found arranging social events for their members, which is a great way for teens to hang out with their new friends.
Does your teen struggle to make new friends? Does he have difficult and poor social interactions with peers and adults? There may be more to it than him just having poor social skills. At Liahona Academy we pride ourselves on our ability to help troubled teens work through their anxiety and other social interaction concerns. Through our programs, teens can discover their confidence and learn how to make friendships that will last for many good years.
