Summer is sometimes a parent’s worst nightmare, especially those with teenage kids. You are probably at work all day and your teen is home, alone and bored out of their mind. So what do you do if you have this problem? Before they turn your house into party central, here are some great summer activities for teens.

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Podcasts

If you have never heard of podcasts, they are music and talk programs that come in digital format so that they can be downloaded on the computer or other device. Teens love podcasts and they can learn so much from them. One popular podcast that teens like listening to is This American Life. This show is hosted by Ira Glass and every episode features a strange, moving or funny story that are sometimes hard to believe are real. The theme of these episodes range from amusement parks and relationship breakups to immigration policy and healthcare spending.

Blogging

Blogging is a great way for teens to talk about things that interest them or they are passionate about. They can start a blog on virtually any topic they choose from art to soccer to dance and everything in between. Teens love to work on their blog and since technology is something that comes naturally to them, it is an ideal way for them to express themselves.

Volunteer Work

If your teen isn’t quite old enough for a paying job, have them look into volunteer work. Volunteer work is a great way for them to build their work resume and to gain valuable work experience. A great deal of local businesses look for teens to do volunteer work plus it looks great on not only their work history but also their college application. Many businesses look for volunteers including churches, homeless shelters, retirement homes, libraries, animal shelters, hospitals and soup kitchens.

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Movie Marathon

There are so many great movies out there that your teen can grab some pizza and popcorn and watch movies. Some great movie choices include Road Trip, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Avatar and The Social Network. Even better, have your teen watch one of the great television series that are geared towards teenagers like Pretty Little Liars, The Vampire Diaries, One Tree Hill, Smallville and Gilmore Girls. These shows will keep them entertained for a while.