What Can Your Teen Do Over the Summer to be Productive and Still Have Fun?
Summer is a great time for teens, period. Sure, they need to have fun and enjoy their time away from rigorous schoolwork, homework, zero-period classes, and long bus rides to away games. But, this time of year can be both restorative, which is important, and productive, with a bit of planning.
Head of Vail Christian High School in Edwards, CO. and former colleague, Steve O'Neil, recently asked a group of high school seniors what advice they'd give to younger students. I liked what he discovered in these conversations, so I'm using his findings as my words of wisdom, too. O'Neill writes, "Their answers were thoughtful, honest, and full of wisdom—gleaned from both good choices and regrets. Here's what they want younger teens to know:
What High School Seniors Want Younger Teens to Know
Get a job. It builds responsibility, structure, and life skills—and makes returning to school in August that much easier.
Pursue a hobby—or try something new. Summer's the perfect time to explore interests or revisit an old one.
Invest in your friendships. Deepen current ones and be open to new connections.
Read for fun. Graphic novels, historical fiction, mysteries—whatever keeps the pages turning.
Keep your academic brain sharp. A little math or writing now goes a long way later.
Get outside. Hike, bike, walk the dog, or get some sun.
Build your college resume. Especially during the first and second years, this is a great time to get involved in meaningful activities.
Athletes: stay active. Attend open gyms, clinics, or train with teammates.
Volunteer. Bring a friend and make an impact in your community.
Have fun. It's summer—balance matters.
A Few Tips for Parents of Teens
Their advice echoes what I often share with families, but here are a few more ways to help your teen make the most of their break:
1. Set Summer Goals
Encourage your teen to identify a few personal goals, and consider making it a family activity. Goals can range from learning a new skill to planning a weekend trip to reading a certain number of books.
2. Teach Personal Finance
If your teen has a summer job, help them budget their earnings. I recommend splitting income into three buckets:
Spending money
Personal savings
College fund
Having a stake in future college expenses (like first-semester books or supplies) helps teens take ownership and gain money-management skills.
3. Fight the Summer Slide
Summer learning loss is real. Even light academic engagement—like daily SAT/ACT practice questions, reading challenges, or Khan Academy work—can help them stay sharp.
4. Explore Future Interests
A short internship or even a one-day job shadow can go a long way. Many teens (even as young as 13 or 14) already have ideas about careers or college majors. Help them take one small step toward exploring those interests.
5. Share the Seniors' Advice
Sometimes it helps to hear it from peers. Share the list above with your teen and ask what they'd add or take away. Make it a conversation, not a lecture.
One Last Piece of Senior Wisdom
One student summed it up like this:
"Don't sleep till noon and play video games until 1 a.m."
Simple, right? But a strong reminder that unstructured time often fills itself with habits that might not serve us well. A light plan, made early, can lead to a summer that's both meaningful and fun.
Here's to making the most of it.
