Togetherness 2.0: Family Activities That Teens Won’t Hate

There are a lot of great things about parenting teenagers: They are more independent; you can watch good TV shows and movies with them; they can be really, legitimately funny; and occasionally they make their own food.

But sometimes getting my two teenage sons to do something — anything — with my husband and I can be a struggle. And I get it. They are pulling away and becoming their own people, as they should. But sometimes it can feel really nice to do something together.

I’ve rounded up some of the best Seattle-area activities that teenagers will enjoy. But be sure to keep in mind the most important thing when engaging with your teen: You have to embrace what they are interested in. Does your teen love playing Dungeons and Dragons? Then it’s time to learn the difference between a druid and a wizard. Are they obsessed with skateboarding? Prepare to watch approximately 10,000 attempts at a kickflip. Do you have a theater kid on your hands? Sign them up for TeenTix and then get familiar with your local theater season. Teens need to know that you see, hear and value them. Engaging in their world and their activities is a great way to show it.

I hope this list gives you some suggestions for fun family activities, but make sure your teen is involved with the decision making. Read this list out loud over dinner tonight, or just forward them this article and ask them what sounds interesting. You might be surprised at their response.

Go axe throwing

Have you ever watched a TV character chuck an axe through the air and nail their target and thought, “I wonder if I could do that”? Well, here’s your chance to find out! At Blade & Timber Axe Throwing in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood you can spend 90 minutes throwing axes in your own axe-tossing lane. Don’t worry, the session starts with a lesson and safety instructions. If you work up an appetite, there are “lumber snacks,” beer and non-alcoholic drinks for sale. Axe-throwers must be at least 10 years old.

Cost: $36 per person, minimum of two people per lane
Location: 206 Broadway E., Seattle

Try indoor go-karting

Looking for a driving experience where you don’t have to clutch the door handle and tell your teen to slow down? Indoor go-karts are fast and fun, and we are lucky enough to have K1-Speed (one of the premier indoor go-karting destinations in the country) in Redmond. The track features a straight section where you can reach speeds up to 40 miles per hour! K1-Speed’s go-karts are all electric, which means no pollution or emission fumes (which is why they can offer this exciting activity indoors). Rain or shine, it’s a good day for a race! While there is no age requirement, you need to be at least 58 inches tall to race the larger, faster adult go-karts (those 48 inches or taller can race a junior kart).

Cost: Starts at $28.95. You will also need to purchase a K1-Speed license for $7.95.
Location: 2207 N.E. Bel-Red Rd., Redmond

Suit up for indoor skydiving 

Jump from an airplane without leaving the ground in this skydiving simulator. Suit up at iFly and get ready to feel like you’re flying in the giant wind turbine. Don’t worry, each session starts with an in-depth explanation of how it works and what to do, and during your “flight” a staff member is in the wind turbine with you, guiding you around. My teenage son had the opportunity to do this with some family members and had a great time. Fliers must be at least 3 years old, and people over 300 pounds will not be able to fly.

Cost: $89 per person for two flights (other options and packages available)
Location: 349 Tukwila Pkwy., Tukwila

Play a crazy game of WhirlyBall

This unique game combines bumper cars, lacrosse and basketball into one fun and challenging experience called WhirlyBall. You and your teens will love slamming into each other while trying to catch a ball and make a basket. While outside food is not allowed, you can purchase gourmet pizza, appetizers, salads and desserts on-site. Just make sure you plan ahead — food orders must be placed at least three business days in advance.

Cost: This activity is a bit spendy. Why not bring another family along and split the cost? For 6–10 people, an hour and a half of WhirlyBall is $358.50 (50 percent deposit is required when you make the reservation).
Location: 23401 Hwy. 99, Edmonds

Kayak on the lake

We are surrounded by water, why not explore some of it with your teen? Head to Agua Verde Paddle Club and rent a kayak or stand up paddleboard for a relaxing paddle on Seattle’s Lake Union or Lake Washington. In addition to rentals they offer lessons and tours, so you’ll have everything you need no matter your level of skill or experience. Anyone younger than 18 must paddle in the front of a double kayak with an adult in the back. (You were looking for something to do together, right?)

Cost: Double kayaks are $32 per hour.
Location: 1307 N.E. Boat St., Seattle

Soar above the city on a scenic flight

Do you have an aviation fan in the family? Are you ready to see the Seattle area in a whole new way? If so, climb aboard a seaplane and experience a scenic flight with Kenmore Air. Choose a tour of Seattle, Lake Washington, the South Sound, San Juan Islands or even Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens. This is one afternoon adventure the whole family will never forget. Since this is a little expensive, consider making it a unique birthday or graduation gift!

Cost: Varies by tour. A 25-minute Lake Washington tour is $109 per person.
Location: Departure terminal varies by tour.

Beat the clock at an escape room 

If your teens ever want to go home, they’ll have to participate in this activity! At Seattle Escape Games everyone works together to escape a variety of rooms and situation by finding clues, solving puzzles and using logic and instinct to find your way out in 60 minutes. So put those strategic thinking caps on and have some fun. And don’t worry, while some of the rooms and themes might seem a little creepy, there are no actors and it is not scary like a haunted house. Kids must be at least 13 years old and accompanied by an adult. Reservations are required, book online.

Cost: $40 per person (a minimum of four players must be booked for each game)
Location: 5505 Ohio Ave. S., Seattle

Enjoy TeenTix shows

One of the best parts about living in this area is the access to incredible theater for all ages. If you have a budding thespian, taking them to a show is a great way to spend some time together. And if that teen is not signed up for TeenTix, stop what you are doing and register them today. TeenTix allows teens 13–19 years old to purchase a ticket for $5 to a huge variety of arts organizations and museums in Greater Seattle. (They can also purchase a companion ticket for someone of any age — perhaps even their parent — on certain days.)

Cost: Prices vary by show and venue. TeenTix are $5 at participating locations.
Location: Lots of theaters offer shows teens might enjoy, including the Seattle Rep, Taproot Theatre and the 5th Avenue Theatre, just to name a few.

Rock out at The Vera Project

I remember my first real show in the city. It was at a club called La Luna in Portland when I was 15 years old and I thought it was the coolest thing I had ever done. Create rock-and-roll memories with your teen at an all-ages show. While many venues offer occasional all-ages shows, teens are welcome at The Vera Project all the time. In addition to being a music venue, The Vera Project offers a “screen print shop, recording studio, art gallery, and safe space for radical self-expression.” Sound like something your teen would be into? It probably is. Check out the event lineup to find something you can all rock out to.

Cost: Varies by event
Location: 305 Harrison St., Seattle

See a movie at a SIFF theater

One thing I can almost always count on is that my boys will watch movies with me. In the evenings, after work, school, homework and friend time, we settle in on the couch and watch a show. It’s become my favorite time of day. If your teen is a cinephile, consider taking them on an outing to a special film at a SIFF theater. While these theaters do show some current blockbusters, you’ll also find cult classics, special screenings and events. Plus, SIFF Cinema Downtown (formerly known as Cinerama) sells chocolate popcorn; what teenager could say no to that?

Cost: Varies by film and location
Location: SIFF Cinema Downtown is located at 2100 Fourth Ave., Seattle.

Experience a laser show at Pacific Science Center

In fifth grade a laser light show came to my grade school and we watched a laser frog jump around the gym while Van Halen’s “Jump” blasted. The whole gym erupted into screams and cheers — our little minds were blown. The shows at the Pacific Science Center’s Laser Dome continue to blow kids’ minds today. There are plenty of teen-approved shows, including Laser Kendrick Lamar, Laser Taylor Swift and Laser Billie Eilish. These shows are all on the later side, most starting at 9 p.m. or later. Luckily, the Seattle Center and Lower Queen Anne neighborhood offer plenty of activities and restaurants to fill your time before the show starts.

Cost: $15 for adults; $12 for youth ages 3–17 when purchased in advance
Location: 200 Second Ave. N., Seattle

Watch all the sports

If your teen is into sports, attending a game together is a great way to spend some time as a family. And lucky for us, we have tons of sports to choose from. The Mariners, Seahawks, Sounders or Kraken are always fun, but tickets can add up fast. Add a Seattle Storm or Reign game to your agenda, and give a professional Ultimate Frisbee game a try (the Seattle men’s and women’s teams are both great!). Or give your teen a peek into college life and attend an event at the University of Washington. It won’t be long until they are sitting in the student section without you.

Cost: Varies by location and sport
Location: Varies by event