Our 2 teenage boys never want to do anything! Any ideas?

harryharp · 19 May 2008 at 4:59PM

Can anyone help? Our 2 boys, aged 12 and 15, NEVER want to do anything...the only things that interest them are computer games and their XBox 360!! We are forever trying to get them interested in other things but to no avail.

Does anyone have any ideas generally on what we can do about this, and also, we desperately need to get away for a couple of days in the half term (1 or 2 nights)- does anyone have any ideas on anywhere we can go or anything interesting to do (in the UK)? A short break that they won't just see as boring or as something they'll do begrudgingly....I know it's a lot to ask!!

Has anyone else with teenage boys gone anywhere or done anything that's been appealing to them? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

cazac71 · 19 May 2008 at 5:05PM

harryharp wrote: »

Can anyone help? Our 2 boys, aged 12 and 15, NEVER want to do anything...the only things that interest them are computer games and their XBox 360!! We are forever trying to get them interested in other things but to no avail.

Does anyone have any ideas generally on what we can do about this, and also, we desperately need to get away for a couple of days in the half term (1 or 2 nights)- does anyone have any ideas on anywhere we can go or anything interesting to do (in the UK)? A short break that they won't just see as boring or as something they'll do begrudgingly....I know it's a lot to ask!!

Has anyone else with teenage boys gone anywhere or done anything that's been appealing to them? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

My 2 are like that (12 and 16) tbh i think they are both nervous of going out, they both hate crowds of teenagers, my youngest was punched in the nose for no reason 2 years ago, by the local brat, who just rode up on his bike got off, punched him then rode off!) My eldest wont go on local transport.
So yes they, sit on the pc, or ps2, unless we take them somewhere, which for their age usually costs the earth.

harryharp · 19 May 2008 at 5:11PM

Thanks for your reply, Cazac71, at least I know I'm not the only one who has this problem. That's terrible about your youngest being punched in the nose!
As you say, it can expensive to take them places, and even then ours will only come along very bregrudgingly....

cazac71 · 19 May 2008 at 5:14PM

harryharp wrote: »

Thanks for your reply, Cazac71, at least I know I'm not the only one who has this problem. That's terrible about your youngest being punched in the nose!
As you say, it can expensive to take them places, and even then ours will only come along very bregrudgingly....

Yep, they`ll go, if it costs money!! lol If you suggest a walk along the river, or a kick about in the park, then thats a no no! Bowling, Skating, Amusements etc, then theyre all for it, typical teenagers i suppose.

harryharp · 19 May 2008 at 5:19PM

Unfortunately we can't even get ours interested in things which cost money...I'd love for them to be more active or have more interests but they never want to do anything!

webitha · 19 May 2008 at 5:21PM

take the consoles away then they willto find something else to do wont they, nt only are they teens but they are boys therefore lazy lol
but mine started doing the same as yours so into the attic it went, had a few days of whineing, so i told them find something to do or i will find you something to do namely cleaning , they soon found out about life beyond their game station lol

emma12345 · 19 May 2008 at 5:21PM

I have this problem too. My 14 year old never wants to do anything except play World of Warcraft. It's frustrating I know how you feel.

We're planning on dragging him away from his computer and taking him to Warmwell holiday park (in the Hoseasons brochure) for a short break. Have never been there before but they seem to have stuff for teenagers including a dry ski slope and skating. It's near to Weymouth. As I say I've never been there before so I don't know if it's any good though.

This thread http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=627301 has some more ideas.

hm71_2 · 19 May 2008 at 5:22PM

you could try pontins to visit- they usually put on PGL activities during the holidays- my children all enjoy going there eldest has just outgrown it at 17. I think you can get day passes if it is not in your price range to stay. perhaps a visit to their website and a call to your centre of interst to see what activities they have.

cocoluvsmummy · 19 May 2008 at 5:38PM

The only time my 16 year old has become animated about leaving the house in the last 12 months was when he went to a gaming convention for a day, which meant playing the same games he plays all day at home with some other people in a differnet situation. He loved it.

He is also planning a trip to alton towers for a day, so maybe a trip to a theme park would get them stimulated, not very money saving but there are lots of BOGOF offers round for theme parks

Otherwise it usually involves us telling him hes coming out with us to "X"

summerday · 19 May 2008 at 6:47PM

How about Centreparks?

Mojisola · 19 May 2008 at 7:03PM

If you don't ration the time they spend on the computer and the XBox, they will never find out about the other things that they could be doing.

It will be very hard to start but worth it as it will break their addiction.

Our 2 teenage boys never want to do anything! Any ideas?

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