What do 13 year old boys do?

Lunar_Eclipse

I have some old friends visiting for a long afternoon later in the week, which will include a couple of 13 year old boys. I'm wondering what they do, besides gaming, when hanging out with friends? I need some help.

I have girls, so they happily pass the hours chatting, doing their nails, on various crafting activities, baking, watching movies etc.

Our Wii has broken, so I'm looking for some indoor ideas please. Board games? Surfing Youtube (!) Is lego still an appropriate thing to suggest? My girls still play with it as do all the 11 year old boys I have in the house, but I've less knowledge of those a couple of years older and having made the leap to senior school.

Tropez

I think they'd consider Lego a bit babyish.

Board games is a possibility but it would have to be the right type of board game. At that age, the only board game my friends and I were interested in was Atmosfear. I think they still make that, although I can't vouch for whether it's any good these days.

Depending on the weather and available space outside, a kick-a-bout is usually quite popular.

They'd probably enjoy just watching a movie.

debjay

Think that gaming will win hands down closely followed by surfing the net.

They might watch a few films. If you have Sky there is the 007 channel which may keep their attention for a while.

Can they get outside at all? 13 year olds would love kicking a football around for a bit!

Good luck.

bizzybee

They are very good at cheating at Monopoly.....in my experience!

valk_scot

Gaming. DVDs. Football. YouTube. Food.

That's about it, really. But if you've got girls in the house, you'll probably not hear a peep out the boys, they'll be too busy lurking behind their phones trying to look cool and disinterested.

phill99

My sister thinks that whatever 13 year old boys do it seems to make the sheets go grey and stiff.

Lunar_Eclipse

Thanks all.

Yes, we have loads of outdoor space and one of my girls plays in a (boys) football team so if the weather's ok, they can do that, although I know one of the boys doesn't play football.

I was just thinking about my indoor options in case it's wet or sub zero, not that they'd probably notice. They can't spend hours watching TV at a social get together. The Wii is ok, because it can be sociable, but as I said, ours has recently broken. I'll see if I can borrow one, because the group comprises kids who only see each other once a year, so they won't be full of chit chat in the way they are with close friends.

I think I'll suggest we pile out for a walk/play in the woods & green, taking a football, metal detector and stomp rocket first, so we can break the ice.

zaksmum

My grandson's 13 and all he wants to do is play his XBox or get on the computer.

He might watch a movie...and strangely enough he LOVES making cakes!!

antrobus

Tropez wrote: »

I think they'd consider Lego a bit babyish....

You're either insane or a woman. You're never too old for Lego. I'd take a Lego Star Wars X-Wing Starfighter any day of the week.

OrkneyStar

Will there also be younger kids there?
My nephew (13 next month) plays his x-box, wii and the like, but as soon as we visit with DS (5) he loves playing roads, cars, lego etc!

LEJC

I would think that the boys may bring something with them....maybe an ipod or mobile,or even a lap top.

Just make sure there are some snacks and something to drink and I'm sure the afternoon will go well....
I have a 14 year old and he will happily play on his ipod or even read...he's also got female friends and will happily interact with them too....
During half term I had a mixture of friends round on various afternoons...I left out bits and bobs in the kitchen and left them to socalise whilst I tackled a pile of iorning....I actually think that children have a better natural ability to mixing with others of their age than perhaps as adults we give them credit for.