This Post: 101 Fun Mother-Teen Son Bonding Ideas
If you’re like me, carving out special one-on-one time with your son isn’t always easy. And, when you do have a few free hours or an open weekend, it can be challenging to come up with things to do that he’ll actually be on board with.
Let’s face it, staying connected to our boys takes a bit of effort.
That’s why we asked every teen boy we know to find out what they like to do and, specifically, what they wouldn’t mind doing with their mom. Surprisingly, there are tons of things teenage boys would love to do with their moms.
Some of the things on this list are free, some are cheap and some are a tad more expensive. Some are adventurous and some are far more casual and low-key. Some are silly and some are downright cool. We tried to think of everything!
With this list, you may never run out of ideas! At the very least, we hope you’ll find at least a few things here that you and your son would enjoy doing.
If you’re on the hunt for fun things to do to bond with your son, check out our 101 fun mother-teen-son bonding ideas.
101 Fun Mother-Teen Son Bonding Ideas
1. Pack a Lunch and Hit the Hiking Trails (Here’s a list of the 50 Best Hiking Trails in the United States.)
2. Go on a Ghost Tour (A lot of cities and towns offer walking ghost tours. They’re typically fairly inexpensive and it’s something fun and different to do.)
3. Have a Nerf Gun Fight (Are teen boys ever too old for Nerf Guns?)
4. Train for a Marathon Together (Check your local listings for upcoming marathons. It’s a great way to spend quality time with your son while you both train for the marathon.)
5. Check Out a Local Animal Shelter (Even if you have absolutely no intention of bringing home an adorable cat or dog from the shelter, it sure is fun to pet all the animals and play with them. Plus, this pastime is a huge stress reliever. It’s hard to be in a crummy mood when you’re around cute animals.)
6. Plan a Themed Dinner Night (Need ideas? Check out this ultimate list of themed dinner ideas!)
7. Take Him to His Favorite Store (Whether you just browse or buy, ask your son which store he wants to hit. (Ideas: BestBuy, Apple Store, hobby, tech, or clothing stores.)
8. Go to the Airport and Watch the Planes Take Off and Land (Pack up a lunch, sit on the hood of your car or in the back of your pickup truck, and get up close and personal with huge jets. A lot of teen boys love airplanes – regardless of how old they are.)
9. Take Him Out for Coffee, Appetizers, or a Fancy Dessert (What’s your son’s favorite food or drink? Does he love Starbucks coffee? Is he a big fan of potato skins or does he have a hard time passing up an over-the-top gooey gourmet dessert? Tap into the food he loves!)
10. Teach Him How to Cook His Favorite Meal/Recipe (Think boys don’t like to cook? Think again! Did you know that 72% of teenagers – including boys – love watching cooking shows?)
11. Have a Movie Marathon Night (Make sure to make a big bowl of popcorn or his favorite movie snack!)
12. Make a TikTok Video Together (If you’re clueless about how to make a TikTok video, check out this video with step-by-step instructions.)
13. Play Chess, Checkers, or an Old-Fashioned Board Game (If you can’t get him to agree, toss in a few of his favorite foods – that usually sparks their interest.)
14. Plan a Mini-Vacation (You don’t have to spend a fortune and you don’t have to vacation for too many days. The idea is to get away from the hum-drum routine of daily life and experience something new and fun together.)
15. Have a Rubik’s Cube Competition (If your son loves Rubik’s Cubes, this could be a fun way for him to outsmart you and then, hopefully, teach you a few tricks! They also have national competitions that are fun to attend, too!)
16. Take in Some Local Music (Check out a local festival or attend a performance at a college. You might be surprised how amazing some of the “no-name” bands are.)
17. Go to a Drive-In Movie Theater (If you’re fortunate enough to live close to a drive-in movie theater, it’s a great way to add a little fun to an otherwise boring night. Pack the car with drinks and snacks or buy them there.)
18. Help Him Clean/Organize His Bedroom (I used to think my son didn’t care too much about his room. Boy, was I wrong. Together, we went on a mission to clean and organize his room and he actually keeps it clean now – imagine that!)
19. Get Adventurous and Try a New Food You Both Have Never Tried (Try oysters, sushi, venison, or some other food you’ve both never tried. Who cares what it is; just challenge each other to be a little adventurous.)
20. Take a Karate, Tai Chi, or Kickboxing Class Together (Not only will your son and you get in shape, but you’ll also both be learning something new and really cool together.)
21. Take a Cooking Class Together (Some boys wouldn’t be caught dead taking a cooking class with their mom, but others would jump at the chance. Don’t assume your son will hate an idea – you might just be surprised.)
22. Have Him Teach You How to Play His Favorite Video Game (It’s high time you learned about the game that’s capturing your son’s attention for all those hours a day. My son tried to teach me and I was pathetic, but at least he had a good laugh.)
23. Help Him Redecorate or Update His Bedroom (I surprised my son by buying him a new desk chair and he flipped. After that, he was determined to update his entire room. We did it in sections, economically, and had a blast doing it.)
24. Do an “Escape Room” Challenge (They can be a bit on the pricey side, so look for deals. But, they’re a fun way for you and your son to test your skills working as a team. They’re harder than they look, so get ready to be humbled, mama.)
25. Conduct a Cool Experiment (Conducting experiments is a great way to bond with your son! There are literally thousands of experiments to choose from so you’re sure to find something age-appropriate that interests him. Stumped for ideas? Check out this site for ideas!)
26. Check Out a Local Sporting Event (Whether your son is into baseball, football, hockey, soccer, or tennis, there are always cool sporting events you can attend – and they don’t have to be expensive professional sporting events. Keep your eye out for local high school or college sporting events that are less expensive and still tons of fun.)
#27 Play Card Games (Card games can actually be a lot of fun! Here are a few to play with your teen.)
#28 Act Like a Tourist in Your Own City (Make it fun! Rent a Segway and book a tour of the city’s top attractions you’ve probably never seen.)
#29 Volunteer Together (Especially now, there are so many ways to give of your time. Homeless shelters, retirement homes, food shelters, animal shelters – check out what’s needed in your town or city.)
#30 Surprise Him with Concert Tickets (This might be on the expensive side, but he’ll love seeing his favorite musical artist.)
#31 Hit the Go-Kart Track (Cars and boys – whether you’re watching or riding, they’re typically onboard.)
#32 Let Him Teach You Something New (Anything! Whether it’s how to program the remote, bringing you up to speed on a new app, or creating a shortcut on your computer, let your son teach you a thing or two for a change.)
#33 Take a Bike Ride (Make it fun by packing a lunch and venturing out somewhere you’ve never been.)
#34 Go Horseback Riding (A tad expensive, but loads of fun.)
#35 Hit a Local Museum (Think museums aren’t fun for boys? Check into your nearest science museum – they’re oftentimes pretty cool.)
#36 Sign Up for An Online Class (There are tons of fun online classes you can take with your son. And, believe it or not, many are free. The trick is to find one your son is interested in. Here are a few that might pique his interest!)
#37 Make a Pizza (Forget take-out, have a pizza night with your son, and make your own. Check out these 10 amazing pizza recipes to try.)
#38 Make or Build Something Together (Here are a ton of great ideas!)
#39 Go Miniature Golfing (It’s a casual, low-key, no-stress way to spend a couple of hours with your boy.)
#40 Hit the Batting Cages (Want to see your son laugh? Look at his expression when you try to hit the ball.)
#41 Take Golf Lessons Together (He’ll likely thank you for this later in life.)
#42 Take a Self-Defense Class (You’ll have some mom and son bonding time and you’ll have the peace of mind knowing your son is acquiring a few important skills.)
#43 Go to the Zoo or Aquarium (Umm… no, you’re never too old or too cool for the zoo or aquarium.)
#44 Visit a Planetarium (Even if your son isn’t “into” the stars or planets, it’s a cool experience he’ll probably love.)
#45 Go to a Shooting Range (Be sure to hire the expert on staff to teach you both how to handle a gun properly.)
#46 Find Your Nearest “World’s Largest” (If your teen is bored, do something a little crazy! Need ideas? Here’s the World’s Largest Map of World’s Largest Roadside Attractions in America.)
#47 Skiing or Snowboarding (Don’t forget to grab a cup of hot cocoa afterward.)
#48 Go on a Few College Visits (If your son is in high school, it’s actually fun to check out a few colleges he might be interested in. Plus, it will help him get excited about his future.)
#49 Chase a Waterfall (Sometimes, when my son and I are bored, we’ll venture out in search of a waterfall. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon outdoors.)
#50 Get in the Car and Drive (Silly as it sounds, one of the best ways to bond with your son is to get him in the car and just go for a drive. Something magical happens when you’re both staring straight ahead at the road.)
#51 Visit and Explore a Town or City You Both Have Never Been To (Sometimes, all your relationship really needs is a change of scenery. Head to a town or city you’ve never been to and explore for the day.)
#52 Go to a Model Train or Hobby Store (Who knows? He might just pick up a new hobby.)
#53 Go Zip-Lining (Boys will usually be up for anything adventurous and fun!)
#54 Plan a Day at an Amusement Park or Carnival (Heads up: you’ll probably have to ride the roller coasters.)
#55 Check Out a Local Bookstore to Browse or Buy (If your son is a bookworm or even if he just loves to read occasionally, hitting a local bookstore is a relaxing way to hang out for an hour or so.)
#56 Let Him Plan a One-Day Adventure (Hand the reins over to your son and let him decide what he’d like to do. Give him a budget and tell him you’ll be up for practically anything. He’ll have fun with this one.)
#57 Indoor Rock Climbing (or Actual Rock Climbing) (Just ask them…)
#58 Go Sky Diving or Indoor Sky Diving (This one is for the adventurous moms!)
#59 Let Him Create a Music Playlist for You (I let my son do this for me. I gave him free rein to choose the music he thought I’d like. Let’s just say I found out he knows me a lot better than I thought he did.)
#60 Visit a Waterpark (You can’t beat a waterpark on a hot summer day.)
#61 Plan a Beach Get-a-Way Trip (Let your son do the planning for a change.)
#62 Go Bowling (Don’t forget the junk food – it makes it easier when your son beats you.)
#63 Watch Silly YouTube or TikTok Videos Together (One of the things my son and I love to do is watch stupid, silly videos together. What’s really fun is getting an inside glimpse into his quirky sense of humor.)
#64 Catch a Local Play or Musical (Lots of boys love the theater. Some local high schools and colleges have amazing performances that won’t break the bank.)
#65 Ask Each Other Interesting Questions (Get to know your boy by asking him deep questions about life. “Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?” “If you could have lunch with one well-known person, who would it be?” “What’s the one thing you hope to accomplish in your life?”)
#66 Go Fishing Together (Grab or buy a few fishing poles and head to the latest pond, creek, or lake.)
#67 Take a Local Factory Tour (Need ideas? Here’s a list of the Best Factory Tours.)
#68 Watch a Cool Documentary Together (There are so many cool documentaries to watch. No matter what interests your son, there’s a documentary out there for him.)
#69 Walk the Dog (Even if he doesn’t say much on the walk, you’re still spending time with him, and, trust me, he appreciates it.)
#70 Laser Tag (Beware: your son will beat you.)
#71 Visit a Wildlife Park (Not your normal “petting zoo,” some wildlife parks have animals that come right up to the car and eat out of your hand. They’re a ton of fun!)
#72 Take Him to Monster Truck Show (It’s something every teen boy should see at least once in his life.)
#73 Attend a Car or Boat Show (Spend the day hanging out looking at cool cars or boats you could never afford – it’s actually super fun!)
#74 Go Ice Skating or Roller Skating (Has your son ever been roller skating? Give it a try!)
#75 Schedule a Hot Air Balloon Ride (For adventurous moms only…)
#76 Go Canoeing (If you haven’t been canoeing with your son, add it to your bucket list. It’s inexpensive and fun!)
#77 Hop on a Train (It doesn’t matter how old your son is, pretty much all boys love trains.)
#78 Take Him Out for His Favorite Junk Food (Did someone say junk food? Few teen boys can resist.)
#79 Shoot Some Hoops (Free and always fun!)
#80 Get Away for the Weekend (Whether you venture out on an inexpensive camping trip or rent a cabin in the woods, give him something to look forward to and a chance to break free from routine.)
#81 Perform a Random Act of Kindness (Need ideas? Here are 103 ideas to inspire you!)
#82 Hit a Local Flea Market or Thrift Store (Seriously, you never know what you’re going to find.)
#83 Hit a Few Garage Sales (Get up early on a Saturday morning, grab a coffee, and venture out for a fun morning.)
#84 Take Him Out for Ice Cream (A big banana split or ice cream sundae is the perfect way to bond.)
#85 Take a Ceramics or Painting Class Together (Do something completely out of the ordinary and tap into his creative side.)
#86 Make a Bet (For boys who thrive on competition, create a challenge for him – with a prize of course! See if he can cut sugar out of his diet for a week, put his phone down for a certain amount of time each day, or get a better grade in one of his classes.)
#87 Take Him to Your Home Town (Let him get a glimpse into your past. Take him to where you hung out as a teenager and share a few stories with him.)
#88 Go Paddle Boarding (Rent or buy your own, this is such a fun way to spend a few relaxing hours with your boy.)
#89 Go Tubing (Save this one for a super hot summer day.)
#90 Teach Him How to Make a Cool Dessert (Here are a few cool desserts that don’t require a ton of skill or ingredients.)
#91 Take a Walk at Night with Flashlights (It’s an inexpensive, fun adventure you’re never really too old for.)
#92 Take a Photography Class Together (You’ll both pick up a few new cool tips that you’ll carry with you forever.)
#93 Help Him Find a “New Look” (Maybe a new cool haircut or a few new clothes to spice up his look.)
#94 Go on a Mini Shopping Spree (Or, just hit the mall and browse).
#95 Buy an Inexpensive Telescope and Go Stargazing (My son and I have spent countless nights stargazing. I’m always amazed by what we see in the night sky and we always have a great time together.)
#96 Listen to a Funny Podcast Together (Here are a few hilarious podcasts to check out.)
#97 Take Him to a Car Race or a Horse Track (I recently took my son to a car race and he flipped. Don’t forget the earplugs!)
#98 Go Camping (Not every mom is the camping type, but if you are, it’s a great way to get away, eat s’mores by a campfire, and enjoy nature.)
#99 Do a Home Improvement Project Together (Soon enough your son will be venturing into the “real world.” Teach him a thing or two about home maintenance by tackling a project together. If you really want to motivate him – pay him for his “services.”)
#100 Help Him Create a Bucket List of Fun Things to Do with His Friends (Especially now, teenagers are bored and missing their friends. Give him something to look forward to by helping him create a bucket list of things to do with his friends.)
#101 Rent a REALLY Nice Car for the Day or Weekend (Save up for this one and surprise the heck out of your son by renting a super cool car for the day. My husband rented a fancy convertible and took my son cruising for the day and he absolutely loved it.)