Ask a teenager to put their phone down for a weekend and you’ll probably get a groan. Screens aren’t just entertainment for them, they’re how homework gets done, friendships get maintained, the world gets explained. So a screen-free weekend doesn’t mean confiscating every device in the house. It’s more about finding things interesting enough to compete with a scrolling feed.
The activities that land best give teenagers a bit of freedom and say-so. If you’re hunting around for things to do in Hemel Hempstead, indoor skiing or snowboarding is worth a look, different enough from the usual routine, and something everyone can do together that has nothing to do with a screen.
Here’s a list of ideas that might get a positive response, without turning the weekend into a military operation.
Give indoor skiing or snowboarding a go
This suits teenagers who like a physical challenge or fancy a new skill. The Snow Centre allows beginners to focus on balance and basic movement, while anyone with experience can push further.
Sort clothing and kit in advance, warm layers and waterproof trousers beat jeans and a jumper. Build in extra time too, since getting fitted for boots and skis always takes longer than expected.
Parents can join in, though teenagers might prefer some room to figure it out themselves. Keep it about enjoying the activity rather than a scoreboard.
Book an escape room
Escape rooms mix puzzles, teamwork and a proper goal, making them a decent option for anyone who likes games but is fed up with digital ones.
You’ll be hunting for clues, cracking codes and working through challenges against the clock, with themes ranging from mysteries to sci-fi. Check the age recommendations before booking.
Teenagers often step up and take charge here, especially if the adults resist solving every clue themselves.
Have a go at indoor climbing
Climbing ticks two boxes, physical, and it needs concentration too. Bouldering keeps things simple with shorter walls and padded floors, while roped climbing involves more kit and instruction.
A beginner session covers the basics and safety. Comfy clothes are a must, and long hair needs tying back.
It suits mixed-ability groups well, since everyone climbs at their own level. Seeing yourself improve tends to be satisfying enough without prizes.
Set a cooking challenge
Cooking gets more engaging when teenagers are handed proper responsibility rather than just told to lay the table. Pick a theme, a budget or a random set of ingredients, then let them decide what to make of it.
Pizza night, street food, traybakes, desserts; there’s plenty of scope. They could work as a team, split up and each make a course, or recreate a favourite takeaway from scratch.
Don’t worry about presentation. A wonky dish everyone enjoyed making beats a perfect one nobody had fun with.
Have a rummage in a charity shop
A charity shop challenge turns an ordinary trip into something more creative. Give everyone a small budget and a theme, strangest home accessory, an outfit for a made-up character, a book for someone else, and see what they come back with.
It gets teenagers browsing and deciding rather than just clicking “add to basket,” and can spark a decent conversation about reusing things instead of buying more than you need.
Agree the rules beforehand, and don’t push anyone into buying or wearing something they hate.
Go to a live event
Live music, comedy, theatre, local performances, anything that gives people a reason to put their phones away and focus on what’s happening in front of them.
It doesn’t need to be a big-name gig or a pricey ticket. Community theatres, arts centres and local libraries often put on things aimed at younger audiences.
Let the teenagers pick what to see if you can. They’ll get far more out of an event they actually chose.
Try pottery painting or a craft workshop
Workshops aren’t just for kids. Pottery painting, jewellery making, printmaking, these offer a relaxed way to spend a few hours together.
Because the structure’s already there, nobody has to invent an activity from scratch. Everyone gets on with their own piece while still having a chat.
Go for something with room for personal style, ideally an item they’ll actually use afterwards, a mug, a bowl, a tote bag.
Head to the bowling alley
Bowling’s familiar, easy and works for groups with a mix of ages and abilities. There’s enough competitive edge to stay interesting without needing any particular skill.
Play in teams if younger siblings are tagging along, or set small challenges each round. Lowest score picks the music home; winner picks the next activity.
Keep it light-hearted. Correcting everyone’s technique or obsessing over the score kills the mood fast.
Take a walk with an actual destination
A plain old walk might not get much enthusiasm, but give it a purpose and it’s a different story. Walk to a café, explore somewhere new, follow a photography theme, or map a route past local landmarks.
Let them help choose the route. A camera can add a bit of creativity, just agree beforehand that it isn’t an excuse to be on the phone the whole time.
Having somewhere to actually get to usually makes the whole thing feel worthwhile.
Volunteer as a group
A bit of volunteering can give teenagers a sense of responsibility and put them in touch with people outside their usual circle, helping at a community event, a local food project, or a litter pick.
Pick something that suits their age and interests, and don’t frame it as a punishment or a lesson in gratitude. It works far better when everyone joins in.
Some places have age restrictions, so check before you turn up.
Have a board-game night
Board games make for an easy screen-free evening at home, particularly if teenagers get a say in what’s played. Quick strategy games, co-op challenges and social deduction games tend to hold attention better than anything that drags on.
Snacks and some music in the background help it feel relaxed rather than compulsory. Keep the rules simple, and stop while everyone’s still enjoying it.
Let them help plan it
Screen-free time works much better when teenagers have some say in it. Offer a few realistic options and let them pick, rather than announcing a fully planned weekend out of nowhere.
It also helps if the adults practise what they preach, it’s a hard sell asking teenagers to put their phones down while checking emails yourself.
None of this is about proving screens are bad. It’s about making space for movement, conversation and doing something together. One or two decent offline activities over a weekend is a far more realistic goal than trying to ban screens outright.
