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 even as they grow and change, it can still 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 this article to them and ask them what sounds interesting. You might be surprised at their response.

Try skiing or snowboarding (no snow required)

If your teen was hoping to try skiing or snowboarding this season but you didn’t make it out to the mountains, don’t fret. Stoke Mountain, a brand-new indoor facility, is the next best thing. It offers a unique experience with both alpine and Nordic ski machines, and a freestyle terrain park that has a ski jump and trampolines. 

Choose from lessons or get a freestyle day pass, then hit the slopes inside (on a surface designed to simulate the feel of snow). You won’t even need your own equipment to take Alpine ski lessons. Skis or snowboards, helmets, boots and poles are all provided for your session at no additional cost. For the freestyle park and Nordic ski sessions, you’ll need to bring your own gear or rent from the venue.

And if winter sports turn out to be your teen’s new favorite thing, there’s a pro shop where they can browse gear, plus a café where you can plan out a mountain adventure over coffee.

Cost: Pricing depends on the activity. Intro group lessons start at $60 per person; freestyle day passes cost $25; and a 30-minute session on the Nordic ski machine costs $15. Monthly and annual memberships are available.
Location: 1000 Andover Park W., Tukwila

Go axe throwing

Have you ever watched a TV character chuck an axe through the air, 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 nonalcoholic drinks for sale. Axe-throwers must be at least 10 years old.

Looking for an axe-throwing option on the Eastside? Head to Pacific Axes in Redmond. Everyone is welcome to hurl an axe, but throwers younger than 18 will need to come with a supervisor. 

Cost: $36 per person for a 90-minute throwing session with a coach, 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 and Tukwila. The go-karts can reach speeds up to 45 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 $29.99 per race, per person. You will also need to purchase a K1 Speed license for $8.50.
Redmond location: 2207 N.E. Bel-Red Rd., Redmond
Tukwila location: 17450 W. Valley Hwy., Tukwila

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: $99 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 spendy. Why not bring another family along and split the cost? For 6–10 people, 90 minutes 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 Mount Rainier and Mount 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.

You can also head to The Escape Game, with locations in downtown Seattle and Westfield Southcenter Mall. The Escape Game is also recommended for kids ages 13 and older, but younger kids are welcome to participate. The rooms are family-friendly, however some of the situations (like one where players try to break out of prison) might feel too intense for young kids. But, there are plenty of options that younger players would like, and while having an adult along to help out is smart (and required if kids younger than 14 are participating), I bet you’ll be amazed at your kids’ problem-solving skills!

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

The Escape Game
Cost: $44.99 per person 
Locations: 21 Southcenter Mall, Tukwila and 2101 Westlake Ave., 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 the Seattle area. (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, 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 Billie Eilish, Laser Bad Bunny and Laser K-Pop. These shows are all on the later side, starting at 7:30 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: $16 for adults; $13 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, Torrent or Reign game to your agenda, and give a professional Ultimate 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

Editor’s note: This article was first published in October 2024 and was updated on March 10, 2026, by ParentMap’s family fun editor, Meredith Charaba, with a new activity to try with your teen. All information was fact-checked, and pricing was updated for 2026.