35 fun things to do with your teenage daughter

Simple activities to help you connect

Quick summary

• Spending quality time with your teenage daughter through shared activities can support her self-esteem, emotional wellbeing, and communication skills
• Small, consistent ways to connect with your teenage daughter, like creative projects or shared hobbies, often matter more than planned days out
• Choosing fun things to do with your teenage daughter that match her interests makes it easier to connect without pressure or forced conversations

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Teenagers and parents are busy. And that statement may not come as a surprise.

Between your own commitments, plus their school, friends, and screen time, it can sometimes feel like you hardly see them. 

But carving out space for fun activities together doesn’t just strengthen your bond. It also helps your daughter's self-esteem and boosts their communication skills. 

However, this isn’t always easy to do. luna hears from loads of parents who struggle to know where to begin when it comes to fun activities.

The key is finding things that feel enjoyable for both of you, without pressure or expectations. 

Don’t worry too much about creating the perfect activity or day out. 

Sometimes, the simplest things make the best memories. 

Ask your daughter what they fancy doing and have a think about any of their hobbies you could explore together. 

Or, offer up some of luna’s ideas!

Or, offer up some of luna’s ideas:

• Cooking or baking together: try a new recipe or let them teach you a TikTok food trend
• Walks or bike rides: a great chance to chat without distractions
• Movie or TV nights: let them choose (even if it’s not your usual pick) and make popcorn together
• Music sharing: create a playlist of each other’s current favourite songs, or share the songs that you loved when you were a teenager! You might be surprised at what you both like
• Crafts or DIY projects: from tie-dye shirts to air-drying clay, these can be fun (and a little messy)
• Photography outings: explore your neighbourhood or a local park with your phones or cameras
• Journaling or vision boards: great for self-expression and dreaming about the future
• Make-up, skincare, or nail nights: a low-key way to pamper yourselves at home
• Go to a concert, museum, or local festival
• Try an activity like rock climbing, ice skating, or a dance class
• Plan a day trip to a nearby town, nature spot, or beach: give your daughter a budget, and let her plan the day
• Volunteer together: it’s a meaningful way to connect while giving back
• Board games or card games: a classic way to spend an evening (and yes, a little friendly competition can be fun!)
• Karaoke or dance-offs: it doesn’t matter if you’re good, it just matters that you’re laughing together
• Puzzle nights: a calm way to work together and chat
• Go for coffee or hot chocolate: a simple treat can feel grown-up and special
• Browse a bookshop or library: let her show you what she’s into 
• Redecorate or reorganise her space: give her control over decisions while working together
• Recreate old photos: find childhood pictures and recreate them now (funny and surprisingly meaningful)
• Watch documentaries or true-crime shows: especially ones she’s already interested in
• Stargazing or evening walks: quieter moments can sometimes lead to the best conversations
• Create a memory jar: write down small moments or jokes to read later
• Have a mini photo shoot: silly poses and outfits included!
• Thrift or charity shop challenge: give yourselves a small budget and style outfits for each other
• Create a family podcast or voice memo series: short chats, memories, or inside jokes
• Go on a “yes afternoon”: within reason, let her choose everything — music, food, activity
• Take a long train or bus ride with no destination goal: talk, people-watch, listen to music
• Learn something random together: sign language, astrology, calligraphy, or the basics of piano (there are so many free apps for this kind of thing)
• Try a sunrise or sunset ritual: mindfulness and quiet time
• Do a personality quiz together: discuss similarities and differences
• Have a nostalgia evening: old photos, old toys, old songs
• Try a one-hour hobby swap: she teaches you something, you teach her something
• Build a shared “comfort list” or “comfort box” of films, snacks, and songs for hard days
• Try a one-day digital detox together: then talk about what you noticed
• Create a fictional character together: including backstory and personality

Ready to make memories?

Fun activities together can help you support a stressed-out teen and provide you with new ways of connecting.

However, your daughter might not always be in the mood, and that’s okay!

What matters most is showing them you want to spend time together and that their interests matter to you.

Sometimes, even a short car ride with good music can be the perfect bonding moment.