Fun Things to Do in Boston With Teens

Erynn:  Roller skating facilities plus a video arcade with laser tag mean teens don't have to be expert skaters to hang with friends and relax. A snack bar hosts pizza, nachos, popcorn, and soft drinks.

Pricing: Laser tag games are $5 per person per game. The arcade takes quarters for games. Admission costs to the rink range from $1 on special deal days to $9 on Fridays and weekends.

Erynn:  Down Under offers yoga specifically designed for teens in programs that run seasonally. Introduction to breathing and movement plus arm balances and inversions help teens perfect their technique and increase flexibility.

Erynn:  Interconnected wall-to-wall trampolines, 3D Dodgeball, Basketball Dunking Lanes, Foam Pits, and Gymnastics tracks all let teens get their energy out while hanging out with friends. Plus, there's a Rock Climbing Wall and Battle Beam over foam pits for extra physical fun.

Teen nights for kids 13-17 are every Saturday, and $25 gets teens 3 hours of jumping time.

Tracy Snyder Molina:  CrossFit teen training is open to all levels of students for weight lifting and CrossFit in a safe environment. Teens learn about being healthy and setting fitness goals while improving physical and mental strength. Each new student is given a fitness assessment by the head coach and starts off with private lessons before starting any group classes. Kids and teen classes are available.

Ages: Grades 8-12

Cost: $200 per 10 class punch card

Erynn:  Laser Quest encourages kids to get active with their friends while enjoying video-game-like action and suspense. This is entertainment that even parents will want to get in on, and the whole family can play together.

Pricing: Regular games are $10 per person, but send your teen with cash for pizza, drinks, and vending.

Erynn:  Sky Zone's unique layout means that kids are separated by age. Teens cover two courts in two age groups; 11-15 in one area, and 16+ in another. In addition to trampoline surfaces, Sky Zone also has a Foam Zone, Warrior Course, and Dodgeball.

Amanda Banta:  When the sun starts to go down, the lights go up at TreeTop Adventures. On Friday nights, the ropes course is lit in soft white lights while the colored lights and music get flashy on Saturday nights, making night climbing way different from a Saturday afternoon outing with the entire family. Teens can explore the 10 trails, from Beginner to Advanced, under the lights and the moon and get a little physical fitness in as well. TreeTop does allow outside food in so kids can bring their favorite snacks and hang out in between their climbing, zipping and swinging.

Cost: $39 per person.

Erynn:  MVP hosts multi-level laser tag, an arcade, outdoor mini golf, and a ropes course for kids 12 and under. Teens will enjoy hanging out and challenging each other to arcade game contests and laser tag competitions. There's also a cafe for snacks and drinks.

Pricing: Laser tag is $10 per game per person, golf is $8 per person, and for the under-12's the rope course is $8 for 2 rounds.

Erynn:  With discount days and family skate sessions, this classic pastime is brought back to life! A snack bar and skate shop keep you fueled up and prepared to skate, and teens can enjoy hanging out with friends or burning off energy on the skating floor. Chez Vous is open during school holidays and summer break.

Pricing: Skate session pricing varies (visit Chez Vous's website for details), but monthly memberships start at $25/person.

Erynn:  Youth programs at Brooklyn Boulders include Team participation at varying levels and involve bouldering, top rope, sport, and speed climbing.

Cost: Team programs start at $1,000 for the 11-18 division of intermediate climbers. Teams run seasonally for spring/fall, so call ahead for details.

Erynn:  Indoor go-kart racing at K1 Speed has no age limitations, so teens can race one another til their heart's content. Adult races require participants to be 4'10" tall or taller, while junior races require a height minimum of 48" tall.

You have to purchase both a membership ($8 annually) and each race. A single race starts at $19.99 with package deals available.

Kristy Pepping:  Taza makes stone ground chocolate by grinding cacao beans. Their products range from chocolate bars to chocolate covered nuts to chocolate bark and more. During the Intro to Stone Ground Chocolate Tour, learn about the chocolate making process and taste samples! The tour is suggested for children 10 and over and takes about 45 minutes.

Erynn:  The mall is a timeless teen hangout, but Prudential Center takes casual entertainment a step farther. Beyond stores and restaurants, this location also houses a Skywalk Observatory that lets you check out all of Boston from towering heights. Alternatively, take a Boston Duck Tour in an amphibious vehicle that takes you past all the city sights. Or, take a historic Old Town Trolley Tour to learn more about the city and check out the Old State House Museum. 

Pricing: Check out the mall for free. Skywalk Tickets are $19 for ages 12+ and $15 with student ID. 

Amanda Banta:  The TD Garden Arena Tour will give you a behind-the-scenes view of the arena. Visitors will be able to look at areas of the Garden typically off limits to the public, like the arena floor, the visiting team locker rooms and the marshalling area where you'll hear about the arena works and switches from a hockey rink to a basketball court to a concert hall.

Cost: $15/adult, $10/child (7-18), Free for children 6 & under

Erynn:  Rock Spot offers a Teen Climb for teens 13+ to learn the in's and out's of rock climbing with like-minded peers. Teens will learn climbing and belaying techniques plus how to train and condition their bodies. Each class lasts 1.5 hours. Pre-team and Team Rock Spot challenges take teens' training to the next level and involves competitions.

Cost: Student and family memberships are available starting at $70/month per student or $124/month per family. Contact facility for class pricing.