Summer will be here before you know it, and your kids will be out of school. For teenagers, this can be a time of getting bored and easily finding themselves in trouble. If you would like to keep your teens out of trouble, take a look at these six activities that will keep them preoccupied.

Arts and Crafts

If your teen has a creative side, encourage him or her to explore it. Take them to your local craft supply store and give them a budget. Let them pick out some materials they would like to work with. If your child wants to learn a skill like sewing, drawing or cake decorating, look for lessons or classes in your area. Get their friends involved by having a scrap-booking or jewelry-making party.

Volunteering

Encouraging your teen to volunteer not only helps him or her stay out of trouble, but it teaches them a thing or two about giving back. The idea of volunteering may not be appealing at first, but let your child know there are hundreds of opportunities in your community that fit every interest. Maybe he or she likes animals and can sign up to walk dogs at a local shelter. If he or she likes sports, children’s sports leagues are always in need of coaches, referees and mentors. David E. Cook an attorney in minor cases says this is a great to help your child connect with different types of kids and see the benefits of helping others.

Cooking

Almost all teenagers love food, so why not teach them to make it for themselves? You can sign your child up for a local cooking class or even teach them right in your own home. Let them help with menu planning and preparing dinner. Maybe your child can bake a cake for a relative’s birthday or cook up a meal and have friends over for a picnic to show off their skills.

Make Some Money

If your child is old enough, he or she can always go for a summer job. This can be anything from babysitting or cutting grass for a neighbor or taking on a shift at a local restaurant or retail store. If a par-time job is out of the question, encourage your child to make money in other ways. Maybe he or she can help you clean out the basement and hold a garage sale in exchange for half of the profits.

Be in a Play

Do you have a little drama queen on your hands? If he or she has a passion for acting, film or theater, encourage your child to sign up with a local school or community theater. Shyer teens can help with behind-the-scenes parts of the production.

Photography

Encourage your teen to explore your yard, a local park or your community with a camera in tow. Many teens find photography to be a great outlet for expressing their emotions, and it is a great way to help them capture memories that they can look back on for years to come. Help them print out their best work and submit it to local publications or coffee shops that may accept amateur artwork for print or to hang on the wall.

No matter what your teen is into, there is no shortage of activities for him or her to fill their summer with. All of these activities can be done alone or with a friend, and almost all of them can be done inexpensively.