What does a parent do with a bored teen in the Main Line? From picking fights with siblings to dramatic sighs and groans, it isn’t hard to know when a teenager has gone into a total boredom meltdown. Teens can plan a friend group outing around the Main Line and banish boredom fast.  

Where Can Teens Safely Hang Out in the Main Line?

Not every attraction or activity is teen-friendly or parent-approved. Main Line Parent compiled a list of the best Main Line attractions for teens.

• Main Line Fun: Oaks and King of Prussia Hangout Ideas for Teens
• Fun Main Line Activities for Teens: Ardmore to Wayne
• Main Line Teen Hangouts: Media and Swarthmore

How Teens Can Plan Successful Main Line Group Outings

What teen doesn’t like a little independence? Letting teens plan and host a trip with friends around the Main Line is a great way to add some fun back into summer. 

Follow the tips and advice below for smooth teen-friendly get-togethers anywhere along the Main Line. 

Arrange Transportation

For parents who still provide the bulk of the transportation, taking a carload of teens around may not be anyone’s idea of fun. New teen drivers may not be capable of handling a carload of friends just yet. 

Parents could also look into Teen Ubers or Uber drivers who have been vetted for safety to relieve some of the pressure and ensure everyone has a reliable way home. 

Stay Connected

Any teenager with a phone should keep it charged and at the ready for the big day. Any teen without a phone should pair up with a buddy who has one, just in case. 

If a teen uses a purse or backpack, they could always include an external battery charger if their phone battery tends to drain too fast. 

Budget Wisely

How much will the teen outing cost? Are the teens paying for food? Are there activity fees, such as materials for a Main Line art class? What about admission fees, or shoe and equipment rentals? Expect the unexpected. 

Ensure everyone brings enough for the base activity and a little extra just in case. Don’t forget to carry enough money for tips, and explain the importance of good tipping. This is a good introduction for teens to learn how to manage their money and determine need versus want.

Buddy System

No matter where the group is going, it’s not a bad idea for everyone to stay together. Although cell phones make it easier for teens to stay in touch, it’s good to at least plan out a meetup spot in case someone ends up separated from the group. 

If a larger group of friends heads to the King of Prussia mall, for example, everyone should know where to reconvene in a specific place by a particular time to pick up any stragglers. 

Play by the Rules

Follow the rules of the establishment or venue. Be polite to staff and respectful of other patrons. Teens will learn how to behave appropriately for the activity. 

If a pack of teens is visiting a Main Line teen clothing store, then it’s definitely more acceptable to be excited and verging on loud than, say, a visit to the library or an art museum.

Back It Up

What happens if it rains on the day the group planned to visit a Main Line pickleball court? Or what if there’s a group minimum or maximum, and there are too few or too many teens? 

Develop a great backup idea ahead of time in case the original idea doesn’t work. 

Communication Matters

Every participating teen should let their parents or caregivers know where they are, who will be there, and when they will return. If the group hits traffic on the trip back, everyone should contact parents, guardians, or their workplace about the hiccup. 

If any other misadventures occur, let teens know to call if it’s an emergency. Save the texts for nonessential reasons. 

Social Media Savvy

While it’s fun to hop on Instagram with the besties and share everything, it could also result in hurt feelings. Be aware of friends who were maybe not included on the trip to the Malvern arcade, and how a post could be unnecessarily hurtful.

In some instances, teens may want to refrain from posting their exact whereabouts until an activity concludes, such as in an isolated setting. 

Safety First

Like everyone else, teens should pay attention to their surroundings, keep their phones charged, and understand what to do in an emergency. Create a safety plan so teens know what to do if something happens and who to call.

Share contact information with other parents and vice versa, for whenever Main Line teens are out and about and away from parental help. 

Benefits of Teen Outings

There are so many perks to letting teens take the lead (even if parents need to pitch in getting everyone here, there, and back home again). Hanging out with friends is an important part of growing up. The benefits to letting teens head out with their pals may be surprising.

Foster Independence

How will a teen learn to stand on their own if someone else is always around to make decisions for them? Give teens a chance to test the waters of young adulthood and learn how to plan and organize a small outing with their BFFs. 

Resist the temptation to step in and take over. Everyone wants to feel in control of their life. Allow teens to take that control and figure this one out without unsolicited input.

Strengthen Friendships

Time spent together is always time well spent. The same is true for teens. While many Main Line teens see their friends during the school day or after school in extracurricular activities and sports, kids of all ages need that unstructured time. 

It gives teens a chance to interact without the presence of an authority figure, allowing them to better connect and deepen their relationships.

Promote Time Management

Whether teens are meeting up to catch a movie or go for a walk on a short Main Line hiking trail, it’s a small way to help kids better understand how to allocate their time. 

Letting a teen figure out how to balance free time with school activities, studying, and other time constraints takes practice. There’s no better time than now. 

Instill Life Skills

Teenagers hanging out together isn’t just fun for them; it’s also a sneaky way to contribute to their future success. Social interaction between teens and everyone else they interact with during their meet-up is great communication practice. 

Add in juggling group dynamics, problem-solving skills, and maybe even a little conflict resolution in there, too, for a nice assortment of useful real-life abilities. 

Encourages the New

There’s nothing like being part of a trusted group of friends to give teens the courage to try new things, even if the new thing is an unfamiliar Main Line restaurant. For teens who normally shy away from the unknown, hanging out with their friends can give them the bravery to try something new.

It’s a good way to get teens to step out of their comfort zone while creating closer bonds with their buddies.

Main Line Teens Hanging Out

There’s always something to see and do, so when Main Line teens get bored, refer to this list. Let teens take the lead on this one. It helps teens gain valuable experience navigating group dynamics while having fun exploring the Main Line.