It’s not always easy finding things to do for teenagers, as they get older it can be hard to find new and exciting ways of entertaining them. Here in Hampshire you’ll find some great ideas to keep them active and happy! There are plenty of family days out in Hampshire to enjoy with teenagers and all ages.
We’ve compiled below 18 of the best things to do with teenagers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Family activities to enjoy with teenagers
Take them to get hands-on with more than 100 exhibits at Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium. Warp their perceptions with the #LittleBigRoom and the Beuchet chair, both underpinned by cutting edge University of Southampton research into psychology and how we look at the world. And don’t forget to catch a show in the largest standalone digital planetarium.
Every day at Fort Nelson there are things to do, things to see, indoors and outdoors. There are ramparts and tunnels to explore, and over 350 items of artillery in the galleries from many countries spanning 600 years.
Visit Lepe Country Park, with over a mile of beach is a great day out for all. Whether spending the day searching for seashore crabs and building sandcastles or enjoying the play area or a stroll around the coast to the D-Day remains or through the local nature reserve, there’s lots to do. Finish your visit at The Lookout, Lepe’s restaurant with panoramic views over the Solent – a destination for visitors whatever the weather!
Go Ape Alice HoltGet away from the screens and technology and get your teenagers stuck in with nature. Immersive flying displays, keepers talks and opportunities to meet birds of prey will entertain all members of the family – even teenagers! Visit the Hawk Conservancy Trust for an inspiring family day out for those with teenagers.
With exhibitions, trails and workshops there are things to entertain the whole family whatever the season at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens. They could even practice their photography in the Gardens, and get inspired with the art and craft exhibitions.
Grab your camera phone and strike a pose on one of Beaulieu’s many motoring-themed photo opportunities. Or why not test your driving skills on the World of Top Gear Test Track Challenge? (a small extra charge applies).
Looking for a budget-friendly way to spend the afternoon? Grab a bag of deer feed and head out on the farm trail to meet the herds at Sky Park Farm! It’s a fantastic, low-cost way to get the teens off their phones and into the fresh air, with plenty of stunning “Instagrammable” spots by the Dew Pond and River Rother to keep them happy.
For teens who need to swap the screen for some high-octane adrenaline, Tile Barn Outdoor Centre is the ultimate New Forest hangout. They can conquer the climbing tower and experience the heart-racing sensation of free fall on the Quick Flight jump, the only one of its kind in the New Forest! Whether they are challenging their mates on the high ropes course or learning to master fire and outdoor cooking in a bushcraft session, it’s all about high energy and big thrills. Plus, with the site being just a 15-minute walk from Brockenhurst station, it’s super easy for older teens to access for an adventure with friends.
Amazing experiences for teenagers and all ages
Teenagers from 12 years old can learn to drive at Thruxton Circuit. They’ll learn the essential skills needs to drive car. Kids from 8 years old can head to the Kart Centre and race wheel-to-wheel on the Kart Circuit. Definitely a day out they’ll remember for a long time to come!
Ditch the wifi and enjoy a better connection with Tree Top Adventure at Go Ape. Perfect for kids 10+, teens and adults, they’ll enjoy two to three hours in the trees taking on Zip Wires, Tarzan Swings, Rope Ladders and a variety of obstacles and crossings.
New Forest ActivitiesEnjoy travelling on heritage steam trains at the Watercress Line, visit the footbridge used in Harry Potter films, relax in two picnic sites and explore the locomotive yard. This heritage site is Instagram heaven!
They can enjoy fun with friends or family at New Forest Activities, where they can take to the water on a guided Canoe or Kayak tour, burn off some energy with Battlefield LIVE, or test their aim with Archery.
Spinnaker Tower’s abseil experience is now open to children 14 years plus so you can enjoy the ultimate viewing experience with your teen. For a slightly less extreme thrill, venture across the glass Sky Walk or just sit back and relax in The Clouds café!
Treat your teenagers to a day out with friends
Download the Marwell Zoo app to make the most of your day with added sound effects, stats and imagery of the animals. Bring your camera to capture some stunning shots. Top Tip: Contact the team to book unforgettable animal experiences before your visit.
Paultons Park has some great rides for all the thrill seekers out there! Ride the Cobra, the parks largest and fastest rollercoaster with a crazy mix of drops and spirals. Rise from the smoke of Magma as the popular drop tower takes off into a stomach churching adventure. Take to the EDGE for an amazing floating sensation as you swoop and spin through the air on a giant disc! Lost Kingdom also features two world class coasters, Flight of the Pterosaur and Velociraptor!
For teenagers wanting to hang out with friends outdoors there is plenty to explore at Manor Farm, Staunton Farm and Queen Elizabeth Country Park. There is a café at Manor Farm and kiosks in the park, a café in the pay zone at Staunton, and a café and kiosks at Queen Elizabeth Country Park, where young people can meet, relax and buy snacks and drinks.
Things to do with teenagers on the Isle of Wight
If you have a teenager who thinks they’ve “seen it all,” Robin Hill Adventure Park is ready to challenge that! This isn’t just a walk in the park; it’s an 88-acre adrenaline playground. Brave the Adrenaline Zone, featuring an 18m multi-level rope climbing tower and a high-speed roller glider that will get even the toughest teen’s heart racing. For those who thrive on competition, the Toboggan Run offers twists and turns through the countryside, while the Woodland Adventure Crazy Golf provides 18 holes of vintage-themed fun. Whether they’re conquering the Squirrel Tower or testing their skills in the Digger School, it’s the ultimate spot for teens to burn off energy and find their next thrill on the Isle of Wight.
Blackgang ChineThink Blackgang Chine is just for little ones? Think again! This cliff-top park has seriously levelled up its game for teenagers seeking an adrenaline fix. Brave the edge of the Isle of Wight on Extinction, a massive 360° pendulum swing that hurls you high above the coastline, or face the heart-racing drop of Evolution. If you’re looking for a laugh with mates, go head-to-head on the giant Snakes & Ladders slides or get soaked on Waterforce, the island’s only high-speed water slide.
The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary offers the ultimate “main character” moment in the peaceful Wroxall countryside. This rescue sanctuary is free to enter (and has free parking!), making it a top choice for a budget-friendly afternoon. Teens can explore 55 acres of trails, meet over 100 rescued donkeys and ponies, and even book a Donkey Experience for some hands-on grooming and literal donkey cuddles, the perfect way to de-stress. With a cool converted barn café serving homemade treats and a shop stocked with unique gifts, it’s a feel-good spot where they can relax, snap some great photos, and support a brilliant charity.
As one of the world’s top fossil localities, Dinosaur Isle Museum is a must-visit for curious teens. This isn’t just a quiet museum; it’s a chance to see the massive Neovenator skeleton and meet the actual scientists cleaning new finds at the open lab door. You can get hands-on by touching real fossils dating back 130 million years and exploring immersive galleries that bring the Cretaceous period to life with sound and lighting. Located right on Sandown seafront, it’s a brilliant, budget-friendly way to discover the Isle of Wight’s prehistoric secrets!
For an all-weather win with teenagers, head to Tapnell Farm Park. This award-winning spot is packed with high-energy activities like the Straw Adventure Barn home to pedal go-karts and trampolines and legendary outdoor jumping pillows. Teens can channel their inner warrior with archery and axe throwing, or test their skills at the Island’s only Football Golf course. After the action, they can refuel with famous burgers at The Cow or take a selfie at the Wallaby Walkabout.
From adrenaline-fueled coasters and high-speed driving to Instagram-worthy views and budget-friendly hangouts, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are packed with teen-approved adventures. Getting them off their screens and into the fresh air has never been easier!
Need more? Here are the best things to do in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
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Updated March 2026. Please note: Attraction features, facilities and offers or pricing are subject to change. Please always check their individual websites before visiting.