What do 13 year old boys do for fun in Seattle? My son wants to know! (Sammamish: skateboarding, rent)

[seattlefun]

We are moving to Madrona in August. My 13 year old boy is a bit concerned and wants to know what other boys around his age are doing? I told him that they are probably doing the same thing they do here... Hang out at the beach, get tan, surf, skim board, etc. Okay well not really! He didn't find my joke funny either! I'm assuming kids up in Seattle skate, play video games, etc. any insight would be great!

[Ruth4Truth]

Having spent time as a teen in Seattle, I can say there's not much for teens to do there. An occasional visit to Seattle Center is good, hanging out at the various beaches on Lake Washington is good, there are probably skateboard parks these days...

IMO, Seattle isn't a good city for teens, but YMMV. We'll see what others say. Definitely contact the Parks Department for a schedule of activities. There are soccer leagues for all ages, and some of the community centers run by the Parks Dept. have martial arts classes, African marimba lessons and performance groups for teens, and other activities.

[analogkid84]

Get him up into the mountains for hiking and backpacking trips. Memories to be made out there.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by analogkid84

Get him up into the mountains for hiking and backpacking trips. Memories to be made out there.

This is true. Some summer camps in the area (there are several in the San Juan Islands) do this. Sailing and canoeing, as well.

[Hemlock140]

Baseball, soccer, tennis, sailing and canoeing, skateboard parks, and even beaches on Lake Washington and Elliot Bay (Alki in West Seattle, Madrona Beach). There are also lakes with swimming, hiking and biking trails, and the Boys & Girls Clubs, which have teen programs and even paid teen internships.
I think the nearest is around 19th & Spruce. Here on the eastside they like to hang out at Pine Lake or Lake Sammamish. We only have summer in July and August, maybe 2 weeks of September, so people including kids take advantage of the beautiful sunny days in the 80s while they can.

[RotseCherut]

A lot of them smoke weed, so make sure that he finds more productive activities in a very drug friendly culture.

Considering that canoeing and climbing mountains every day in a city where the mountains are not 10 minutes from your house, nor is the weather always accommodating of all these activities, you will most likely have to find some activities that are not quite so enduring. Perhaps, getting him into book club or hobbyist group? I really would have lot to have found some kind of poetry type of group , myself, but in Seattle these are not easy to find. But, I have seen something like a Poetry Slam for the younger age groups. Try to focus on your son becoming an intellectual/overachiever at a young age and he may end up growing up to be with the more desirable element of Seattle rather than the more loathsome element that indulges in drugs, intoxication and clubbing.

[modc]

The teenagers I know are involved in the following activities in the Summer:

Swim team - check the pools around Madrona for tryout information
Soccer
mountain bike
play video games
learn to program ( they have cool classes, camps for this)
camping with groups of families
skateboarding at the skate board park

Go to the beach when it hits 80 degrees. But it will be colder than you are used to

I have not met any that are into poetry, but I'd like to!

[NoNansea]

My grandson is 15 years old. He moved here from Orange County when he was 13.

He loves baseball. It's difficult to do year round, but it does happen. Being light until 9 pm helps in the summer.

He has really gotten into mountain biking which is riding true mountain bikes in the forest on trails. It's muddy, with jumps and hills and declining trails. It's exhausting but fun. His step=dad got into it with him. So maybe something for you to consider, seattlefun? Lol!

You can put your kayak or your stand-up paddleboard or whatever in Lake Washington or Green Lake or a whole bunch of other lakes. They seem to be everywhere here. The good thing about kayaking is you can take it at your own pace. And you don't pay for parking. There's no one to charge you a fee (well they do if you rent a kayak at Greenlake). Parking can be a challenge in the summer at Greenlake, but it is free. Greenlake also has a platform for diving & a slide. OR you can rent paddle-boats.

Now that my grandson is dating, he & his girlfriend take the bus to various places. He lives in Greenwood(?). Tomorrow they are taking the bus to the Ballard Locks & will grab a bite nearby. They've gone to the movies and the mall the same way.

Buses here are not like the buses in Orange County. People actually ride them up here. And since so many do & they are people like you & me, it's not so bad. It's not scary nor unsafe, with only one person on the whole bus as it is down there.

Netflix is big up here. Video games are played, but if he's an outdoor kid, there's plenty of activities for him to enjoy..

Skiing & snowboarding are fantastic here. Lots of runs, lots of space, crowds are nothing up here compared to Big Bear or Mammoth. There are several mountains easily accessible for a day trip, like Stephens & Snoqualmie. Snoqualmie is about a 50 minute all freeway drive away. You take the off-ramp, curve right and you're there. And traffic is good once you get away from the I-90. Oops! Wasn't supposed to say "the." There are no narrow windy roads, not much traffic & no crowds compared to so Cal.
AND..the schools have a bus that takes the kids to Snoqualmie after school on Fridays during the season. All 3 of your kids could enjoy skiing and snowboarding. They start young.

Hope that helps. I'm sure you're anxious to get up here for good. : )

[usernametaken]

Chess at Crossroads Mall.

[seattlefun]

Originally Posted by RotseCherut

A lot of them smoke weed, so make sure that he finds more productive activities in a very drug friendly culture.

Considering that canoeing and climbing mountains every day in a city where the mountains are not 10 minutes from your house, nor is the weather always accommodating of all these activities, you will most likely have to find some activities that are not quite so enduring. Perhaps, getting him into book club or hobbyist group? I really would have lot to have found some kind of poetry type of group , myself, but in Seattle these are not easy to find. But, I have seen something like a Poetry Slam for the younger age groups. Try to focus on your son becoming an intellectual/overachiever at a young age and he may end up growing up to be with the more desirable element of Seattle rather than the more loathsome element that indulges in drugs, intoxication and clubbing.

People smoke weed in Seattle? The gays can get married and now marijuana too? Where am I moving to? Drugs, intoxication and clubbing? This sounds like a scene out of Dirty Dancing! I want a refund!!!!!