Durham Teens & Tweens
As young kids age out of some of the fun activities and programs geared toward elementary-aged children, it can seem like there’s not as much out there for middle school kids and older. But have no fear, we have the scene covered for Durham teens & tweens. In addition to all the options for school-based clubs and local businesses for first-time jobs, Durham offers several avenues for youth to plug into the community at large and connect with peers.
Between hangouts at rec centers and libraries just for them to tons of tween/teen-friendly businesses to volunteer opportunities to support the Durham community, there’s no shortage of ways to link your older kids into the Bull City. This is by no means an all-inclusive list but consider this a jumping off point of engagement for the youth(s) in your life.
Durham County Libraries
With six branch locations and dozens of programs every month, check out Durham County Libraries for oodles of activities for the middle/high school crowd. Start my perusing their general calendar, which covers all branches, by Audience to see what events are happening for Tweens and Teens. You can also reach out to a Teen Librarian at any branch to ask for their recommendations for plugging a tween or teen into their programs.
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Follow DCoLibraryTeens on Instagram to learn about all the awesome events coming up, like the after-hours Teen Lock-In or Teen Writing Workshop that happened earlier this year. Teens can also volunteer at their local library through the Teen Advisory Board, helping develop and implement programming, which are incredible skills to learn.
Durham Parks and Recreation
Not only do teens and tweens have specific programs geared toward their interests through Durham Parks and Rec, but they also get free access to all DPR fitness centers, aquatic centers, and city lakes. Plus, DPR can connect youth with free GoTriangle and GoDurham bus passes through the Youth GoPass program, making it super easy for them to get to any of these rec locations.
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My Durham is an after school program for teens created by teens. With drop-in hours from 3-7pm at four different rec centers on every weekday, teens will have a safe, inclusive environment to explore interests and forge new friendships. And all they have to do to
participate is sign up for a free membership through ActiveNet, DPR’s program site.
Speaking of ActiveNet, be sure to explore all of the amazing offerings for the tween/teen age groups. DPR offers youth sports of all kinds, including basketball, soccer, dance, racquetball, tae kwon do, boxing, and tennis, though some fill up fast, so keep an eye out for the next Play More Guide which should come out this winter.
I want to particularly highlight the programming opportunities for tweens and teens at Holton Career and Resource Center (401 N Driver St, 27703). Not only does Holton host a number of DPR programs for tweens, like Adventure with Legos and Kids Pop n Paint, but it is also home to loads of activities through BUMP: The Triangle, a local nonprofit that provides BIPOC youth with cultural exposure to African diasporic visual and performance arts. Kids can sign up for African Drumming or DJing and Turntables, Theater or Woodwinds, all through the lens of the African diaspora.
Jewish for Good at the Levin JCC (1937 W Cornwallis Rd, 27705)
A vibrant hub for healthy living, charitable giving, and helping those in need, Jewish for Good offers opportunities for community connection among adults and families. Between celebrating Jewish culture through workshops, film screenings, and nostalgic eats at the J Café; building strong bodies through health and wellness activities in the gym and pool facilities; and helping each other and the community through social services, specialized aging programs, and volunteer opportunities, there is something for everyone at Jewish for Good. They even host specific opportunities to engage teens and tweens. See a snapshot below with links for more info.
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- After-School Enrichment Programs: Through 8th grade, Jewish for Good offers a range of activities to engage students during the 3:30-6:30pm after school timeframe. Check out Aerial Explorers or Tween-focused Yoga for your middle-school kiddos.
- Volunteer Opportunities: With a range of in-house and community-based volunteer opportunities, your tween or teen will be sure to get connected with meaningful work giving back to the community. There are great opportunities coming up this holiday season, including Mitzvah Day on December 25 th , with service projects at over 20 local organizations. Check their calendar for some volunteer opportunities that are open to non-members as well.
- Job Opportunities: Jewish for Good can prepare your tween/teen for the working world through in-house opportunities (like their summer Camp Shelanu Leader in Training Program for rising 8th -10th graders and Counselor in Training Program for rising 9th -10th graders; or part-time jobs in aquatics, childcare, snack/coffee bar)
- Fitness: Youth ages 13-15 can use the fitness facility or take exercise classes after an orientation under adult supervision and ages 16+ can use facilities on their own.
YMCA of the Triangle
With four branch locations in Durham and 19 locations across the Triangle, YMCA of the Triangle has loads of opportunities to plug your tween/teen into engaging, meaningful programs. From summer camp and afterschool care to volunteer and job opportunities to
engaging with youth from across the state and country, the YMCA can be your kid’s gateway to important life skills and lifelong memories.
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- After School Programs: Offering school- and YMCA-based sites, the Y’s after school programs provide a safe, active space for students in grades K-8 to play and learn until 6pm. In Durham, the Hope Valley and Lakewood branches offer the majority of after school care, plus Lyons Farm Elementary’s program just over the Wake County line at NW Cary Y. Voyager Academy, Excelsior Academy, and Kestrel Heights all have programs at their respective schools.
- Job Opportunities: Starting at age 14 or rising 9th graders, teens can take on leadership roles and paying jobs at the YMCA. Rising 9th and 10th graders can become Campers in Leadership Trainings (CILTs) at YMCA summer day camps. Teens ages 14-15 can sign up to become Junior Lifeguards, building leadership skills through 40 hours of training, including CPR/First Aid, resume writing, and interviewing skills. Once teens turn 16, they can build their resume with many in-house paid job opportunities, like lifeguard, counselor, or front desk staff.
- Youth Sports: Challenge your tw/een to explore a new sport through one of the YMCA’s youth sports leagues. Kids ages 3-15 can sign up for competitive or recreational sports, like basketball, soccer, flag football, volleyball, baseball, tee-ball, softball, futsal, and tennis.
- Fitness: Youth ages 14-28 can sign up for a discounted Young Adult Membership with the Y to gain access to any YOTA fitness and pool facility.
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Leadership Development: The Y offers several incredible opportunities to build leadership skills in your child. Connecting tw/eens to their peers locally, statewide, and even nationally, check out any of their leadership development programs below:
- Leaders Club (grades 6-8 and 9-12): leadership development and community service
- Youth and Government (grades 9-12): civic engagement for high schoolers
- Lightner Y Achievers (grades 6-12): connecting students of color with adults of color to guide through experiences and prepare them for life after high school
- Teen Racial Equity Council (grades 9-12 and first/second-year college): explore issues of racial equity and utilize racial equity resources to improve the YMCA and community
Tween/Teen Volunteer Opportunities
In addition to the opportunities to volunteer through Jewish for Good and the YMCA of the Triangle listed above, your tweens and teens can log volunteer hours and build valuable skills by linking up with the fantastic Durham organizations below, listed in order of youngest volunteer opportunity:
- Animal Protection Society of Durham (ages 10+): Kids 10 and under can volunteer to read to cats with adult supervision. Youth ages 10-16 can volunteer to walk dogs or participate in cat care with adult supervision. Volunteers ages 16+ can work with dogs
and cats or even support community events without adult supervision.
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- Volunteer Corps of the Greater Triangle (ages 11-18): Part of Activate Good, this youth-focused volunteer group meets monthly and connects teens with regular volunteer opportunities in the Triangle.
- Miracle League of the Triangle (ages 12+): Sign up to be a Buddy of a youth baseball player with special needs or support game day with help around the ballfield. Youth ages 16+ can apply to serve as Coaches on a team of 3-5 supporting the special athletes.
- Boys and Girls Clubs of Durham and Orange Counties (ages 16+): Tutor younger students in academics, support classrooms, teach physical education, provide administrative support, or support community events.
- Habitat for Humanity of Durham (ages 16+): Help build homes for our Durham
neighbors at Habitat worksites (Habitat ReStore requires volunteers be over 18)
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Fun for Teens and Tweens
Probably the most sought after intel is where can I send my tween or teen so they can have fun, while still staying safe. They’ve got their school sports and clubs, they’re racking up volunteer hours, and now they just need some place to unwind, make friends, and just be kids.
Fortunately, Durham’s awesome local businesses provide some really cool activities to keep your tw/een engaged and out of trouble and I’ve divided them into two general categories: Intellectual Activities and Physical Activities.
Flex Your Brain Muscles (Intellectual Activities)
Atomic Empire (3400 Westgate Dr, 27707): Durham’s shop for games, comics, and hobbies hosts dozens of events each month, including weekly events based on specific games. All events are open to people of all ages, but below are opportunities that are more popular among the tw/een crowd:
- Dungeons and Dragons for Middle Schoolers on Saturdays (Oct and Nov sessions)
- Dungeons and Dragons Adventurers League for all ages on Thursdays
- Pokemon meetups on Sundays and special events, like a Halloween-themed prerelease tournament on Sun, Oct 27th
- Lorcana Players meetups on Mondays and special events, like Azurite Sea Release Event on Fri, Nov 15th
- Magic: The Gathering Foundations Set Prerelease Weekend Nov 8th – 10th (geared toward introducing new players of all ages to the game)
Augmentality VR Arcade (3519 Witherspoon Blvd, Ste 104, 27707): Much like the video arcades of our own youth but with a virtual reality twist, Augmentality offers the opportunity to experience video gaming like never before. With games for all ages, Augmentality offers sessions from 30 to 150 minutes, with discounted 2-hour sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Anyone under the age of 18 is required to have adult supervision on site. Highly recommend for your teen/tween’s birthday party as they offer discounts for groups of 6+ people.
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Escape Rooms: Durham is home to many an escape room, each with their own style as well as policy related to youth. Below are the age limits for several of Durham’s escape rooms, which can be a super fun challenge for your teens and tweens to try out with their friends:
- Bull City Escape (2020 W Main St, Ste 300, 27705) Suitable for ages 12+, children ages 12-14 must have at least one adult be a participant in the room with them
- Escape on Purpose (7072 NC 751, Ste 102, 27713) Any groups under 18 require an adult chaperone either in the room or on site
- Game On Escapes at Boxyard RTP (900 Park Offices Dr, Ste 110, 27709) Suitable for ages 8+, children ages 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult during the game
- Mission X Escape (3400 Westgate Dr, Ste 8, 27707) Under 16 must have an adult present
- NC Escape (119 Orange St, 27701) Family-friendly and all ages welcome; inquire about supervision requirements
- Xtreme Escapes (7460 Hwy 98, 27703) Suitable for ages 10+, inquire about supervision requirements
Flex Your Body Muscles (Physical Activities)
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OC Aerial (3463 Coates Industrial Blvd, Ste 200, 27705): Durham’s ultimate all-in-one indoor adventure park, OC Aerial rests on the Orange County border of Durham, along 85. With attractions like a ninja course, zip line, rope course, and anything else you might see on American Ninja Warrior, your active tw/een will love jumping all over this park. The park is open to anyone 3 and older, with ages 3-10 requiring direct adult supervision while ages 10-16 requiring an adult in the facility. If you want to take the whole family, use code “FAMILY4” at checkout for 10% off.
Sky Zone Durham (1720 Guess Rd, Ste 90, 27701): Let your older kids jump, spin, flip, and play their way through this trampoline park near the old Northgate Mall. Kids ages 13+ can be left without a guardian, except during GLOW, a weekend blacklight event from 7:15-10pm on Fridays and Saturdays, where anyone under 16 must have a parent/guardian on site. Birthday parties are also a blast here for any age and include pizza and jump passes.
Triangle Rock Club in Durham (1010 Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy, Suite 400, 27713): Challenge your teen or tween to build strength and confidence at this 27,000 square- foot facility. Below are some of the teen and tween-focused programs available:
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- First Ascents Afterschool Program (ages 6-13): Start your child out in climbing at this program on Mondays-Thursdays from 4:30-6pm and Saturdays 9-10:30am.
- Climbing Teams: Club and competitive team options are available for youth who have been through First Ascents or who are otherwise experienced climbers.
- Parents Night Out (ages 5-12): Monthly evening events from 6-9pm where kids can be left to climb or play games and get a pizza dinner while parents do climbing or classes on-site or head out for a date night.
- Teen Climb Night (ages 12-16): Teens can hang out with their peers, eat pizza, and climb til their heart’s content at these teen-specific Friday evenings.
USA Ninja Challenge Durham (1810 Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy, 27707): Your middle and high school kiddos can tackle obstacles and test their balance, strength, agility, and coordination at USA Ninja Challenge. Classes are available for ages 10-17 and they also offer birthday parties, summer camps, and holiday/intercession camps.
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Xtreme Park Adventures (7460 Hwy 98, 27703): Xtreme Park Adventures hosts a range of attractions sure to delight your energetic middle or high schooler. From paintball to rock climbing, ropes course to laser tag, check out all of the options for fun in this predominantly outdoor facility.
Now, when your tweenager tells you that they’re bored, you’ll be prepared with this full range of awesome activities, organizations, and opportunities to engage their mind or body. Feel free to give this list to them and let them pick what most interests them. Also, when it comes time to that next teen birthday, feel free to use this post as a guide to what all the hip kids are into these days.
Looking for more fun ideas in Durham, NC? Check out A Guide to Durham’s Recurring Events: Trivia, Dancing, Yoga & More
I’m Chrysti!
Durham real estate agent and enthusiast for all the best the area has to offer.
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