If you have a teenager at home this summer, it can be hard to think of ways to keep them busy. We've compiled a list of chores that they can and should do!

If your teenager does not have a job, you will know that there is very little to keep them busy. With a bit of thinking, we have come up with a list of ‘things to do’ for your teenager.

We know they won’t thank you for it, but it is important to keep teenagers busy and let them know that they should help around the house during the summer.  

Here are a lot of some of the chores your teenager can do this summer.  

• Gardening is a great way to keep teenagers busy and learning about it is useful for the future. If you like to grow vegetables or fruit, this is a good place to start as you’ll be letting your teenager learn to understand the processes. Furthermore, teenagers are more than capable of cutting the grass, de-weeding and potting plants as well as cleaning off the patio or decking. 
• Babysitting may be a way for your teenager to earn money - if they are minding siblings, perhaps not, but they should understand that they need to help in the home. If your teenager minding their siblings gives you extra time to do other things, so be it. Your teenager may not be entirely happy with playing babysitter, but it doesn’t have to be all the time. Take some time for yourself if your teen is responsible enough to care for their younger siblings. 
• Helping elderly relativesis a good way to use some of your teenager’s free time and it is good for them to understand that helping their relatives is expected and appreciated. We should all know how to take care of others and make it a priority to do so. This is an important life lesson for them too. 

• Cooking is easy to learn and while most parents take charge in the kitchen, it is a good idea to let your teenager learn to cook as these skills will be useful for years to come. Making easy meals under supervision is a good way to start before letting your teen cook for the whole family. It teaches your child how to be self-sufficient, but they’ll also learn to respect how much work goes into cooking homemade meals each day - as well as the cleaning up afterwards. 
• Cleaning is one of those things everyone in a family hates to do. Your kids may clean their bedrooms but during holidays, teenagers have lots of free time and should help to clean up the house. Whether it is hoovering, polishing or mopping the floors, teenagers can do it. If they can use a smartphone and find their way around websites, they can work a washing machine and dryer, just let them, and teach them the best way to do things, too! 
• Helping with pet careis another chore that mostly falls to parents, but your teenagers are well able to feed pets, walk them and brush their coats. This is making them responsible for their pets and stops them thinking that petting them or cuddling them for five minutes is acceptable, as there is so much more to taking care of pets.

That ought to keep them busy this summer!