With all of life’s demands, it can sometimes be hard to spend enough time together as a family. As a parent, you worry about paying bills, work, school and so much more. Creating more family time is even more challenging if you have teenagers. Just asking a teen to put down the phone for a second can be met with an eye roll, let alone suggesting you spend a whole day together! While it’s definitely normal and healthy for teens to want to do their own thing or hang out with their friends a lot, quality time with family is also important.
Thankfully, there are many activities you can do as a family on Staten Island that teens will actually enjoy. As an added bonus, many of these activities are inexpensive or even free! Browse our list of inexpensive activities to do in Staten Island that are sure to make even the moodiest of teenagers crack a smile!
Inexpensive Activities in Staten Island for Families with Teens
Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden
1000 Richmond Terr.
718-448-2500
Facebook • Instagram
HOURS: Grounds open daily, dawn to dusk
PRICE: Free
Does your teen love taking photos? Snug Harbor is a smartphone user’s delight, as there are plenty of selfie opportunities here! Browse the beautiful grounds, gardens and architecture and watch your teen enjoy plenty of photo opportunities. The best part is, the outdoor grounds are free to explore, though admission rates vary to enter the on-site museums.
Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve
2351 Veterans Rd. W.
718-605-3970 x201
Facebook • Instagram
HOURS: Daily, sunrise to sunset
PRICE: Free
Clay Pits Ponds is not only a hidden gem nestled in the South Shore, but it is COOL. Teens will love its off-the-beaten path location, the focus on environmental conservation and breathtaking hiking trails home to so many amazing animals. Check out some of Clay Pit’s amazing animal webcams on its Facebook to give your kids an idea of what they’ll see. The cameras show deer and other animals at night, American robins in realtime and so much more!
Teen Movie Mondays
Charleston Library
929-284-3660
Facebook • Instagram
HOURS: Mondays at 4pm in April; check the website for updates to the schedule.
PRICE: Free
Have you been to the new Charleston Library yet? If not, swing by with your teen on a Monday! Explore the library’s extensive book collection as your teen enjoys the Teen Movie Mondays program. Upcoming flicks include The Giver, Encanto and The Princess Bride.
Catch a Wagner College Theatre Performance
1 Campus Rd.
718-390-3259
Facebook
HOURS: Vary
PRICE: Varies
You don’t have to spend big bucks in Manhattan to see a great show! The Wagner College Department of Performing Arts hosts a variety of shows for families to enjoy throughout the year. Check the website for the current schedule.
St. George Theatre
35 Hyatt St.
718-442-2900
Facebook • Instagram
HOURS: Show times vary
PRICE: Varies
Speaking of theater, the St. George Theater has some pretty cool shows scheduled this year that both teens and parents will enjoy, including One Night of Queen, classic movies screenings including Jaws and more. Check out the complete schedule online.
Unreal Escapes
2571 Arthur Kill Rd.
877-867-3255
Facebook • Instagram
HOURS: Daily, 9am-11pm
PRICE: Call for information
An escape room experience is a great way to bring everyone in the family together to accomplish a goal.
The Staten Island Zoo
614 Broadway
718-442-3100
Facebook • Instagram
HOURS: Daily, 10am-4:45pm
PRICE: $10; $7 seniors; $6 ages 3-14; free for kids 2 and younger. Free for all on Wednesdays 2-4pm.
You might think the zoo is for just little kids, but it’s not! Teens will love seeing cool creatures, including sloths, tamarin and spider monkeys, leopards and others. The zoo is an especially great place to visit for teens who are environmentally aware and want to learn more about saving species and habitats around the world.
Youth Conservation Classes
4411 Arthur Kill Rd.
718-948-9599
HOURS: Saturdays, 9am-12pm through April 23
PRICE: Free
The Zimmer Club Youth Conservation Classes returned this year to provide free classes for kids ages 5-17. Students learn a variety of outdoor activities that bring to life environmental topics such as conservation, estuary systems and blue- and greenbelt management. Parents don’t have to stay for classes that are for kids ages 10 and older, but many choose to, anyway, because they’re so fun!
St. George Greenmarket
St. Mark’s Place and Hyatt Street
212-788-7476
Facebook
HOURS: Jan.-April, 8am-1pm; May-Dec., 8am-2pm
PRICE: Varies
Have a teen interested in cooking? Browse the St. George Greenmarket together and pick out some healthy and fresh items!
Every Thing Goes Book Cafe and Neighborhood Stage
208 Bay St.
718-447-8256
Facebook
HOURS: Wednesday-Saturday, 12-6pm
PRICE: Varies
This neighborhood art locale features events with local artists, musicians, writers and more. Stop in with your teen to browse new and used books for sale and enjoy baked goods, beverages, organic chocolate and more.
The Staten Island Ferry
St. George
Sure, it’s a little tourist-y, but taking a ride on the Staten Island Ferry is a great activity to do as a family. Plus, it’s free and your teen will love all the NYC photo opportunities that pop up along the ride!
Play Laser Tag
Laser tag is a great family activity that kids of all ages enjoy—including teens. Check out these local laser tag arenas in Staten Island and nearby.
Enjoy Dinner Out…While Saving Money!
If your kids range from tiny to teen, head to one of these dining spots on Staten Island where younger kids eat free on select days! You’ll treat your whole family to a nice dinner out without putting a major dent in your wallet.
Visit a Local Pool
It’s never too early to start thinking about summer! Once the warm weather hits, Staten Island’s public pools will open. A pool is a great way to spend a morning or afternoon with family members of all ages.
See A Museum…For Free
Check out these local museums for all ages on Staten Island and nearby that offer free admission days.
