Are you visiting The Forest City? Or are you looking for activities for your tweens and teens that don’t involve a screen? It can be challenging to pull them away from their devices, but there are plenty of options for what to do with teens in London, Ontario.
For tweens (aged 9-12), summer fun can be found at the City of London Day Day Camps or daily playground programs. I had two daughters who worked for the city as counselors and coordinators. I have a birdseye view of how much fun they have planned for kids this summer.
If you have a child with special needs, look for specially trained inclusion counselors at certain locations. You will also find private summer camp options with the perfect specialized camp (archery, dance, theatre, STEM). These are always great options to keep your tweens and teens busy.
Family Fun with Tweens
Tweens are at an age when they seek independence but still need a bit of guidance. Plenty of programs are open to this age group (ages 9-12) in the City of London and the surrounding area. Some programs are great options for the whole family, while others focus on this particular group. Some suggestions outside the city limits are included but are still accessible as a day trip from London.
Cooking Class with Growing Chefs
Location: various locations in the city
Each month, Growing Chefs hosts a hands-on cooking class where kids aged 7-11 explore seasonal foods and flavors with exciting twists on much-loved recipes that are great for the whole family! Chefs take participants step-by-step through the recipes, helping young chefs develop confidence, enthusiasm, and cooking skills. Occasionally, they will also host teen cooking classes.
Clovermead Adventure Farm
Location: 11302 Imperial Road. (Hwy #73) Aylmer, ON
Clovermead Adventure Farm is just 25 minutes from London; you can visit this family-owned apiary and family-fun adventure farm. There are many activities to choose from: the A-Mazing CORN Maze, Giant Jumping Pillow, Bee Discovery Station, Large Glass Display Bee Hive, Friendly Farm Animals, Go-Karts and Pedal Karts, zip lines, Wagon Rides & Bee Barrel Train, slides, and so much more.
Pinafore Park
Location: 95 Elm St, St. Thomas
If you want outdoor fun in St. Thomas, find your way to Pinafore Park. It has beautiful gardens and a waterfall, which you will find to be very peaceful. With abundant paved walking trails, it’s easy for kids to ride their bikes, scooters, or strollers.
There is a very large playground and elaborate playground with much climbing, swinging and playing to be done. There is also a splash pad adjacent to the playground for kids to cool off. If you are looking for shelter from the sun, there is a large covered pavilion with picnic tables. Bring a picnic and make a family day of it! Bring your racket because you will also find tennis and pickleball courts.
Storybook Gardens
Location: 1080 Commissioners Rd W,
Storybook Gardens is an iconic park in southwest London with many fun family activities. With elaborate climbing structures, splash pads, and plenty of open space to run around in. Plan your visit around a particular theme day (The Perfect Princess Party or #FoamyFriday) and be part of a special event. You can plan your trip easily with their calendar of events. If your kids want to make a week of it, consider one of the specialized Storybook Gardens summer camps offered through the City of London, Spectrum.
If you want to tire your children out, this is the place to do it. The facilities in Storybook Gardens are chargeable, but they are well worth the admission price if you are visiting with family. You can also access the larger Springbank Park area, which has covered picnic areas, soccer fields, a wading pool, and an expanded playground. There is no charge for using this London outdoor treasure!
Western University Summer Camps
Location: various locations throughout Western University
There are comprehensive summer camp options at Western University. Offering one week programs during the summer with a focus on fun learning opportunities. Age range varies but some of the tween options are from ages 11-17. These include: Discovery Western (Faculty of Engineering, Discovery Western camps focus on engineering and science projects); Bit-by-Bit computer camp; Girls Lead; Discovery Healthcare Camp, Math Camp and an overall Mini-University Camp.
What to do in London, Ontario, for Teens
Carling Heights Recreation Centre
Location: 656 Elizabeth Street
The City of London is excited to announce the launch of the Shaedon Sharpe Drop-In Basketball Program, offering youth in London the opportunity to participate in free, weekly basketball sessions at Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre.
This free drop-in program will be offered every Friday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre. The program is open to youth ages 10 to 17.
Palasad South and Palasad Social Bowl
Locations: Paladad South – 141 Pine Valley Blvd. (at Southdale) and Palasad Social Bowl (North Location) – Corner of Adelaide and Oxford.
With two locations in London (North and South), Palasad has been voted London’s Best Family Entertainment for a few years. It provides bowling, billiards, ping-pong, laser tag, arcades, and a full-service restaurant. On occasion, live music is also played at Palasad Social Bowl (the north location).
Rollerskating at North London Optimist
Experience a fun retro activity – Indoor roller skating at North London Optimist Community Centre. All ages sessions are on Sundays from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and 2:45 to 4:15 p.m.
HipHop Drop-in
Location: 760 Little Simcoe Street
519 School of Hip Hop offers Hip-Hop dance classes for teens, which may be a fun alternative to sports activities. Their ‘Senior’ class, for students ages 12-17, is offered on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 pm to 7 pm.
Treetop Adventure Park
Location: Boler Mountain
Boler Mountain’s Treetop Adventure Park is an adventurous and unique form of recreation for those who crave healthy, inspired by nature, and exhilarating activities that promote personal growth and a sense of accomplishment. Built on the natural Carolinian forest behind the ski trails, the treetop adventure park activities include zip lines, rope courses, swinging bridges, Tarzan swings, pirate nets, and more!
Summer Festivals at Victoria Park
Location: Victoria Park, Downtown London, Ontario
We have a series of wonderful summer festivals in London. Kicking off the summer at Victoria Park is the Kid’s Expo and Children’s Festival in mid-June, followed by the international music festival – TD Sunfest. It is one of my all-time favorite festivals. See some f.a.n.t.a.s.t.i.c. Live music from all over the world. For four days from in early July. Acts come as far away as Colombia, Guatemala, Spain, Sweden, Uganda, Brazil and more! Many Canadian acts make fusion music, making this truly world music.
There is also The Rib Fest, the long weekend in August, A Food Festival in July, and The Fringe Festival in mid-August. Anyone of these provides volunteer opportunities for hight school students looking to get their community service hours in for high school.
Location: Dundas Place
Enjoy warm summer days and nights at Dundas Place in downtown London. Saturdays Street Market. Every Saturday starting May 18th, head to Dundas Place for an evening of delicious bites, live music, unique vendors, and engaging activities amidst the bustling restaurants and businesses of Dundas Place!
Escape Rooms
Location: various locations throughout the city
There are numerous choices for an intriguing escape room option in London, Ontario: Escapology, Ichabod’s Escape, and Mystery Escape Rooms. There is nothing like getting locked in a room with your friends and having to decipher codes to get out. As a family we went to an escape room with our adult children and had a blast. They had been with their friends on different occasions and loved it.
The Rec Room
Location: 1680 Richmond Street
The Rec Room offers live entertainment and is a food destination. They have everything from axe throwing and ping pong to arcade games and virtual reality. Located in Masonville Mall, this family and adult entertainment concept is brought to you by the Cineplex movie theatre chain.
East Park
Location: 1275 Hamilton Road
East Park Gardens. It is very popular during the summer months, with golf (mini-putt, 18-holes) and foot-golf (a hybrid soccer-golf) course. There is also a large water park, climbing wall, go-karts, arcades and many more options for fun. For the sports enthusiast, there are also batting cares and a golf driving range. Easy to drop teens off for an entertaining time off their screens!
Junction Climbing Centre
Location: 1030 Elias Street
There is something for everyone at Junction Climbing! They offer a variety of programs for all ages and abilities ranging from introductory lessons, group team building events, kids’ day camps, and competitive training. Whether you are a beginner and have never stepped foot in a climbing gym, or you’re a professional climber, Junction Climbing Center will provide a positive experience that will keep you coming back for more!
The Factory
Location: 100 Kellogg’s Lane
Located in the old Kellogg’s factory. The Factory is the must-do attraction for the active and adventurous. It includes trampolines, high –ropes, and a warrior course. There are also a variety of Escape Rooms and a virtual reality area. Because prices start at $31 – $60, this outing is not for the faint of heart the prices are steep but the novelty is appealing.
CTC Obstacles Gym
Location: 675 Nelson St.
CTC Obstacles Gym features 700 sqft of intense ninja obstacles, including a double salmon ladder, the spider climb, a slack line, the flying squirrel, and 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 ft. warped walls! With over 5,500 sqft of park, our walls, boxes, and pipes, obstacle walls of different heights, rings, and a bouldering wall, among others, there is something for everyone!
AeroSports
Location: 784 Wharncliffe Rd S
AeroSports park features and all the fun are included in your AeroSports hourly or multi-visit pass. Prepare yourself to fly over our huge trampoline areas, duck and dive through extreme dodgeball, and dunk your heart out in the slam zone. Unlike other parks, prices include access to the slides, ninja warrior course, trampolines, dodgeball court, rock climbing walls, and free jump area.
Mini-golf and Bowling at Fleetway
Location: 720 Proudfoot Lane
With 5 and 10-pin Bowling, a 5-level children’s soft play center, an 18-hole indoor glow-in-the-dark mini golf course, an arcade games room, and billiards, Fleetway has plenty to do. You can never go wrong with a combination of activities. Have fun, wear a white t-shirt and light up the night in the glow-in-the-dark mini golf course. There is food on site if the kids get hungry. You can have a beer while you wait and watch the fun!
River’s Edge Disc Golf
Location: 42 St Julien Street
Combine frisbee with golf, and you have a fun afternoon or evening of disc golf. River’s Edge Disc Golf Course is located in Pond Mills. This 27-hole course would be ideal for a group of teens. I couldn’t find much on this course, but it is maintained by both the City of London and volunteers. If you like this sport, it was described as a ‘gem in SW Ontario’. I would think this is worth a visit if you ask me!
Golfing
Location: two public golf courses
The City operates four golf courses at two facilities, including Thames Valley Golf Course and Fanshawe Golf Course. Tee times can be made seven days in advance. Clubhouse hours of operation may vary depending on the weather. Please call 519-661-4450 for all golf-related inquiries.
Walking Trails
Location: various parks and trails throughout the City of London
Using the interactive City of London Map, you can locate the many walking trails and parks in the city. There are hundreds of walking trails in and around London. Check out those found at Westminster Ponds, Byron Woods, the Sifton Bog in Oakridge, Fanshawe Conservation Area, Medway Valley Heritage Forest, Komoka Provincial Park, and Medowlily Trail. There are plenty of areas to go for a walk and explore nature.
St. Mary’s Quarry and SuperSplash Waterpark
The St. Marys Quarry was formerly a limestone Quarry that closed in 1920. In the mid-1940s it was converted into a public swimming area and remains one of the most popular spots in the area to visit on hot summer days.
Super Splash Waterpark: Perfect for a group or family outing, this floating playground features obstacles like the 14-foot-tall Ice Tower, which will challenge you with free climbing, and the 12-foot-tall Action Tower, which acts like a giant slide. It’s the ultimate playground where you can splash, climb, jump, swing, bounce, and slide while making the best summer memories with your family and friends!
This is NOT included in the admission price to St. Mary’s Quarry. It is a separate charge.
Geocaching
Location: various points throughout the City of London
While on a trail, see if any treasures can be found. Try Geocaching (the original Pokeman game)! There are thousands of hidden treasures in and around London, Ontario. For that reason, geocaching is a treasure hunt that involves using your smartphone or GPS and an account on Geocaching.com. You will find this fun, FREE activity a challenge for your teens. Consequently, I think this activity is fun but best done in pairs for safety reasons.
Museums Galor
Locations: Throughout London and surrounding areas.
There are plenty of museums for those teens and tweens who are interested in history, aircraft, archeology, and art. Often open during Open Doors, London when you can see these museums for free. London boasts many interactive spaces to explore the past, including Fanshawe Pioneer Village, Eldon House, and Banting House. Looking to discover more of the city, inside and out? Tucked away near the airport is the Jet Aircraft Museum, located inside 100 Kellogg Lane is the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame, and just east of downtown, The Royal Canadian Regiment Museum. History walks and Indigenous walks are hosted at the Museum London.
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Margarita Ibbott is a travel and lifestyle blogger. She blogs about travel in Canada, the United States and Europe giving practical advice through restaurant, hotel and attraction reviews. She writes for DownshiftingPRO.com and other online media outlets.
Amazing blog, really interesting I loved reading it, please keep on writing blogs like this in future as well. I would love to read more of these.
Thank you for your kind words. I’ve had to take a hiatus but plan to have fresh content soon. I’ll keep you posted.