If you are a teen or the parent of a teen, you know how hard it can be to find fun things for teenagers to do. East Lyme, CT, admittedly, isn’t the most teen-friendly town in the state, but there are some fun things to do here – if you know where to look.
Lucky for you, I am the parent of a teen and I know exactly where to look.
Here is a list of 7 fun things for teenagers to do in East Lyme, CT!
7 fun things for teenagers to do in East Lyme, CT
Hang out at the Youth Center
For a town that doesn’t have a ton of stuff for teenagers to do, East Lyme has a seriously decent Youth Center.
The facility is located at 41 Society Road, attached to the East Lyme Public Library.
The Youth Center has plenty for teens to do. It has a pool table and other tabletop games, couches, TVs, and a concession stand.
The Youth Center also has an after-school program called “Open Center” every day at 3 pm.
You can check out the Youth Center Website here.
Skateboard at the Arnold Holm Park skate park
Ok, so this activity option is right in East Lyme. It’s only a few miles down the road, in Waterford, though.
Hidden off to the side of the parking lot at the Waterford Police Station there is a nice little fenced-off skate park.
This is a great place to drop your teen off for a couple of hours.
The police generally don’t bother the skateboarders and the teens who come to skate usually stick to just skating.
No bikes are allowed in the skate park.
The state park at Arnold Holm Park is at 200 Boston Post Road, Waterford, CT 06385.
Get a fun job
East Lyme is a great place for summer and after-school jobs for teenagers, especially around the Four Corners and the Niantic necks of town.
Teenagers in East Lyme can get jobs as young as 14 years old (with hour restrictions) and East Lyme’s restaurants make great first jobs for kids.
As of July 2022, the state minimum wage is $14/hour and it goes up to $15/hour in July of 2023.
Of course, teens who work for tips will make less per hour, but they’ll walk out of work each day with cash, which is always nice.
Not bad for a first job!
Volunteer with Care & Share
It’s never too early in life to learn the importance of putting in time and effort to help people. Care & Share of East Lyme, CT has plenty of volunteer opportunities that are perfect for teenagers.
Have your teen give the Volunteer Coordinator a call to see what’s available.
Check out the volunteer opportunities at Care & Share of East Lyme.
Volunteer at the East Lyme Giving Garden
The East Lyme Giving Garden is a community-supported garden that helps bring healthy, fresh food to local families in need.
Your teen can sign up to help fertilize, plant, and/or harvest vegetables, and be a part of something great.
Check out the East Lyme Giving Garden’s website for volunteer opportunities.
Swim at the East Lyme Aquatic Center
No matter your teenager’s swimming ability, the East Lyme Aquatic Center has a program for them.
The center also has plenty of fitness equipment and free weights.
This is a great way to keep your teen busy – and healthy.
Check out the East Lyme Aquatic Center’s website.
Join the youth crew program
Rowing is a popular New England sport. Luckily, for folks in and around East Lyme, there is a great rowing program for teenagers available.
The East Lyme Rowing Association has crew programs for every season of the year, not just for summer.
This is a great sport for teenagers.
It’s fun, it’s great for strength-building, and it promotes teamwork among peers.
Our teenager did not want to join crew, but we encouraged it and he ended up absolutely loving the whole experience.
I highly recommend it.
Check out crew program options on East Lyme Rowing Association’s website.
There you have it – 7 fun things for teenagers to do in East Lyme, CT.
Did we miss anything? Drop a comment and let us know your East Lyme teen’s favorite activity or hand out spot!