Home Upgrades That Will Make Your Kids Want to Be at Home: How to Make Your House the “Hangout Spot” for Your Teenage Kids.
In today’s digital age, enticing kids to put down their screens and spend quality time at home can be a challenge. And with so many friends and social events pulling at them every summer, weekend, and school break, getting them to choose “home” can be tough. But what if your home could become the ultimate destination for fun, creativity, and family togetherness?
Why Your House Should be the Hangout Spot
We all had that one house where we always hung out with friends when we were in middle or high school. And for a lucky few of us, that place was our house.
As a parent, there are huge benefits attached to making your house the hangout spot. Yes, it’s a sacrifice on many fronts – but it’s one with a pretty high ROI.
Perhaps the biggest benefit is that you get to be present. You learn about your kids, who they’re hanging out with, and the types of things they’re doing. It gives you a chance to be credible in the lives of your children and their social group, which gives you influence.
Perhaps the best way to look at this issue is by asking the question, what’s the alternative option? The alternative is that they hang out at someone else’s house, where you have no control or perspective.
4 Upgrades to Make Your House the Place Your Kids Want to Be
If you want your kids to spend more time at your house – either with the family or with friends – you’ll need to make it a place that they actually want to spend time. Here are some different upgrades you can make to your house in order to accomplish this:
- Create Dedicated Areas
If you have teeangers, they want spaces where they can relax and socialize with friends. If you have the room, this looks like creating designated spaces for them to have fun. Examples include game rooms, home theaters, and even craft rooms.
Unused spaces, such as an empty basement, attic, or spare bedroom, offer potential for creating play areas. Look into various DIY projects like painting walls, adding storage, and selecting trendy furnishings to convert these spaces
- Build an Amazing Backyard
Having an awesome backyard is a total game-changer. Not only does it free up space in the house (so that you don’t constantly have to deal with noise and distractions inside the home), but it also gives your house a unique appeal.
Simple additions like cornhole boards, basketball hoops, and fire pits are great. You can even add an outdoor pizza oven to your backyard grill station for amazing summer barbeques and parties. Feel free to get creative!
- Let Your Children Personalize
Talk to your teenagers about their preferences and interests. Involve them in the decision-making process when it comes to home upgrades and activities. When you encourage collaboration and brainstorming, it fosters a sense of ownership and excitement about the changes and upgrades that you’re making.
- Create a Welcoming Environment
Fostering a welcoming atmosphere in your home goes beyond physical upgrades. It involves open communication, inclusivity, and quality family time. By creating a welcoming environment, your teenagers and their friends will naturally gravitate toward your home as the preferred hangout spot.
The number one way you do this is by interacting with your kids and their friends. Don’t just retreat to the bedroom when they show up. Make them snacks, invite them to the dinner table, get to know them and their families – be present!
Invest in Your House
An investment in your house isn’t always a financial one. It’s also an investment in your family. When you decide to do certain upgrades or renovations with your kids in mind, you’re ultimately communicating to them that you love and care for them.
Make these upgrades while you can, and ensure your kids find fun and fulfillment under your roof!
