Beat the Summer Holiday Blues: Creative Fun with Your Teenagers

Right, let’s be honest, it’s only week two of the Summer holidays and you are already hearing "I'm bored" every five minutes from your teenager. Sound familiar? You are definitely not alone in this struggle. Six weeks of school holidays stretching ahead can feel a bit overwhelming when you are trying to find activities that do not make your teenaged kids roll their eyes and disappear to their rooms.

The thing is, most family days out just do not hit the mark with teenagers. They are too old for the playground but not quite ready for completely independent adventures. That is where we come in.

Why Teenagers Actually Love Paint Away Events

Look, we get it, teenagers can be tricky to please. They want independence but still enjoy family time (even though they would never admit it!). They are figuring out who they are and want to express themselves, without feeling judged. Paint Away Events hits that sweet spot.

Our paint parties are pretty relaxed affairs. You turn up, grab some food and drinks, and create something brilliant whilst having a laugh. No pressure and no art degree required. Whether your teenager thinks they are the next Picasso, or can barely manage a stick figure, our team makes sure everyone goes home with something they actually want to hang on their wall.

And here is the best bit - teenagers genuinely enjoy it. No eye-rolling, no complaining, just proper fun.

Leeds: Where the Magic Happens

Leeds has always been a creative city, and we are chuffed to be part of that scene. Our Leeds sessions are buzzing with teenagers who come along and surprise themselves with what they can create. The atmosphere is relaxed, the music's good, and everyone leaves feeling pretty pleased with themselves.

What's Coming Up in Leeds

We have got lots of sessions running through August and September that are brilliant for the 12+ crowd. Think modern art themes, abstract pieces and stuff inspired by whatever's trending. We schedule these sessions during the holidays and weekends because we know how mad family life can get.

Quick heads up: All our events welcome anyone aged 12 and above, except our R&B themed event in Leeds which is 18+ only. This just means the music and vibe are right for everyone.

Book your Leeds Summer session here - they go pretty quickly during the holidays!

Big News: We are Now in Bristol and York Too!

We are absolutely buzzing to tell you that Paint Away Events has landed in Bristol and York! More families, more fun, more creative chaos! What’s not to love?

Bristol: Street Art Meets Family Fun

Bristol and art go hand in hand, don't they? From Banksy's work dotted around the city to all the incredible creative spaces, it felt like the obvious next step for us. Our Bristol venue captures that innovative spirit, but in a way that works for families. The teenagers we have met so far are loving it. There’s something about Bristol's creative energy that just clicks with young people.

Get your Bristol tickets sorted here - join our growing West Country gang.

York: Old City, Fresh Ideas

York might be famous for its history, but our sessions are all about making new memories. The venue combines the city's stunning backdrop with real, modern creativity. We have already had some brilliant sessions with local families, and the teenagers are loving the chance to create something contemporary in such a historic setting.

Book your York session here  - trust us, you will love what we have got planned.

Why Summer and Paint Away Events Just Work

Summer holidays are brilliant, but can be a bit crazy, can’t they? The kids are happy to be free from school stress but filling six weeks with stuff that does not make them groan is no joke. Here are why our events tick all the boxes:

Getting Off the Screens - We all know teenagers spend ages on their phones and devices. Our sessions give them something completely different to focus on. Real paint, real canvases, real conversations with actual people. It’s refreshing for everyone.

Meeting New People - School holidays can be quite isolating for teenagers when their usual social circle is not around. Our group sessions mean they can meet other young people, whilst working on something creative together. Some of our regulars have made genuine friendships over the paint pots.

Learning Without the Pressure - There is no homework, no grades and no tests. Just the satisfaction of creating something from scratch and watching it come together. That feeling when you step back and think "blimey, I actually made that" is something special.

Proper Family Time

Unlike forcing everyone to sit through a film together, our sessions create natural opportunities for chat and encouragement. Parents and teenagers work side by side, celebrating each other's creativity, without it feeling forced or awkward.

Getting the Most Out of Your Session

Want to make sure your teenager has a brilliant time? Here are a few tips from families who have done this before:

·       Pick the Right Time: Teenagers are not usually morning people, so afternoon or early evening sessions often work better. Know your kid!

·       Do not Stress About the Result: The whole point is enjoying the process. Some of the best sessions happen when people stop worrying about making it "good" and just have fun with it.

·       Take Photos: You will get the artwork to take home but snapping a few photos of everyone painting usually becomes a lovely family memory.

·       Keep the Creative Bug Going: Lots of our participants discover they actually love painting and want to keep going at home. It’s worth thinking about some art supplies for afterwards.

Summer Specials and Group Fun

Summer holidays often mean bigger gatherings and more complex family dynamics. We have sorted some packages to help:

·       Family Group Sessions

Great for when grandparents are visiting or you have got a house full of relatives. Everyone from granny to the teenagers can join in, creating artwork that celebrates the whole family.

·       Birthday Parties

Summer birthdays deserve something special. Our birthday packages include decorations, snacks and extra attention to make your teenager's day memorable for all the right reasons.

·       Friend Groups

Sometimes teenagers prefer doing things with their mates rather than family (shocking, we know). Our friend group packages let small groups of friend’s book together for a more intimate creative session.

Drop us a line about group bookings - We will sort something brilliant for your Summer plans.

Building Confidence, One Brushstroke at a Time

One of the things we love most about our events is watching confidence grow throughout the session. Teenagers often turn up feeling a bit uncertain about the whole thing but leave genuinely chuffed with what they have achieved. That confidence boost does not just stay in the art session either, it carries over into other parts of their lives.

Our team knows how to work with teenagers. They understand the pressures young people face and provide encouragement without being patronising. The praise feels real because it is real.

Beyond Summer: Making This a Regular Thing

Whilst Summer gives you the obvious excuse for family activities, loads of our families keep coming back throughout the year. What starts as a Summer holiday activity often becomes a monthly tradition.

We are already planning Halloween sessions, Christmas preparation workshops and loads more seasonal events. Some teenagers who started with us during the holidays have really developed their artistic skills and have even started considering art more seriously.

What Makes Us Different

We are not trying to turn anyone into the next Van Gogh. We are about the experience, the laughs, the "I can't believe I made that" moments. It is accessible, it is fun and it works for everyone, regardless of whether they have ever held a paintbrush before.

This inclusive approach means families with completely different artistic backgrounds can all enjoy the same session. Mum might be a dab hand with watercolours whilst Dad has not touched paint since primary school. None of that matters, everyone has a brilliant time.

The Real Benefits of Creative Family Time

Research shows that creative activities are brilliant for teenage development (though we are sure you do NOT need a scientist to tell you that doing something fun together is good for families). Artmaking helps with focus, reduces stress and gives teenagers a healthy way to express themselves.

But honestly, the science is just a bonus. The real magic happens when you are all laughing over paint mishaps and cheering each other on.

Making Memories That Actually Matter

Your teenagers probably will not remember every trip to the cinema or afternoon spent shopping this Summer. But they will definitely remember the time they created something amazing with the family, had a proper laugh and discovered they are actually quite good at this art thing.

These shared experiences become family stories. The artwork goes up in bedrooms and kitchens. And when communication gets tricky during the teenage years (as it sometimes does), you have got these brilliant, shared memories to fall back on.

Ready to Sort Your Summer?

Do not let another Summer drift by with bored teenagers and family arguments about screen time. Paint Away Events gives families across Leeds, Bristol and York the chance to create something beautiful together, whilst making memories that will last way beyond the holidays.

Here is what you need to do:

• Check out our Leeds events and grab your Summer spots.

• See what is happening in Bristol and be among the first to try our newest location.

• Browse York sessions and find something that works for your family.

• Get in touch about group bookings if you are planning something bigger.

Sessions fill up fast during the holidays, so don’t hang around. Each one is kept small, so that everyone gets the attention that they need and the best creative conditions to flourish in.

This Summer, instead of hearing "What can we do today?" you could be asking "What shall we paint today?" Sounds better, doesn't it?

Book your Paint Away session now and see why families across Leeds, Bristol and York are choosing creativity over boredom these holidays. Your teenager's artistic adventure starts with picking up a brush – make it happen this Summer.