Helping Teens Combat Summer Loneliness: Simple Ideas to Stay Connected

Summer break can be a welcome pause from school—but for many teens, it also brings a wave of loneliness. Without the daily structure and social interaction, even the most outgoing kids can feel disconnected.

As a parent of two teens—Isabella (18) and Hayes (13)—I’ve seen how quickly the excitement of summer can fade into isolation. In our home, we’ve had to get intentional about creating moments of connection that support our kids’ mental health and sense of belonging.

“We started by creating the calendar together, which turned out to be a simple way to help us connect, brainstorm ideas, and hopefully just have a little bit of fun with it.”

We are not perfect about it, but here are a few ideas that have helped us:

1. A “Summer Connection Calendar”

I’m a working mom, so calendars help keep me organized at home, while still being able to see my work day side-by-side. We started by creating the calendar together, which turned out to be a simple way to help us connect, brainstorm ideas, and hopefully just have a little bit of fun with it. The kids had ownership of changing and/or adding ideas throughout the summer; it helped them feel included and in control of their time and decisions.  We are all about building self-confidence!

While staying flexible, we tried to include the following in each week: 

• Social Activity (invite a friend over, go see a movie, plan a sleepover, go swimming)

• Creative Outlet (painting, gaming, hiking - get out in nature)

• Community Giveback (volunteering, donating, helping a neighbor, walking a dog)

So when inevitably I would hear, “Mom, I’m bored,” it gave us something to reference and maybe even give them a feeling of purpose without pressure. Hayes and his friends love the Catty Corner Cafe in Leesburg, and Bella while working as a TA for LCPS summer school, has also helped put together regular donations for Mobile Hope, a local organization that is working to empower homeless and at-risk youth. Feels small, but these efforts can help reduce teen loneliness and keep them engaged.

2. Make Time for Simple, Unplanned Moments

One of the most powerful ways I connect with Hayes is surprisingly simple: after work, we grab Starbucks and go for a drive. We sing loudly to whatever music he picks, and somewhere between Beyonce and Ariana Grande, he starts talking. About life. About friends. About nothing and everything.

Those drives are good for both of us. They create space to talk, decompress, and just be. It’s a reminder that connection doesn’t need to be a big event—it just needs to be real.

“Feeling lonely doesn’t mean something is wrong—it means we’re human.”

3. Look for Inclusive, Low-Pressure Spaces

Not every teen feels at home in big camps or noisy hangouts. Some are more comfortable connecting in quieter, smaller environments. Bella is older now, so she creates her own spaces, but we use Instagram or TikTok to follow people who share “things to do for free” in Loudoun County or DC for ideas. For Hayes, I make sure to stay connected with a group of moms, so we can gently nudge the friend groups to get together. They may play Roblox from their rooms together, but sometimes it’s better to just order pizza and have them bring their devices to play in person.

4. Normalize Talking About Loneliness

We keep the door open for honest conversations. Feeling lonely doesn’t mean something is wrong—it means we’re human. We talk openly about our own struggles, and remind them they’re not alone, even when it feels like it.

Final Thought

Summer doesn’t have to be a lonely season. With a few thoughtful strategies—and some spontaneous singing in the car—we can help our teens feel connected, included, and supported just as they are.

Because sometimes, the most powerful kind of connection is the simplest one.