Entertaining teens and tweens can be quite the undertaking. But there’s so much to do in the Albuquerque area. You’re sure to find the perfect thing to do with any teen or tween you know. And if you’re lucky, you’ll even avoid eye rolls and heavy sighs.
Check out 50+ things to do with teens and tweens in Albuquerque below.
ENTERTAINMENT/ACTIVITIES :: Put your fun hat on for all these options.
Top Golf :: Teens and tweens with and without golf experience will love this high-tech golf game that anyone can play. And if anyone in your party has a sweet tooth, order the injectable donut holes. Trust me on that one.
Art Attack :: Artsy and crafty folks get to paint their own pottery at Art Attack. It’s fully stocked with choices of ceramic to paint or wall mosaics ready for you to tile.
Main Event :: Main Event is a gamer’s delight with a massive floor of video games. But there’s also bowling, laser tag, gravity ropes, and more.
Skate-O-Mania :: For us Albuquerque oldies, it’s Roller King. But for Stranger Things fans, it’s Skate O Mania. Whatever you want to call it, lace up your roller skates for a fun time.
Outpost Ice Arena :: If ice skating is your preference, you’re in luck. The Outpost Ice Arena hosts public skating at select times.
Movies :: There’s nothing like catching the latest flick on the big screen complete with popcorn and candy, of course.
Meow Wolf :: OK, so it’s not exactly in ABQ. But this immersive art exhibit is special enough to make the trek to Santa Fe.
Mani/Pedi :: Pamper your favorite teen or tween with manicure or pedicure.
Pinspiration :: Use high-quality supplies and tools to create the craft of your dreams or choose from an array of project ideas and current craft trends.
Electric Playhouse :: Electric Playhouse is the ultimate space for all ages to enjoy interactive games, art, dinners, experiences, and shows.
Chatterpaint :: Chatterpaint is a DIY splatter paint studio! It’s the intersection of art and recreation. Get ready to get messy.
Bowling :: Knock down some pins at a local bowling alley. Try Ten Pins in Rio Rancho or Silva Lanes in Albuquerque.
Hinkle Fun Center :: This place has got it all: mini golf, arcade, bumper boats, go karts, laser tag, and so much more.
Urban Air :: Yes, there’s the trampoline park. But there’s also indoor sky diving for adventure lovers.
Creativity Warehouse :: Paint your own pottery and throw your own clay. This crafty teen’s dream always has events and classes going on.
At-Home Game Night :: It would be a tragedy to let a teen graduate high school and leave home without knowing how to play poker. Raise ’em right! Also, I firmly believe Settlers of Catan is great training for the business world.
ABQ Ax :: We do believe you’ll get some cool points for ax throwing. Tossing sharp objects? Why not?
Concert :: We all remember our first concert. Albuquerque is a great place for music lovers whether you head to Isleta Amphitheater or a more intimate venue.
Cliff’s Amusement Park :: For over 50 years, Cliff’s has been the perfect place to go for a day full of thrills, laughs, food, and fun. Open May through September.
Empire Board Games :: It’s literally a library of games. For just $4/hour, foster some friendly competition and some face-to-face interaction.
Dave and Busters :: You’ll find arcade games, tabletop, air hockey, ping pong, billiards, and more!
An escape room :: Can you find your way out of one of Albuquerque’s many escape rooms?Try Escape the Room, New Mexico Escape Room, Bust Out Escape Room, or Escape in Time.
Catopia Cat Cafe :: Teens or tweens with a soft spot for kittens will be in heaven at Catopia. Cat lovers can cuddle and play to their heart’s delight.
SHOPPING :: If you’ve got teens and tweens who want to shop til they drop, here are some spots you’ll want to check out.
Beauty Makeover :: How about a skincare, haircare, and/or makeup haul from Ulta or Sephora? I’m totally imagining a makeover montage a la early 2000s romcom.
Zinks Town :: Head to this magical place for quirky one-of-a-kind trinkets, but most of all, for the make-your-own succulent bar.
Thrifting :: Get cool points for saving the planet on a thrifting spree with your teen or tween. ABQ Mom’s Guide to Thrift Stores is here for you.
Rail Yards Market :: Every Sunday from May-October, the Rail Yards Market is bustling with local vendors, live musicians, and more. Or you could check out one of the other Farmers Markets in town.
A good old-fashioned trip to the mall :: Channel your inner teen and stroll around Coronado Center, Cottonwood Mall, or ABQ Uptown. A trip to the mall is not complete without a stop in the food court, IMHO.
Bookstore :: If a teen or tween you know always has their nose stuck in a book, a trip to a bookstore is in order. Sure, you can head to the big box bookstores. But we love a couple of local spots: Bookworks and Books on the Bosque.
OUTDOORS :: Active and adventurous teens can be so much fun. Here are lots of outdoor activities to do with them.
Sandia Peak Tram :: If it’s been too long since you’ve looked down on our city from 10,000 feet, me thinks a tram ride is in order.
Skiing/Snowboarding :: You’ve got options if you want to hit the slopes with your teen or tween. There are six ski resorts within a three-hour drive of Albuquerque: Angel Fire, Pajarito Mountain, Red River, Sipapu, Ski Santa Fe, & Taos. And in under four hours, you could be at Wolf Creek or Purgatory to the north or Ski Apache or Ski Cloudcroft to the south.
Sledding :: Sledding isn’t just for little kids! Grease up those sleds and let the good times roll at Capulin Snow Play Area right off the Sandia Crest Scenic Byway.
Geocaching :: Download the app and find a hidden world just waiting to be discovered. You can even decide to hide your own treasure.
Bosque Bike Ride :: Pump up those tires and cruise some or all of the 16 miles of paved Paseo del Bosque Trail. Make sure to stop at Bike in Coffee at Old Town Farm for a treat.
Foothills Hike :: If there’s one thing Albuquerque’s done right, it’s preserve the Sandia Foothills Open Space. My favorite places to hike the foothills are Elena Gallegos and Embudo Canyon.
Sandia Crest Hike :: Many trails in the Sandia Mountains are managed for public use. If you’ve got an adventurous teen or tween on your hands, lace up your boots and pack lots of water. Then head to the green side of the mountain and choose from dozens of trailheads.
Tennis :: The city of Albuquerque has dozens of public tennis courts for everyone’s enjoyment. Challenge your teen or tween to a match.
Golf :: Golf is such a useful sport to pick up because you can play into old age. While there are a number of private golf courses in and around Albuquerque, the city also maintains five public, very affordable golf courses.
Pickleball :: If you know an active teen or tween, they’ll want to play fastest growing sport in the country. And lucky for us, Albuquerque boasts 12 pickleball court locations.
Skate Park :: The City of Albuquerque has created six dedicated skate parks. Time to relive your teen years . . . I mean, time to take your teen to have fun.
SPORTING EVENT :: It’s so fun to cheer on the home team with a sports-loving teen or tween. Let’s see those foam fingers!
Isotopes :: Take part in America’s past time at an Albuquerque Isotopes minor league baseball game during the April – September season.
UNM Lobos :: We have a D1 school right in our backyard. Take advantage of any number of collegiate sporting events.
NM United :: The New Mexico United USL soccer team has been bringing our state together since 2018. Maybe it can bring you closer to your soccer-loving teens and tweens too!
Ice Wolves :: Cool off at a New Mexico Ice Wolves hockey game during their September – April season.
Duke City Gladiators :: The Duke City Gladiators (DCG) are a Professional Indoor Football Team based in Albuquerque. They play from March – July at Rio Rancho Events Center.
NM Runners :: Enjoy a super fast-paced arena soccer game. Seriously, indoor soccer games are so exciting. You can’t look away for a minute.
NM Bullsnakes :: Did you know New Mexico has its own professional basketball team? It’s true! Catch a game during this season.
High School Game :: Catch a game at your local high school. Support youth sports!
EATING :: If you’ve got a teen or tween, you know some good food is a path to their heart.
Make a meal or try a new recipe :: I want my teens to have a few recipes under their belt before they leave home. Why not teach them an old favorite or try something new?
Green Chile Cheeseburger Challenge :: Order a few green chile cheeseburgers from the best burger spots in Albuquerque. Cut them into pieces and judge away. (We’re gonna need to know which one’s the best, so make sure to tag us on the socials when you do this.)
Cupcakes :: Do you need to be celebrating something to enjoy a cupcake? Absolutely not! Cupcakes should be for every day. My favorite is the birthday cupcake at Smallcakes.
Coffee :: Magazines, chit chat, and a fancy coffee? Yes, please! Check out some of our local coffee spots.
Tacos :: No matter the question, tacos are the answer. If you’ve got a taco-lovin’ teen or tween, here are the taco spots around town we recommend.
Food Halls :: Food halls are a great idea because everyone can choose the restaurant they want, but then eat together. Try Sawmill Market, 505 Central Food Hall, Green Jeans, Tin Can Alley, or El Vado.
Ice Cream :: No one is ever too old or too cool for ice cream. Here’s a guide to all the spots in town for a smooth, cold treat.
Boba :: Whether you call it boba or bubble tea, it’s a fun treat for teens, tweens, and adults alike. A couple of my local favorites include Starry Moon and Nana’s Tea House.
Sushi :: If you’ve got a teen or tween with a taste for sushi, my favorite place in Albuquerque is Sakura Sushi and Grill.
Pizza :: I mean, duh. Here’s a list of some great local pizza spots to try.
