6 or 7 Fun Things to Do with Your Teen in DeKalb County, AL
6 or 7 Fun Things to Do with Your Child in DeKalb County, Alabama
– Part 2 (Teen Version)
Written By Jessica McGinnis
Are you a parent to a child between the ages of thirteen and eighteen? Do you often find yourself trying anything to connect with the person, who just the other day it seems, wanted to be everywhere you were? Maybe, you’re planning your next family trip and want to spend some time with your big kids, or maybe you’re local and after the hustle and bustle of a busy week, you just want something to do on the weekend to engage with this tall person who’s calling you “Bro,” instead of Mom or Dad now. If any of these describe you, then this is the list for you! Below, I will share with you various options you can choose from that are all teenager approved…just ask my sixteen year old.
7 Fun Things to Do with Your Teenager
1 – Fort Payne Motor Speedway
4365 Co Rd 72 Fyffe, AL 35971
There are not many places anymore where you can spend a Friday or Saturday night with your teenager and both walk away genuinely excited about it. Between phones, streaming, and moving in different directions, finding something that feels real and shared can be next to impossible. That is part of why I appreciate Fort Payne Motor Speedway so much.
The speedway is loud, dusty, unpredictable, and full of energy in the best possible way. It gives teenagers something they do not get enough of today: a chance to experience excitement face-to-face instead of through a screen. From the moment you pull into the parking lot, there is a sense that something is happening. The smell of race fuel hangs in the air, people are carrying folding chairs and snacks, engines are warming up in the pits, and everybody seems ready for a good night. Even teenagers who act “too cool” for everything usually start paying attention once those cars hit the track.
One of the things I like most about the speedway is that it creates easy conversation. Teenagers are often more open when you are doing something together instead of sitting across from each other asking questions. At the races, conversations happen naturally. You talk about which driver is fastest, whether someone made a risky move, or how the track conditions changed after intermission. Before long, you are laughing together and sharing reactions without forcing it. It could even segway into a conversation about things they wouldn’t normally want to share such as relationships or school.
Most importantly, nights at the speedway become memories. Teenagers may not remember every lecture or routine weekend, but they will remember sitting under the lights while engines thundered around the track. They will remember the dramatic finishes, the red clay flying through the air, the snack stand food, and the feeling of being part of something exciting with their family.
In the end, places like Fort Payne Motor Speedway matter because they give families a reason to unplug and spend time together without distractions. Sometimes the best bonding moments do not happen during big vacations or expensive outings. Sometimes they happen on a set of metal bleachers in DeKalb County, Alabama, watching race cars fly around a dirt track.
2 – Kayaking and Canoeing with True Adventure Sports
13102 Alabama Hwy 176 Fort Payne, Alabama 35967
Spending quality time with my teenagers can sometimes feel impossible. They’re all busy, distracted, or glued to a screen. That is why I have found that getting outdoors together can make all the difference, and one of the best local experiences for us has been paddling with True Adventure Sports.
Canoeing and kayaking gave our family a chance to slow down and actually enjoy being together. Once we were out on the water, the noise of everyday life faded away. Instead of scrolling through phones, we worked together, laughing at missed paddle strokes, spotting wildlife, and enjoying the scenery around Little River Canyon. What made it especially fun with teenagers was the balance of adventure and freedom. My kids got to feel independent while still sharing the experience with family. Whether you are floating through calm water or navigating small rapids, there is always enough excitement to keep everyone engaged.
Trips with True Adventure Sports also create the kind of memories teenagers actually remember. Long after the trip is over, they will talk about tipping the kayak, racing each other downstream, or stopping along the banks to explore. Best of all, kayaking and canoeing are something almost anyone can enjoy, regardless of experience level, and trust me I had zero experience. You do not have to be an expert outdoorsman to have a great time. You just need a willingness to get outside, laugh a little, and enjoy the adventure together.
3 – Sky Swing with True Adventure Sports
13102 Alabama Hwy 176 Fort Payne, Alabama 35967
The excitement and adrenaline I felt after stepping off a platform and flying through the trees was exhilarating. For my teenagers, it felt adventurous and became a memory they would love to repeat. For me as a parent, it was a chance to share an experience that kept us active, outdoors, and was genuinely fun for everyone.
One of the best parts about the Sky Swing at True Adventure Sports is how it pushes people just outside their comfort zone in a good way. Teens love the thrill of the speed and height, while parents get to watch their confidence and courageousness grow. By the end of each turn, everyone is usually laughing, and itching to do it again immediately. Not to mention, the scenery around Lookout Mountain makes the experience even better. Instead of spending the day indoors, you are surrounded by fresh air, trees, wildlife, and incredible views, which you could also continue to enjoy once you finished on the sky swing through several other thrill seeking options at True Adventure Sports. Some of these include: rappelling, rock climbing, night hikes or even wild cave exploration.
What’s more, trips like this tend to stick with teenagers because they are out of the ordinary, like it did for mine. Years later, they may not remember another weekend at home or a dinner out with their parents, but they will remember soaring through the woods, scaling the side of a rock face, or spelunking a mysterious cave, all while sharing these adventures as a family.
4 – Ridgeview Drive In
168 Gourge Road Henagar, AL 35978-5111
These days, it’s hard to find a place where your teenager actually wants to hang out with you, but Ridgeview Drive-In Theatre in Henagar might be one of those rare spots. In a world full of doom scrolling and rushed schedules, a drive-in movie gives you and your teen a chance to slow down and enjoy time together in the best way. You load up the car with snacks and blankets, and I have even been known to throw an air mattress in the back of our truck for extra comfort, grab some food from the concession stand, and spend a few hours together without the pressure of having to constantly “do” something. The atmosphere feels relaxed and easy, which is exactly why teenagers often enjoy it more than parents expect.
What also makes Ridgeview special is the mix of nostalgia and simplicity. The theater was reopened and renovated after the old Henagar Drive-In closed, bringing new life back to a classic local tradition. Watching a movie under the stars feels different from sitting in a crowded indoor theater. It has given my family room to laugh, talk between scenes, and make memories that feel a little more personal. Something we even do when we get there early enough is, the kids and their Dad run to the grassy field just under the screen to throw the football or hit the volleyball around. The laughter and joy on their faces transports me back to them as children when the world was a little less complicated.
It’s also surprisingly affordable compared to many modern entertainment options. Families can enjoy double features, concessions, and the fun of decorating the truck bed or bringing lawn chairs without breaking the bank. And honestly, places like Ridgeview are becoming rare. One local tourism article noted that only a few hundred drive-ins remain in the country today, which makes nights there feel even more special.
If you’re looking for a low-pressure way to spend quality time with your teenager, a night at the drive-in might be exactly what you need: simple, memorable, and just far enough away from everyday distractions to actually connect again.
5 – Rainsville Disc Golf
100 Rodeo Lane Rainsville, Alabama 35986
A few weekends ago, I took my teenager to the Rainsville Disc Golf Course just hoping to get us both out of the house for a while. I figured we’d throw a few discs around, get some fresh air, and maybe spend an hour together before heading home. What I didn’t expect was how much fun we’d actually have.
There’s something about disc golf that makes conversation easier. Maybe it’s the walking between holes or laughing at terrible throws, but it doesn’t feel forced the way some family outings can. My teenager immediately got competitive, which made the whole round even more entertaining. Neither of us is exactly a pro, but that’s part of what makes the course so enjoyable. You don’t have to be great at it to have a good time.
The Rainsville course itself is really well laid out, with a mix of open spaces and wooded holes that keep things interesting. Some shots look easy until you hit a tree — which happened to both of us more than once. But honestly, those moments ended up being the funniest parts of the day. What I appreciated most was how relaxed everything felt. No crowds, no pressure, no expensive tickets or schedules to keep up with. Just time outside together doing something active and fun. In a season of life where teenagers are growing up fast and often busy with their own worlds, places like Rainsville Disc Golf Course give you a chance to reconnect without making it a big production. By the end of the afternoon, we were already talking about coming back and keeping score next time. And to me, that’s what makes it such a great place to go with your teenager — it turns a simple afternoon into a memory you both actually enjoy.
6 – Pace of Play Indoor Golf
100 8th Street SW Fort Payne, AL 35967
Have you ever promised your teenager a game of golf while on a trip, only for those plans to be derailed by some random summer storm that popped up out of nowhere. Maybe you and your kids would love to play, but you planned your trip during the winter and it’s just too cold to keep your kids outside all day. Whatever your reasons, I’ve got the place for you. Pace of play, located in Fort Payne, AL, is an indoor golf experience that can host your family in one of its two golf simulator bays. Each bay boasts a 10 feet tall by 13 feet wide hitting screen, creating an immersive on course experience with 42,000 plus courses to choose from. You and your family can also try your hand at their dart boards, which are equipped with online play where you can compete with other players throughout the United States. And, if that wasn’t enough, they also offer lessons lasting one to two hours, so you could easily fit one into an afternoon out with your teen.
As parents, we’re always looking for ways to connect with our teens before they’re grown and gone. Places like Pace of Play make that easier. It’s relaxed, fun, and gives teens a chance to unplug from screens and actually engage — even if it starts with a little friendly trash talk over a golf simulator.
7 – Top Spin Pickleball Club
208 Scott Avenue North Rainsville, AL 35986
Do you and your teenager love competitive activities? Your family might even just prefer an activity that you don’t have to take yourself too seriously, something new you can all try together. Look no further, Top Spin Pickleball club is your next stop. Here, no matter your skill level, you can come and enjoy their state of the art courts, and even take lessons if you want to. Don’t have any equipment? No problem, they rent all the gear you could need. One of my personal favorite things about Top Spin is that they offer a “Late Night Dinkers” time slot on their weekly calendar from 6 pm to 9 pm. This is perfect for the family looking to entertain themselves after dinner. Trust me, in my house full of kids, pickleball is all the rage. I even feel comfortable letting my sixteen year old go here with friends, knowing she will be in a safe space.
What makes it special is how welcoming and fun it feels for all ages. Whether your teen is competitive or just wants to try something new, pickleball is easy to learn and surprisingly addictive. It gets them moving, laughing, and off their phones for a while, which every parent can appreciate. In a small town, places that give teens healthy, social activities really matter. Top Spin Pickleball is more than just courts, it’s a fun community space where teens can build confidence, friendships, and maybe even a new favorite hobby.
Whether you’re bringing your teenager for the first time or they were born and raised here, there are plenty of opportunities just waiting for you to spend quality time with them. From pickleball to golf, and race cars to movies, you can’t go wrong in DeKalb County, AL. *If you haven’t read Part 1 for 6 or 7 Fun Things to Do with Your Child Under 12, check it out!
