Since we are in an economic crisis, teenagers are finding it more difficult to enjoy themselves without spending a fairly large amount of money.  There are some activities that are cheaper to do and may provide an alternative to your currently expensive activities.

  Renting a movie might sound boring, but this is a great way to relax with either friends or family.  The only amount spent during this activity is the movie rental which costs roughly around $6 at Blockbuster or through Netflix, or as little as $2 if you download from online stores like iTunes.

    Going to a public pool is a great way to get involved with your friends in the community.  Playing volleyball in the pool can help you meet new people.  Usually a public pool can be found somewhere in your neighborhood.  You can use Google Maps to locate one near you.

    Online games are also a great form of entertainment without leaving the house.  Many websites offer free games to the public, and are quite fun.  For example, www.addictinggames.com and miniclip.com provide thousands of games to choose from.  In addition to video games, board games are a classic way of having fun with others.   Maybe it's been a long time since you played Pictionary or Monopoly, but you probably have them on a shelf somewhere in the house.  Put together a puzzle.  Puzzles can be addictive and fun, and if they are big enough, can take days or weeks to complete.  Putting puzzles together with family or friends may bring out fun and interesting conversations.
 
    Listen to a different radio station each day or radio stations on iTunes under the "radio" tab.  This creates variety in your life and allows you to adapt to other people's taste.  For example, country, rock, oldies, jazz, or classical.  Www.songza.com is one website that offers free music to listen to, works nicely and is easy to use.  

    Dance contests at Glen Echo Park (www.glenechopark.org) are offered at various times during the whole year.  Dance contests are fun to participate in as a single or a couple and a good way to loosen up, meet people, and forget what is on your mind.

    Go to the library. All libraries have books, but some libraries even have plays and movie nights.  Not only are these activities entertaining, they are generally free and educational.  They may also have free internet access.  

    Explore the outdoors.  According to where you live, you could take a mountain hike, visit the beach, have a picnic, or go fishing.  Visit a state or county park -- for example, Rock Creek Park. Get tours of the different sites in the area.  Parks can be great places to have picnics with a date or a group of friends, along with the scenery to enjoy at the same time. You've probably driven by Rock Creek Park a million times, but try to hike it -- it's enormous.  Go stargazing with a friend or your significant other.  This is a great night time activity where you can talk about what is on your mind in a relaxing atmosphere. Picking berries can be picked at many farms featuring "u-pick" blueberries, strawberries or raspberries.  The fun also continues as you get to enjoy eating your pickings. 

    Baking can also be a less costly activity with a group of friends.  Bake a cake, brownies, or cupcakes with your friends.  This activity can also be enjoyed with a younger sibling. 

       In all, just because times are tough, you can still have fun while not spending that much money.