DROP THAT PHONE AND BE PRODUCTIVE THIS SUMMER pt.1: 50 Summer Project Ideas.

Finally! School’s out, the sun’s up, and summer is here.

This is supposed to be the season of exploration, creativity, and new experiences—but for many teens, it’s turning into a cycle of late mornings, endless scrolling, and “I’ll do it tomorrow.”
If that sounds like you, here’s the good news: it’s not too late to turn things around.

In this post, you’ll find 25 summer project ideas for teens—from skill-building and creative challenges to career-boosting activities you can do from home.

In this Post:

• 25 Summer Project Ideas

25 Summer Project ideas

1. Academic & Skill-Building

1. Prepare for an AP, SAT, or any other upcoming exam – Dedicate 1–2 hours each morning (or any more preferable time of the day) to practicing using resources like Khan Academy or the College Board Bluebook App. Break it into reading, writing, and math sections. If studying for other examinations, make sure to break down your general goal into smaller and easier once until the end goal is met. Use a study technique that works for you, not everyone is the same.

2. Take a structured online course – Enroll in a free course like “Introduction to Python” on Coursera or “CS50” from Harvard. If you're more interested in design, take a graphics design course on Allison etc. Ensure to consider your interests in order to prevent "wasting your time". Create a study schedule to finish it within 6–8 weeks.

3. Start a personal coding project – For those interested in Tech and coding, working on personal projects will not only improve your skills, but expose you to challenges and opportunities. Challenge yourself by exploring new possibilities that can be created through you. Example: Build a simple budget tracker app in Python or a personal blog in HTML/CSS.

4. Read a themed book set – Reading strengthens intellectual ability by improving vocabulary, critical thinking, and comprehension skills, while also enhancing focus and memory retention reading can also reduce stress, promote relaxation, and improve emotional intelligence by allowing readers to explore diverse perspectives and experiences. Pick a goal like “5 books on women in tech” or “5 classic novels” to expand your knowledge in one area.

5. Join a competitive online challenge – Sign up for Codeforces beginner contests or a math Olympiad practice group and track your improvement weekly. Participate in an essay competition, story writing contest, or something in a field that interests you, push yourself.

2. Creative Projects

1. Launch a niche YouTube channel – Starting a YouTube channel can be lowkey scary, it was for me, but even the richest millionaires started from a dollar. For example, you can start “Violin Practice Vlogs” or “Study Days in Lagos.” Post 1–2 videos weekly, even if they’re short. You can make lifestyle vlogs if you want to share your day, you can recommend books if you are a reader, coding tips if you're into tech, and more like that.

2. Design for print-on-demand – This is creating designs for itens such as tote bags, shirts, hoodies, etc. These designs are sold but the printing and delivery have nothing to do with you. You will be paid for those orders. You can create 10–20 T-shirt or sticker designs in Canva and upload them to Redbubble, targeting specific trends or quotes. Asides Redbubble, you can also sell your designs on ;  

• TeeSpring (now Spring) – Good for custom clothing, mugs, and accessories, with built-in social media integration.

• Zazzle – Offers a huge range of customizable products, from stationery to home décor.

• Society6 – Known for art prints, home goods, and a more art-focused audience.

• TeePublic – Great for t-shirts, stickers, and apparel, often with lower base prices.

• Printify – Integrates with platforms like Etsy or Shopify, giving you more control over your store.

• Printful – Similar to Printify but offers high-quality printing and wide product variety, also works with your own online shop.

3. Write a summer-themed short story series – Publish one short story per week on Wattpad or any other similar platform. Get creative and share your creativity with those who care to read. Remember that you are doing this to build yourself, don't get discouraged by numbers.

4. Create a mini photo portfolio – Take themed photos (e.g., “Rainy Lagos Days”) and edit them using free apps like Lightroom. This develops both photography and editing skills. Feel free to take this step further and share these photos on a dedicated Instagram or TikTok page.

5. Make a short documentary – Interview 3–5 people in your community about a topic (e.g., “Life as a Student in Lagos”) and compile it into a 5–10-minute film. This improves communication skills as well as video editing skills.

3. Career & Extracurricular Boosters

1. Volunteering– Offer free services towards the development of your society. For instance, offering free English or math lessons to younger students in your neighborhood or online through Schoolhouse (volunteer tutoring).

2. Find a short-term remote internship – Look for roles like social media assistant or junior graphic designer that require only 1–2 hours daily. This adds some form of experience to your portfolio.

3. Create a micro research project – Dive deeper in a topic or challenge of your interest. Example: Survey 50 students about their use of educational apps, then analyze and share the results online.

4. Participate in a hackathon – Join a beginner-friendly online hackathon and focus on learning rather than winning.

5. Publish an article on Medium – Write a piece like “How I Started Learning Python at 14” or “The Challenges of Being a Teen Blogger in Nigeria.” or "Getting past creative blocks as a writer."

4. Home-Based Skill Experiments

1. Run a 1-week mini business – Sell something small from home (digital art, baked goods, handmade crafts) and document the process like a case study. You can keep this running if you like the results and don't mind the process.

2. Learn basic UI/UX design – Use Figma to redesign an existing app you use daily, focusing on how you’d improve it. when you're at a certain skill level, try imagining and materializing a design of your own.

3. Do a 5-day “new tool” challenge – Each day, learn to use a new online tool (e.g., Canva, Trello, Notion, CapCut, ChatGPT prompts) and create something with it. Once you have a good knowledge of a software, you can become a consultant for that software.

4. Create a “how-to” guide – Pick a skill you already know (e.g., how to set up a blog, how to edit videos) and make a step-by-step PDF guide, video, Instagram/TikTok carousel etc.

5. Simulate a remote internship – Pick a field you’re curious about (marketing, coding, research) and give yourself 2–3 fake “projects” to complete as if you were working for a real company.

5. Remote Social Impact & Awareness Projects

1. Create an awareness blog or Instagram page – Pick a cause you care about (e.g., girls in STEM, climate change, mental health) and post well-researched content twice a week. 

2. Run a digital campaign – Design infographics, short videos, or threads on a specific issue, share them online, and track engagement over time.

3. Build a resource hub website – Create a simple site with free guides, articles, or toolkits on your chosen topic, using WordPress, Blogger, or Carrd.

4. Host an online workshop or webinar – Using Zoom or Google Meet, teach a skill or raise awareness about a cause, record it and upload it to YouTube.

5. Create a digital magazine or e-book – Collaborate with online contributors to publish an issue focused on your chosen topic, then share it as a free PDF or flipbook. You have the option of putting it behind a paywall.

Watch out for part two where 25 more ideas are explored and undoubtedly, you'll find something for you. Ensure to send this to whoever you believe needs it, it could be a game-changer. Check out My YouTube Channel 

Link to my website🤎

Hope to see you again, and remember... God loves you✝️

                  -"All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty." 

                                                              Proverbs 14:23 (NIV)