The Ultimate Guide for TEENS in Anne Arundel County & Bowie
You asked, and we listened! We have your GO-TO guide for all things TEEN in Anne Arundel County and Bowie. The MacKID Guide for TEENS is designed for your teens to access directly. Or, it’s perfect to give you ideas for entertainment, extracurricular activities, leadership opportunities, and much more for your teens. There’s even a section just for moms of teens.
This is a joint project among Macaroni KID Annapolis, Macaroni KID Bowie-Crofton-Odenton, and Macaroni KID Pasadena-Severna Park-Glen Burnie.
Thank you Mission Escape Rooms for making the guide possible!
Entertainment
Mission Escape Rooms - Annapolis, Gambrills & Hanover
A real-life escape experience designed for small groups of 1-10 people. Escape rooms are a type of adventure game in which you are “locked” in a room with your friends, family, co-workers, etc. You must use your powers of observation, puzzle solving skills, imagination, and teamwork to escape the room within the time limit. Walk-ins are welcome.
Chesapeake BMX - Severn
Features 3.5 acre dirt track for bike racing. It’s the only Bicycle Moto Cross (BMX) race track in Central Maryland sanctioned by the American Bicycle Association. Watch high-trill competitions or ride for fun. Open to riders of all ages and ability levels.
Chill Axes - Crofton
Hatchet throwing with a small axe at a target placed twelve feet in front of the thrower. Points are awarded when you hit the target, with the bullseye being worth the most points. Available for ages 11 and over, with parents in attendance or consent.
Crofton Go-Kart Raceway - Crofton
Maryland’s largest outdoor go-kart racing facility. Drivers of all skill levels can test their abilities in their own downsized Formula 1 race cars. There are 44 karts (30 single karts & 14 double karts). No reservations are needed.
Dave & Busters - Hanover & Capital Heights
A venue for teens to play at the arcade, go bowling, watch sports, play billiards and have a meal. Follow their pages for frequent discounts and specials.
DodgeArrows Annapolis - Millersville
Archery, dodgeball, and paintball collide in high-energy battles where you dodge, duck, and aim with soft-tipped arrows. Imagine the adrenaline-fueled thrill of dodgeball, but with lots of arrows, fused with the finesse of archery. Reservations are required.
Galaxy Bowling
Galaxy bowling happens when all the lights go off and things glow in the dark, and music and special lighting are added in. Check out your local bowling center for more details.
Galaxy bowling is offered at:
Friday Night Lights at Crofton Bowl
Games and Stuff - Glen Burnie
Not only can you buy games at this store, but you can also join in and play games with others too. Check out their weekly event calendar on their site so your teen can join in and play games with others, such as BoardGame, Pokemon, Magic Draft, D&D, Marvel and much more.
Morgan Madison, Travel Advisor with Be Our Guest Travel Company - Severna Park & Online
Local professional travel advisor providing personalized, concierge-level services for family vacations. Specializes in Disney and Universal vacations. All services are FREE to families.
Monster Mini-Golf - Jessup
Features 18-hole monster-themed, blacklight miniature golf course (and adventure), video and redemption game arcade, prize center, laser tag, bowling, laser maze, virtual reality and a restaurant.
Nerf Parties - Nerf Herders - Multiple Locations in Maryland
Want to get into a huge nerf battle with others? Check out these Nerf Blaster Battles from the Maryland Foam Alliance, a cooperative of Maryland based nerf groups that provide fun and affordable dart blaster entertainment events that are also safe and family friendly.
Park Books - Severna Park
Features author events, including those for middle and high school aged readers, free story time, craft sessions, and lively book clubs for all ages. Explore the LitCoLab at Park Books, where certified reading specialists and educators offer personalized reading assessments and small-group instruction.
Pasadena Paintball - Pasadena
Offers open play for paintball on Saturdays and paintball and airsoft on Sundays. Games are played on waterfront fields. Open to all skill levels.
Skate Zone - Crofton
Family-owned and operated since 1996. Offering several public skating sessions throughout the week including special events for teens (and others) to skate. Also have a cafe, arcade area, and a redemption center filled with prizes. Group and private 1-on-1 skate lessons are available.
Year-round indoor trampoline parks, including basketball court, ziplines, massive rubber slide, virtual games, dodgeball, and weekly glow nights on Friday and Saturday nights. The Gambrills location also has two slamball courts and has weekly drop-in basketball tournaments.
The Blended Essentials - Severna Park
Make your own customized candles, soaps, melts, scrubs, bathbombs, sprays and more at special events or your own personalized studio time. Perfect for tween and teens ages 11and older.
Third Eye Comics and Games - Annapolis
Third Eye Comics Annapolis is the original Third Eye Comics location, as well as the flagship mega-store of the Third Eye family. Offering events such as back-to-school bash, kids comic day, and comic book signings.
Urban Air Trampoline Adventure Park - Glen Burnie
Year-round indoor amusement park, including trampolines, dodge ball, ziplines, bumper cars, rock climbing, and more. Features regular Glo Nights on Fridays. Starting soon: special monthly teen-only dance parties.
Wyrd Book Store - Edgewater
Local bookshop offering open book clubs and specific genre based book clubs and multiple writing groups for our creative teens and adults! Teens can also meet with real authors and get the chance to speak with them.
Sports, Athletics & Health
API (Athletic Performance Inc.) - Gambrills
Guided training programs to athletes ages 7 and up, including elementary school, middle school, high school, and college athletes. Each high school athlete’s training program is created based upon the athlete’s age, sport, training experience, physical maturity and competitive sports schedule. Sport specific group training and one on one personal training available.
Bellicose Martial Arts - Crofton
Specializes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Thai kickboxing, wrestling, self-defense, bully defense system, cardio kickboxing, and classes for youth and adults. Certified instructors teach a wide range of techniques, from striking to grappling, fostering discipline, confidence, and self-defense skills in a supportive and challenging environment.
Jing Ying Institute Kung Fu & Tai Chi - Arnold
Combines ancient arts of kung fu and tai chi to modern times to help students improve their overall health, fitness and quality of life. Provides a friendly, family environment while offering high level classes and special training opportunities with world class instructors. Family kung fu classes available.
My Gym Guyz - Annapolis (Mobile Training)
Certified personal trainers, equipment and workouts come to you – at your home, office, place of business, even virtually. Trainers can help teens develop good exercise and fitness training habits and improve or maintain a favorable body image. In-home or virtual personal trainers emphasize the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle at a young age, and discuss topics such as muscular functions and proper nutrition.
Repke Fitness - Millersville
Private or semi-private personal training with medical and health experts. Helps with strength, toning and/or weight loss. Workouts are designed around injuries or medical conditions.
Severna Park Community Center - Severna Park
The Severna Park Community Center fosters a multi-generational sense of community for individuals from all walks of life. Programs for teens include swimming, dance, theater, camps, sports teams, and more.
Strong.Bold.Healthy - Millersville & Online
Personal nutritionist and health coach Sara Heilman helps clients become the best version of themselves with a focus on nutrition. Coaching includes health masterclasses, meal planning and individual personalized training.
Team Randori Martial Arts - Annapolis
The only fully registered Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy in Annapolis. Some instructors are black belt world champions. Offer non-competitive beginner Jui Jitsu classes. Wrestling program available for kids ages 9-14.
The Y in Central Maryland - Arnold and Pasadena
Teens, ages 13+, can work out at the Y, offering a Teen Quest program for ages 13-15 that teaches teens how to use the fitness center cardio and strength equipment (excluding free weights) properly and safely.
TGA of Greater Annapolis - Greater Annapolis Area
Youth sports provider for tennis, golf & pickleball. Programs combine athletic skill development, academic learning, and life lessons. Designed to develop the whole person & player, programs foster a commitment to self-development in non-competitive environment. For kids from elementary to high school.
Arts
Building Better People Productions - Annapolis
A professional theatre company for kids and families, with goals to build character, empathy, understanding, and other social skills through shows, classes, and workshops.
Children's Theatre of Annapolis - Annapolis
A community-based, non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing the growth and development of the love of theatre in children ages 5 to 18, through participation in all aspects of the theatrical experience, including performance, workshops, technical elements, community involvement, and apprenticeships.
Compass Rose Theater - Annapolis
A non-profit professional teaching theater company, producing plays of superb quality and richness, hiring accomplished professional artists as well as talented students for our productions.
Pic N Paint Pottery - Pasadena
Contemporary paint-your-own pottery studio where visitors can choose from 200+ pieces of pottery, wood, and canvas to paint.
School of Rock - Arnold & Gambrills
With lessons from instructors, students can learn to rock out on guitar, bass, keyboard, drums, and vocals across genres. Students perform at community-based events and regularly play at local venues.
Stage & Screen Studios - Millersville
A safe, creative environment for students to learn and explore all aspects of theatre and television performance and production.
Theater in the Park - Severna Park
A musical theater arts workshop for ages 3-16, offering a variety of opportunities including vocal, acting, dancing, audition, and musical theater production workshops.
The Talent Machine Company - Edgewater
Children's theater company that provides children and teens of Central Maryland exceptional musical theater experiences. Also partners with the Penguin Project, a program that provides a supportive, encouraging theater environment for children with disabilities.
Educational Resources
C2 Education - Severna Park
Offers test preparations for SAT, AP, SSAT, ACT, PSAT/NMSQT, and ISEE. Tutoring supports K-12 students’ academic needs while challenging them to further excel in their studies.
Club Z Tutoring - Odenton
Offering tutoring for students in math, science, foreign language, reading, and writing. Club Z will work on study skills and they have a special tutoring program available for students with ADHD and learning disabilities. Club Z offers test prep for college board assessments such as the SAT, ACT, etc.
Mathnasium - Annapolis- Bowie - Gambrills- Severna Park
Specializes in math-only instruction with a customized and fun learning approach, and builds each child's needed mathematical skills methodically and comprehensively.
Huntington Learning Center- Gambrills
A tutoring and test prep center in the Gambrills area, students are helped with complex math concepts, reading comprehension or ACT or SAT preparations. Offers individualized K-12 tutoring and test prep programs and one-on-one tutoring sessions on the areas students need the most.
Leadership Opportunities
Naval Academy Student Youth Leadership Program - Annapolis
Students ages 13-15 can get a taste of robust leadership training, equipping them for the future they would like to pursue. Students spend a half-day learning and developing applicable leadership skills from some of the brightest of today's leaders at the USNA.
Y Leaders’ Club at The Y in Arnold and The Y in Pasadena
A program where teens can be themselves and strengthen their leadership potential as they thrive in a fun environment of support, social activity and community involvement.
Library Events
Dungeon & Dragons at Busch Annapolis Library
Join forces with other daring adventurers and fight deadly monsters, meet strange foes, and search for fame and fortune. Adventuring party is currently level 5. Check the library calendar for exact dates and times. Registration is required. For ages 11 and over.
Stichin' in the Stacks at Severna Park Branch
Bring your sewing, quilting, needle point, macrame, weaving, felting, crocheting, knitting, embroidery, rug-making, basket weaving, cross stitch or other craft and join fellow crafters on the main library floor for a stitchin' good time. Check the library calendar for exact dates and times.
Summer @ Your Library - All Anne Arundel County Library Branches
Through August 31, kids, teens and adults can play games and attend events to win fabulous prizes along the way. New this year is the Choose Your Own Adventure for teens. One lucky teen winner will win a Nintendo Switch Mario Kart bundle.
Summer Prince George’s (SPG) - All Prince George’s County Library Branches
The Washington Nationals and Prince George’s County libraries are partnering to present SPG, a program for all ages that runs from May 19 through August 14. SPG encourages children, teens, and adults to read 30 minutes each day, attend library programs, explore the physical collection of materials as well as a wide range of streaming movies and music in the 85+ online library resources.
Teens at the Library - All Anne Arundel County Library Branches
Check out the many programs designed specifically for teens, including books clubs, movie night, anime and manga events, escape rooms and more. Check the website for exact locations, dates and times.
Sensory Friendly Programs
DORS (Department of Rehabilitation Services) - Statewide
DORS provides transition services for students in Maryland with disabilities, which are activities that prepare students with disabilities to move from school to post-school life. Services include:
- Job Exploration Counseling
- Instruction in Self-Advocacy
- Counseling on Post-Secondary Education Opportunities
- Workplace Readiness Training
- Work-Based Learning Experiences
- Student Employment Services
CRAB- Adaptive Sailing, Boating and Fishing on the Chesapeake Bay - Annapolis
CRAB has provided life-changing experiences to thousands of guests for more than 30 years. The CRAB Adaptive Boating Center is now recognized as the premier facility in the world for people with disabilities to learn to sail or go boating. Also features therapeutic outreach to include programs that teach yoga, music and art throughout the year.
Lucky And Blessed Fishing - Throughout Maryland
The mission of Lucky and Blessed Fishing is to connect intellectually, physically and life challenged individuals with a Fishing Adventure Buddy or Mentor that will build relationships through local fishing excursions with a goal of sharing life changing and healing experiences.
Movie Theatre Sensory Friendly Film Days
Lights are turned up and the sounds down, so you can feel free to be you at these unique showings for people living with autism or other special needs.
AMC Theatres- multiple locations in Maryland
Regal Theatre- My Way Matinee- Gambrills
Urban Air Sensory Friendly Play - Glen Burnie
An event specifically designed for children with autism and special needs to enjoy time at the park without loud music, flashing lights. See calendar for timing and details.
Mental Health Resources
988 Lifeline - Nationwide
24/7 free call, text or online resource for mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or to just talk to someone.
Betty Center - Annapolis
Offering mental health therapies and coaching to teens in a warm and welcoming environment.
Life of Joy Foundation - Millersville (Serving all of Anne Arundel County)
A foundation that aims to nurture mental wellness and prevent suicide by serving as a link to integrative care of mind, body and spirit.
Project Inside Outside Out Teens LLC - Online
Teen-focused social worker Tewanda Hardy helps teens become their best selves... from the Inside-Out. Private coaching, free support groups and workshops for teens are available.
Work Life Behavioral Health and Professional Training, LLC - Glen Burnie
Provides walk-in non-life threatening, mental health and substance use services 6 days a week.
Seasonal Fun
Free Comic Book Day - First Saturday in May | Nationwide
Free Comic Book Day is when comics from publishers like DC Comics and Marvel Comics are given away free to people at local participating comic shops.
Free Fishing Days In Maryland - First two Saturdays in June and July 4
All children under 16 years of age are allowed to fish without a license. For 16+, Maryland hosts Free Fishing Days. During a free fishing day, a person may catch and possess finfish in the tidal and nontidal waters of the State for recreational purposes without an angler's license, Chesapeake Bay sportfishing license, or any fishing stamp normally required by the State.
Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks
Quiet Waters Park Ice Skating Rink - Annapolis
Open from November to February, the rink offers a pleasant and safe environment to enjoy ice skating outdoors. Skates, and helmets are available, and skates can be sharpened onsite. Skating lessons are also available.
Glen Burnie Outdoor Ice Skating - Glen Burnie
Outdoor ice skating rink in the middle of Glen Burnie Town Center. Open from November to February.
Mothers of Teens
Though most of this guide is for teens themselves, this section is specifically for mothers of teenagers who could use parenting support.
Betty Center - Annapolis
Offering women of all ages and life stages the opportunity to achieve their educational, professional, personal, and social goals in a warm and welcoming environment. Experienced experts help moms navigate the ups and downs of raising kids (toddlers to teens) in today’s complicated world.
Carrie Baquie, Holistic & Spiritual Life Coach - Crownsville & Online
Life coach and mom of 3 teens helping women rediscover who they are, what they want & how to get it.
A goal for this Teen Guide is to be a continuous work-in-progress, and we will update as needed. Please help us keep this an up-to-date guide that families can access anytime!
If you know of a resource we missed or a new one comes on the scene, please email the name of the resource, page link and brief info as it relates to teens to: mackidpasadenamd@macaronikid.com.
Thank you for helping to make this the best go-to guide for teens in Anne Arundel County and Bowie!
