A well-known fact of life is that it’s hard to keep teenagers happy – whether it’s dragging them from their bedrooms or keeping them off a mobile phone.

But thankfully, there’s plenty to keep smiles on the faces of youths in Middlesbrough.

Get them outdoors and take a BMX, skateboard or scooter down to the skate park at Middlesbrough Sport Village.

Or they can go retro and strap on some roller-skates for a turn round the rink at Albert Park – it’s more difficult than it looks, so if mams and dads are feeling especially cruel they can whip their own smartphones out to catch a clip of them falling on their backside as they attempt to master the art.

If it’s a rainy day, there’s the Rock Antics Middlesbrough Climbing Centre in Longlands.

The main bouldering wall has over 150 routes which are updated weekly, with a smaller bouldering section for beginner climbers.

For those youngsters who aren’t in the mood to be active, they can explore Middlesbrough’s vast and ever expanding cultural offer.

mima – Middlesbrough

The Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (MIMA) connects art, people and ideas – offering an extensive learning programme which creatively supports communities of all ages with activities for under-fives, older youths and families.

Pineapple Black is one of Middlesbrough’s independent art galleries, with four exhibition spaces and studios for local, national, and international artists.

And it’s accessible to young people, located inside the former New Look store in the Hill Street Centre, offering the opportunity for individuals and arts collectives to ‘take over’ the space for one-off and pop-up events which have included messy play for children, filming of music videos, and a backdrop for student films.

At the Northern School of Art, young people can indulge their passion for art and sharpen their skills by taking part in a host of Saturday morning Art Clubs for those aged 6 to 16.

And Musinc – ran by Middlesbrough Council from the Town Hall – offers a range of inclusive music clubs for children of all ages and ability levels, throughout the week.

One of Middlesbrough’s favourite pastimes is the football – with tens of thousands making the pilgrimage to the Riverside Stadium to watch the Boro.

It’s well worth taking in the unique atmosphere, and creating another life-long supporter.

Just don’t blame us when you’re humming “Oh Wilder said…” all week!

A CGI image of how Captain Cook Square could look

Looking to this summer, Middlesbrough’s burgeoning leisure quarter – at the current Captain Cook Square shopping centre – will feature two brand new attractions that will undoubtedly attract families with children and teenagers.

Set to open in the next few months, Lane 7 will launch Level X in the former TJ Hughes store.

Featuring a double-level indoor go-karting track, a bowling alley, a bar, ping-pong tables, pool tables, a shuffleboard or beer pong area, darts or shooting pods and an arcade zone – something to keep people of all ages happy.

A couple of doors down, in the former Peacocks store, will be the Wired Lobby – a giant e-sports arena and gaming centre.