Tom likes all kinds of activities, especially if they give him an excuse for not going to school. Skipping school opens up all kinds of possibilities for fun and games for this mischievous young boy. Swimming, fighting, playing at pirates; the sky's the limit when you don't have to be stuck in a classroom all day.

Like most boys of his age, Tom has a lot of energy and is always looking for something that will keep him occupied—anything that will prevent him from getting bored. Unfortunately, this often leads him into mischief, or worse: danger.

When Tom and Huck want to go into to the cemetery one night to perform a bizarre ritual involving a dead cat, they end up stumbling on a brutal murder that puts them in fear of their lives. None of this, however, dampens his taste for adventure; we see this later on in the story, when Tom hatches an elaborate, daring plan to free Jim from captivity.

While Tom is a rambunctious boy who will do most anything to stay active - even if it is just watching a bug while he sits in church - his favorite activities revolve around his "adventures".  He likes to get together with his male friends and re-enact scenes from adventure stories.  Made-up robberies, hijacking, treasure hunting and the like are how he best spends his time.  In addition to this, he likes to lead and interact with as many people as possible.  He also likes Becky Thatcher and will do what he can to show off for her.