What is a Hobby?
A hobby is a leisure activity that an individual engages in for personal enjoyment and relaxation.
It is an activity that one finds intriguing, and it is not done for any work-related or other obligatory reasons. Hobbies can range from physical activities such as playing sports, to creative pursuits such as painting or writing, to collecting items such as stamps or coins.
Hobbies can be pursued alone or with others, and they can provide a sense of community and camaraderie. Many people find that engaging in a hobby helps them to relieve stress and unwind after a long day. It can also give a sense of achievement and fulfillment, as one works towards mastering a new skill or creating something unique. Ultimately, hobbies can provide a healthy escape from the daily grind and add a meaningful dimension to one's life.
basketball
golf
running
Walking
soccer
volleyball
badminton
pilates
swimming
ice skating
roller skating
figure skating
rugby
darts
football
barre
tai chi
stretching
bowling
ice hockey
surfing
tennis
baseball
gymnastics
rock climbing
dancing
gardening
karate
horse racing
snowboarding
skateboarding
cycling
cheerleading
archery
fishing
taekwondo
fencing
water skiing
skiing
jet skiing
weight lifting
scuba diving
windsurfing
kickboxing
sky diving
boxing
board games
brewery games
table tennis
hiking
bowling
juggling
kickboxing
jazzercise/aerobics
cross country
running track
visiting and walking around area gardens
Creative/Craft Hobbies
card making
quilling
Mod Podge crafts
wreath making
oil painting
Watercolor painting
acrylic painting
pastels
drawing
doodling
sketching
sculpture
cricut/silhouette crafts
Diamond painting kit
wood burning
paint by number
glass painting
hand lettering
calligraphy
tissue paper craft
stained glass
glass blowing
soap making and soap packing
candle making
origami
star gazing
metal detecting
plan unique date night ideas with a significant other
computer hobbies
prose writing
poetry writing
designing graphics
designing
floral design
jewelry making
clay crafts
magic
pottery/ceramics
makeup art
hair styling
photography
sewing
knitting
embroidery
crochet
quilting
scrapbooking
bullet journaling
home decorating
acting
making dream characters
cross stitch
canvas art
fashion design
collage
felt arts
party planning
miniatures
nail art
leather crafts
puppetry
Painting Rocks
upcycled art
string art
tie dye
rock tumbling
building dollhouses
flower pressing
small space gardening
fashion photography
making dolls
designing clothes
carving
growing bonsai
collage making
printmaking
flower pressing
going to museums
make your own stickers
starting a YouTube channel
preserving florals and stems
sticker collecting
Mental Hobbies
Hobbies that fall into this category are great brain boosters!
They may make you smarter, and may even help stave off declining mental function.
Most of these can be done alone, but some lend themselves well to the community (such as learning a new language by taking a class or traveling with a group of friends).
Mental hobbies also look great on a resume. They help make you a smarter, more well-rounded person-and what interviewer doesn’t want that?
Here are some favorite mental hobbies….
reading
decorating a planner
journaling
writing
crossword puzzles
sudoku
word scrambles
other word games
learning a new language
travel and travel planning
note taking and research
online classes
starting a blog educating the public on a topic
blogging
games
book club
volunteering
brain teasers
listening to podcasts
creating a podcast
quote collecting
start a gratitude list
Musical Hobbies
Musical hobbies are so popular and for good reason! They’re perfect for stress relief, building community, and learning a new skill.
Musical hobbies are not my personal forte, but I’d love to pick one to get better at and gain proficiency in!
If you’re interested in a musical hobby, here are some great places to start…
singing (solo)
joining a choir
dancing
learning to play classical, bass or electric guitar
learning to play keyboard or piano
learning to play drums
learning to play violin
learning to play cello
learning to play trumpet
joining a band
learning how to read music
start a music blog
learn to write lyrics
concert or choir photography
listening to music
memorizing music lyrics
learning about various musicians/music genres
Collecting Hobbies
Collecting an item or category of items is a fun, low-pressure hobby that you can do slowly without a lot of pressure.
If you add an element of learning about and cataloging the items you’re collecting, you’re turning your hobby into a wonderful brain-enhancing activity, too!
I have several collections, and not only are they a source of joy, it can help make it easier for friends and family to give you gifts!
Here are some collecting hobbies that you may want to try….
baseball cards
sporting event tickets
sports jerseys or other memorabilia
sports books
custom pins
autographed pictures or other items
sports balls or equipment
t-shirt
magnets
ladybug art or items
butterfly art or items
red shoe/high heel/glamour items -The one caveat with any sort of animal or item-themed collection-if you let people know about your collection, you will receive these items for gifts forever. I know people with these kinds of collections who almost regretted letting people know about it!
LEGO sets
postcards
Art from around the world
travel brochures
travel books
sea shells
driftwood
nautical or beach-inspired art or items
Art or coffee table books
ties
shoes
hats
scarves
calendars -Framing favorite calendar pages is a great wall to use your collection for art. You can create an entire gallery wall with your favorite pages.
coasters
books of matches
wine
bottle caps
rum, whiskey, bourbon or other spirits
spirit bottles
vintage bottles
vintage glass
cookbooks
figurines
boy scouts or girl scouts memorabilia
dolls
dollhouses
birdhouses
bird books or items bird-themed
vintage spools of thread or sewing notions
vintage milk glass
depression glass
Kawai or Japanese items or collectibles
Hello Kitty items or collectibles
puzzles
spices from around the world
model cars
matchbox cards
candlesticks
candles
painted/decorated rocks
plants
mason jars (especially vintage)
candles
cupcake wrappers
china patterns
snow globes
driftwood
Christmas art and decor
religious memorabilia
holiday books- This is a fun one, especially if you have kids. Collecting and displaying books ahead of a holiday is a great way to get into the spirit.
snow-themed items
records
DVDs or VHS tapes
fruit-themed décor and items
specific colored items (example: things that are orange)
pez dispensers
unusual or hard to find candy
mirrors
stuffed animals
animal-themed items (example: things related to chipmunks)
bells
video games
Harry Potter-themed items (or another book)
kitschy artwork or collectibles
collecting coffee mugs
collecting tea cups
collecting teas
stamp collecting
items related to a cartoon, tv show or movie
sheet music
musical instruments
memorabilia from a specific decade
presidential memorabilia
vases or ceramics
rug beaters
cake pans
cupcake/muffin pans -Cake pans are another fun collection, especially if you can find vintage ones! I had a bunch a few years ago that I spray painted the same color and hung as wall art in my kitchen.
Food/Drink Hobbies
This is one of my favorite categories of hobbies!
Food and drink hobbies can be done alone, but also work well as a hobby where you can meet other people.
cooking
baking
vegetarian cooking/baking
vegan cooking/baking
BBQ or grilling
cocktails
wine, beer or spirits tasting
start a food or drink blog
start a blog about snacks
take a cooking class
collect food-related items such as unique spices, teas, coffees, etc.
collect cooking related items such as dessert plates, tea cups, china patterns, mugs,
collect cookbooks or cooking magazines
host a supper club
create elaborate dessert bars
make a recipe a month
Games/Puzzles Hobbies
A list of hobbies isn’t complete without a section on games and puzzles!
Games and puzzles are a form of hobbies that are perfect for the colder fall/winter months.
Do these online, at home with your family, or with friends for a hobby that can be modified depending on whether you want to practice self-care or make friends and meet new people!
Here are some games/puzzles hobbies to try out…
bingo
online games
sukoku
puzzles
3D puzzles
card games
chess
checkers
other board games
word games and puzzles
video games
games surrounding a theme
lawn games
Model/Woodworking Hobbies
So many people love making things with their hands.
It’s often hard work, but it can be so satisfying to see the end result.
Once you are proficient, these are also great items to sell on places like Etsy, eBay, or at craft fairs.
Here are some model/woodworking hobbies to try out….
furniture building
model kits (cars, airplanes, trains, etc.)
themed model kits (for example: Star Wars or LEGO)
building wooden toys
wood turning
wood burning
wood carving
What Are the Top 10 Hobbies?
Wondering about the top 10 most common hobbies? These are the most popular hobbies for people of all ages.
These hobbies are popular for a reason! They’re easy to take up, inexpensive, and versatile!
If you’re just beginning your hobby journey, try one of these…
reading
doing puzzles
walking
cooking
gardening
yoga/pilates/stretching
creative writing/blogging
crossword puzzles/sudoku
sightseeing
photography
Hobbies to Make Money
This is a bit tricky because if it’s a hobby, it generally means that you’re not making money from it.
However, very often, when you put a lot of time into a hobby and become proficient at it, your thoughts may naturally turn to how you can make a profit from your hobby.
If this is you, and you’re looking for a list of hobbies that you can hopefully one day turn into a money-making side Hussle, start here…
blogging
writing a book, poetry or ebook
selling items you’ve created (craft items, art pieces, knitted hats, etc)
selling vintage items you’ve collected
selling baked goods you’ve made
selling your skills (for example, turning your party planning hobby into a business)
teaching a particular sport you’ve excelled at
teaching a musical instrument
teaching voice lessons
teaching a foreign language
Places you can sell your products include Etsy, Amazon, eBay, and craft shows/fairs
Hobbies for Women
Obviously, there are no gender-specific hobbies.
Anybody can learn and participate in any hobby they choose.
However, some people may be interested in a hobby that would allow them to make some friends and build community with other women.
If you’re looking for a hobby that is predominately enjoyed by women, try this list:
sports such as figure skating, dancing, cheerleading
activities such as pilates and yoga
arts and crafts activities, including crochet, knitting, watercolors, card making, scrapbooking, jewelry making etc.
collecting items such as shoe or dress-themed items, tea items etc.
book clubs or wine clubs
Hobbies for Men
Once again, anyone can learn and participate in any hobby they like!
If, however, you want a list of hobbies that is predominately male-oriented, try these:
most sports, including most contact sports
model building
woodworking
wood turning
wood burning
BBQ and grilling
beer and spirits tasting
collecting beer bottles
collecting model airplanes, matchbox cars, model cars, etc.
Indoor Hobbies
Especially as the weather cools down, we are looking for hobbies we can do indoors.
While outdoor hobbies have their benefits, indoor hobbies can be done all year round, day or night, no matter the weather.
These are my favorite hobbies to do indoors…
reading
puzzles
journaling
sketching
painting
drawing
board games/card games
yoga/pilates/stretching
listening to music
sewing/crochet/knitting
writing
visiting museums
Hobbies to Do Alone
Likewise, sometimes you want to participate in a hobby with others, and sometimes you just want to do something alone.
Hobbies that you can do alone make for great self-care time!
Here are some of my picks for hobbies to do alone…
reading
puzzles
journaling
sketching
painting
drawing
yoga/pilates/stretching
listening to music
writing
sewing/crochet/knitting
baking
cooking
Interesting Hobbies
Interesting people often have interesting hobbies!
What makes a hobby interesting? Usually, interesting hobbies go beyond the ordinary and usually entail lots of follow-up questions!
If you’ve ever heard someone share a hobby and thought “Oh neat, tell me more!”, chances are, you just had your interest piqued!
Here are some interesting hobbies to make you more memorable and intriguing!
having a unique collection (think: items from a particular time period, world event, movie, memorabilia around a person, place, etc.)
taking up a not-often-thought-of instrument, sport, or language
focusing on a unique food group (for example: wines from a certain region of the world or food such as vegan desserts)
skill-specific hobbies such as vintage costume design or stained glass
traveling to a specific region or area of the world
becoming an Earth advocate–coming up with ways to save the environment,
Easy Hobbies
Sometimes, we’re in the mood for a hobby that is an investment or takes a lot of time and/or skill.
A lot of the time, though, we just want an easy hobby that we can pick up quickly, doesn’t require a huge time or monetary investment, and needs minimal supplies.
That’s where this list of easy hobbies comes in!
Choose one to get started on your new hobby today!
reading
drawing
walking
yoga/Pilates
stretching
puzzling
journaling
hand lettering
card games
online games
writing
poetry
meditation
Fun Hobbies
Obviously, something that is fun for one person very well may not be fun for another.
But, there are definitely some hobbies that lend themselves to enjoyment more than others.
Here are some of the most fun and enjoyable hobbies:
hobbies that include others and have a competitive edge (a lot of sports and physical hobbies fall into this list).
hobbies that include others where you are learning something together (i.e. taking a class together).
volunteering
bingo or other group games
getting together with friends and other social activities
creating and working through a bucket list
Do you detect a pattern?
From what I can tell, hobbies that are social in nature and include other people are often the most enjoyable.
Whether it’s a bunko group, a book club, a cooking class, or a team sport, doing a hobby with one or more people can be fun and inspiring!
Hobbies for a Resume
Quite understandably, people often want to know what hobbies would look best on a resume or cover letter.
The best answer I can give you to this is to be true to yourself!
If you are passionate and curious about a hobby, this will show through in an interview if you are asked about your hobby.
In short, having an interest in varied hobbies (2-4) can help make you look interesting, curious and ambitious.
Hobbies for Introverts
If you are interested in activities for introverts, you may want to consider a new hobby!
Hobbies for extroverts and introverts have many overlaps, but if you are looking for an introvert-specific hobby, consider one of these…
reading
film watching/review
starting a blog
crafting
Cricut crafts
starting a YouTube channel
podcasting
puzzling
online games
Sudoku
walking
yoga or Pilates
writing
drawing
What Five Hobbies Do I Need?
A popular school of thought says you need five hobbies to maximize your potential and self-development.
Use this list as a starting point for the five hobbies you need, but feel free to switch up based on your own needs and interests.
-A hobby to help make you money. Hobbies that help you make money can be a great addition to (or be in place of) a day job. These hobbies can include: making and selling crafts on Etsy or at craft fairs, blogging, selling on eBay, or offering a service such as dog walking.
-A hobby to help you socialize. Being social is so important to human beings to help stave off loneliness. Why not have a hobby to help maintain those social bonds? Hobbies that help you socialize can include club sports, taking an art class, or joining a book club!
-A hobby to help you stay creative. There are so many ideas out there for hobbies to help you stay creative! Consider one of the following: painting, sculpting, drawing, writing, or crafting!
-A hobby that helps you build your knowledge. Knowledge-building hobbies help make us well-rounded. These hobbies can include going to museums, watching documentaries, or doing crossword puzzles.
-A hobby that helps keep you in shape. Fitness hobbies can do double duty in that they can also be social! Consider hobbies such as yoga, tennis, walking, or weight training!
