We only have one life, so let’s make the most of it.

Maybe you have ideas for new hobbies you’d like to try, but aren’t sure where to start.

That’s where this list of hobbies comes in!

We have researched and collected for you a wide variety of hobbies, creative interests and outdoor activities that you can try out for yourself.

Whether you want to learn to crochet, take cooking classes, pick up photography as your new creative outlet or get interested in sustainable living through gardening, you’ll find the inspiration here.

If you’re ready to try something new, check out this list of creative hobbies below.

The health benefits of hobbies

Hobbies can have a direct impact on your physical and mental health. If you have physically active hobbies, that makes sense, of course. As for mental health, we can think of hobbies as a list of fun activities.

By spending time on activities that make you feel good, give you a purpose or distract you from negative thoughts, you will end up having more positive feelings, thoughts and experiences in your life.

Hobbies can give you the following:

  • An appreciation for learning
  • A new zest for life, especially if you feel stuck in a rut
  • A sense of personal achievement
  • Power to take more control of your life and live more consciously
  • Work-life balance so you can spend time on fun and relaxation

Hobbies aren’t just for kids. You too deserve to spend time on things you are passionate about.

Types of hobbies and interests

To help you think of new hobbies to try, the list below is divided into the following areas:

  • Creatieve hobby’s
  • Crafting hobbies
  • Game hobby’s
  • Outside hobbies
  • Active hobbies

Creatieve hobby’s ideas

1. Photography

Photography as a hobby can be done at various budget levels. You can learn how to use your smartphone to make your social media feed stand out –all the way to advanced photography.

2. Refurbishing Furniture

Sanding, staining, painting so you can turn a boring piece of furniture into something beautiful. You can even turn this hobby into a side job if that’s what you’re looking for.

3. art

Painting, drawing, pottery, origami are just a few ways you can express yourself with art. Perfect for any budget or skill level.

4. Cooking / Baking

We need to feed ourselves and our families, right? So make the most of it by learning to cook from different cultures around the world, master new techniques and tools in the kitchen to impress yourself and others.

5. Blogging

A wonderful way to get creative and it can even be a great tool to improve your mental health.

6. Keeping a diary

Keeping a journal can be useful in so many ways. You can do bullet journaling, gratitude journaling, self-love journaling and so much more.

7. Reading

Reading is such a great activity to help you relax and help you explore new perspectives and different worlds. Whether you like fiction or non-fiction, grab a new book (or 5) and start turning those pages. You can even set a goal to read.

8. Writing

We covered a few types of writing above (blogging and journaling), but there are many other ways you can work your writing muscles.

A few ideas:

  • Writing letters
  • Writing a book
  • Poetry
  • Writing self-reflection (similar to keeping a journal)
  • Short stories
  • Writing Autobiography

9. Playing a musical instrument

Did you know you can sign up for online music lessons at Skillshare! You can get a free month and start playing a new instrument.

10. Colors

I’m talking about coloring books for adults. Such a fun way to express your creativity, relax and unwind. My absolute favorite adult coloring books are by Johanna Basford.

11. Graphic design

Take your love of art online and learn how to use graphic design tools to make your visions come to life.

I recommend Canva for Beginners, which is free. You can also try free 1 month Canva Pro which has more features to play with. For more advanced software choose Affinity Photo and Affinity Designer which are great alternatives to Adobe products (almost the same functionality with a one-time payment that is affordable!).

12. Podcast

You can easily delve into different podcasts to listen to while driving, cooking, etc., or you can even start your own!

Craft hobby ideas

13. Making jewelry

A great way to play with your creativity and also make beautiful gifts.

14. Making candles

A great way to be creative and make your home healthier.

15. Make scrapbook

scrapbooks are great for keeping memories, whether it’s your child’s first day of school, vacations or family vacations.

16. Flower arranging

There are so many different ways to arrange flowers, so if flowers make you happy, this can be a great hobby to try. Look for local courses or learn online.

17. Hook

Check out youtube for free tutorials on how to crochet.

18. Sew

If you want to start sewing, there are lots of online resources. Check out this post on the best sewing bloggers to follow based on what you want to sew.

19. Calligraphy/painting

To get inspiration for this new hobby, search on Instagram or check out The Happy Ever Crafter who offers courses.

A little inspiration for you with these basic calligraphy strokes to try out

20. Pottery

If you have a coffee or tea obsession (like me), you probably have your favorite mugs to drink out of. So why not learn to make your own mugs?

Pottery is the perfect gift and is at the top of my current bucket list of new things I want to try.

21. Pressing leaves and flowers

If you enjoy spending time in nature or the garden and want to bring some of that into your home, then leaf and flower pressing is the hobby for you.

Game hobby’s ideas

22. Puzzels

Jigsaw puzzles are a great way to relax the mind and get the brain working. You can do it the old-fashioned way with a physical puzzle or try a puzzle you can do on your smartphone.

23. Euchre

A fun (addictive) card game for 4 players is a great way to socialize. Euchre is quite popular and you can find euchre leagues/groups in your area.

24. Darts

With darts, you can become an expert or have beginner’s luck. Either way, it’s a fun hobby you can do at home, in a pub or pool hall.

25. Video games

Passing time with video games can be a time-consuming activity for some or an escape for others, but one way you could try gaming is with fitness video games.

26. Chess

If you’ve seen The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix, you may have heard that the popularity of chess has exploded. If you’re looking for a strategic game, you might want to give it a try.

27. Sudoku

A great game to keep your mind active and busy. You can play Sudoku on your phone or purchase a paperback book of puzzles. Note:This is not just for number lovers –but for everyone.

28. table games

A board game night for the whole family, board games for couples …both fun ways to socialize and show off your competitive skills.

29. Biljart

Like darts, you can casually play a game of pool or go much deeper and learn expert-level moves.

Either way, it’s a fun hobby to pick up and great if you’re looking for a night out.

Outside hobbies ideas

30 Tuining

If gardening is new to you, you can start small by growing some herbs or gardening in containers and learn more each year.

Planting perennials and watching them bloom in the spring is also very rewarding.

31. change

Regardless of the weather, you can always hike. Find national parks near you and make a hiking bucket list of places you’d like to go.

The best hikes (in my opinion) take you to beautiful landscapes, waterfalls and views.

Hiking is a wonderful way to relax, clear your mind in nature and get some exercise.

32. Bird watching

For inspiration, check out this Instagram account, Santisoukp. Even if you are not into birdwatching, you might get sucked into her feed of beautiful wildlife (at least I did).

I just love that she found these beautiful creatures, let alone the wonderful way she captures them on camera.

33. Fish

This is a fun hobby you can do throughout the season, alone, with friends or with your family. Fish from the side of a river, pond or lake, and of course the most fun is to go out with a boat.

34. Riding

If you are an animal lover and live close to the countryside, learning to ride horses can be a great experience.

Not only is it fun, but it is a great workout and the contact with your horse, before, during and after is a therapeutic experience.

35. Golf

A great way to get outside in the warm months. If you are starting out, try a driving range to see if golf is for you and then you can move on to a larger golf course.

36. Stargazing

Explore nature and science by learning more about astrology and the stars. You can simply go outside on a clear night to see what you come across.

Pick up this beginner’s guide to stargazing, 50 things you can see in the sky.

37. Snowshoeing

If you like hiking, chances are you also like snowshoeing. It can make hiking on trails in winter easier, allowing you to connect with nature.

38. Kamperen

This hobby of outdoor adventurers is a great way to connect with nature. You can do it year-round (with the right equipment) and it’s an affordable way to enjoy so many things …birding, swimming, hiking, campfires, foraging and more.

39. Geo-caching

A worldwide scavenger hunt by people looking for objects (caches) using a GPS. You can use a geocaching app to start your first scavenger hunt. This is a fun one to do with the family and when visiting a new place.

40. Fourageren

Finding food outdoors is not only exciting, but also healthier and more affordable. Some of the best fruits and vegetables to look for are:

  • Grape leaves
  • Mushrooms
  • Bessen
  • Stinging nettles
  • Dandelion
  • Wild garlic
  • Knotweed
  • Asperges
  • Wild leeks

Do some local research on what you can find in your area and make sure you know in advance what is safe to eat.

41. Kite Flying

Kite flying is a popular pastime in many countries (Indonesia, China, India) and there is a whole culture around it with kite festivals held every year.

It’s great fun and gets you to spectacular places. So, go kite flying!

Active hobby ideas

42. Yoga

The best thing about yoga is that anyone can do it –all levels and fitness levels. You can find classes online, go to a local yoga studio or do yoga as part of your morning routine.

43. Pilates

An alternative to yoga, another great way to build strength and flexibility. You can take classes at local gyms and studios or online.

44. Dancing

Belly dancing, hip-hop, Zumba, salsa. You can join a class online or in person.

Fun fact:I practiced belly dancing for 5 years. What a fun experience to connect with like-minded women and wow, it was also a great way to get fit.

45. Swimming

Go to a local community center and start lane swimming. It’s an affordable activity and the perfect way to start your day.

46. mountain climbing

Go to a local indoor place for rock climbing to get started. You can take lessons as a beginner and when you are ready you can go outside to experience more advanced terrain.

47. Kanoën / Kajakken

Perfect for water and nature lovers who want some peace and quiet.

Look for places to kayak/canoe nearby. (You’ll be amazed at what you can find close to home and even in town).
When traveling, look for canoe and kayak rentals that are easy to find.

48. Sports

Join a local team and try a new sport or one you used to love. Baseball, basketball, soccer, field hockey, tennis.

49. Running

The best thing about running is that all you need is a pair of good shoes and you can get started. To stay accountable, you can join a running group or find a running buddy and even train for a 10K and eventually a marathon.

50. Bikes

A great hobby for your body and mind. It is a fun way to spend time in nature and get around as you travel to new places.

51. Diving

You can start scuba diving by getting your PADI locally and then you’ll be ready when you go on your next vacation.

52. Skating

In the winter, make sure you have your skates sharpened and keep them handy (in your car if you can) so you are always ready to go.

In warmer weather, roller skating is perfect and has become increasingly popular in recent years. Look for a roller skating rink near you.

More interesting hobbies to take up

53. Genealogies

Learn more about your family history.

54. Wine and beer

As a hobby, you can do this in 2 ways:

Learn about wines and beers –how they are made, regions, combinations, etc.

55. Collect

If there is something you are passionate about, it can be very interesting to be a collector and literally, the world is your oyster. You can collect:

  • Art
  • Platen
  • Vintage clothing
  • Memorbillia
  • Shoes
  • Antiques
  • Wine corks

Conclusie

You will find that many of these hobbies naturally go well together.

  • Camping and hiking
  • Bird watching and photography
  • Reading and writing
  • Cycling and wine tasting

Say you already have one hobby –then it is quite easy to add another related hobby, which is a perfect way to start something new.