The other day I was scrolling Twitter (we’re unilaterally refusing to call it X, right?), and I saw a tweet (an X? Be serious) that advocated for embracing “granny hobbies” to decompress from digital overload. Ironic, I know, considering the poster was using a social media platform to talk about alleviating tech burnout, but stick with me here! In the replies, hundreds of people agreed that hands-on, old-fashioned hobbies like canning, knitting, flower pressing, and more helped relieve their digital fatigue and improve their mental health. Many also pointed out how gloriously accessible these types of hobbies are because they’re so affordable, with very little to no start-up cost—a rarity, considering how it feels like walking out your front door requires a $20 cover charge these days.
As someone who has felt increasingly burnt out from social media and the soaring prices of literally everything, this thread was a lightbulb moment for me. I’m totally in my granny era, and so are a lot of my girlfriends. So I closed out the app, pledging to put an end to my manic scrolling for KateGate updates (IYKYK) and Cowboy Carter commentary in favor of starting a few grandma-inspired hobbies that would make me feel more grounded and productive. Since then, I’ve genuinely found comfort, peace, and clarity from activities like jigsaw puzzles and color-by-numbers, to name a few, but there are so many other old-school hobbies that I still want to try—and I’ve compiled a list for all of us to refer to as we seek more balance and tranquility in our increasingly digital-dominant world.
1. Art-by-Number
Whether you prefer to use colored pencils, markers, crayons, paint, or even plants (yep, plants), there’s an art-by-number kit out there for everyone. If you enjoy the process of creating artwork but don’t want to have to put thought into designing the image or choosing the color scheme, art-by-number is right up your alley.
2. Word Puzzles
Word puzzles are, in my opinion, an underrated pastime, and they’re so good for your brain. The best part? Booklets full of word searches, Sudoku games, and crossword puzzles are super cheap. In fact, you can find tons of them at your local Dollar Tree for just a few bucks, or you can order a few off Amazon and have them shipped right to your door.
3. Crocheting
Crocheting, in my opinion, is the easiest form of needlework—my grandma taught me how to do it when I was just a kid. All you need is a few spools of yarn and some crochet hooks, depending on what you’d like to make and how big the item will be. Teach yourself by following video tutorials online, or buy a kit with all of the supplies and instructions that you’ll require.
4. Beading or Jewelry-Making
In the age of our queen and savior Taylor Alison Swift, beading and jewelry-making have become super popular among younger generations. It’s not just a creative outlet for Swifties in their friendship bracelet era, though—you can make tons of different jewelry by hand well beyond beaded bracelets. Scour your local craft stores and thrift shops for beads, pendants, and charms that speak to your style, or start simple by snagging a jewelry-making kit.
5. Embroidery
Maybe you grew up watching your grandma do hoop embroidery, but the nostalgic hobby has also made quite the comeback in recent years. From stitching within a ring to freehanding on clothing, there are tons of different ways to practice embroidery. If you’re a beginner, I always recommend starting with a kit—they’re just so easy—but if you’re returning to this form of needlework, try creating your own designs with your threads and canvas of choice.
6. Candle-Making
Why pay upwards of $50 to create a single candle at a candle-pouring studio when you could make an entire set of candles at home for the same price? Candle wax, wicks, and essential oils are all low-cost items, and you can easily repurpose empty candle jars you have lying around the house. Otherwise, look for some affordable and unique containers at thrift stores or retailers like Amazon, Target, and Home Goods.
7. Gardening
Whether you want to plant a gorgeous flower garden, grow your own produce, or start an indoor herb garden, there are a variety of ways to grow and tend to your own plants. If you don’t have any experience with gardening, consider starting with just a single plant as you get the hang of the hobby.
8. Canning
Whether you grew up canning with your grandma or want to give it a go for the first time, water bath canning is an easy way to preserve and pickle fruits and vegetables. All you need to get started is a set of glass mason jars, a large pot with a lid, a canning rack, and your desired ingredients. Then, simply fill the jars with your prepared food, fasten the lids, and submerge them in boiling water to keep the contents inside fresh for months to come.
9. Card-Making
Nothing is more special than receiving a handwritten card, so imagine what a wonderful gift a completely handmade card would be for your loved ones. You can, of course, buy a card-making kit that offers everything you need, but if you want to personalize your creations even further, cobble together your own materials. Think quality paper, ribbons, stamps, drawing or painting supplies, stickers, and other crafting items. A hot glue gun and scissors will also come in handy!
10. Flower-Pressing
There are several flower-pressing methods out there, but the most common for quick pressing requires just three things: flowers, parchment paper, and an iron. If you don’t have flowers to pick on your own property, simply grab a bouquet on your next trip to the grocery store. Once your flowers are pressed, pop them in a glass frame for some easy DIY art.
11. Jigsaw Puzzles
Jigsaw puzzles are great for your brain health and are fairly inexpensive to purchase. With just about every subject of interest to choose from—pop culture, art, nature scenes, etc.—jigsaw puzzles can be really fun and quite challenging, depending on how many pieces the puzzle contains. You can, of course, find thousands of options on Amazon, but thrift shops and bookstores also often have a great selection to peruse if you like shopping in person.
12. Knitting
If you’ve already got crocheting and embroidery in your needlework wheelhouse, give knitting a try. It’s generally considered more difficult to master, so it’s a great hands-on hobby to try if you like a challenge. You’ll just need some yarn and knitting needles to be on your way to making your first pair of socks, blanket, or scarf.
13. Macrame
Love the look of macrame wall art or hanging plant holders? Make your own by giving this old-school hobby a try. Once you’ve taken up macrame, it’s fairly easy to segue into weaving, and the combination of the two practices makes for really gorgeous and dynamic art pieces. To get started with macrame, cord and scissors are the only necessities, but if you’re making keychains or plant hangers, you’ll also need accessories like keyrings and wooden rings.
14. Mosaics
Creating mosaics is a fantastic hobby for those with an eye for detail. If you’re venturing into the craft for the first time, a kit will likely provide the best experience. However, once you get more comfortable with executing a mosaic project, you can collect your own materials—glass, shells, jewels, and other small pieces of materials—to assemble and set with grout.
15. Origami
Origami is the Japanese art of folding paper to create beautiful shapes and objects, and literally, all you need to get started is paper. Thin crafting paper will do just fine, but if you want to fully embrace traditional origami, opt for kami paper instead. Additionally, scissors, a ruler, a scoring tool, glue, and a bone folder tool will be helpful for certain patterns. As always, you can’t go wrong with a kit as a beginner.
16. Pottery
If you want to try your hand at pottery, you could go to a studio to paint a pre-made ceramic creation or learn how to spin on a wheel in a class setting. However, you can also practice pottery on your own at home. Pottery is a bit more of an investment compared to other hobbies on this list, so as you’re getting started, I definitely recommend an air-dry pottery kit. This eliminates the need to invest in a kiln, so you can start sculpting your creations right away
17. Scrapbooking
A scrapbook marries the ideas of a photo album and a vision board, allowing you to create a photo keepsake in a unique collage format. You’ll need to print your desired photos and grab a scrapbooking album, paper in various colors or patterns, and embellishments like stickers, ribbons, gemstones, stamps, and other decorative options. Scissors and glue or tape will also be handy, and if you’d like to draw your own illustrations, you’ll need utensils for that as well.
18. Soapmaking
If you love fancy artisanal soaps, why not try making your own? At its most basic form, soapmaking only requires a soap base (such as oils or butter), a mold, and the fragrance of your choice. You can spice it up by adding things like dried botanicals and natural exfoliants such as oats. When she was young, your grandma may have routinely made soap by hand—ask her to teach you as a fun way to bond and learn more about her past.
19. Birdhouse-Making
Channel your inner Snow White by crafting a birdhouse for your backyard or balcony. If you don’t have the tools or space to start from scratch, craft stores like Michaels and Hobby Lobby carry pre-made birdhouses that you can decorate with paint, wood stain, faux moss, and more. If you do have the space and resources to build a birdhouse yourself, all it takes is a small amount of lumber, screws, wood glue, and the appropriate tools—a saw, drill, and clamps should do the trick.
20. Model Building
From book nook kits to model houses and more, there are tons of model building kits beyond cars, trains, and planes—although, if you’re into vehicles and aircraft, then hell yeah sister, go for that, too! Model building is great for those who love intricate details, and it’s such a unique way to create a custom piece of home decor to display in your abode.
