If you ask me, fall is not simply a season—it’s a state of mind. There’s a mental shift that happens every year once September rolls around. Back-to-school energy comes with start of a new academic year, as does the sudden urge to redecorate your space and reset your routines. It’s also about embracing all things cozy, especially when it comes to leisure time. If summer hobbies revolved around being outside and soaking up the sun, fall hobbies are about staying in and cozying up. If you’re looking to switch up your downtime or you just want to try something new, read on for 25 cozy hobbies to try this fall.
Write snail mail
Virginia Evans’ novel The Correspondent, about a woman with many pen pals, was all the rage earlier this year. Take a page out of Evans’ book by reviving the lost art of letter writing. Whether it’s a long-distance friend or an old acquaintance you want to reconnect with, spend some time writing snail mail this fall. Make an event out of it with personalized stationary, fancy pens, and fun stamps. Maybe even challenge yourself to try calligraphy on the envelope. You never know how your note could brighten someone’s day, and if it becomes a consistent correspondence, opening your mail box is suddenly a joy.
Learn how to play mahjong
The board games you’ve been playing for decades are nostalgic, but there’s something addicting about learning a new one. And right now, everyone is talking about Mahjong. The tile-based game originates in China and is best played by four people. Order a board (we have our own at The Everygirl Shop!) invite three friends over, and spend the night learning the ropes. Chances are, you you’ll love it so much, it might become a weekly event.
Go antique hunting
Fall is the perfect time to wander your neighborhood or a small town with no agenda, and there’s no better place to get lost than in the maze of an antique shop. You can spend hours sifting through pre-loved books, dishware, and art, and the hunt makes finding a hidden treasure even more satisfying. Take yourself on a solo date and enjoy the lack of pressure from anyone rushing you through the aisles.
Make a coffee shop passport
This fall, I’m making myself a “coffee shop passport” and plan to “stamp” it every weekend. First, spend some time researching coffee shops in your city and organize them by neighborhood. Next, write them down in a journal, leaving space to write about your experience. Finally, pick a day (Sundays will be mine) when you check one out every week. Keep track of your visits in your “passport” by documenting what you ordered, what the atmosphere was like, how the staff was, and what you’d rank the experience overall.
Try flower arranging
Buying or receiving a pre-arranged flower bouquet is always nice, but even more satisfying? Making one yourself. Next time you do your Trader Joe’s haul, select a handful of blooms that spark autumnal joy—think sunflowers, dahlias, and asters. Bring them home and arrange them into your own personalized bouquet. If you add flowers to your weekly grocery list, you’ll get better and better at pairing textures and colors together, and see the visual growth—and you could even start surprising friends with homemade bouquets.
Learn to bake sourdough
If you’re ready to take on a hobby that is full of trial and error, try making a sourdough starter and baking your own bread. You’ll probably fail a few times (or a lot of times) because sourdough is a finicky thing, but that’s what makes it fun—it’s truly a challenge! The smell of baking bread gives off such a nostalgic and warm feeling that’s perfect for the fall season.
Complete an activity book
Back in the day, one of my favorite pastimes was diving into a word search, crossword, or sudoku puzzle book. Now, my routine has shifted to the daily NYT games, but nothing quite compares to the thrill of a classic activity book. If you’re looking to reduce screen time and pick up a hobby that exercises your brain—without leaving the couch—this is an excellent choice.
Try book binding
If you’ve ever watched book-binding videos on TikTok, you know how mesmerizing the process can be. It’s a fantastic hobby to try if you love reading and want to make your book collection feel extra special. You’ll need a few supplies to get started (and a healthy dose of patience), but the results will be so worth it. If you’re a perfectionist like me, practice with some thrifted or sale books first before diving into your precious collection. Inspiration is everywhere, so get on Pinterest and start saving some ideas.
Start an herb garden
While outdoor gardening is more of a warm-weather activity, you can tend to an herb garden this fall, right from the comfort of your home! I mean, who doesn’t want access to fresh basil for pasta at all times? It’s a great way to garden on a smaller and more controlled scale. Pick your seeds and research what type of light and care your herbs need to grow. From there, it’s all about staying consistent and enjoying the fruits (er, herbs) of your labor.
Pick up needlework
The word “needlework” might make you think of Victorian-era women in sitting rooms—or maybe just your grandma—but I’m here to tell you that this old-school hobby is worth a shot. Knitting, crocheting, embroidery, and punch needling are all great ways to keep your hands busy and create something beautiful this fall. There are so many fun patterns and prints to choose from, as well as kits that’ll help you get started. Instead of buying new ones, create your own scarves or knit blankets for the upcoming winter season.
Cook seasonal recipes
One of the best parts of cooler weather is the warm, decadent recipes made from seasonal ingredients. Creamy soups, rich pastas, pumpkin-and-butternut squash everything—the options are endless. Crack open a fall cookbook (or scroll through our vast recipe collection) and choose a few recipes to try throughout the season. They can be as simple or as elaborate as you like, and by the time winter rolls around, you’ll hopefully have some new cooking chops to show off during the holidays.
Start scrapbooking
In the digital age, scrapbooking has become something of a lost art, but it’s a wonderful way to preserve memories while tapping into your creative side. Print out some of your favorite photos from 2026 and start by creating a page for each month. By next year, you’ll be grateful you took the time to create a tangible way to revisit your memories.
Get back into reading
Fall reading inspires comfy armchairs, soft throws, and oversized hoodies—which sounds like the perfect vibe to me. Reading is a suitable hobby for any time of year, but fall is a great time to curl up with a book, especially if you didn’t get a chance to dive into any beach reads over the summer. Not sure where to begin? Here are some cozy fall book recommendations to get you started.
Try jewelry making
With the charm bracelet and necklace revival in full swing, it’s the perfect time to start your own jewelry project. Keep it simple with the nostalgic yarn friendship bracelets from childhood or invest in supplies to create some truly fashion-forward pieces. You’ll pick up a fun new hobby to keep your hands busy and end up with some fabulous new accessories.
Bake a new recipe
Fall is the prime time for baking. Pumpkin bread, apple pie, ginger snaps, and cider doughnuts are just a few seasonal treats that come to mind, and making them yourself is a great way to chill out. Plus, you’ll be left with delicious goodies to share with family and friends.
Try candle or soap-making
Some of the best hobbies you can do at home involve creating something. This time of year, why not try your hand at making candles or soap? Candle-making is a great way to upcycle jars or any pretty glass containers (thrift stores are full of them!), and homemade soap is perfect for cozy baths on chilly nights. There are tons of kits out there with all the tools you’ll need to get started! Keep your creations for yourself, or save them for the holidays to send as DIY gifts.
Start bullet journaling
I’ve been an avid journaler since elementary school. There’s something so therapeutic about jotting down your thoughts, hopes, and daydreams onto paper. While there are tons of different journals and prompts to choose from, I keep returning to bullet journaling. A journal with blank pages allows you to pick and choose your own prompts, and a bullet journal gives you the freedom to design your own pages as well. You can go full out with markers, stickers, and scrapbook paper, or keep things simple with just a pen and your thoughts. I personally love Zebra pens and stick with simple headers instead of elaborate layouts, but the beauty of bullet journaling means your journal can be exactly your own.
Channel your inner artist with painting
There’s no need to be a pro when it comes to painting! To keep this hobby relaxed and easy, choose a paint-by-number kit to follow. Of course, you can also let your creativity run wild and dive into a blank canvas. For something unique, buy a few taper candles and decorate them with tiny designs like leaves and pumpkins for cute homemade seasonal decor.
Take up hiking
Fall is the ideal time to go for a hike: The temps are a bit cooler, the leaves are changing, and the bugs are mostly gone. Simply search for “hikes near me,” pack up some gear, and head out to a trail near you. Dress in layers and don’t forget your water bottle. Either bring your headphones for mood music or soak up the sounds of nature.
Color an adult coloring book
Working your way through an adult coloring book in your PJs with the fireplace blazing sounds like the absolute coziest way to spend an evening. Plus, buying a 64-count box of crayons is a surefire way to bring up some nostalgic back-to-school vibes.
Press some fall leaves
The changing leaves are one of the best parts of fall, and leaf-pressing can help you preserve that beauty long after they’ve fallen to the ground. There are a few methods to choose from, but one of the easiest ways to press a leaf is to place it between newspaper or wax paper and place a heavy stack of books on top of it. You can also submerge your leaves in glycerin to preserve them even longer. Pressed leaves look beautiful in a shadow box or frame, and it’s a great DIY home decor project.
Make mulled wine
Most of these cozy hobbies go perfectly with something warm to sip on. Tea, coffee, or cocoa are obvious choices, but mulled wine is another great option, and making it is a hobby on its own. Take the time to perfect your own recipe by experimenting with different combinations of red wine, brandy or Cointreau, fruit, spices, and sweeteners. Place your ingredients in a saucepan or slow cooker on medium-high heat. Once it gets to a simmer, cover and turn the heat on low for at least 15 minutes, then enjoy a cup of your warm, delicious creation.
Complete a puzzle
I have fond childhood memories of doing puzzles when I was snowed in from school, so this hobby just screams coziness to me. Turn on a comfort show or a fall playlist and settle in for a puzzle on the dining room table. If you really want to get into it, invest in a puzzle mat you can roll up when you’re done puzzling for the evening to maximize your space.
Play video games
Playing video games can totally be cozy as long as you pick a low-stress game that doesn’t involve imminent danger or escaping some sort of peril. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the quintessential cozy game, and both the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite are great beginner-friendly consoles to start with. Both are perfect for cuddling up on the couch with, and they’re sure to help you unwind and relax.
Try creative writing
If you’re already an avid reader, creative writing might just be the best new hobby to pick up for fall. This no-cost creative outlet can be a great stress reliever, and there are tons of different ways to get started. Try your hand at writing poetry, craft your own short stories, write fan fiction based on a favorite book or show, or find some creative writing prompts online to use as inspiration. Whatever you decide to write, make sure you have a cozy set-up to do it in—candles, light background music, and a mug of something warm are all encouraged.
Kristen Garaffo, Contributing Home & Living Writer
Kristen Garaffo is a Washington DC-area-based freelance writer. She specializes in home and lifestyle content and loves helping others live their best lives at home and beyond.
Jenna Piotrowicz, Editorial Assistant
Jenna began working as an Editorial Assistant for The Everygirl in 2024. With her eye for detail, she assists the team with content creation, sourcing products and images, and works behind the scenes to support The Everygirl in uploading and updating content.
Claire West, Editor
As an Editor for the Home & Living category of The Everygirl, Claire writes and edits stories spanning topics like food, travel, hobbies, and decorating. During her eight years in the media industry, Claire has touched everything from fashion to relationships to celebrity interviews at magazines like People and InStyle.
