It’s about this time every year that I realize I don’t really have any hobbies. This fact is particularly worrisome in the dead of winter when the daylight hours are short and the temperatures outside are blisteringly cold, which means my will to leave the house is at an all-time low. So, what’s a gal to do with that precious block of time between clocking out of work and climbing into bed for the night? I’m on the lookout for some new hobbies to try this year, so I turned to the girlies on TikTok for inspiration.
You see, I’m not looking for just any old hobby. I want something fun and unique that scratches my creative itch and that I could do alone or with friends as a cute little girls’ night activity. If that sounds like exactly what you need right now, keep scrolling for 14 unique hobbies to try this year.
1. Needlepoint
If you’ve ever wanted to try embroidery, but you’re not sure where to start, needlepoint is the easy entry point you need to try. It involves creating a pattern of stitches on a canvas using a grid of holes. The easiest way to start is with a pre-made pattern, but you can also draw your own pattern onto the canvas before you start stitching. Once you get the hang of it, you can make your own needlepoint pillows, framed wall art, holiday ornaments, and more.
2. Making charm jewelry
I actually made my own charm necklace last summer, and now that I have all the supplies, there’s no stopping me from making it a full-blown hobby. You can find everything you’ll need at your local craft store, but you can also find whole packs of charms on Amazon for cheap (a good idea if you plan on making multiple pieces). Then you simply attach the charms to the chain using jump rings and a pair of pliers. Beyond necklaces, you could also use the same process to create bracelets, bag charms, keychains, or even bookmarks with dangling charms.
3. Watercolor painting
For some reason, watercolor painting feels less intimidating than many other types of art. Maybe it’s because the start-up cost is fairly low (you can find watercolor sets for just a few dollars at many craft stores), or maybe it’s because many of us dabbled in it as kids. Regardless, watercolor can be such a fun hobby to try. Follow along with a tutorial or workbook to hone your skills, or just start painting and learn as you go. Frame your best work for pretty wall art that’s way more special than anything you’d find at a store.
4. Reading and annotating books
As far as hobbies go, reading isn’t all that unique. But if you want to take it a step further, annotating your books while you read turns this passive activity into an active one. It allows you to record your thoughts and reactions throughout the story, as well as highlight key moments or lines you want to remember later. Use color-coded sticky tabs, highlight and underline the text directly, jot down notes in the margins, or try some combination of all the above. Annotating is all about highlighting things that you think are important or meaningful, so you can use whatever system works best for you.
5. Rock climbing
If you’re looking for unique hobbies to try that are a little more physically challenging, maybe this is the year you should try rock climbing. Start by finding a climbing gym near you and just show up! You can typically rent any equipment you’ll need there and talk with instructors who can teach you the basics. Over time, you’ll get stronger and more confident and can continue to try more challenging routes.
6. Scrapbooking
I went through a big scrapbooking phase as a kid, but my creations never looked half as good as this. Now, in the age of social media, printing out photos and pasting them onto paper feels like a lost art, but that’s precisely what makes this hobby so appealing. Scrapbooking allows you to turn photos from your camera roll into something tangible, and it doesn’t require any particular skills beyond being handy with a pair of scissors. Simply gather your photo prints along with a scrapbooking album and some cardstock paper in various colors or patterns. That’s truly all you need to start creating a collage of memories you can look back on for years to come.
7. Doing your own nails
The cost of everything feels astronomical these days, and if salon manicures were one of the first things you cut out of your budget, you’re not alone. Luckily, doing your own nails at home can actually be very satisfying and fun to do, in addition to saving you money. Whether you prefer press-ons, gel, or just a good old-fashioned swipe of polish, gather all the tools and supplies you need and work on mastering the perfect manicure at home. If you have a steady hand, you could even grab some detail brushes and attempt your own nail art designs.
8. Crocheting
Crocheted clothing and accessories have had a serious moment in the fashion space over the past couple of years, but wouldn’t it be so cool if you could create your own? Crocheting is generally considered easier to pick up than knitting, and you can make some seriously cool pieces using the technique. Find a pattern online, practice a few stitches, and you’ll be well on your way to crocheting your own top, bag, or blanket in no time. Plus, this is one of the best hobbies to try while doing something else, like watching TV or listening to a podcast.
9. Working with air-dry clay
Creating something tangible with your own bare hands is so cool IMO. If you’re interested in trying pottery, you don’t have to find a studio with a potter’s wheel and kiln (although that sounds fun, too). Air-dry clay is an easy, at-home way to try pottery without any special equipment. Simply mold your creation and let it sit out to dry and harden before painting and sealing it. There’s no limit to what you can make: trinket trays, candle holders, vases, coffee mugs, and more.
10. Taking dance classes
As someone who spent a huge chunk of their adolescent years in dance studios, I love the idea of getting back into it. However, even if you didn’t grow up dancing, taking dance classes as an adult can be such a rewarding experience. Many cities have studios that cater to adults of all skill levels, so you can sign up for a class even if you’re a total beginner. Whether you want to practice ballet, hip-hop, tap, or some other style, dance classes can help you build confidence and release some endorphins while challenging your body and mind.
11. Junk journaling
If scrapbooking feels a little too rigid for you, try junk journaling instead. Instead of using photos and pretty paper, you’ll collage together “junk” you’ve collected throughout your day-to-day life. Coffee cup sleeves, restaurant receipts, tags from clothing, business cards, ticket stubs, product packaging, cards you’ve received from loved ones—truly anything is fair game. As you paste things together, there’s no pressure to make it look pretty or perfect. Your junk journal should be a reflection of your everyday life, so just have fun with it!
12. Learning a new language
Imagine how cool it would be to head off on your summer vacation and actually be able to speak the language of the country you’re visiting. If you’ve always wanted to learn a new language (or revisit the one you started learning in high school), it’s not too late to dive in. Dip your toes in with an app like Duolingo or Airlearn, or work your way through a language learning book. Then listen to music, watch movies, and read books to fully immerse yourself in your chosen language. You’ll be speaking confidently sooner than you think!
13. Baking sourdough
Anyone can whip up a batch of chocolate chip cookies, but baking sourdough takes quite a bit more skill and time commitment. Between maintaining your sourdough starter, kneading and scoring your dough, and achieving that perfectly baked crust, it totally counts as a full-blown hobby. Start with a basic recipe, then experiment with different mix-ins as your skills improve. It may take a bit of trial and error, but practice makes perfect. And you’ll be able to enjoy fresh bread with every meal along the way.
14. Taking pottery classes
If you want to really get your hands dirty, this is your sign to try a pottery class! It’s more of an investment than dabbling in clay at home, but the payoff of creating your own vases and dishware can be so worth it. To get started, look into beginner pottery classes at studios or community centers near you. You could sign up for a one-day workshop to get a feel for it, or jump in with a multi-week class. Pottery is one of those hobbies that’s both creative and social, so you can scratch that artistic itch while meeting new people.
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers.
