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These interesting hobbies are a little out of the ordinary. If you like to experience new things, they could become a super fun way to spend your free time.
If you’ve been looking for a while to get into something a little different, I’d recommend this list. Yes, I have hobbies like ‘cooking,’ or ‘going to the gym,’ but now and again, I’ll watch, say, a TV show of someone who’s an ice diver or a world champion at axe throwing and think, ‘That is so cool!’
This is a list for the more daring and curious amongst you. Have a look, and find something that excites you!
Pizza Making
Want to become an expert at making one of everybody’s favorite dishes? Try your hand at pizza-making. These days, outdoor pizza ovens like this Ooni pizza oven (on Amazon) are reasonably priced. Once you’ve unlocked the key to the perfect pizza dough, you can experiment with all types of toppings, from blue cheese to pancetta.
Calligraphy
In an increasingly digital world, we’ve lost the art of letter writing. But there’s truly nothing more wonderful than receiving a hand-written letter with beautiful handwriting. If you’re passionate about keeping the written word alive, take part in a calligraphy course.
Not only will you learn a new skill, but it’s also a skill you can monetize. You can design calligraphy cards or write calligraphy place settings for events like weddings.
Martial Arts
There are lots of martial arts to try. You’ll learn how to defend yourself, benefit from a little structure, and get some exercise in. Whether you opt for karate or judo, every martial art comes with its own set of advantages. It can also be a way to make new friends.
Nature Photography
High-quality cameras are becoming more affordable. With the help of some online courses (or even just a YouTube video), you can sharpen your photography skills and take some shots that look genuinely professional. The time spent outdoors is great for your well-being, too.
Puzzling
I find doing a jigsaw puzzle can really help unwind after a long day. If you need an extra distraction, try puzzling with music or a podcast in the background.
Making Plant Milk Alternatives
Plant milk alternatives such as almond and oat milk are becoming more and more popular. They are, however, often more expensive than dairy milk. Why make make your own at home?
You can start with a plant-milk-making machine like this 8-in-1 Plant-Based Milk Maker (on Amazon), or use one of the many recipes online to guide you.
Reading Tarot Cards
Do you have a spiritual side? If so, try reading tarot. You can immerse in a tradition that has existed for centuries, and read for friends and family once you better understand the meaning of the cards.
Candle Making
There’s nothing better than coming home to the smell of a delightful scented candle filling the air! If you like creating a relaxing atmosphere at home, learn how to make your own candles. Candles also make for thoughtful and affordable birthday presents for friends and family.
Fermenting
Drinks such as kombucha and kefir have exploded in popularity, and they’re filled with bacteria that make your gut healthier and improve your overall well-being.
Making these drinks at home is actually easier than you think. All you need are the right tools and a little patience.
Cake Decorating
Sure, baking is cool, but everybody knows the best part of the process is decorating the cake.
Whether you use icing, buttercream, edible glitter, or a bit of everything, cake decorating is an excellent way to unleash your creative side while making something thoroughly delicious.
Scrapbooking
Everybody enjoys taking a trip down memory lane, and scrapbooking is one of the best ways to create something physical where you can access your most meaningful moments.
Scrapbooking is not just photos, but also tickets, souvenirs, quotes, and letters from key moments in your life. It also allows you to create thoughtful gifts for friends and family to show them how much you truly care.
Macrame
Macrame is a type of textile produced using knotting. The art of macrame results in beautiful ornaments, wall hangings, and plant hangers.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to add something extra to your home, learning macrame allows you to create unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that will brighten up any wall or shelving unit.
Making Playlists
One of the best parts of logging onto Spotify, Apple Music, or any music streaming service is the playlists. Playlists allow you to access music for a certain mood or event at the touch of a button, and they’re perfect for discovering new songs.
Making playlists yourself, in fact, can be one of the most fun ways to spend your time if you’re a music lover. You can even make playlists for friends and family members to show them just how much they mean to you.
Wine Tasting
Whether you’re a novice to wine or a wine connoisseur, learning how to properly taste wine is perfect for anybody who loves the famous grape-based tipple. Signing up for a wine tasting course is a great way to meet new friends while learning a new skill at the same time.
Learning a Language
Learning a language comes with a ton of benefits. Not only does it help you communicate with people from other countries and cultures, but it also makes travel easier and keeps your brain young (yes, really!).
As we age, we often treat our brains to fewer new experiences, leading to long-term problems with memory or problem-solving. Learning a language is one of the best ways to keep your brain young by engaging it to do a challenging and unusual activity. Plus, it’s super fun!
Brewing Beer
Once you’ve invested in the equipment, brewing your own beer is a relatively affordable hobby. You’ll never have to show up to a party empty-handed again!
Stand-Up Comedy
For confident people with a strong sense of humor, stand-up comedy is a great way to push yourself out of your comfort zone while improving your public speaking.
Hiking
Some of the world’s most beautiful places just don’t look the same out of a car window. To explore them for real, you have to go on foot. Hiking is an excellent way to enjoy regular exercise while experiencing some of the planet’s most picturesque scenery.
Wherever you live, you’re sure to find some scenic spots where you can go hiking or at least go for a long, relaxing walk.
Pottery
Pottery is the best kind of exciting hobby – one that leaves you with a beautiful new homeware item at the end. If you want to channel your inner Patrick Swayze from ‘Ghost’, take a pottery class, and learn how to create items from vases to bowls.
You can put your newfound skills to good use by creating items for your house or to give to friends as gifts.
Meditation
Meditation is one of the simplest ways to reduce stress, and incorporating it into your daily routine, even for only ten minutes at a time, can have a huge impact on your well-being. It’s also a great way to relax before bed and set yourself up for a great night’s sleep.
If you’re a beginner, using guided meditation videos on YouTube can help you to get into the swing of things, as can the wide variety of meditation apps you can get for your smartphone.
Pilates
Pilates is a type of exercise that involves holding poses and stretches – similar to yoga. It’s great for your mental and physical health, and signing up for group classes can also help you meet new people. Win-win!
Mixology
Have you ever wanted to craft the perfect Cosmopolitan or become an Espresso Martini connoisseur? With mixology, you can!
Mixology is the art of creating cocktails, and it’s the perfect hobby for those who love trying new tipples (and showing off at parties). Sign up for an online course like this one from Masterclass or join group classes to learn more.
Manicuring
With the help of YouTube tutorials and online how-to guides, you can become an expert manicurist, with the ability to create one-of-a-kind designs on your and your friends’ nails.
Camping
If you love spending time in nature and sleeping under the stars, you’ll love camping. Not only is it tons of fun, but you’ll learn valuable life skills, like putting up a tent and starting a fire. Not to mention the smores…
Archery
Archery may not be necessary for medieval battles anymore, but it’s still a super fun way to spend your time and a great way to improve skills like hand-eye coordination.
Archery can be exhilarating, especially if you take a group of friends and go head-to-head to see who can get the closest to the target.
Crafts
If you want to connect with your creative side, try some arts and crafts. From sewing to creating handmade cards, there’s no limit on the number of fun things you can make, whether you plan to use them as ornaments around your home or give them out as gifts.
Knitting
In a world with an ever-increasing focus on sustainability, being able to create and fix your own clothes is an underrated skill. Knitting is an excellent way to create clothes you actually want (hello, winter sweaters in your perfect color) while entertaining yourself during quiet evenings. It’s affordable, and – with plenty of practice – simple.
Foraging
Remember the days you spent picking berries in local forests during your childhood? Take this passion for natural exploration into adulthood by foraging for foods such as mushrooms and berries in your local area.
Not only is it great fun identifying the species of flora, but it’s also a way to get delicious, fresh ingredients completely free of charge. Just make sure to check that nothing you pick up is poisonous.
Fostering Puppies or Kittens
Are you an animal lover with some spare time on your hands but don’t want the commitment of a forever pet? Foster cats or dogs in your local area!
Fostering is a great way to provide an animal with a temporary, loving home while they wait to be adopted. You get unlimited pet snuggles, and they get a warm, calming home – it’s a win for all involved.
Dancing
Whether you want to shake your hips to salsa or strut your stuff doing the waltz, there are styles of dancing to suit every interest and experience level. Grab a friend and head to a local class to learn some new moves. Don’t forget to debut them on a dancefloor near you!
More Hobbies to Try
Still looking for inspiration? Take a look at some of these hobbies:
- Beekeeping – I’ve seen so many pieces and articles about how the bee population is under threat. Beekeeping helps you do your bit for the world and get in touch with nature.
- Ice Sculpting – I watched an ice sculptor at a hotel once and always thought it looked super fun! Take a look for a dedicated workshop online.
- Astrophotography – You can go one step further than astrology and take gorgeous photographs of the night sky.
- Glassblowing – Glassblowing is challenging and therapeutic, and there’s a physical outcome to your hard work.
- Debating – We’ve all got opinions on topics, right? You could join a local team, or even set up your own get-togethers to debate either local or global issues.
- Applying for Quiz Shows – I recently discovered there are people who make a habit of being on quiz shows – it’s not just a one off. If you’ve always loved pub quizing and are willing to travel, this could be a fun way to spend time.
- Face Painting – Relaxing, great for kids and adults for lots of occasions, and very Instagrammable!
- Ghost Hunting – Not for the faint-hearted, but there are plenty of excursions and groups that go to haunted locations looking for the paranormal.
There are so many fun, unique, and interesting ways to spend some of your free time.
When you’re feeling bored or like you need to get out, go try one or more of these activities. You never know; you may discover a hidden talent that has been there all these years and make some new friends along the way.
You Might Also Like to Read
- 100+ Hobbies to Try (The Ultimate Bucket List of Hobbies)
- 19 Outdoor Hobbies and Activities Perfect for Spring & Summer
- 26 Popular & Fun Indoor Hobbies to Try at Home this Winter
Looking for fun ways to spend some of your spare time? Keep these interesting hobbies on-hand for inspiration by saving them to one of your Pinterest boards.
