Are you tired of wasting hours scrolling on your phone? Then, it’s time to pick up a hobby.
Hobbies are a great way to pass the time. They let you relax screen-free. They’re a wonderful form of self-care and a reminder that not everything you do needs a “purpose”.
There are hundreds of different hobbies, many of which you might not think of, like napping. If you’re ready to find an activity or two to try your hand at, check out this list of twenty-five inexpensive hobbies to try in 2024.
1. Draw
The beauty of drawing is how simple it is. All you need is a pencil and paper, which you probably already have. The thousands of online tutorials make learning the fundamentals easy and free.
2. Watercolor Paint
A decent quality set of watercolor paints and paper costs $10 or less each. With them, you can spend hours painting anything you can think of. Watercolor is a forgiving medium and relatively easy to learn, making it perfect for beginner artists.
3. Knit or Crochet
Knitting and crocheting are classic hobbies. They’re not hard to learn and give you something to do while commuting or watching TV. Following patterns and tutorials, you can create anything from stuffed animals to blankets.
4. Cross Stitch or Embroidery
While a hobby like cross stitch or embroidery can seem intimidating, beginner kits let you try it practically risk-free. If you like it, you can invest more in thread, hoops, and patterns. Cross stitch and embroidery projects also make fun gifts.
5. Hand Lettering
Hand lettering is fun, taking your handwriting from basic to beautiful. Whether you prefer complex calligraphy or funky lettering, there are tutorials and books to help you learn. You can even try your hand at creating your own lettering style.
6. Hand Sewing
Traditional sewing may seem intimidating, thanks to all the equipment you need. Hand sewing is more approachable for beginners since it only requires a needle, thread, and fabric. You can make many projects by hand, from blankets to aprons.
7. Walking
Walking lets you get in casual cardio and explore the world around you. You can walk around your neighborhood or city or find nearby trails. If regular walks bore you, try going with a friend or taking a nature walk.
8. Stretching
Keeping your range of movement as you get older helps prevent future stiffness and injuries. So why not start stretching as a hobby now? By doing it a few minutes a day, you’ll see massive benefits. You could even aim to learn flexibility tricks like splits or a back bend.
9. Dancing
Learning to dance can be as simple as watching a few YouTube tutorials. If you’d like to invest more, consider taking lessons online or in person. You’ll gain confidence and a skill you can show off at parties.
10. Reading
Reading is a great form of entertainment or education. Even better, your local library makes getting books free and easy. There’s nothing like browsing the shelves for the perfect read. Plus, it’s a much better way to kill time than scrolling on your phone.
11. Watch Movies
Watching movies is a nice casual hobby. You can also use your love of film to learn more about them. Explore directors and actors you like. Find a list like “100 best movies of all time” and work through them, writing your review for each one in a journal or on a platform like Letterboxd.
12. Thrift Shopping
Thrift shopping allows you to get expensive items for incredibly low prices. Learning to identify quality items and reasonable price points takes time, but once you’ve figured it out, you’ll find deals everywhere. You could even start a resale business flipping thrift finds for extra money.
13. Baking
Baking is a wonderful hobby for two reasons. One, it has a delicious outcome. Two, most recipes use basic ingredients you have at home. Even if you don’t have any recipe books, there are thousands of tasty recipes online, complete with video tutorials and step-by-step instructions.
14. Cooking
If you aren’t a sweets person, learn to cook instead. Even if you know the basics, you can learn to make new, more complex recipes to build your skill set. Or consider going to a cooking class to take your kitchen game to the next level.
15. Coding
Coding can give you a whole new level of computer skills, or it can just be a fun pastime. It may sound complex, but there are plenty of tutorials and programs out there that make learning it a breeze.
16. Photography
Learning the basics of good photography elevates your pictures and is a valuable life skill. You can find plenty of tutorials online, then go out and practice. You don’t even need an expensive camera with how good phone cameras are these days.
17. Learn a New Language
Learning a new language is a fun and useful hobby. Thanks to apps like Duolingo, it’s easier now than ever. By dedicating time daily to practice, you’ll be able to hold conversations in as little as six months of consistent work.
18. Try a Small Instrument
Instruments like violin or trumpet can be expensive to get, learn, and maintain. But if you’d still like to pick up an instrument, consider a smaller one like the ukulele, harmonica, or recorder. They’re all fun, inexpensive, and easy to learn.
19. Make Cards
Making cards is fun because you can make them however you like, using hand lettering, watercolor, collages, and more. Then, you can send your beautiful cards to friends and family to brighten their day. No more buying generic cards at the store.
20. Educate Yourself
Learning doesn’t have to stop after formal schooling is over. Is there a topic you’d like to learn more about? Find a documentary, YouTube video, book, or podcast, and educate yourself about it. You’ll find learning more fun when you get to pick the topic and the pace.
21. Board or Card Games
Board or card games are a great way to spend an evening with friends or family. While some board games can be expensive, they’re worth the investment for the hours of fun you’ll have. A deck of cards can cost as little as $1, and you can play hundreds of games with them.
22. Video Games
Video games are a fun way to relax, requiring a bit of skill to learn and play. Even if you don’t have a gaming system, you can find many games for your PC, either for free or under $30. Explore to find what kinds you like best, whether that’s RPGs or racing games.
23. Roller Skating
Roller skates can be a big investment, or you can find used ones cheaply. Once you have the skates, you only need a smooth space to teach yourself to skate. There are hundreds of tutorials online to help you. It’s a fun activity that gets you exercising outside.
24. Writing
You can try many forms of writing, such as journaling, poetry, short stories, screenplays, and more. It’s a great way to get your thoughts out of your head or spend time making up stories. All you need is a notebook and pencil or a Google Doc to get started.
25. Adult Coloring
Even if you don’t have any artistic ability, you can color in an adult coloring book. It’ll give you hours of fun and let you unwind without a screen. Similar activities include adult dot-to-dot books and color-by-numbers.
There are many, many more free or inexpensive hobbies you can try out there. Take your time and explore different ones to find the ones you like best.
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