34 General Hobbies for Adults to Try
Like many adults, you can be so preoccupied with chores and your day to day activies that you forget to do the things that bring you inexplicable joy. These hobbies do not have to be things that are generally considered unproductive.
Although you might derive a lot of unbridled joy from those activities, we believe it is even more fulfilling if your hobbies also add value to your daily life.
We’ve compiled a list of the most popular hobbies that generally any adult could try. The list is all encompassing as it includes activities in several categories such as arts and crafts, mental hobbies, active/physical hobbies, creative DIYs, sports and outdoor activities, home and indoor activities, fun and entertainment, among others.
Hobbies for Adults to Try
Mental Activities
- Learn a Foreign Language
This is a highly rewarding skill that will come in handy in interesting situations. You can improvise by learning it online, watching movies in that language, etc. There are also apps and groups worth looking at to give you a head start.
- Computer Programming
No, programming is not for gurus alone. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll realize that it is really fun and exciting.
- Playing Board Games
Get together with friends or family members to play board games like monopoly, chess, checkers, scrabble, etc. This promotes brain development and strengthens your bond with friends and family. Plus it doesn’t cost much to set up.
- Reading
While fiction and fantasy books are fun to read and help widen your imagination, non-fiction books are great resources for learning valuable things.
- Writing
Everyone has a story to tell. You don’t have to be a creative writer with an incredible imagination. If detailing your experience during adventures in your journal brings you joy, that suffices as a hobby.
- YouTube Channel
Create a YouTube channel and put out video content to catch people’s attention. If done right, you can make money from it.
- Create a Podcast
This is similar to YouTube Channels except that it is an audio file. With a podcast, you can share valuable information with the world on topics you’re passionate about.
Active/Physical Hobbies
- Volunteering
Whether you volunteer to help the less privileged or read to the elderly at a senior’s home, volunteering is an exciting and fulfilling way for you to spend your time.
- Martial Arts
This is a handy skill for self defence and includes fitness. Adopting martial arts as a hobby also helps you to build your confidence and awareness.
- Horse Riding
You need a fair amount of training to ride a horse properly and of course a horse. However, it is an extremely fun sport once you get the hang of it. There are associations in most towns that allow you to give this fun hobby a try.
- Yoga/Exercise
It takes a routine to improve physical fitness and posture, and yoga helps you accomplish this. Yoga sessions can be expensive but there’s always the option of doing it from home in front of your television.
- Swimming
This is a refreshing activity when you need to clear your head and process your thoughts. Swimming can be therapeutic when done alone. However, there is potential for more fun when you swim with other people.
- Mountaineering
This activity is not for the faint-hearted. However, if you’re pretty confident in your ability and you have the right gear, then you can turn it into a hobby.
- Rock Climbing
Compared to mountaineering, rock climbing is less demanding. Fortunately, there are many rock-climbing centers to practice this hobby safely.
Creative DIY Hobbies
- Photography
A picture is worth a thousand words. You experience many things with your eyes and feel that it would be more fulfilling to show people rather than tell them about it. Photography helps you achieve this. You need the right tools, and you’re good to go.
- Jewelry-Making
This activity allows you to create the accessories you wear and style it according to your preference. With the right set of tools, a dedicated workspace, and constant practice, you will start making beautiful jewelry pieces in no time.
- Sewing
While some hobbies are only suitable for the youthful, sewing can be retained till old age. With the suitable kit, you get to adjust or repair the clothes you have, or even make new ones to your taste. If you hone your skills properly, you can also make what others wear.
- Fashion Designing
This skill depends very much on how creative you are. To become a fashion designer, you need to have the right tools, have good drawing/design skills, know how to sew, and gain loads of experience. Of course you can just start by drawing out your designs as a hobby and see where that leads you.
- Makeup
There is more to makeup than just applying powder, eyeliners, and lipstick. You can become experienced by signing up for advanced classes or watching videos on YouTube. As a hobby, start by trying new things and then see how far you’re willing to go.
- Painting
This helps to improve your imagination, develop your creativity, and increase your concentration and patience.
Sports and Outdoor Activities
- Hiking
For beginners, it is best to have hiking partners so that you can explore the beauty of nature together. Having a partner also ensures safety while you’re learning the paths. You must have great hiking boots and gear. Sometimes, that is the difference between a great adventure and a horrible one.
- Archery
This activity helps you develop your eye coordination, improve your focus and discipline.
- Surfing
Surfing isn’t as easy as it looks, and it might take a lot of time and patience to learn it. However, once you learn it properly, there are very few activities that are as mind-blowing.
- Travel
Travelling allows you to explore new places, meet new people and learn about their culture. If you have also learned their language beforehand, you will have a lot of fun communicating with them and understanding their ways.
- Paintball
This activity is fascinating and should be done with friends and family. Paintball teaches teamwork, concentration, and strategy.
- Fishing
This is one of the few outdoor activities that provides a serene environment where you can clear your mind and have a refreshing and quiet alone time.
- Sports
You can never run out of options for sports. Apart from its entertainment value, playing sports also helps to build your teamwork ability, concentration, physicality, etc. Depending on your preference, tennis, football, soccer, golf, bowling, and pickleball are suitable options.
Home and Indoor Hobbies
- Interior Design
As a creative person, you can design homes, event centers, offices, etc. You do not need a degree to do this as a hobby, but it helps to have the required experience through constant practice.
- Gardening
This is a therapeutic and hugely rewarding activity that everybody should adopt as a hobby.
- Cooking
Try cooking some sumptuous meals and recreate lovely dishes. You can even join a cooking class to learn more about the process.
Fun and Entertaining Hobbies
- Play Video Games
You can never run out of options for playing video games. You can have friends over to play games or even play multiplayer online. It helps to broaden your horizons and meet new people.
- Singing
If you have a good voice, singing is a hobby that costs you nothing to do. For a more exciting activity, you can partake in karaoke competitions.
- Acting
Entertainment aside, numerous benefits can be derived from acting. It helps to build your confidence and public speaking skills.
- Dancing
One of the most stress-free hobbies out there. You can do it anywhere. All you need is good music that you can vibe to.
A Hobby for Everyone
Your hobbies don’t have to be unique before you derive maximum joy from them. The amazing thing about the list above is that the activities are completely relatable and popular among the majority. This means that you will not struggle to find willing partners to participate in those activities with you.
Don’t just take our word for it though. Go out there and find out for yourself, and of course, have a blast doing it!
