In a culture that values working harder and harder, hobbies sometimes get left out. The idea of doing something just for fun may be unfamiliar. Still, the fact is, indoor hobbies play a valuable role in our lives. They make us more creative and productive people. They can teach us things and broaden our horizons. Plus they are great for self-improvement. In short, hobbies are possibilities.
Although summer presents plenty of outdoor activities, there are a ton of great indoor hobbies as well. Indoor hobbies are great for rainy and snowy days (common in the spring and winter months) and sick days or just for fun. Here's our list of the 70 best indoor hobbies!
70 best indoor hobbies to try out
1. Plant care
If you, like me, love gardening outdoors, you'll probably love caring for indoor plants, too. You might try hanging plants, succulents, or potted flowers to start. There are many varieties that thrive in indoor environments. And starting an indoor garden means you aren't restricted by the weather!
2. Yoga
Yoga is a great way to relax and can easily be done indoors. All that's needed are a yoga mat and workout clothes. YouTube has tons of great (free!) videos to help you begin.
3. Try woodworking
Woodworking is a fun hobby that's usually best to do outdoors or in a garage. You might try making figurines or carvings, or you could try something more complicated, like furniture.
4. Organize
Time to organize all the things, my personal favorite hobby. Closets, drawers, pantries, offices - I find that anywhere that my home feels cluttered, I can use my organizing skills. Plus organization, if done right, can be a huge de-stressor!
5. Scrapbook
Scrapbooking is a fun way to remember good times, and it's one of the best indoor hobbies. Collect photos, keepsakes, postcards, and other items. These can be from anything memorable like weddings, graduations, vacations, etc. Then add them to your scrapbook for safekeeping and memories.
6. Become a tea connoisseur
Do you love to drink tea? Why not become an expert at brewing and choosing flavors? There are even subscription boxes that will bring you new samples!
7. Play games on the Wii or Nintendo Switch
The Wii and Nintendo Switch game console offer both workouts and a fun activities. There are plenty of games and sports to play, and it's more interactive than video games.
8. Learn all the history of a particular country or time period
Are you interested in a specific time or country? Research the culture and history of that era or place. You might even become an expert!
9. Home improvement projects
Improving your home can start small with, say, painting a wall. It can also be as involved as a kitchen remodel. You can create your vision, set your budget, and begin improving your home. Upgrading your space not only enhances your quality of life but may also add value to your house long-term.
10. Make espresso and coffee
One of my favorite ideas is to become a coffee and espresso expert. Watch videos to teach yourself how to create the perfect brew, make lattes, or use a french press. As an added benefit, your friends will love coming over for some caffeine!
11. Bake cookies and desserts
Love to bake? Try out some new recipes and create desserts for fun. Many people love to bake to unwind from a long day or as a way to be creative.
12. Bake bread
Baking bread is similar to baking desserts, but it tends to be more involved and takes more time. There are a lot of recipes to try, plus your home will smell wonderful.
13. Cook meals and dinners for people
If you're a good cook (or want to be!), this can be another of the most fun indoor hobbies. Practice your cooking skills, and when you feel confident about a dish, invite family and friends over to try it out.
14. Make candles
Candle making is one of those DIY craft hobbies that can be a lot of fun! If you're creative and good at making things, this is a great indoor hobby to pick up. You might even make some money if you sell your products.
15. Put together outfits
Love fashion? You can make your workweek easier and enjoy your hobby by putting outfits together. Try different combinations to make clothes feel new, without spending anything. Building a capsule wardrobe is also a great idea.
16. Budget
At Clever Girl Finance, we love a good budget! Budgeting is both a productive hobby and a great way to reach your financial goals. Creating budgets, finding ways to save money, and researching finance will give you a new mindset, and your wallet will love it.
17. Blog
Writing can inspire others, and it's a great outlet. Blogging can help you form an online community while talking about things that matter to you. You'll learn new skills and have fun.
18. Rearrange furniture
A little bit of feng shui can go a long way. Try moving things around in your living room, kitchen, or office to make the room feel different. You might try rearranging furniture in one room every month or so to keep things from feeling boring.
19. Weight lifting
If you enjoy fitness, weight lifting is always popular. It's healthy, and you can challenge yourself to lift more over time. There are many gym options out there, which is an excellent activity to bring a friend along for.
20. Ping pong
This game is great for exercise and stress relief. It's easy to become good at it with practice, and although it's possible to play the game alone, it's more fun with family and friends.
21. Jogging
Jogging isn't only for the outdoors! You can jog indoors on a treadmill or in place. Many people also like to listen to a podcast or playlist while doing this, so it's kind of two indoor hobbies in one.
22. Journaling
Even if you don't think of yourself as a writer, journaling is a healthy way to work through thoughts, express ideas, and unwind. Pick a time during the week, or even every day, to sit down and journal.
When I make this part of my routine, I notice the benefits. You can even journal for your finances! One effective way to journal is with bullet journaling.
23. Hairstyling
Styling hair is a very creative pursuit. You might practice waves, curls, straightening, and even cutting your hair if you're brave! You can easily find tutorials to teach you the basics.
24. Guitar
If you're musically inclined or would like to be, the guitar may be for you. Although there is an initial cost, it's a rewarding hobby. Many people teach themselves instruments now so that they can move at their own pace.
25. Piano
Similar to guitar, the piano is a popular instrument. There are many resources to help you learn. You might begin by practicing on a keyboard, which tends to be cheaper than a piano unless you already have one.
26. Sing
There aren't any start-up costs here. You can teach yourself through books and videos or get an instructor to help you learn. If that's too structured, you can always start your favorite playlist and begin by practicing songs you know.
27. Drums
Drums are an enjoyable activity, although they can be noisy, so be mindful of others in your home. You can also purchase drum sets that are quieter than regular ones.
28. Act and try improv
Acting and improv are some of the indoor hobbies that are usually more fun in a group. There are many improv and acting classes available in most cities. Still, you can also teach yourself if you prefer to practice your craft solo.
29. Make soap and spa products
Speaking of crafts, soap making, or making other spa products is a great hobby. Bath bombs, scrubs, and more are just some of the items you can create.
30. Take classes
The chances are, if you're interested in learning anything, there's a class for it somewhere. From web design to pilates to learning a new language, there are a million options. Try narrowing it down to five topics you're interested in, and see what type of classes you can find.
31. Social media
While social media is excellent for networking, it can also be a rewarding hobby. You can create social media groups for topics you care about or try to teach yourself about Instagram or other media you're interested in.
32. Make movies or videos
Do you like to direct or come up with story ideas? Movie and video-making could be for you. Consider creating a YouTube channel to start. You can make videos about anything, from productivity hacks to music to home decor. Another thing you can do is create video tutorials.
33. Martial arts
Martial arts require discipline and skill, and it takes time to learn. This is the perfect indoor hobby for a great workout, but it also has other potential benefits like increased confidence.
34. Trivia games
There are a billion different types of trivia, so you can start by picking a genre that's interesting to you. From there, you can play trivia games with friends or try beating your high score.
35. Watch classic old movies
Do you love old films? Make a list of the ones that star your favorite Hollywood actors and begin watching. You can even watch movies with friends over a video chat.
36. Chess
This game requires focus and strategy. It can be played online or in-person and can take short amounts of time, or days, depending on the game.
37. Checkers
Checkers is a fun and social game. You can make your new hobby everybody's by hosting tournaments.
38. Poker
Card games like Poker require thinking logically and being able to read people. There are world championships for this, but most people just enjoy gathering a group of friends together to play for fun.
39. Make your own clothes
If you have the time and know-how, you can make your own clothes! It's fun to find patterns and fabric, knowing that you're creating something unique that no one else will be wearing.
40. Crochet
Crochet is a creative indoor hobby that I personally love. You can make rugs, blankets, scarves, hats, and anything else you'd like. It might take some practice, but soon, you'll master the craft.
41. Pilates
Pilates is an excellent workout that also helps you to gain flexibility. There are classes offered in many places, but you can also practice on your own. You can check out YouTube channels to help you learn.
42. Ballet
Ballet is a highly creative outlet that allows you to bring structure and grace to music. If you're a beginner, try joining a local studio to get started. After you master the basics, you'll move through the ranks and learn more complex choreography.
43. Darts
Darts aren't just for parties; you can also play on your own. Although it may seem difficult at first, it's the perfect way to learn focus and coordination.
44. Plan your week, month, and year
If you enjoy planning and organization, try this. You can create weekly, monthly, and yearly goals to complete. It can be motivating and inspiring to work towards the things that matter to you and tracking it will help keep you aware of what you've accomplished so far.
45. Design your own planner
If you've ever felt that you can't find the perfect planner with everything you need, why not create one? You can do this from scratch, or you might try buying some printables to help.
46. Video games
Video games are a popular indoor hobby. It's challenging and also gives you a chance to make friends who have similar interests.
47. Learn a language
There are so many programs and phone apps out there that can teach you a language - for free! Make it fun by learning the language of a place you'd like to visit someday or a language that you'll be able to use frequently in your everyday life.
48. Draw
If you're an artist at heart, you might take up drawing or sketching. All that's required is a drawing pad and pencils, although you can get more elaborate by using charcoals and other colors.
49. Paint
Painting can be a great way to relax and get in touch with your creative side. Try something simple to begin, and have fun gradually progressing to more complicated patterns. There's oil painting, watercolor, and others.
50. Fix something in your home
If you're handy and something in your house needs repairing, get to work! It can be a hobby if you enjoy it, plus it makes your home more comfortable.
51. Puzzles
Puzzles are a favorite hobby of many people. There are all kinds, from 1000 piece jigsaw puzzles to 300 pieces for beginners. Find a landscape or picture you like, and set up a puzzle table.
52. Crosswords
You can find crosswords in the daily paper, but you can also buy whole books of them if you're an overachiever. You can purchase them based on skill level and watch your vocabulary increase!
53. Make frugal living plans
If you like saving money, there are endless ways to do so by living frugally. You can make this a hobby. Start by going through your budget to see if there are any money wasters. From there, think about ways to save on groceries, transportation, and more.
54. Make money from a side hustle
Many indoor hobbies can make you some extra cash. Try one from this list of 40 top hobbies that make money or develop a new idea. You can sell something, hire out your writing or computer services, or anything else you can think of.
55. Volunteer at home
Helping others can happen anywhere and can even become one of your indoor hobbies! There are a lot of volunteer tasks to be completed from your computer or in your house. Find out more with VolunteerMatch.
56. Biking
Stationary bikes aren't that expensive if you get a lot of use out of them. You can also sign up for classes so you can bike with an instructor and others who love fitness.
57. Photography
Love to take photos? You might turn your photography into a hobby and enhance your skills. Figure out what you like to photograph - landscapes, patterns, etc. Then spend time training and learning how to take better pictures with your camera.
58. Basket weaving
Basket weaving is a unique craft. You can make presents for family and friends, and do something fun that is also productive.
59. Knitting
Knitting is similar to crochet but uses two needles. You can make anything from throw blankets to mittens.
60. Sewing
Sewing is a great hobby to get into. It can help you make costumes and clothes, pillowcases, hats, and more. Plus you can take it an extra step by learning all the various stitches and even embroidery.
61. Online shopping
I like this idea, though it can get expensive! On the other hand, you can find bargains, especially if you like to look for sales or coupons to find the best price for an item. Plus, you can shop from the comfort of your own home.
62. Pedicures
Pedicures are a great way to practice self-care and relaxation, but it's also a hobby. You can experiment with various colors and designs to get the perfect spa-like experience.
63. Build websites
If you enjoy working on sites like WordPress or Squarespace, you might try building websites for fun. This talent takes time to develop, but if you get good at it, you can make money, and you'll likely never run out of projects.
64. Science projects
These aren't just for school! If you like science, you might try some home science experiments as a hobby. There are a lot of fun ones that don't require too many things to get started. Always follow safety precautions, of course!
65. Meditation
Deep breathing and meditation are healthy exercises that often help people feel more relaxed and calm during their day. If you prefer guided meditation or just want to know how to get started, tons of apps will help you begin.
66. A book club with friends
If you love reading, you might consider joining a book club. You can read through a book or chapters of it and then meet to discuss it with your club. These can be online or in-person meetings, and it's great to find a community with your same interests.
67. Movie club with friends
This is similar to the book club, but you find people who have similar taste in movies. You might watch a film together to discuss it, or watch it separately and then give your thoughts. There are multiple genres like classics, comedies, dramas, and more.
68. Facials
You can learn to do your own facials at home. If you want to go all out, you can create facial scrubs using ingredients in your kitchen. If that doesn't appeal to you, you can always purchase a pre-made mask at the store.
69. Edit videos or photos
Editing can take a lot of time to do, but it's worth it for the finished product - a great video or photograph. It's another hobby that might make you extra cash if you're good at it.
70. Write a novel
If writing is your passion, try writing your own novel or book. You can work on it whenever inspiration strikes. It's fun to create characters or discuss ideas, and who knows? Someday, it might become wildly popular!
How to pick a hobby
Are you wondering where to begin? Here's how to pick the right hobby.
Try a few from this list
If you're unsure of what you're interested in, I recommend picking out a few hobbies from this list that sound like fun. Try them out and see if you enjoy them or not. You can make a pastime from the one you like best. If not, try a few more. If nothing else, you're finding out what you don't enjoy, which will get you that much closer to the hobbies you do like.
Try a hobby with friends and a hobby on your own
If you want to choose a good hobby, try one with friends or family, and another on your own. Sometimes things are more fun with more than one person. You might dislike watching classic movies alone, but enjoy it with a friend. On the other hand, you might like painting or sewing while on your own. It's up to you.
Indoor hobbies are great ways to spend your time if you can't go outside for whatever reason. They help you learn skills, perfect talents and make new friends. Even though there are 70 choices on this list, there are endless options out there waiting for discovery!