List of hobbies facts for kids

This matchcover from 1949 shows "George Stahl's Hobbies."

A hobby is something fun you do just for pleasure. It's an activity, interest, or pastime that you enjoy in your free time. Hobbies are a great way to relax and learn new things. They can also help you meet people who like the same things you do. This article lists many popular hobbies that people enjoy around the world.

Fun Hobbies You Can Do Indoors

This is an amateur radio station. People use it to talk to others around the world!

A vintage scrapbook, perfect for keeping memories.

Many hobbies are perfect for doing inside your home. They are great for rainy days or when you just want to relax.

• Amateur radio: This is also called "ham radio." People use special radios to talk to others far away. You can even talk to people in different countries!
• Aquarium keeping: You can create a beautiful underwater world in your home. This involves taking care of fish and plants in a tank.
• Baking: Learn to make delicious cakes, cookies, and bread. It's fun to create tasty treats for yourself and your family.
• Baton twirling: This involves spinning and tossing a metal rod called a baton. It's often done with music and can be very graceful.
• Bonsai: This is the art of growing tiny trees in pots. You shape them to look like full-sized trees.
• Computer programming: You can learn to write code and create your own games or apps. It's like building with words and logic.
• Cooking: Explore different recipes and make meals. You can try foods from all over the world.
• Creative writing: Write stories, poems, or even scripts. It's a great way to express your imagination.
• Dance: Learn different dance styles like hip-hop, ballet, or jazz. You can dance for fun or join a group.
• Drawing: Use pencils, pens, or charcoal to create pictures. You can draw anything you imagine.
• Genealogy: This is like being a detective for your family history. You research your ancestors and build a family tree.
• Jewelry making: Create your own necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. You can use beads, wire, and other materials.
• Knitting: Use needles and yarn to make scarves, hats, or blankets. It's a relaxing way to create something useful.
• Musical instruments: Learn to play the guitar, piano, drums, or any instrument you like.
• Painting: Use paints like watercolors or acrylics to create colorful artworks.
• Scrapbooking: Organize your photos and memories in a special book. You can decorate the pages with stickers and drawings.
• Sculpting: Create 3D art using clay, play-doh, or other materials.
• Sewing: Make your own clothes, bags, or repair items. You can use a sewing machine or sew by hand.
• Singing: Sing your favorite songs or join a choir. It's a fun way to express yourself through music.
• Woodworking: Build things out of wood, like small furniture or decorative items.

Exciting Hobbies for the Outdoors

These hobbies are perfect for getting fresh air and enjoying nature.

• Air sports: This includes activities like flying drones or even learning to fly a small plane.
• Board sports: Try skateboarding, snowboarding, or surfing. These sports use a board to glide.
• Cycling: Ride your bicycle for fun, exercise, or to explore new places.
• Jogging: Go for a light run to stay fit and enjoy the outdoors.
• Kayaking: Paddle a small boat called a kayak on lakes or rivers.
• Mountain biking: Ride a bike on rough trails and hills. It's an adventurous way to explore.
• Parkour: This involves moving quickly and efficiently through an area. You might jump, climb, or vault over obstacles.
• Photography: Take pictures of nature, friends, or interesting places.
• Rock climbing: Climb up natural rock formations or indoor climbing walls.
• Running: Run for exercise, fun, or even join races.
• Sailing: Use a boat with sails to travel across water, powered by the wind.
• Sandcastle building: Create amazing structures out of sand at the beach.
• Swimming: Enjoy swimming in a pool, lake, or the ocean.
• Tai chi: This is a gentle form of exercise from China. It involves slow, flowing movements.
• Yoga: Practice different poses and breathing exercises to improve flexibility and relaxation.

Hobbies That Involve Collecting

A collection of coins.

Collecting is a popular hobby where you gather items that interest you.

Collecting Indoors

• Art collecting: Find and gather different types of artwork.
• Coin collecting: Collect coins from different countries or time periods.
• Element collecting: Gather samples of different chemical elements (safely!).
• Stamp collecting: Collect postage stamps from all over the world.
• Vintage books: Collect old and rare books.
• Vintage clothing: Collect clothes from past eras.
• Record collecting: Collect vinyl records of your favorite music.

Collecting Outdoors

• Fossil hunting: Search for ancient remains of plants and animals.
• Insect collecting: Collect and study different kinds of insects.
• Leaf collecting and pressing: Gather leaves and press them to preserve their beauty.
• Metal detecting: Use a metal detector to find hidden treasures underground.
• Mineral collecting: Collect different types of minerals and crystals.
• Petal collecting and pressing: Gather flower petals and press them.
• Rock collecting: Collect different types of rocks and learn about them.
• Seaglass collecting: Find smooth, colorful pieces of glass that have been tumbled by the ocean.
• Seashell collecting: Gather beautiful seashells from beaches.

Hobbies That Involve Competition

Billiards balls.

Many hobbies involve competing against others or yourself.

Indoor Competition Hobbies

• Bowling: Roll a ball down a lane to knock over pins.
• Boxing: A combat sport where two people punch each other.
• Chess: A strategy board game played by two opponents.
• Cheerleading: A team activity that combines dance, gymnastics, and stunts.
• Cubing: Solving puzzles like the Rubik's Cube as fast as you can.
• Billiards: Games played on a table with balls and a cue stick, like pool.
• Darts: Throwing small darts at a target board.
• Fencing: A sport where two people fight with swords.
• Gaming: Playing video games, often competitively.
• Handball: A team sport where players throw a ball into the opponent's goal.
• Martial arts: Disciplines like karate, judo, or taekwondo.
• Table football: Also known as foosball, a game played on a table with figures attached to rods.

Outdoor Competition Hobbies

Playing baseball.

• Airsoft: A team game where players use replica firearms that shoot plastic pellets.
• American football: A team sport played with an oval-shaped ball.
• Archery: Shooting arrows with a bow at a target.
• Association football: Also known as soccer, a team sport played with a round ball.
• Auto racing: Competing in races with cars.
• Badminton: A racquet sport played over a net.
• Baseball: A bat-and-ball game played between two teams.
• Basketball: A team sport where players shoot a ball through a hoop.
• Climbing: Competing to climb up walls or rocks.
• Cricket: A bat-and-ball game popular in many countries.
• Cycling: Competing in bicycle races.
• Equestrianism: Horse riding sports, like show jumping or dressage.
• Figure skating: Skating on ice, performing jumps and spins.
• Fishing: Trying to catch fish, sometimes in competitions.
• Golfing: Hitting a small ball into a series of holes using clubs.
• Gymnastics: Performing exercises that require strength, flexibility, and balance.
• Ice hockey: A team sport played on ice with sticks and a puck.
• Kart racing: Racing small, open-wheel vehicles called go-karts.
• Paintball: A team game where players shoot paint-filled pellets at each other.
• Running: Competing in races like sprints or marathons.
• Shooting: Competing in target shooting with firearms or air guns.
• Squash: A racquet sport played in an enclosed court.
• Surfing: Riding waves on a surfboard.
• Swimming: Competing in swimming races.
• Table tennis: Also known as ping-pong, a game played on a table with paddles.
• Tennis: A racquet sport played on a court with a net.
• Volleyball: A team sport where players hit a ball over a net.

Hobbies That Involve Observation

People birdwatching on Orchid Island in Florida.

These hobbies focus on watching and learning about the world around you.

Indoor Observation Hobbies

• Microscopy: Using a microscope to look at tiny things up close.
• Shortwave listening: Listening to radio broadcasts from far away on special shortwave radios.

Outdoor Observation Hobbies

• Amateur astronomy: Looking at stars, planets, and galaxies through a telescope.
• Amateur geology: Studying rocks, minerals, and the Earth's structure.
• Bird watching: Observing and identifying different types of birds in their natural habitats.
• Geocaching: Using GPS to find hidden containers called geocaches. It's like a treasure hunt!
• Meteorology: Observing and studying weather patterns.
• Travel: Exploring new places and cultures.