17 Forgotten Hobbies That Gen Z Should Learn
Some people call them “granny hobbies,” but we think they deserve a better name. Old-school entertainment needs to make a comeback, not just because vintage is in, but because outdated hobbies could be what saves our sanity.
In our constantly connected world, it’s nice to pick up a hobby that forces us to disengage from our ever-present to-do list. Plus, many of the hobbies on this list cultivate beneficial skills, create thoughtful gifts, or act as low-cost but gorgeous home decor.
The next time you find yourself caught in a never-ending doom scroll, do yourself a favor: put the phone down and start one of these hobbies instead. We can almost guarantee you’ll be glad you did.
1: Paint-By-Number
Paint-by-number might be the perfect hobby. Whatever kit you pick comes with everything you need; there are thousands of art styles to choose from, and you don’t need any real art skills to make something worth putting on your wall.
Putting aside an hour or two a week to paint also has big benefits. This non-stressful activity can help you cultivate a sense of peace while providing a creative outlet.
2: Embroidery
Embroidery might remind you of your grandmother or even your great-grandmother, but that doesn’t mean it’s not cool. Learning to embroider is relatively simple, and it can have big returns.
With a few basic embroidery skills, you can make basic linens special. Add your unique flair to pillowcases, tea towels, and just about anything else made of fabric.
3: Jewelry Making
Making friendship bracelets might have fallen out of style when you were twelve, but that doesn’t mean jewelry-making as a whole is a bad idea. In fact, learning to make jewelry can be a wonderful hobby.
Whether you work with metal, beads, or another medium, making necklaces, bracelets, and earrings is a great creative outlet. It can also improve hand-eye coordination, and if you’re good at it, you may be able to make extra money selling your pieces.
4: Candle Making
You could spend $50 on a designer candle with a custom scent, or you could learn to make them yourself. Making candles isn’t all that difficult, and if you have a high-end candle habit, it could save you money, too.
Homemade candles are completely customizable. You can create great scents, use your favorite type of wax, and choose from a variety of wicks. Plus, candles make wonderful gifts.
5: Canning
Maybe you make a mean marinara sauce, or perhaps you have a few fruit trees that produce more than you can eat. Jarring or canning foods lets you keep your favorite dishes on hand all year long.
Sauces, jams, and even duck confit are all suitable dishes for canning. Though the process takes time and requires a fair amount of setup, canning is a rewarding hobby. Just think of how happy you’ll be opening a jar of fresh strawberry jam in the middle of January.
6: Listening to Vinyl
Ask anyone over sixty about their teenage years, and they’ll probably mention the music. It wasn’t that the music of the sixties was so much better than the music of today, but listening to it was a unique experience. If you want a new, relaxing hobby, try picking up a few vinyl records to see what we mean.
When you’re listening to music on a record, it’s much harder to skip songs, so you tend to listen to the entire album in the order the musician intended. The sound also has a different, and arguably better, quality, allowing you to get lost in the rhythm of the beat.
7: Going to Drive-Ins
The first drive-in theater opened on June 6, 1933. The creator, Richard Hollingsworth, was inspired by his mother, who disliked theater seats. He hypothesized that people might be more comfortable watching movies on the big screen if they could stay in their private automobiles; he was right.
Drive-ins are harder to find now than they were in the 1950s and 60s, but if you happen to find one near you, consider making it part of your new summer hobby. You can deck your car out with blankets and pillows, bring as many snacks as you want, and enjoy being outside beneath the stars.
8: Reading Physical Books
Reading is a fantastic hobby at any age, but many people today rely on digital means to consume books. While listening to stories or using an e-reader is convenient, there are major benefits to reading a physical book instead.
A University of Valencia study concluded that reading physical books increases comprehension up to eightfold. It’s also better at improving vocabulary in young readers. So, while digital books are convenient, picking up a real hardcover will provide more benefits.
9: Card Making
In case you haven’t noticed, greeting cards are getting more expensive. The average price of a regular greeting card is up to $4.50.
You could save a little money and start a rewarding hobby with card making. Card making can be as simple as folding a piece of cardstock in half and adding thoughtful text. Or, you can make it a real project by adding stickers, cut-outs, paint, or other embellishments.
10: Gardening
Many younger Americans have a houseplant habit, and that’s great, but outdoor gardening is even better. You don’t need a ton of outdoor space to grow things like tomatoes, herbs, and other plants that are good for you and good for the environment.
Even if you don’t have a yard, gardening is possible. Many urban spaces offer community plots you can join. Alternatively, you could seek out a local farm and offer to volunteer in exchange for free veggies or fruit.
11: Volunteering
Recent reports suggest volunteering is on the decline in the U.S. However, this is a hobby that shouldn’t die out.
Volunteering offers huge benefits to the community and to the volunteers themselves. Volunteering can help you meet new people, learn new skills, and strengthen your resume. Plus, it provides a sense of purpose, which can boost your overall happiness.
12: Flower Pressing
Pressing flowers seems like an outdated hobby, but it shouldn’t be. Once pressed, flowers have a near-eternal lifespan, allowing you to savor their beauty for years to come.
Many people press flowers that have special meaning, like a wedding bouquet. But you can also press flowers for other reasons. Pressed flower pictures preserved under glass look beautiful hung on the wall, or you could turn your flower pressings into bookmarks and other creative pieces.
13: Jigsaw Puzzles
Sitting down to a jigsaw puzzle might sound like a boring activity, but it’s actually a wonderful hobby. Research suggests that putting together jigsaw puzzles has many benefits.
Solving a jigsaw puzzle engages multiple cognitive abilities. So, if you do them frequently, you could help prevent cognitive decline as you age.
14: Macrame
If you’re not a fan of working with needles, even the knitting variety, you might want to try macrame. All you have to do is knot strings to create an interesting and gorgeous design.
Macrame dates back to the 13th century, and it’s time for it to make a comeback. You can use it to create beautiful artwork as well as functional pieces, like hanging holders for potted plants.
15: Dancing
Dance halls used to be common in the U.S., and it’s time that they came back. Sure, we have clubs and other sorts of music halls now, but old-school ballroom, swing, and other forms of formal dancing are outdated hobbies we need to start again.
Formal dancing is an inherently social activity because you usually need a partner to participate. It’s also a great form of exercise. An hour or two on the dancefloor is sure to break a sweat and provide athletic benefits.
16: Mosaics
Many hobbies revolve around art, which is intimidating to some. If you don’t consider yourself an artist, taking on a creative hobby might feel like a bad idea. However, some art forms are more approachable than others.
Mosaic making is one of the best creative outlets for beginner artists because there’s really no way to do it wrong. Simply pick your medium (anything from tiles to beads) and start creating patterns you can secure to a surface. It can be as simple or as intricate as you’d like; the results will be beautiful regardless.
17: Origami
Origami is the ancient Japanese art of paper folding. Just because it’s an exceptionally old hobby doesn’t mean you shouldn’t attempt it, though.
Origami is fun, low-cost, and often produces beautiful results. It takes focus and a lot of practice to perfect, but it’s also an impressive skill. People around the world are still impressed by swans made from folded dollar bills.
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