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Helping Your Kids Find a Hobby They Will Love

As a parent, it’s wise to make sure your children have tons of pleasurable memories of their experiences during childhood. One of the ways you can make sure this happens is by encouraging them to cultivate wholesome hobbies. Consider the following ways you can help them on this journey of self-discovery.

Hobbies and screen time offer contrasting approaches to leisure. Hobbies, involving focused engagement in enjoyable activities, promote creativity, relaxation, and improved mental well-being. Conversely, excessive screen time, particularly in the form of passive consumption like endless scrolling, can lead to decreased physical activity, social interaction, and potential negative impacts on mental health..

While screens offer work and social connection, healthy boundaries and balanced engagement are crucial. This video explains how having a hobby can improve your mental health, including reducing anxiety and depression, and preventing cognitive decline:

57s

Channel 3000 / News 3 NowYouTube · Jan 20, 1970  

Hobbies:

• Mental well-being: Hobbies can boost mood, reduce stress, and enhance feelings of accomplishment and self-worth. 

• Creativity and cognitive stimulation: Activities like painting, writing, or playing a musical instrument can foster creativity and keep the mind active. 

• Physical activity: Some hobbies, like sports or gardening, promote physical health. 

• Social interaction: Participating in clubs or groups centered around a hobby can strengthen social connections. 

• Examples: Reading, writing, playing a musical instrument, painting, gardening, sports, volunteering, and learning a new language. 

Screen Time:

• Potential for negative impacts: Excessive screen time can be linked to anxiety, depression, body image issues, and sleep problems. 

• Disrupted circadian rhythm: Blue light emitted from screens can interfere with sleep patterns. 

• Reduced physical activity: Spending too much time on screens can lead to a sedentary lifestyle. 

• Impact on social interaction: Excessive screen time can hinder face-to-face social interaction and relationship building. 

• Examples: Watching television, playing video games, scrolling through social media, and using digital devices for prolonged periods. 

This video discusses the recommended screen time for kids and potential health risks associated with excessive screen time:

56s

CBS MorningsYouTube · Jan 18, 1970

Finding a Balance:

• Limit screen time: Experts suggest limiting screen time outside of work to two hours per day for adults, and two hours for children, according to health resources. 

• Prioritize hobbies and activities: Replace excessive screen time with engaging hobbies that promote well-being and mental health. 

• Be mindful of content: Choose high-quality content and be aware of the potential impact of certain types of media. 

• Engage in real-life interactions: Make an effort to connect with others in person and participate in activities that foster social connections. 

Stop Scrolling, Start Doing

The journey to a more balanced life starts with small, deliberate changes. By setting boundaries around screen time, exploring new hobbies and fostering real-world connections, you can reclaim your time and improve your overall health. As Sagullo reminds us, if you’re stuck in the cycle of constant scrolling and digital overload, remember that “if nothing changes, then nothing changes.”

Sometimes, the scariest part is simply taking that first step. By embracing a balanced approach that values both digital connectivity and the deeper connections made offline, you can enjoy improved sleep, better mood and more meaningful social connections. It’s time to look beyond the screen and rediscover the pleasures of a well-rounded, healthy lifestyle.

 6 Ways to Help Your Kids Find a Hobby 

Developing an interest in a hobby can allow your kids to explore their creative side, learn new skills, build confidence, and make lasting friendships. With such various activities available for children these days, it can be hard for them to decide where to start. To assist you in guiding your little ones on their journey toward discovering the perfect hobby that they’ll love and cherish for many years, refer to this six-step guide explaining how to help them find what works best for them. This post discusses critical steps in helping your child build meaningful hobbies they’ll enjoy.

Utilize resources online

One of the easiest and most accessible ways to do this is by utilizing resources online. With just a few clicks, you can find a wealth of ideas for hobbies and activities that your kids can do from their homes. When you explore the internet, you may find relevant information at thehobbiesguide.com that can help you and your kid decide which hobbies they should try. Once you’ve narrowed the options, reach out to organizations and companies offering classes and activities related to your children’s interests. Whether crafting, cooking, coding, or photography, the internet has something for everyone. By giving your kids a chance to try new things and find what they love, you’ll set them up for a lifetime of rewarding experiences and personal growth. So go ahead and start researching today – you never know what exciting hobby your child may uncover.

Brainstorm with your kids.

Parents want their kids to be happy and fulfilled. One great way to help them achieve this is by encouraging them to find a hobby they love. Brainstorming with your kids is a fantastic way to help them explore different activities and interests. Start by asking them what they want to do and see if anything catches their attention. Ask if their friends or classmates have any hobbies that interests them.

Keep an open mind and be supportive, even if their ideas seem unconventional or unfamiliar. With some patience and creativity, you might help your kids discover a lifelong passion they never knew existed.

Explore local opportunities

It’s important to encourage your child to find a hobby that they enjoy. However, narrowing down the options can be overwhelming. An excellent place to start is by exploring local opportunities. Check out local community centers, libraries, and sports clubs to see their activities. You might be surprised at the range of options available. Once you’ve found a few options that align with your child’s interests, reach out to the people running them to learn more about their programs. Ask about the structure of classes, what materials or supplies are needed, and how often they meet. With a little bit of research and some guidance, your child can find a fulfilling hobby that they love.

Try something new

One of the best ways to foster your kids’ happiness is by helping them find a hobby they love. But how do you get your kids started? Well, the key is to encourage them to try something new. Experimentation is critical, whether playing an instrument, learning a new sport, or trying their hand at painting. You can help your kids discover their passions and cultivate the skills they need to pursue them by giving them the space and support to explore their interests. So don’t be afraid to get creative and encourage your kids to try something new. You never know what they might love.

Make time for hobbies.

The key to encouraging your kids to find a hobby they love is to prioritize their pursuits and carve out dedicated time to indulge in them, whether it’s just a few minutes every day or a more extended block of time a few times a week. For instance, if your child loves cooking, try setting aside an afternoon to make a special meal together. This will allow them to learn something new and have fun. Or, if they love playing guitar, set up a practice session a few nights each week. With your support, your kids can discover the joy of pursuing their passions and develop lifelong skills and interests.
Encourage them to stick with it.

Encourage your kids to try new things and praise their efforts, even if they don’t hit the mark initially. It’s important to show genuine interest in what they are doing and avoid pushing them towards activities you think they should like. Remember, finding a hobby is a journey, not a destination, so be prepared to try a few different things before your child finds the perfect fit. With your support and encouragement, they will find a passion they can enjoy forever.

A hobby can give kids structure and provide an outlet for their creativity, thus aiding in their upbringing. By employing these tips from the guide to helping your kids find a hobby they love, you can be confident that your child will end up with a healthy and enjoyable pastime. Taking these steps now can set your children up to experience the joy of finding a beloved hobby and continually reap its rewards throughout life.

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60+ Incredible Hobbies For Families

(To Try This Year)

How do you have fun in your family?

Discovering the Joy of Screen-Free Hobbies

Once you’ve set boundaries and have begun to decrease the time you spend on screens, the next step is to explore activities that don’t involve screens. Sagullo, who loves to cook as much as she appreciates digital inspiration, believes that finding offline hobbies can offer significant mental and physical benefits.

Social media can be a great source of ideas, but Sagullo warns that “consuming it shouldn’t be your only outlet.” Instead, consider investing time in activities that enrich your life, such as cooking and reading or a creative hobby like crocheting, writing or playing a musical instrument.

Starting small is key. You should set achievable goals, such as taking a daily 15-minute walk to get some fresh air or scheduling time to focus on a hobby or exercise that makes you feel good or relaxed. If you feel that you don’t have time to invest in these kinds of changes, you’re not alone. “There are never enough hours in a day” is a common adage for a reason—but there are ways to get some time back. One of these is making sure you go to bed at a reasonable time.

“If you fall asleep a little earlier, you can get up earlier and focus on something that is important to you,” Sagullo says, highlighting how small adjustments to your routine can lead to healthier habits. Incorporating activities you’re interested in not only reduces stress but also helps you rediscover passions that constant digital distractions might have overshadowed.

Setting Boundaries to Reclaim Your Time

Recognizing the need to set healthy boundaries is the first step toward reclaiming your time and improving your well-being. Sagullo suggests taking a moment to evaluate how much time you’re really spending on your screens.

“If you find yourself mindlessly scrolling at the end of the day, it might be time to take stock of how much time you're spending on screens and what's triggering that behavior,” she notes, urging us to become more mindful of our digital consumption.

Sagullo provided a few strategies you can use to reclaim your time and well-being:

• Cut out phone usage an hour or two before bed

• Use bedtime or focus modes to avoid digital alerts and distractions during sleep

• Use glasses with blue light filters if you’re using a phone, computer or TV before bed

Sagullo says the goal is to create space in your mind and body before bed that allows you to wind down naturally. Adopting a digital curfew could be the solution for those who have a hard time falling asleep.

15 Water Activities for Kids
& Ways to Get Active on the Water

It may be back to school season, but there’s still LOTS of summer left! Temperatures have been soaring around most of the U.S. over the last couple of weeks. It’s only natural that many of us have been gravitating toward the water to catch a break from the heat! Today, we have 15 kid-friendly ways to get active on the water this summer! Not only will these water activities for kids keep them cool, but they’ll help with swimming skills, improve balance and coordination and wear them out! This post is sure to inspire you to get outside and into the water as soon as possible!

Get active on the water

Summertime is the BEST time to get active with your family and it’s extra fun when the activities involve water. With two very busy kids in our house, we’re out adventuring on the water almost every single day. We’re lucky to live in Virginia Beach where the weather is warm most of the year and the beach is nearby, but we’ve done lots of these water activities for kids on lakes and rivers all over the East Coast!

Benefits of spending time on the water

As my children continue to grow, our list of family activities to do on the water grows right along with them. Each summer we’re able to add a few more fun water activities to do together that we weren’t quite able to do the previous year. We love being able to create so many incredible memories with our children while also getting plenty of exercise! The more time we spend outside together, the happier we all are. And it doesn’t hurt that the kids are nice and tired when bedtime rolls around!

15 kid-friendly ways to get active on the water

Getting outside and active on the water doesn’t have to be hard. And it doesn’t have to be the same old thing again and again. There are so many ways to enjoy the outdoors and keep cool. Here are 15 different water activities for kids that will get your kids outside and active on the water this summer!

1. Stand up paddleboarding

Stand up paddleboarding has become one of our absolute favorite summertime water activities for kids. We started when our kids were young (ages of 4 and 6), so our kids are now great at paddleboarding alone or just sitting along for the ride. Stand up paddleboarding is a great full-body workout. While you’re balancing, your body is using your core, shoulders, arms, legs, and back. If you’ve done it before, you know that it’s even great for foot strength! You’d be surprised at how tired your feet will get from gripping the board to balance.

Our kids also love to play a game they call “Paddle Battle.” They stand on opposites sides of the board, facing each other, and rock the board from side to side to try to get the other person to fall off the board first! They can play this game for hours and never get sick of it! They enjoy climbing up onto the boards and jumping off of them as well. If you’re not comfortable heading out for a long paddle, your kids will have a blast simply playing around on the boards. They’ll come up with all sorts of fun games!

2. Kayaking

Another favorite water activity of ours is kayaking. Depending on the age/size of your kids, they can join you on a ride or paddle along in their own kayaks! Our kids have learned to kayak on adult-sized kayaks. However, there are wonderful kid-sized kayaks that you can use as well. You’ll be surprised how quickly children will learn how to use their paddles to navigate a kayak. And if they’re able to go a distance on their own (even in very shallow water where you’ll easily be able to walk to them if they need help), the pride on their faces from that sense of independence is absolutely priceless. It’s like learning to ride a bike for the first time!

3. Hiking or trail walking

Sometimes our favorite water activities for kids involve more than just water. Whether you’re near an ocean, lake, river, creek or stream, you should be able to find lots of great walking trails close to water to enjoy! Here on the coast, we have several boardwalks, as well as walking/hiking trails along the inlets. If you’re further inland, you can usually find great hiking trails in state parks or up the mountains beside rivers and waterfalls! If you have young children, it doesn’t even have to be a very long distance. Just a quick trail with water to toss some rocks into will thrill them!

4. Nature hunts

Along those same lines, nature hunts can be an amazing way to spend a few hours by the water! We often find ourselves out on a nature hunt during that rough late afternoon/early evening timeframe when it’s too early for bed, but the kids aren’t tired yet. You know what I’m talking about. That’s a perfect time to go out for a nature hunt if you have some water nearby. We’ll walk or ride bikes to the beach or inlet, and the boys will search for bugs, crabs, turtles, birds, snails, etc. They’re never disappointed.

Kids are so curious – they can find some kind of amazing treasure wherever they go. Even a new rock and a stick is enough to excite my kids. You can either come up with a specific list of items for the kids to search for, find a list online, or forget the list and just see what you happen to come across. No matter how you decide to do it, the exercise, fresh air, splashing, and nature treasures will always be a crowd-pleaser.

5. Pedal boating

Another great way to get active on the water is to cruise around on a pedal boat! I remember trying these out as a kid when we were on vacation at places like campgrounds with ponds or lakes. Sometimes local parks will have these for rent on the lakes. My kids are lucky because their grandmother happens to have one for them to play on at camp!  And they love that thing!

Last year their legs were a little short so the adults ended up doing most of the pedaling. This year, however, both boys had both grown quite a bit and were able to reach the pedals on their own. Pedal boats are a surprisingly good leg workout and if you pedal around enough, you’ll likely feel it the next day! Our kids love cruising around where there’s lots of seaweed but still shallow enough for the sunlight to illuminate the creatures swimming below.

6.Yoga

While it may seem like a land activity (and it is), yoga can really be enjoyed anywhere, including on or near the water! You can do yoga on the beach, on docks at the lake, and even on a stand up paddleboard! We like to turn our paddleboard yoga session into a bit of a challenge. We’ll see who can get into certain poses without falling off the board or see who can hold specific poses the longest. There’s no shortage of laughter during that particular activity!

7. Skimboarding

Skimboarding is a fun outdoor summer water activity for kids that my boys have are just getting into this year! At the beginning of the summer, they saw some older guys using them at our beach and they didn’t stop talking about it until I finally broke down and got them a skimboard of their own. At 5 and 7, I wasn’t sure our kids would be old enough yet but they proved me wrong! They’ve had a ton of fun on that skimboard. It takes a lot of patience and coordination. Plus, it occupies them for hours.

8. Dock jumping

Those of you living the lake life will be very familiar with this one! This activity has been a people pleaser for decades and will never get old. My kids can spend an entire day doing this and never get sick of it. Jumping off, swimming back to the dock, and then climbing up the ladder over and over for hours. Such a great way to enjoy a warm day while also getting lots of exercise. Like most everything else in our lives right now, the boys turn this into a competition to see who can jump the highest, furthest, or do the best trick.

We alternate between using the life vests when I’m not in the water with them and no life vests when I’m right there to assist if they get too tired to swim back to the dock unassisted. This activity was probably the best activity we’ve done all summer to help them learn to swim better. They made massive improvements in their swimming abilities after just an hour of jumping without the life vests and swimming back to the ladder! And I was right there to catch them or lend a hand if they needed a little extra help.

9. Surfing

Surfing is something that’s only just now popped up on our radar as our boys are getting older. Now that they’re better swimmers and have a great sense of balance on our paddleboards, we’re ready to add surfing to our list of favorite water activities for kids! I grew up in the mountains so I’ve never tried surfing before, but since we live on the ocean it’s time to give it shot. If you live in a beach area or plan to vacation to one, you’ll likely have access to a few places that offer surfing camps for kids and private lessons. Since our youngest isn’t quite old enough for the surfing camps yet, we decided to do private lessons as a family! I have a feeling that surf boards will be on our kids’ wish lists in the near future!

10. Climbing

If you’re in the mountains rather than on the coast, I highly recommend taking some time to adventure near waterfalls!  My kids are fascinated by waterfalls because we don’t live in an area where you can find them.  Whenever we head to the mountains they insist on going out to find some!  Usually, you can also find some great spots nearby to climb rocks! We stick to small falls with fairly easy-to-navigate rock areas, since we’re not well-trained in rock climbing yet.  When we get hot and sweaty from our climbing, we just find a little pool without fast-moving water to plunk down in and cool off!  Please be warned – there is no shortage of beautiful rocks to take home in places like this, so you’re pockets and backpacks will get heavy!

11. Canoeing or row boating

When it comes to being out on the water, you can really just assume that everyone will have a blast using any kind of boat. Kids love learning to paddle and are filled with pride when they’ve gained the skills to do it independently.

12. Go to a splash pad

For those of you who aren’t near nature-made splash areas, you can still have fun getting active in places like splash playgrounds or splash pads! More and more cities are building wonderful splash pads to run around in!  These are especially great for families with babies and toddlers because you don’t have to worry about the water being too deep!

13. Go to a pool

Along those same lines, find a pool nearby! Both indoor and outdoor pools are a great way to spend some quality time with your family. My favorite thing about going to a pool is that I have to leave my phone behind! Once I jump in the water with the kids, they get some absolute undivided attention. It’s so refreshing and necessary!

14. Playing a sport

When you pack up your beach bag, add a soccer ball, football, or frisbee! Depending on where you’ll be and how many people will be there, you could also play volleyball or whiffle ball, too. Tossing a ball back and forth in the water is actually one of my very favorite things to do with my kids. We can keep cool by being waist-deep, connect with each other, and practice hand-eye coordination. You can purchase some fantastic frisbees and balls made specifically for water. We LOVE these. They soak up water and then splash it all over when you toss them.  It’s tons of fun!

15. JUST PLAY!

My final suggestion is to just jump in and play anywhere there’s water!  You can swim around, play on floats, use kickboards or boogie boards, or dive to the bottom to find treasures.  Anything you do in the water together will be fun and your children will appreciate the quality time with you!  You honestly don’t need to rent or purchase any of the fancy stuff I mentioned above to enjoy water activities with kids.  Splash around with your family and make some summer memories that will last a lifetime!

Family Fun Hobbies List:

Indoor & Outdoor Activities For Families

This list of best hobbies for families builds strong bonds and creates memories. These ideas are technology free and meant as a way to unplug, connect, and enjoy spending time with your loved ones.

Benefits of Hobbies For Families

Spending quality time together with a family hobby is a beautiful thing. It…

• Improves communication

• Reduces stress and improves health

• Makes you more creative

And if you start having fun with a new hobby, chances are your kids will too!

Best Outdoor Hobbies For Families

There is something about being outside that makes everyone relax. Choose an outdoor hobby that your family will enjoy.

Hiking

Hiking is free, requires no equipment, and it can be done anywhere. Check out the local trails in your area or walk to a place nearby.

The key to hiking is to make it a new adventure every time.

• I pack a fun snack to eat at the halfway mark.

• The kids love when we turn it into a nature scavenger hunt.

• It’s the perfect time to have interesting conversations.

Start with short hikes, and then expand into longer trails or even parts of mountains (as they become better hikers). It’s a rewarding and enjoyable hobby that builds confidence in kids.

Ultimate Frisbee

If you have four players, you have an ultimate frisbee team.

Play with your family or encourage another family to join you. Find an open space, such as a park or backyard. Then, learn more about the simple rules of ultimate frisbee.

Frisbee Golf

Another variation you can play at parks is Frisbee golf (or disc golf). Instead of hitting a golf ball with a club into a hole, the throw the frisbee into an elevated basket. A full game is typically 9 or 18 holes on a course. The player that completes the game in the least amount of throws is the winner.

Grab a disc golf starter set and get started!

Gardening Hobbies For Families

Digging in the dirt and planting are not only fun, but they have many other amazing benefits.

Gardening…

• makes you feel calm and centered.

• provides a great learning opportunity for children.

• saves you money.

I’ve also noticed that my kids try the foods we’ve grown in our garden every time. Big win!

And if you don’t have a space outside, try a simple herb garden indoors.

Take the plunge and give this a try. You will learn what works and get better each year.

Astronomy

Did you know that you can see a galaxy 2.5 million light-years away with just your eyes? (source) Even craters on the moon can be spotted by using a pair of binoculars.

An astronomy hobby can begin with star gazing from your backyard. Utilize maps and guidebooks from your local library to find constellations, stars, and galaxies.

A great constellation app to use is the Skyview app.

Then, get a beginner telescope when you are ready.

Photography

Bring out the creative side of your family and take a photography class together. Or have fun experimenting with your camera outdoors.

If you have young kids, consider a kid-friendly camera or waterproof camera that they can use as beginners.

Related:

• Best Kids Gifts That Are Not Toys

• Gifts For Kids That Promote Experiences

Fishing

Each fall we take a weekend trip to a trout farm and spend time fishing. While it doesn’t sound overly exciting, it is one of my favorite weekends of the year.

Fishing allows you to slow down, enjoy nature, and spend time with one another. It’s quiet! And it offers just enough excitement to get hooked as a hobby.

Grab fishing gear and find a place close by to fish regularly.

Camping (Families Hobbies)

If you like to spend time outdoors, venture out and take a family camping trip. Make this a more manageable hobby, with this free camping checklist for families.

Try kids trivia questions, kid-friendly family feud, and trivia questions for teens as fun games while you are sitting around the campfire. No packing required!

Geocaching

Join the world of geocaching and explore this outdoor hunting adventure. Use the geocaching app or a GPS device to navigate over 3 million geocaches in 190 countries. This is a great hobby for families with children to explore the area around them.

Biking

Biking can start at a young age and carry you through your lifetime. It’s low impact, helps you stay fit, and is an active hobby. Increase the lengths of your biking adventures as your family grows up.

Golfing

Learn to golf and enjoy spending time together for an afternoon of fresh air and exercise. It’s competitive, challenging, and popular with people of all ages and skill levels.

Kayaking

Kayaking is a great hobby if you have a lake or body of water nearby. Paddle in a group with your family. Look for a tandem kayak for two, or even a three-kayak for more paddlers. Many lakes also have kayaks to rent for the day.

And, if you like it, try out another water sport like paddleboarding.

Family Park Fun

Have a family park fun day! Pack a picnic or a snack and spread out a blanket. Then, relax. Don’t forget to bring a soccer ball or a football to throw around.

We have made it part of our summer family bucket list to visit as many parks as possible and explore the different play equipment.

Drone Flying

If you like technology, but want to spend time outside, try out a drone hobby. Drones come in a large variety for recreational use. Find a good entry-level and affordable model drone to start with.

Place Hop

What types of places are interesting to your family? Make a list of local places to explore and ‘place hop’ to as many different places as you can.

• museums

• libraries

• parks

• beaches

• historic places

• local ‘tourist’ attractions

• scenic areas

Related article: Best Family Bucket List Ideas (with free printable)

Tennis

In most areas, it is easy to find a public tennis court to play on. Or take lessons as a family to improve your tennis game as well as your overall fitness.

Pick A Family Sport

Pick any sport your family enjoys and have fun playing. Learn more about the skills the sport requires together.

• Soccer

• Basketball

• Baseball

• Volleyball or sand volleyball

• Surfing

• Badminton

• Pickle Ball

Outdoor Winter Activities and Hobbies (for Families)

Skiing/Snowboarding

Hit the slopes and enjoy a winter sport activity.

Start your kids early! I’ve noticed that our young kids picked these sports up so much more quickly than I did as an adult.

Snowshoeing

Stay active in the cold months with this fun winter activity. It can be done anywhere. All you need is snow on the ground and a pair of snowshoes.

They take practice walking in at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s fun to do to get outside in the winter.

Ice Skating/Hockey

Lace up a pair of ice skates and give this winter activity a try. Look for an ice-skating rink in your area. If you are more adventurous and a proficient skater, try out a friendly game of hockey with your loved ones.

Related:

• Winter Family Bucket List Ideas

• Best Outdoor Gift Ideas for Kids

Indoor Family Hobby Ideas

Next, enjoy these ideas for technology free indoor hobbies and activities for families.

Rock Wall Climbing

Rock wall climbing is another hobby my family loves. We do this indoors at a local rock wall-climbing gym. Their staff helped us get started, and then we bought our own climbing gear when we saw it on sale.

Typically the walls have different colored “rocks” based on difficulty. This makes it ideal for climbers of all skill levels because you can pick the route that is right for you.

Attend a Local Theatre

Get season tickets to a local theatre group or get involved in local theater as a family. If acting isn’t your thing, work behind the scenes by building sets, designing costumes, or volunteering in another way.

Puzzles

Unplug and improve your mental health and memory with puzzle activities. Jigsaw puzzles are a bonding group activity. Or you can try sudoku and crossword puzzles.

Keep one out in a common area, then everyone can work on it when they feel like it.

*If you like word games, you will love what am I riddles, riddles about animals, and tongue twisters with your family too.

Learn a musical instrument together

Playing music relieves stress, helps with coordination, and may help your child’s concentration and understanding of math.

If you don’t have any musical instruments in your home, pick one of the easier instruments to learn the basics. Try the ukelele, recorder, drums, tambourine, harmonica, or guitar. (source)

Better yet, put your family skills together to make a small band!

Form A Weekly Hobby Club

Form a weekly club with your family members by picking an activity that everyone would like to learn more about. Check out books and online tutorials to help you get started with your new hobby and the materials you may need.

Ideas for a variety of hobby clubs include:

• Investing

• Art

• Jewelry making

• Baking

• Sewing

• Knitting

The bonus of setting up a hobby club is that you set up a specific time each week that everyone can be together to participate.

Related Post: Best Hobbies List For Women

Workout Together

From yoga, to kickboxing, to swimming and dance, find a class at the gym or an online workout program to do together. Working out with loved ones is more fun, builds confidence in kids, and keeps everyone active and healthy.

Play Board or Card Games

From simple to complex, board and card games can provide hours of indoor entertainment and connection.

Choose fun games, and then everyone will look forward to game night!

Need a great game for toddlers? Go with Candyland!

And for big kids? We Love A Ticket to Ride

Take Martial Arts Classes

Build your physical and mental strength with martial arts classes for the entire family. This is a good way to work towards a goal together and engage in healthy competition.

Dancing Hobbies For Families

Do you ever have a family dance party and notice that everyone is having fun?

Turn your occasional kitchen dance sessions into a hobby by learning new dance moves or taking dance lessons.

Cooking

I amnot a gourmet cook, but my kids love it when I set up my dinner ingredients and host my own ‘cooking show’. They enjoy listening to what I’m doing and cooking along with me.

Get everyone in your family working together in the kitchen by trying out a new recipe every week, taking a cooking class together, or cooking along with a tutorial.

Use these kids cooking knives for safety and ease with your younger kids.

Bonus: Your kids are more likely to eat something they helped cook. Let them snack on your healthy ingredients as you cook (any way you can get healthy food into their body is a win!).

Take Art Classes

The options here are endless. Try out pottery, painting, drawing, digital art, sculpture, etc..

We often attend kid-friendly make-and-take art events at a local board and brush studio.

Bowling

Enjoy friendly competition and join a bowling league. Or have a regular night out for bowling with your loved ones.

Attend Sporting Events For Your Favorite Team

Do you have a local team or sport your love? Get season tickets or make it a point to attend as many games as you can as a family.

Building

Creating and building a variety of structures by hand may be just up your alley.

Involve your family and discover what you enjoy making. Building robots, woodworking, and putting together models are a few ideas in this hobby category.

Start A Collection

Collecting is not only a fun hobby, but can become a passion for your family members.

In fact, you may already have an old collection in your basement that you can pull out for inspiration!

Reading As A Family Hobby

Turn reading into a family hobby by starting a book club or doing a family reading challenge. All you need to start is a good book. Read aloud together or get a copy for everyone to read and then discuss.

Reading just 6 minutes a day can reduce stress levels by as much as 68%! Everyone in your family will benefit!

In fact, join our free monthly reading challenges to get this awesome hobby started in your family.

Related Articles:

• Best Books For Kids by Age

• Surprising Reading Statistics To Know

Plan Vacations or Day Trips

Does your family enjoy traveling? Plan your destinations ahead and let everyone in your family plan part of the trip.

“We travel not to escape life, but for life to not escape us.” –Author Unknown

Play Ping Pong

On vacation, we stayed at a home that had a ping-pong table in the garage.

We spent almost all our time at the house playing ping pong!

It was so fun that I immediately started looking to buy our own table. Ping pong is a perfect hobby that young and old love.

Family Food Hobbies

Plan regular food adventures with your family. This could look many different ways.

• Try new restaurants and sample foods from different cultures.

• Learn to cook a new meal weekly together.

• Love ice cream? Go on a hunt for your favorite flavor and ice cream store.

• Review restaurants for fun on Yelp, Instagram or TikTok.

The ultimate food hobby involves eating delicious food with the people you love.

Learn Magic

Most kids would love the chance to learn magic tricks, so make it a family affair and invest your time into becoming magicians!

Family Hobbies That Make An Impact

Next, this list of hobbies for families will not only make an impact in the lives of others, but also positively affect the members of your family.

Volunteer

Choose a place that your family can volunteer at on a regular basis. Your family will enjoy growing closer as they give their time to help others.

Start and Build a Business

Depending on the ages and interests of your kids, you may be able to turn something you enjoy into a profitable business.

This could include lawn care or landscaping, dog walking or pet-sitting, flipping properties, starting a craft shop on Etsy, designing, t-shirts, or getting involved as a vendor in a local Farmer’s Market.

Your kids will learn valuable business skills while seeing the benefits of providing services and goods for others.

Foster Animals

Are you animal lovers? Or maybe you are trying to decide if you are ready for a family pet?

Help animals in need by becoming a foster parent. Many shelters and rescue groups are looking for people to provide short-term homes for pets. They often include everything you need for that animal while it is in your home.

Get involved with a faith-based group

Join a bible study or group through your faith-based organization to grow in your faith together.

Learn A New Language

Does your child have a friend at school that speaks another language? Or maybe you would like to take a mission trip to another country.

Use this as a catalyst to start learning a new language as a family. Find a program online to help.

Help A Neighbor

A great opportunity to help someone could be right in your backyard.

If you have an elderly neighbor or a neighbor you would like to get to know better, bring them a meal, mow their lawn, or invite them over for coffee and conversation.

How is this a hobby? Make it a goal to regularly do something to help a neighbor in your community.

Let your kids brainstorm ideas and help implement the ways in which you reach out. This will become an amazing habit for your kids as well as something they enjoy.

Make a Useful Product

Create something that others can use. You can sell these items or give them away as gifts. Ideas include making your own soap, candles, tie blankets, and jewelry.

Random Acts of Kindness

Turn random acts of kindness into a hobby by regularly planning things to do with your family.

• Let your kids brainstorm and make a list of ideas.

• Choose ideas that take your family time, thought, and planning to complete.

• Plan when you will implement your good deed.

• Discuss how these opportunities impact your family and keep planning new ideas to make a difference.

Share short kindness quotes with your kids as you plan!

Also Related:Best Books For Kids About Kindness

Cheap Hobbies and Activities for Families

Finally, Learn about a hobby for families that are free or cheap!

Birdwatching

Minus the small cost of a birder feeder and bird food, watching birds is a relatively cheap hobby.

Borrow a book about local birds from the library or find a spot at a nearby arboretum to watch these mesmerizing creatures.

Origami (Family Hobbies)

Origami is an ancient form of art that involves folding paper. It dates back to the 6th century and can be used to create different creatures and objects.

It is actually a hobby that will combat stress! Check out books on origami at your local library.

If your family likes this, they may also like making more advanced varieties of paper airplanes.

Trivia

Trivia is a fun and healthy hobby! It helps us engage in problem-solving and challenges us to learn about new topics.

Play trivia at home with your family or find a place that holds weekly family-friendly trivia nights.

Related Trivia posts your family may enjoy (no supplies required!):

• Star Wars Trivia

• Book Trivia Questions

• Road Trip Trivia Questions And Answers

DIY Hobbies For Families

Take on a project as a family and learn how to tackle it yourself for much less cost. Use a book or online tutorial if needed to fix something around your house, make your own clothes, or create gifts for others.

Attend free classes and events at the local library

Look at a community schedule and attend a free class or series of events happening. Make it a hobby to continue learning new things with your family members.

Drawing Hobbies for Families

Drawing and sketching can be one of the best ways to get your mind thinking differently. Learn how to draw something specific with a directed drawing. This creative idea is the perfect way to express yourself.

Journaling

Journaling helps relieve stress and is an instant mood booster. Once you learn how to start a journal and why, you will be instantly hooked.

Meditate

Meditation is free, provides stress relief, and is a wonderful life-long practice for every member in your family to learn.

It’s easy to learn how to mediate and takes very little time, but can make a big impact on your family life.

Related: Mindfulness Books For Kids & Adults

Try Out Healthy Family Challenges

Try new things in your family with 30 day challenges that require little to no supplies.

Choose to add something to your daily life like reading for 20 minutes a day or doing 20 push-ups. Or remove something for a short time, like social media or TV.

Whatever the family challenge, have fun and see what impact it has on your family life. Set a goal with a reward to ensure that you follow through!

How To Pick Hobbies For Your Family

Plan a Family Fun Day

Do you want to explore your family interests? Plan a family fun day and try out several different hobbies for families from this list.

Look for hobbies that give your family room to grow.

Start hobbies when your kids are young so that they can carry on through adulthood.

Pick a hobby you can do regularly.

Make sure these activities fit into your schedule as often as possible throughout the year.

Make sure it’s affordable for your family.

Whatever activity you decide on, make sure it’s not beyond your means to keep doing it as your family grows.

Remember to take part in the hobby.

If you actively participate as the parent, your kids will want to as well.

And, as your kids get older, doing a hobby they’ve grown to love may be enough to keep them engaged in your family life.

To Consider With Hobbies For Families

Hobbies for families can connect us with those we love.

Try out a variety of hobbies and you will find a few that you continue to enjoy through the years. Let me know how you love connecting with your family!

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