Looking for a new hobby? This list of 86 indoor hobbies has something for you! Whether you want to start something artistic, something you can enjoy with friends or a new way to stay healthy, they’re all in this list of the best indoor hobbies.
Creative Indoor Hobbies
Get your creative juices flowing with a creative indoor hobby that you can do on rainy days. If you’re the crafty type or just wish you were more artistic, find a hobby here to focus your creative energy and produce something beautiful.
1. Photography
I love photography with film cameras, DSLRs, and my smartphone. There are so many options, and photography goes even deeper when you consider editing software, building a darkroom, lenses, filters, lighting, etc. There’s always more to learn with this hobby.
2. Knitting or Sewing
Some of my earliest memories are of my Mom sitting in an armchair knitting. Create a one-off ietm of clothing for someone you love by learning to knit or sew.
3. Calligraphy
Calligraphy and penmanship are skills that will serve you for the rest of your life. So find a course on calligraphy and start today.
4. Making Clothes
Wearing a shirt you made yourself is so satisfying it’ll make all the hard work this hobby requires worth it. Hand-made clothes also make thoughtful gifts for your friends and family.
5. Bullet Journaling
A bullet journal is a hobby that does so much for you. It’s a place to be creative and artistic and keep you progressing on your goals and being productive.
6. Bonsai Trees
Training a bonsai tree takes skill and patience; it’s an art that goes back centuries in Japan. The results are incredible, though, and will be a talking point in any room.
7. Drawing
After reading Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, I realized that anyone could draw, and my drawing improved significantly. All it takes is time and dedication; you could also become an extraordinary sketch artist.
8. Raspberry Pi
When Raspberry Pis were first released, they took the world by storm; never before did we have access to such a small and inexpensive computer. It opened up the opportunity to make smart devices that wouldn’t cost a fortune at home. Here are a few cool ideas you could build with a Raspberry Pi.
- Media Server
- AI Assistant
- Retro Gaming Console
- Minecraft Server
9. Painting
Like drawing, anyone can learn to paint, you’re not going to turn into the next Monet or Van Gogh any time soon, but you might be able to paint something others would recognize. Spend enough time at it, and maybe you will be the next Picasso.
10. Sculpting
I haven’t touched clay since I was at school, but it’s something I always wished I’d continue with. So maybe it should go on my list of goals for the year “make sculpting my new hobby.”
11. DIY
Rather than waiting for your partner to tell you to fix the table leg or the door that still squeaks, make DIY your new hobby and do them proactively. You get to wear a cool accessory belt, too, like Batman!
12. Make Jewelry
A handmade piece of jewelry makes a precious gift. It’s something you just can’t buy from a store. Learning the skills needed to make jewelry can be tricky, but it’s a hobby well worth the time you put into it.
13. Flower Arranging
Make your home inviting and beautiful by practicing the art of flower arrangement. Flowers can be expensive, but if you buy some artificial flowers, you can practice without spending anything.
14. Origami
When I was a child, my grandfather taught me how to make an origami swan, and I passed it down to my son. He wanted to learn more, so we also learned how to make dragons and other animals.
15. Candle Making
Many skills such as basket weaving and candle making used to be everyday activities, but you can revive them! Candles make great gifts you can give out too for birthdays and Christmas.
16. Woodworking
If you’ve ever had the desire to build anything, woodworking is a rewarding hobby to try. You don’t need to invest in expensive power tools either; look for a local woodworking club; membership usually includes access to all the tools and the workshop. You may even make some new friends there.
17. Make YouTube Videos
Whether you’re a gamer, an artist, or just someone with an opinion, why not start making YouTube videos? This hobby will teach you valuable skills such as lighting, video editing, and audio that could even land you a job later.
18. Stop Motion
If you want to create a film or story but don’t have the skills required for a blockbuster production, why not try stop motion? You can get started using lego.
19. Scrap Booking
Scrapbooking is coming back! Though most of our magazines are now read in digital form, it’s a good change of pace to have something you can hold in your hands. Scrapbooks are a place to fill with your dreams, travel memories, or photos of your children and family.
Best Indoor Hobbies for Fitness
These indoor fitness-related hobbies are more than just a new workout plan; they’ll get your heart beating and have fun too!
20. Weight Lifting
Lifting weights is an integral part of anyone’s fitness regime; if you’re not regularly lifting weights, buy a set of used dumbells on eBay or get a gym membership and make this your new favorite hobby.
21. Running
You don’t have to be outside to go running, so if it’s raining, you have no excuse! There are always cheap secondhand treadmills on eBay, or you’re local gym has a row of them for you to use.
22. Cycling
Exercise bikes are in fashion again! Cycling might be better than running if you want a hobby that will get you in shape. It’s much easier on your joints, which means you can do it longer, put on some good music, and put in some miles.
23. Indoor Climbing
Indoor climbing has never been so popular, so you’re bound to find an indoor climbing wall near you. In addition, indoor rock climbing will prepare you well for climbing cliff faces if that’s your thing.
24. Martial Arts
There are so many martial arts to choose from, here are my recommendations if you want a combat hobby:
- BJJ
- Kickboxing
- Kung Fu
25. Table Tennis
You don’t need a ping pong table to play table tennis at home; put some small objects across your dining table for a net and play there. Of course, finding a place with an actual table tennis setup would be a fantastic regular hobby for you and some friends.
Wellness Hobbies
This list of hobbies that promote well being are perfect for you if you want to relieve stress and feel more relaxed. These indoor activities make you feel good, so many people call them their favorite hobbies.
26. Yoga
Yoga is one of the best hobbies to keep your body working well and a peaceful mind. Learn to overcome the discomfort of the difficult poses while stretching your muscles and lubricating your joints.
27. Pilates
Improve your posture and well-being with this hobby; if you’re introverted and worried about joining a group, follow along with a video on YouTube at home. On the other hand, if you’re an introverted extrovert, why not find a friend to join a club with you?
28. Self Care
We all work hard and need some comfort every once in a while. It could be a regular massage or just doing a mani/Pedi or a facial.
29. Meditation
Meditation isn’t all that complicated; find somewhere to sit and focus on your breath. If you’d prefer a guide while you meditate, try headspace.
30. Tai Chi
Tai chi is an art of balance and mindfulness. It has been shown to have physical benefits, but it’s also beautiful to watch and fun to perform.
31. Learn About Tea
From green and black teas to flower teas and more, there is so much to learn and try; why not decide to become a tea connoisseur? You could invite friends over to taste with you or just make a small pot for yourself.
32. Become a Barista
Some people take their coffee really seriously. Espressos, pour overs and cold drip coffee are just some of the ways to brew coffee you could learn with a coffee connoisseur hobby.
Social Hobbies
If you want to meet new people or spend more time with your current friends, these popular indoor hobbies are great for socializing and meeting people. There’s no need to be lonely anymore!
33. Darts
Darts is a hobby that involves concentration and hand-eye coordination but also leaves plenty of time between visits to the oche to chat with your friends. And if you play in a bar or pub, you can get a couple of drinks too!
34. Pool
Pool is a great way to spend an evening with your friends. It gives you all something to do and talk about and is much more fun than just sitting at a table in a bar.
35. Snooker
For those of you that think pool is too easy or just want more of a challenge, try snooker. The table is much bigger, and the rules make it more difficult, but it’s great fun.
36. Karaoke
In Asia, karaoke is a widespread hobby; there are colossal karaoke centers with hundreds of private rooms. But did you know you can find karaoke versions of all your favorite songs on YouTube? So invite some friends over and start a regular Karaoke meet-up.
37. Cards
You don’t need to gamble to have fun playing cards; there are so many games and variations you always have something new to play. Here are a few good ones:
- Blackjack
- Rummy
- Bridge
- Poker
Intellectual Indoor Hobbies
38. Journaling
Keeping a journal is a great hobby; it can help clear your mind and give you something to look back on in the future. Combine journaling with calligraphy or drawing, and you can create something wonderful.
39. Reading
A good reading habit is not only an enjoyable hobby to do by yourself, but it’s also good for your mind and can ultimately teach you new skills to get a promotion or earn more money. Reading the classics is also a great goal; why not start this year?
40. Blogging
Writing is a great hobby, but if you want people to read what you like, why not start a blog? You may not get many readers at first, but keep going, and soon you’ll amass a following. You can post anything you like on your blog. If you write short stories, poems, or an advice column, put them on your blog!
41. Language Learning
You’re never too old to learn a new language! As an adult, I’ve learned three new languages, so if I can do it, you can! Going on vacation after learning the local language changes the experience so much that it’s worth all the time and effort.
42. Speed Reading
I love speed reading; it’s practical and helps improve all aspects of your life. It’s also not that hard to get started; you can double your reading speed immediately.
43. Crosswords
If you like to read, or just words in general, doing a crossword to completion is satisfying! No cheating, though!
44. Scrabble
Scrabble feels like doing a crossword but as a game with a friend. Don’t worry if you don’t have anyone willing to play with you either; there are plenty of ways to play online.
45. Wordle
Wordle has taken the world by storm! So much so that there are now countless variations on this word guessing game. So get in on the action and share your wordle score on social media so your friends can join you.
46. Sudoku
If you prefer numbers to words, sodoku may be more your style; find a good sudoku book with problems that get progressively more challenging so that you can build your skills up.
47. Book Club
A book club is a great social hobby for you and your friends, just remember to read the book!
48. Write a Book
I wrote my first book a few years ago, and the thing I loved most about it was the routine. I’d take my laptop to my favorite cafe, sit there every morning, and write.
49. Family Geneology
Looking back at your family’s ancestry is an intriguing hobby to try. You might not like what you find out, but at least you’ll know.
Fun Indoor Hobbies
50. Laser tag
Get a group of friends together and go play laser tag; you can’t have a bad time playing laser tag.
51. Magic
All you need to start learning magic is a deck of cards or some coins, so go get some and check out a magic course for beginners.
52. Juggling
Juggling is much easier than you might think; most people can learn the basics of juggling in half an hour. Check out this 10-step juggling guide to get you started.
53. Playing Video Games
This one’s a no-brainer; there is a video game for everyone and when you’re bored, just find something new. Then, ask your friends what they want to play so you can all play online together.
54. Collecting
I enjoy collecting, even though some may say it’s obsessive. You can collect many things, from beanie babies to stamps or coins. All that time searching eBay is worth it when you finally complete your collection.
55. Make Cocktails
Anyone who can make a screwdriver, zombie, and an old fashion will be the life of any party. That could be you! You don’t need much gear to start learning to make cocktails. A shaker is all it takes to impress your friends with your bartending skills.
56. Coding
Start learning to code today if you want to start writing computer programs or building video games. Coding is a fun hobby and will change the way you think. Start simple with python or dive into the deep end with C++.
57. Website Building
Website building is a lot easier now, and you don’t need to write any code. A CMS like WordPress will get you up and running quickly with a beautiful website you can fill with anything you like.
58. Musical Instruments
Learning to play the piano or guitar isn’t just for kids. You can still make significant progress in a year or two if you start a hobby playing a musical instrument today. Keep your focus on your end goal-singing around a campfire or gathered around a piano to sing Christmas carols.
59. Chess
You can play chess both in real life and online, but if you want to get good, you’ll need to study a little. Find a good chess course and you’ll up your chess game quickly.
60. Checkers
Checkers isn’t known as much of an intellectual game, but it’s still fun! Especially if you have a friend to play with.
61. Go
Go is the ultimate strategy game, simple to learn and almost impossible to master, but it’s a hobby you can continue to get better at for the rest of your life.
62. Board Games
There are so many unique and one-off board games now, many of which are crowd funded. Make this hobby a regular board game night for you and your friends.
63. Dance
It doesn’t have to be the tango, but it doesn’t have to be breakdancing either; there are so many different types of dance that I’m sure you can find one you like. Try Dance Dance Revolution!
64. Puzzles
There’s something beautiful about spending a rainy afternoon with a hot cup of tea and a jigsaw puzzle. Invite a friend over and share this hobby with them.
65. Paint by Number
If you’re intimidated by learning to paint, try painting by numbers. It’s not just an activity for young children now! Instead, you can find complex adult paint by numbers and achieve something spectacular when you finish.
66. Diabolo
Diabolo is a cool hobby seen most commonly in Taiwan; it’s like a giant yoyo and is even called a Chinese yoyo by some. It’s a hobby you can practice inside or outside.
67. Devil Sticks
Devil sticks were a phenomenon in the 1990s but seemed to have been forgotten. You can make your own devil sticks if you can’t find anywhere to buy some.
68. Rubix Cubes
I used to think that only geniuses would be able to complete a Rubix cube, but with some memorization and practice, you could be cubing with the best of them.
69. Vision Boarding
Vision boarding is about creating a vision of the future that you can look at and draw inspiration from. Find things that represent your goals and pin them up on the board.
70. Podcasts
Finding a podcast you enjoy is like finding a gem in the dirt. You binge listen to them all and can’t wait for the next one to be released.
71. Dominoes
Some say the goal of dominoes is to get rid of all your dominoes, but I think it’s to have fun. Slamming dominoes on the table is much more enjoyable than putting someone’s king into check.
72. Mah Jong
The Chinese game of Mah Jong is fun if you have three friends to play with; if not, there are solo versions of the game you can play.
73. Make-Believe
It may seem silly but putting up a tent in your living room and pretending to be somewhere else is fun, even if you don’t have children.
74. Astronomy
The first time I saw the rings of Saturn through a telescope, I was hooked. This hobby can get expensive, but the rewards are out of this world.
Indoor Hobbies that Make Money or Save Money
75. Side Hustle
Turn your hobby into something that makes you money; building a side hustle from a hobby is a fun way to earn some extra cash, and if it grows big enough, it could even allow you to quit your job.
76. Teaching Online
Is this a hobby? Or just a job? I’m not sure; I think it depends on how much you enjoy it. Language teaching is easy to find online, but you could teach anything you have experience with, maybe an artistic or physical talent.
77. Investing
Buying stocks is an exciting hobby; just don’t invest more than you’re comfortable losing! Most of the recreations on this list will cost you money, but this one can make you money.
78. Forex Trading
There is money to be made trading foreign currencies; you need to have patience and nerves of steel, though. But, if that sounds like you, a hobby trading on the forex markets can be a lot of fun.
79. Online Poker
There are so many online poker platforms to choose from. If you’ve never played online poker before, my advice is to start on the small tables betting cents, not dollars. You’ll be surprised how quickly a bet can be raised, and you don’t want to lose too much money while learning the game.
80. Preserving
Making jams, pickles and kimchi is a fun way to make your diet a little more interesting, and you’ll be prepared for when the zombie apocalypse comes!
81. Growing Your Food
You don’t have to grow fruit and vegetables outside; there are plenty of options to grow your food indoors; I recommend trying chili peppers, but here are some other options:
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
- Strawberries
- Cucumbers
82. Beer Brewing
Beer brewing has never been more accessible than right now. You can find kits for making home brews online with choices of different hops to create a beer that is truly unique to you. Imagine drinking a couple of cold ones with the boys of your home-brewed beer.
83. Wine Making
If beer isn’t your thing, why not try your hand at winemaking, it’s far from simple, but there’s nothing better than enjoying a glass of your hand-made wine
84. Baking
I love the smell of baking bread! As long as you follow a good recipe, you won’t go far wrong, and after you’ve made a few loaves, you’ll be able to try more complicated baked goods. Impress your friends with homemade croissants!
85. Cooking Exotic Cuisine
Learning to make sushi, Indian curries, or Tibetan Balip will not only be a fun way to spend an afternoon, but this is a hobby that you can eat!
86. Indoor Herb Garden
Suppose you love gardening outdoors, why not do it indoors too? A small window box herb garden doesn’t take too much effort to maintain, but it will make a massive difference to your cooking.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it 86 hobbies for you to try out next time you’re at home or inside somewhere and the weather is too bad to go out.
