22 of the Best Hobbies to Do at Home: Make the Most of Your Spare Time (Alone or With Family)

Whether you’re on vacation from work, have a day off, or just want to make the most of your time at home, having a hobby can help you fill that time with joy and productivity. Plus, the number of things you can do at home is extremely vast mainly because no two people’s homes are exactly the same. In fact, if you live in a tiny home or a small space then you might want to take a look at this article instead.

Some homes have gardens, some have a basement, and some even have a dedicated office where you can meditate or work on a side hustle such as a blog in your spare time. And because your home is effectively your own dedicated space, you don’t have to follow specific rules as rigidly because the land and space are ultimately yours to do what you want (neighbors permitting).

In terms of flexibility, no other space can quite allow you to fulfill your dreams as much as doing it from home meaning you’ll really be able to maximize your time if you can find something you want to do. Thankfully, we’ve got a huge list of home hobbies today for you to browse and get to grips with to see if they take your fancy.

1. Cookery

You don’t need to be a culinary wizard to get started with cookery and that’s because there are millions of recipes that are tailored for beginners all the way up to industry professionals.

You can make the journey easier by picking an area that you want to specialize in as it will help you to become familiar with the various tools to use and methods of cooking you’ll need for maximum impact. For example, you might want to start with baking; you can make this easier by investing in specialized machinery such as cupcake makers or waffle makers to make the process as efficient as possible. Alternatively, you could specialize in certain cuisine types such as Asian infusion, American, and even Mediterranean food depending on your tastes.

Once you’re accustomed to your area of expertise, you’ll find that you’re able to understand potential recipes much more quicker. Basically, you’ll have a methodology that fits the needs of what you’re doing.

Lastly, cookery is one of the cheapest hobbies on the planet if you so wish it: just pick the right ingredients and start with the basics and you won’t go wrong.

2. Gardening

Not everyone has a garden, and to be honest, you don’t even need one to get started with gardening. How come, you may be asking? Well, if you have a plot of land then you’re already at an advantage and we implore you to make the most of it, however, if you’re creative or inventive enough you’ll be able to transform any room in your house into your very own garden by using plant pots, garden planters, and even hydroponics equipment to make it feasible regardless of the surroundings.

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In fact, it’s quite well understood that being surrounded by nature has a positive effect on your mood and general health which is just one of the hundreds of benefits you’ll be able to gain from taking up gardening as a hobby.

3. Gaming (Video Games)

Gaming is a hobby we’ve discussed at length, and we even have a dedicated section about it where we answer questions about gaming, including exploring some of the histories behind video games.

As a hobby, video games have never been as popular as they are right now and that popularity continues to surge every year making it one of the most exciting hobbies to be a part of. It’s true that not everyone can get into games, however, even the most casual gamer will surely be able to find something that suits their taste which is what makes it so appealing.

The cost of gaming as a hobby is relatively inexpensive considering the amount of time you’ll be able to extract out of it for fun. Compared to other hobbies, there’s very little out there that gives as much bang for your buck.

If you’re relatively new to gaming then you’ll probably want a dedicated games console such as a Nintendo Switch as they come readymade with everything you need to have a good experience, however, if you’re a little more experimental then you might want to go for a gaming PC as it may offer you more longevity.

4. Meditation

You can’t get peace and quiet anywhere as much as you can at home and that’s what makes it such a perfect place to engage in a spot of meditation.

The idea behind meditation as a hobby is to get in touch with your mind (and your subconscious) to bring about positive a positive outlook on everything you do.

5. Woodworking

Few things are as satisfying as making something from scratch and woodworking is one of the best ways to do this. That’s because it’s one of the most practical hobbies on the list and will allow you to make ornaments, furniture, and utensils, and can even allow you to overhaul your home depending on how good your carpentry skills become.

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We’ve talked about woodworking extensively including the costs associated with it, as well as how popular it is as a hobby. Rest assured, woodworking isn’t going anywhere for the foreseeable future and is actually experiencing a renaissance due to how eco-friendly wood is as a material.

In fact, if you aren’t convinced, we’ve even written a dedicated article talking about all the reasons why we love woodworking as a hobby.

6. Astronomy

Astronomy is an excellent hobby, not just for the outdoors but also for the privacy of your own back garden or your upstairs window. We’ve covered it extensively in an article talking about some of the benefits of taking up astronomy, one of which is that it’s relatively low-cost and easy to get started with.

In fact, some low-cost telescopes can do a good job of magnifying some of our closest solar neighbors such as the moon and Mars where you’ll be able to see them in much better detail.

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When you’re stuck with little to do and want to enjoy something that offers deep insight into those lifelong questions, astronomy is the hobby for you (just don’t forget to include your family members or significant other).

7. Singing

Singing is something you might do when washing your extremities or doing the dishes, however, it’s also something that can be taken more seriously that can lead to fame, or at least a greater degree of satisfaction.

We’ve talked about singing before and we’ve even dispelled some common myths such as that singers are born, not made. Conversely, we’ve found that most people except a select few tone-deaf people can actually coach their voice into becoming far better than they might expect.

8. Blogging

Recent events have led to blogging becoming one of the most popular side hustles and that’s because it offers you the opportunity to talk about what you love whilst also potentially making money.

In fact, some bloggers are known to make tens of thousands of dollars each month which is absolutely life-changing money depending on your circumstances.

this image shows an example of someone blogging which is one of the hobbies mentioned on our list to do from home

Unlike other side hustles or business hobbies, blogging has very little risk associated with it and very few overheads for you to cover outside of the hosting subscription costs. This means you can take as much time as you want to write about the things you love whilst learning the ropes of what it takes to create a successful blog.

We’ve covered blogging in an article previously including some of the things that make it such a good hobby; we even include some ideas of where to get started for your hosting to make it as easy as possible.

9. Dancing

Very few hobbies are as feel-good as dancing and that’s because it’s an easy way to express your creativity without needing to learn a specific skill. Literally, you can start dancing right now in your own weird and wonderful way and you’ll probably find you get a bit of a buzz from it.

Most dance-based hobbies are free or at least don’t require too much money to be invested in them which is perfect for getting started at home. As a hobby, there are many dance styles you can learn and you’ll also be able to burn tons of energy whilst having fun.

10. Netflix (and/or video streaming)

Netflix and other video streaming services offer you the opportunity to get invested in thousands of fictional worlds through shows and movies whilst also giving you insight into the true nature of our planet with powerful documentaries.

Most people dismissed Netflix as a waste of time, however, it’s becoming far more accepted as a hobby and can even be used as a tool for inspiration or education depending on what you watch.

For the amount of entertainment you’re getting, Netflix is an excellent hobby and a great substitute for when you can’t think of anything else to do. Yes, we’d all like to be super-productive every day, however, it’s not realistic to assume you’ll always have the energy to do so.

In fact, lighthearted hobbies such as Netflix can be used productively by giving your mind some time to unwind, so have at it!

11. Sports (TV)

Watching sports is a contentious hobby and some people will outright dismiss it as a waste of time. With that said, nothing can quite excite a grown man (and even some ladies) quite like the prospect of sitting down to watch the big game.

It’s important to understand that there are deeper levels to watching sports as a hobby (which we’ve discussed here) such as being able to foster discussion between certain individuals which can help you make friends, allowing you to be part of something bigger, and also allowing you to get invested in other spin-off hobbies such as memorabilia collecting.

Watching sports isn’t as one-dimensional as some people would presume and it’s also one of the best hobbies to help unite your family throughout the year on certain occasions all from the comfort of your home.

12. Power Napping

Taking a power nap throughout the day might not seem like a hobby, however, certain cultures such as the Japanese have incorporated it into their workplace rituals as a measure to improve productivity.

If you find you’re constantly busy throughout the day doing chores at home or falling prey to long hours at work, then we recommend trying to mix in a short nap to help make your day a little smoother and more satisfying.

As a hobby, sleep is one of the most interesting topics of discussion and is something we’ve explored thoroughly including weird phenomena like lucid dreaming. Check it out.

13. Online Shopping

Again, we must emphasize that shopping isn’t the most productive hobby on the surface, but it can really help you let off some steam and can allow you to reward yourself for a job well done depending on the work you do.

Because of the mass migration from shopping in brick-and-mortar stores to the online format, it’s now easier than ever to indulge in buying anything you can put your mind to. In fact, some services are designed with intelligent A.I. that can offer us products we would usually go for or might enjoy meaning it’s getting even easier to find products that we’ll love.

Shopping is the over-arching hobby that is connected to most hobbies: it allows you to invest in the things you love and shouldn’t be seen as a taboo way to spend your time provided you’re doing it within reason.

We’ve covered shopping in-depth as a hobby in case you’re curious about why we think it can make for an excellent way to spend your time.

14. Home Workouts

Home workouts are a great way to work up a sweat and kill a bit of time doing something a little more productive. They can help you burn excess energy and are a ton of fun depending on the style of workout you select.

There are plenty to choose from but we usually recommend using YouTube because they’re all free to watch and most don’t require any kind of equipment.

15. Listen to music

Listening to music is an amazing hobby and is probably one of the most popular pastimes around the world. That’s because there’s no end to the types of music you can discover meaning every person can find something for their tastes, as well as that, music seems to evoke certain emotions within us that can stimulate us, make us dance, make us reflective, and even allow us to change our mood altogether.

Music is the key to the soul and can help us channel certain thoughts that are hard to say in words. As a hobby, music has lots of telltale signs that show that it may be becoming a pretty serious interest for you which we’ve talked about previously.

Because the majority of our music is digitized these days, you can access vast collections on your phone, tablet, and even through your smart TV where you’ll be able to sit and make playlists to your heart’s content.

16. Pet Adoption

Living in your home can sometimes feel lonely and that’s why finding companionship can be an important step to help fill your spaces with vibrancy.

Adopting a pet is something that every animal lover should try because not only are you gaining a friend and companion but so is the animal you’re adopting who up until now, may not have had such a good experience with other owners.

Having a pet to create memories with is the perfect way to make a home truly feel like somewhere you want to return to after a hard day’s work.

Before buying a pet, definitely consider adopting a pet first and foremost as there are thousands of animals who have been abandoned and are in need of a loving home.

17. Cleaning

Cleaning doesn’t have to be a chore if you make it a hobby and believe it or not, it’s actually quite fun once you get into the groove of it.

Not only are you being productive and keeping your home in order, but you’ll also be burning tons of calories indirectly which can help keep you in shape.

We recommend putting your favorite music on to compound the effects of motivating you to get your house in sparkling condition, especially for those grey days when you can hardly make it out of bed.

18. Crochet

Crochet is a brilliant hobby to do at home because it’s relatively inexpensive and doesn’t need a huge dedicated space to get the best out of it.

Essentially, you’ll be weaving material in a specific fashion to create crochet garments such as hats, scarves, gloves, and big wooly jumpers.

this image shows an example of crochet which is one of the hobbies on our list to do at home

If you’re ever stuck to pick a gift for someone then crochet can come in mighty handy as you’ll be able to make them something handmade which is far more special than receiving a store-bought gift.

You don’t need much to get started and most crochet kits include all the necessities for you to give it a good go.

Eventually, once you understand the process of crochet, you’ll be able to get extra creative and add your own little touches into the mix to make things more personal.

19. Epoxy Resin Projects

I’ve you’ve never worked with epoxy to make things then you’re missing out — it really is a wonder material.

Basically, epoxy starts as a liquid but hardens over time meaning you can pour it into molds or form it into cracks to create solid see-through spaces.

In fact, many woodworkers are doing just that by using epoxy as part of their process when making tables to either fill cracks or to imbue decorative elements such as lighting to enhance the appeal.

With that said, most people make simple projects like key chains, bookmarks, lettering, signs, and other forms of decorative ornaments, however, there’s really no end to how inventive you can get with epoxy purely because of how versatile it is.

20. Learn a second language

Learning a second language may not have been the first pick on your list of things to do but it’s actually one of the most helpful and can really help to expand your view of the world in ways you wouldn’t imagine.

Just think of all the local colloquialisms in your own language, or even your own city for that matter, then amplify that across the entire world; there’s a lot you’re missing out on by not knowing or understanding another language.

With that said, learning a language can be a great way to entertain yourself and can really help you to communicate with parts of the world that you wouldn’t usually associate yourself with.

Better yet, it’s the perfect hobby to do from home and apps like Duolingo make it easier than ever to do just that (and for free).

21. Play an instrument

Learning and playing an instrument can be a great way to entertain yourself whilst you’re at home and that’s because nothing serenades the soul better than strumming a few chords that resonate with your mood.

You don’t even need to play for hours on end to garner some satisfaction, playing an instrument is really versatile and once you know how to play to a decent level then you can drop in and drop out at any time for a quick session.

It’s worth emphasizing that some neighbors may be bothered by your playing depending on how loud it can get, however, options like an electric guitar, electric drumkit, and even a keyboard can all be played through headphones meaning you won’t have to worry.

22. Coding

Coding is the hobby of the future and it’s something that all people should learn in our opinion, mainly because it can help to transform your life or can make computer tasks easier. Literally, the majority of our world is built on computer systems and that’s only going to become more far-reaching the further we go into the future.

Getting educated on coding now can help you take advantage of those systems and can allow you to automate lots of processes that would usually consume thousands of hours throughout the year.

Not only that, but many of the world’s most recent billionaires work within tech companies and that’s because being able to code an app or service that millions of people use is a quick way to make passive income. A good example of this is eBay; the service is built on a website that is integrated into a payment system to help users make transactions and sell things. As you can imagine, once the website and systems are in place, not much maintenance is required for the upkeep of the service and thus, passive income.

Coding isn’t the only industry to take advantage of middleman services but it’s one of the easiest to utilize which makes it so powerful.

Lastly, you don’t need to want to make millions to enjoy coding — you can use it for a variety of novel purposes such as automating tasks, making games, and even scratching your problem-solving itch.

If you’re curious about this hobby then make sure to check out codecademy.com to learn to code for free.

Conclusion

There are absolutely tons of hobbies you can do from home and the ones we’ve listed are only the tip of the iceberg.

If you’re seeking more hobby inspiration then make sure to check out our homepage for the latest articles and updates.

We also recommend checking out our ultimate list of hobbies as it includes more than 300 hobbies for you to browse, or alternatively, you can check out our top lists for some specific niches that might take your fancy.