new hobby ideas

[ronandannette]

Volunteer work, even just lending a hand to people you know in an informal way. Uses up time, expends mental energy and can be a great social outlet too!

 

[Teresa Pitman]

Some GREAT ideas here for me! Thank you!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Hiking
Biking
Kayaking
Outdoor photography - I know people who like to "collect" bridges, waterfalls, unique architecture, birds, flowers, whatever.

 

[2buzzboys]

I like doing puzzles. Found some good ones off amazon or in local hobby stores.

 

[Mizzoufan]

First what are your interest?

 

[North of Mouse]

#1 - Get fit!! #2 - Garden with flowers or veggies, or both! Add any other interests that keep you moving.

This does wonders for the body and mind! Keeping up with an appropriate age schedule is great for all round health!

 

[MIGrandma]

I discovered adult coloring books last summer. I have crayons, markers and colored pencils and several different books. It's so relaxing and enjoyable.

I also love flower gardening, mostly perenials. Right now I'm enjoying watching everything coming back from the long, cold winter. We put down landscape fabric and mulch around the plants last summer so there isn't a lot of weeding to do, but still some, and pruning. And I do plant zinnia seeds in a long row along the front, plus a few annuals as well.

Another thing I've come to enjoy the last few years is bird watching. We love going on walks/hikes and looking for birds, it's especially enjoyable when on vacation so we can see different birds than the ones we have here.

I love walking, especially in parks and cemeteries (love reading the gravestones).

I used to cross stitch a lot, but haven't done that in years and I think I would need a magnifying glass to do it now that I'm older and wear bi-focals.

We used to enjoy geocaching, not sure it's as popular now as it was a few years ago. There used to even be a thread on here devoted to it.

I like word search puzzles, have a couple apps for that on my kindle. And have a regular book of the puzzles for when we are camping or on vacation.

 

[Hikergirl]

Hiking
Biking
Kayaking
Outdoor photography - I know people who like to "collect" bridges, waterfalls, unique architecture, birds, flowers, whatever.

This is exactly why I'm taking that photography class. I love taking my camera with me when he do all the stuff you listed above. I have some great pictures, I just want better more professional looking ones.

OP, what about yoga or another type of fitness class?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I have been reading that it can be helpful to develop new hobbies as you get older, so that you are learning new things and doing things that are different from what you have previously done. Making your brain learn something new can apparently help prevent dementia.

So I am trying to find a new hobby or activity - something different. Currently my main hobby is reading - I read a lot. I also write. I like to do puzzles (crossword, Sudoko, Ken-Ken). I am not fit at all. I have tried in the past to learn knitting but have never been able to make it work.

When I try to think of new hobbies, I just draw a blank.

Just wondered if anyone had any interesting hobbies that I might consider. What do you do??

Gaming would be something I would suggest for you, since you are into puzzles and reading. You will have to invest in a gaming computer for this hobby.

Role playing games or MMO's are highly challenging and very puzzle orientated.
http://www.mmobomb.com/games/

Start small with "kid" type MMO's or RPG's (role playing games). Once you get the hang of how it works you can advance to more complex systems.

I would do gaming but I do not have the time for it at the moment. It is a hobby that requires a lot time.

For me at the moment, my hobbies are gardening and landscaping. I am going to do a blog on it. I also am going to do photography with it. So that is what is next on my hobby agenda.

I have other things on the list but I am not able to do them right now. I enjoy outdoors, travel, fitness, history, science, astronomy, and I am sure there are other things. Right now I just do reading on those things.

 

[Hikergirl]

What about decorating your house? You can learn alot of crafts, woodworking, furniture refinishing etc for it. I have done a bunch of things that I found on Pinterest. Nothing major yet, just re-painting things, holiday and seasonal decor project and stuff like that.

I never really thought I had hobbies, but after reading this thread I realze that I do alot of what is posted here. OP, you said you read, what about doing some creative writing?

 

[Ambear]

I like weightlifting and video games. As said by a pp, video games range in genre so much that I really think almost anyone could find a game they can get engaged in.

Something like "Gone Home" is a great game cause it's like reading a book but you actually get to explore the setting however you choose. Maybe more like a choose your own adventure book.

Some research shows video games can help with memory:
http://fortune.com/2015/12/08/video-games-brain/

 

[Tinijocaro]

Another thing I've come to enjoy the last few years is bird watching. We love going on walks/hikes and looking for birds, it's especially enjoyable when on vacation so we can see different birds than the ones we have here.

Do you know about the apps Bird Song ID and Merlin Bird ID? The first is like Shazam, but for bird calls. You have to be fairly close to the bird and get a solid 30 second recording for it to work. Merlin Bird ID works sort of like the game 20Q and is very reliable. Great way to identify a bird by either their call or their look.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Some things I've taken interest in:

Google Maps "streetwalking" . Zoom out on google maps to see the world and anywhere that turns blue has "street view". You can virtually walk down the streets of many different countries.

Geography games - I love learning about geography and there are several fun games online.

Learning a new language

Gardening - You say you're not fit, but even if you can't bend good or do a lot of heavy work, you can container garden.

Photography - but can get quite expensive

Painting - buy some paints, a couple brushes, a canvas and a cheap easel and go to town.

Water fitness - I attend classes at my Y. There are people in there of all ages and all fitness levels, and I mean ALL. It can be pretty addictive.

Card making - like scrapbooking, but with quicker results.

 

[Meriweather]

I started coloring again. Love their are so many adult coloring books now. But I color with DGD too....so relaxing.
I had to give up cross stitch......loved it, but fingers and eyes can't handle it anymore.
I do still scrapbook, cross word (any type word puzzles), play strategy games on my Kindle and read.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Gardenning.
Model building.
Model railroads.
Volunteer somewhere.

 

[Domo]

Collecting and caring for orchids?

 

[Springsteengirl01]

Cross stitch...instant results and you can choose pictures that you like.

I am a cross stitcher. It's a very relaxing hobby. You can start small. Clouds factory have cute Disney designs that are quick and good for beginners.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

Wine is a fun hobby for me. Wine has been my "thing" for several years. Cooking is kind of a hobby for me too. I would say shopping is, but I do more looking than buying. I think it might be fun to learn to play some kind of musical instrument.

I think it all depends on individual tastes and preferences. I definitely stay away from collecting anything, too easy to get too much junk that way. I don't garden because I don't like to get dirty, I am too hyper to do anything like cross stitch, I haven't tried coloring.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Cross Stitch, gardening, making simple jewelry, drawing and painting (I'm terrible at it but it's fun) and I've been sewing lately - learning how to make purses - The one I've done so far didn't turn out great but I'm going to try again.

My daughter would say learn an instrument. She plays flute but decided she wanted to play bass guitar so we got her one for her birthday and she's been taking lessons. She loves it.

 

[tcufrog]

If you live with someone or have grand kids who visit often I would suggest board and card games. They're much more engrossing and complex now than the games you're probably used to. There are strategy games, creative games, puzzle games and role playing games. I think these days there's a type of game for everyone. If you're not sporty but want to become more fit what about doing tai chi or joining a walking club? Tai chi is a great martial art that doesn't involve combat. It's highly recommended for seniors.