23 Hobbies To Try This Winter To Scroll Less
During the winter months, I tend to spend a lot more time indoors. Due to this, I find myself spending more time on my phone. Which for me, equates to more time scrolling on social media. We all know the negative consequences of too much social media – which can wreak havoc on our mental health. Some of these conditions, like depression and anxiety, are already more likely to occur in the colder months when there is less daylight. So this winter, I thought I’d challenge myself to spend less time scrolling and more time exploring hobbies. As I was making a list of hobbies, I realized there were so many that I’d either tried before and wanted to pick back up or that I’d never explored but wanted to! So, if you, like myself, are looking for ways to scroll less this winter, here’s 23 fun hobbies to try instead!
Crochet/Knitting
I know this one is so cliche, but hear me out! If you’ve ever even thought about giving either of these a try, there’s never been a better time to learn! And these absolutely adorable beginner-friendly crochet kits from Woobles (this one is my favorite) makes it easier than ever to get started!
Sewing
Ever wanted to make your own clothes? What better time to give sewing a try than winter! While this hobby is much harder to master than many of the others, the winter season is the perfect time to practice honing your seamstress skills!
Felting
If crocheting or knitting aren’t your thing, you might be interested in felting. Felting doesn’t have as much of a learning curve as crochet or knitting does in my opinion. Especially if you get a felting kit, you can easily get started in this hobby right away. My favorite felting crafts are those of cute little animals! And how could you not fall in love with this handsome hedgehog one that comes in an affordable kit?!
Cross Stitch
As a kid, I really enjoyed cross stitching. As an adult, however, my “grown-up” brain wants to tell me it’s ‘impractical’. But, nothing is truly impractical if it brings you joy! I’m looking forward to trying cross stitch again as an adult and reconnecting with my inner kid.
Polymer Clay
The possibilities are endless as to what you can create with polymer clay! You can choose to free sculpt by hand, or use polymer clay cutters to make all sorts of fun shapes! You can even turn your creations into unique pieces of jewelry!
Pottery/Ceramics
Another great hobby to try this winter is pottery making! These Pott’d beginner pottery kits come with everything you need to get started!
Jewelry Making
Speaking of jewelry, why not try making your own? You can use polymer clay to create your own one-of-a-kind charms, or buy a jewelry making kit – which will include everything you need to start making all the jewelry you can conjure! How cool will it be to wear your own unique designs? And homemade jewelry makes a great gift for friends and family as well!
Puzzles
I love a good table top puzzle in the winter! Pair it with a seasonal candle and a cup of coffee or tea and you’ve got the perfect cozy, winter hobby! Hobby Lobby (or “Happy Happy” as my daughter likes to call it lol) has a nice selection to choose from.
You could also try one of these challenging brain puzzles to keep your mind sharp during the winter months!
Board Games
I love a good board game! Family game nights are a regular thing in my household and they’re always so much fun! But there’s also plenty of board games that can be played alone if you’re looking for a solo endeavor!
Gem Painting
I just discovered this one earlier this year when my daughter got a gem painting kit for her birthday. I was so surprised to find I had just as much fun as her (maybe even more!) making cute unicorns and rainbows with tiny gems. Of course, there are plenty of gem painting kits for adults, too, with all kinds of pictures to choose from.
Paint By Number
Painting by number is a super relaxing hobby that requires little thought. Just like when you were a kid, all you have to do is paint each number the corresponding color and voila! You’ll have a beautiful picture at the end to hang up in your house or share with a friend.
Watercolor Painting
I’ve been really obsessed with watercolor paintings lately, but you could try painting with oils or acrylics, too! While painting can be intimidating to those who’ve never picked up a paintbrush, learning is easier than ever! YouTube is a great resource for watching free tutorials, and you can find helpful guide books and kits on Amazon.
Coloring
If you’re looking to keep things simple then maybe you’d enjoy some good, old-fashioned coloring! There are tons of cute, adult coloring books to be found online. I personally love these by Coco Wyo.
Reading
Reading is one of my favorite hobbies ever! It can be so relaxing to get lost in another world while you’re snuggled up beneath a cozy blanket with a cup of tea in hand. Check out a local bookstore near you and see where your next adventure takes you!
Poetry
I personally love writing poetry and find it to be therapeutic. However, if you prefer to just read some poems, that’s okay, too! Check out these twelve beautiful poems for winter.
Creative Writing
This is definitely a fun hobby to try out if you enjoy writing! It’s just challenging enough, but since it’s just for fun, there’s no pressure in making it perfect or even making it make sense! Creative writing is a great way to just let you creativity take over and see where it goes! You can find tons of creative writing prompts on Pinterest. Or, check out these creative journaling prompts to spark your imagination.
Scrapbooking
Being stuck inside in the winter is the perfect time to start a scrapbook! Pinterest is the perfect place to start collecting ideas and gathering inspiration. Scrapbooking doesn’t have to look all prim and pretty though. In fact, I’m rather fond of “junk journals” (search it on Pinterest if you don’t know what I’m talking about) and think they’re a really endearing way to keep all of your favorite memories alive.
Building Sets
Building sets are the perfect solo or group hobby! LEGO has tons of sets for all different levels of skill (and time commitments). Some can be completed in as little as an hour, while other kits would definitely take much longer to finish. You can also find some cool building sets on Amazon. Or, if you’re really adventurous, you could try free building something on your own!
Build a Miniature House
If you have an eye for architecture or interior design, you might have fun building a miniature model house! You can find the supplies you need to get started at most craft stores, or online. Build a miniature version of your dream house, or design and create your very own mini town!
Video Games
I love playing video games! I think they’re such a fun way to get lost in a story while getting to be in control and make choices. There is definitely a game out there for everyone with so many different genres to select from. Cozy games like Stardew Valley, Animal Crossing, and Coffee Talk are having a major moment right now. I think these types of games are perfect for the winter months, and if you own a Nintendo Switch you can play all of these right from the comfort of your own bed!
Learn an Instrument
Winter is a great time to pick up a new instrument. With plenty of practice, you’ll have a new skill to show off by spring! Again, YouTube is a helpful resource here when you’re first starting out. You can also try online or in-person classes.
Learn a Language
Learning a new language can be fun, especially if you do it with a partner! While it’s no doubt challenging, there are so many amazing apps and resources for language learning out there that make it easier than ever!
Learn a New Skill
Might as well be productive during the winter months and use that time learning a new skill, right? YouTube and Skillshare are great resources for learning about nearly any skill you could imagine. EdX allows you to take online courses from esteemed universities (Harvard, MIT, Oxford, etc.) in a wide range of topics. These courses are offered for free but you will be required to participate and submit work just like a real college class. There is also an option to pay for an official certificate upon completing the course.
Conclusion
I hope this list of hobbies to try inspired you to pick up a new (or old) activity and pick up the phone a little less! If you have any other great ideas for winter hobbies, I’d love to hear what they are! Please share in the comments what your favorite winter hobby is!
Photo Credit: David Bartus on Pexels
