Hobbies and Leisure Activities

Leisure today is a mix of **screen time** and simple offline pleasures. In recent surveys, watching movies or TV is the most commonly named hobby, followed by reading; outdoor activities and cooking or baking are tied for third place. These choices match broader activity data showing that people who watch TV spend over 3.6 hours doing so on days they watch.

Beyond screens, people also devote meaningful time to arts and entertainment events, games, gardening, volunteering, and socializing, often spending 2–3 hours on these activities on days they participate. This balance shows a clear pattern: we want both easy escapism and experiences that feel purposeful or social.

Most people are fitting hobbies into busy schedules. Around 60% of hobbyists spend less than 5 hours per week on their hobbies, though the share of people investing 6–10 hours weekly has recently grown, led by Gen Z. That suggests younger adults are treating hobbies as core to their identity, not just leftover time-fillers.

Financially, the “average” American spends about **$98 per month** on hobbies—roughly $1,176 a year. At the same time, many are turning to budget-friendly options, with a sizeable group reporting they spend little to nothing thanks to free online tutorials, public spaces, and digital content. In short, you can engage deeply in hobbies at almost any budget level.

Some traditional pastimes are booming again. Camping is experiencing a renaissance, with tens of millions of U.S. households participating and generating tens of billions in revenue, making it one of the top activity trends. It blends nature, travel, and minimalism—an appealing mix for people seeking a reset from urban and digital overload.

On the creative side, the **global handicrafts market** is huge—over $700 billion in 2024 and projected to approach $1 trillion by 2030. Board games are also surging, expected to roughly double in market size between 2025 and 2032. These trends reflect a desire for tactile, social, and mindful activities that contrast with always-on screens.

Even offline hobbies now have digital homes. Platforms like Pinterest, with over 500 million monthly active users, are major sources of inspiration for DIY, crafts, cooking, and decorating ideas. People increasingly discover hobbies through short videos, step‑by‑step posts, and saved idea boards rather than formal classes.

Community platforms also matter. Reddit hosts countless niche hobby communities and reports over 110 million daily active users, many of whom participate in hobby forums to share tips, progress photos, and reviews. These online spaces lower the barrier to entry: you can watch, learn, ask questions, and quietly experiment before ever calling yourself “a gardener,” “a gamer,” or “an artist.”

Modern data highlights a simple truth: the “best” hobby is the one you keep doing. Popular choices like watching movies, reading, walking, and cooking are easy to start and flexible around work or family schedules. If you are unsure where to begin, start with what you already enjoy—stories, food, nature, puzzles—and look for one small, repeatable activity around it.

If time and money are tight, lean into low‑cost options: library books instead of new ones, body‑weight exercise instead of a gym, balcony plants instead of a full garden, online language apps instead of in‑person classes. Over time, if a hobby consistently makes you feel calmer, more curious, or more connected, that is your signal to invest a little more—whether that means better gear, a local club, or simply more protected time each week.