Studies and experts tell us that people with grandma hobbies have better mental health, but why is this? Grandma hobbies are activities like knitting, crafting, gardening, birdwatching, baking, canning, and other domestic skills and culinary arts. These kinds of activities are slow, methodical, timeless, and hands-on. They focus on creation rather than consumption and are often social in nature. As someone who was doing grandma hobbies before it was cool (yes I was that girl finger knitting in class), it’s no surprise to me that they’ve become popular in recent years. When everyone is burnt out from constant screens and stimulus, activities that create something physical and slow us down are such a balm.
In a world where everyone is telling you to do and be more, where there’s always entertainment available, grandma hobbies force us to savor and notice the process of creating something. Sewing is such a great example of this: even when you follow detailed instructions, there’s always a moment where you need to problem-solve or seam rip to fix something. You can’t disassociate when you’re trying to figure out how to follow a vintage sewing pattern!
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How to start with grandma hobbies
As a girl who has always been drawn to grandma hobbies, let’s talk about which ones you should start with. Out of all the options, I think baking is the best grandma hobby to start with. I say this because you probably have everything you need in your kitchen right now. You can start with making cookies for your friends or trying something a little bit more challenging like sourdough. Another entry level grandma hobby is antiquing. This is a great option because you don’t even have to buy anything. You can just start visiting antique stores, markets, and estate sales to familiarize yourself with what is available. There are also amazing books and videos out there to learn the value and history of certain pieces.
The intermediate grandma
If you’re ready to take things to the next level here’s what I’d recommend: crochet and knitting and wonderful and relaxing grandma hobbies to take up. If you’re balling on a budget, you can find yarn and needles at the thrift store and free patterns online (like this one for a braided crown knitted headband). You can also visit a local yarn store and discover an entire world of education and resources. Intermediate hobbyists can also explore other kinds of crafts like scrapbooking, painting, beading, cardmaking, and flower pressing, just to name a few!
The advanced grandma
These hobbies involve more than just a few supplies and a little knowledge. They may seem cute and cozy, but some grandma hobbies can be really complex and expensive. Gardening is the first that comes to mind. In addition to requiring some space and sun, you will need seeds, soil, tools, and knowledge so that your efforts are not wasted. Additionally, sewing and embroidery are the more complex of the needlework arts. Buying and learning a sewing machine, finding patterns, fabric, and thread all take time, research, and money. But once you know how you can make and med some incredible projects!
How to become a grandma (no matter your age):
- Start with picking up a few easy crafty hobbies. This is always the gateway to becoming an old soul. For me it started with knitting when I was in middle school (I know, they start ‘em so young!). This was innocent enough, but things really got interesting when I picked up baking and sewing. Finally, there was no turning back when I began planting and started teaching an Agrarian class to local students. This was my pipeline, but everyone’s will be different.
- Stop “going out”. You know you want to stay in on a Friday night with a warm cup of tea and work on some sewing projects. For most people, it starts in the winter when going out on the town does not sound very cozy. But then in the summer you might find yourself preferring an evening gardening session or a lovely sunset walk.
- Perfect your (early) evening routine. We’ve always been old souls who love to read before bed, but it wasn’t until my husband and I started puzzling that we really arrived. Tinkering around with a puzzle is my favorite way to wind down before getting into bed now. Not only is it a fun thing to do together, but it keeps us from watching TV or our phones before bed.
Resources for perfecting your grandma hobbies
Books
Heirloom Vegetable Gardening: : A Master Gardener’s Guide to Planting, Growing, Seed Saving
- An excellent guide to cultivating the kitchen garden with heirloom seeds. Plus cultural history and planting tips!
- This is the book you need to learn about different kinds of needlework before diving deeply into one.
The Pleasure of Herbs: A Month-by-Month Guide to Growing, Using, and Enjoying Herbs
- If you want to dip your toes into herb gardening, this book features a few herbs, recipes, and tips each month so by the end of the year you will have a complete little herb garden.
Magazines
- Perfect for the old soul who wants to decorate with antiques
- Think French flea market and vintage decor
- Recipes and tips for new and seasoned bakers alike
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