Creative Hobbies – Our Top 70 to Live out your Creativity

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If there was ever a time when we needed creative hobbies, it is now. As things seem more uncertain by the day, and we are spending much more time inside, having a creative hobby is a welcome distraction. Even if you are a naturally creative person, deciding which creative hobby to pursue can be tricky. We have put together an exhaustive list of all the creative hobbies we love. With fun ideas and tips for getting started, we hope this list fills you with inspiration.

Why Should You get a Creative Hobby?

As the world is becoming increasingly chaotic and work-focused, many people are looking to creative hobbies as a time of relaxation, meditation, and self-development. There have been several recent studies looking into the effects of creative hobbies, and the results may surprise you.

A BBC creativity test survey recently found that having a creative outlet is a fantastic way to reduce stress, boost self-esteem, and free up space amongst the mental clutter. The study indicated that even a single session of creativity can have incredible emotional benefits. Cumulatively, however, the benefits are far greater.

So we know that having a creative hobby is good for us, so why do only around 75% of adults have a creative hobby? There are a few different reasons, according to a recent Ipsos study. Nearly half of the people surveyed said they want to begin more creative activities, but around 41% have not found the right hobby.

Roughly 36% of the adults said they wanted to start a creative hobby, but they did not know where to start. If this sounds like you, fear not, because we have got the most comprehensive list of creative hobbies, with tips and tricks to help you break that creative block and get started.

The Most Popular Creative Hobbies

The results of a recent survey are in, and we have a definitive list of the most popular creative activities for adults in the United States. Around 40% of participants said that they found most of their creative inspiration on social media platforms, so we have linked an inspirational Instagram page to each of the hobbies on our list. These are the most popular creative hobbies according to the recent study:

• Baking (40%)
• Gardening (32%)
• Cooking (25%)
• Home Decor (21%)
• DIY crafting (19%)
• Music (16%)
• Journalling or writing (13%)
• Drawing or painting (13%)

Getting Creative in the Kitchen

Throughout the international lockdowns of the past year, people have been getting increasingly creative in the kitchen. From banana bread to beautifully decorative drinks, food can be just as fun to make as it is to eat. There are several kitchen-based creative hobbies you can explore, including cooking, cake decorating, baking, and mixology.

The Joys of Baking

Everybody loves baked goods. Nobody can say they do not have a love affair with cakes, tarts, breads, and cookies. With the growing popularity of baking reality tv shows like The Great British Bake Off and Nailed It,many people are becoming increasingly interested in home baking. Just like the contestants on these shows, you can make glistening towers of iced buns or beautifully risen bread that would make Paul Hollywood proud in your own kitchen.

If you take up baking as your creative hobby, the glorious smells of both sweet and savory baked goods will constantly fill your house. What could be better than that? Baking is a great creative hobby because you do not need much fancy equipment. You only need the ingredients and perhaps a couple of cake tins, baking trays, and a big mixing bowl.

If you start to become more adventurous and want to start trying new things, you can gradually build your baking toolbox. If you begin to experiment with sugar work, you may find some molds, a sugar thermometer, and a sugar work mat helpful tools.

The world of baking is vast, and there is something for every taste. You can find recipes for almost anything online, and we also love to watch baking shows to give us some inspiration. As well as the Great British Bake Off, we also love to watch Zumbo’s Just Desserts, which is especially good if you are interested in trying out some fancier patisserie.

You can experiment with unique and exciting flavor combinations, and your friends and family will never want to leave your house!

Cake Decorating

Decorating cakes is so much fun, whether you begin by baking or you choose to buy a ready-made canvas. Not only do you get to be creative in designing a uniquely stunning cake, but you also get to eat the finished cake. According to a recent survey, cake decorating is one of the most popular creative activities for adults in the United States. You can literally decorate your cakes and eat them too!

Decorating cakes is a fantastic way to let your imagination run wild. It is also very forgiving because you can scrape the icing off and start again whenever you want to. There is also something so wholesome about being able to share the cake with your loved ones. If someone in your life is celebrating a special occasion, decorating a beautiful cake is a great way to make them feel appreciated.

There are so many different cake decorating techniques that you can try, and you can find countless online tutorials to help you grasp the basics. From making buttercream features like flowers to crafting intricate chocolate details, the possibilities are endless and often a little messy!

There is a wealth of different cake decorating tools readily available in supermarkets, online, or baking shops. If you want to start cake decorating, you may find it helpful to have a turntable, molds, brushes, piping tools, and a pallet knife.

Many of the fundamental pieces of equipment are relatively inexpensive and adaptable. For example, you can use a cookie cutter to make biscuits, cut out fondant decorations, or make mini-shaped tartlets. Even better, if you are also interested in trying pottery or other sculpting creative hobbies, cake decorating tools are also great to use.

Creative Cooking

Now that we are spending so much more time in our homes, we cannot eat out at restaurants as often learning to cook creatively at home is a wonderful hobby. Many of us have many cookbooks at home, but how often do we delve into them to create a delicious dish? Not only does learning to cook creatively broaden your culinary horizons, but it is also an important life skill. Whatever your dietary requirements, there are countless options that you can make in your home.

You do not need any fancy equipment to start experimenting in your kitchen. We love trying to recreate our favorite restaurant dishes at home because it makes you appreciate them so much more. There are so many cooking shows on television if you need any inspiration, including Master Chef, The French Chef, and The Naked Chef. If you are a novice chef, it is best to start by learning the basics, like making a white sauce.

Once you become more comfortable in the kitchen, you can begin to explore new and interesting flavors. There are countless inspirational Instagram pages for different cooking styles.

Like Cocktails? Try Mixology

Who does not like cocktails? They remind us of good times on holidays in the sunshine with friends. As cocktails are a little complicated to make, many of us only drink them at restaurants and bars. Homemade cocktails can be a really fun and rewarding creative hobby. Mixology is a true art form that is a little more lighthearted than some of the other hobbies on this list.

With a little practice and patience, you can learn to create even the most complex cocktails from the comfort of your own home. Getting into mixology can be a little more pricey than some of the other hobbies on this list, especially if you like to use good-quality alcohol and ingredients. You can begin by learning to make more simple and inexpensive cocktails.

When you become more confident with making cocktails, you can start to purchase more expensive ingredients and alcohol. You can also begin to figure out your favorite flavor combinations and begin to make your own cocktails.

Creative Paper Crafting Hobbies

We are more than a little obsessed with stationery over here. Pretty and unusual types of paper hold a special place in our hearts. Give us glittery paper, different colored paper, patterned paper, and any other paper, and we can craft away for hours. From making your own paper to origami and paper quilling, there are many different creative hobbies that you can try using this adaptable material.

Making Your Own Paper

If we are going to explore different crafting hobbies using paper, we should start with the basics. Although today, most paper is machine-made, there is something nostalgic about making it yourself. Home-made paper is also much more unique and personal than what you can buy at the shop. If you need any more convincing, hand-making paper is an eco-friendly and zero-waste option.

You can make paper at home with only a few fundamental tools, including a blender, a plastic vat, a sponge, a clothesline, towels, and a mold and deckle. These tools are all very affordable, and you can even make your own deckle using two picture frames and a piece of aluminum window screen. Adding dried flower petals, leaves, glitter, bits of thread, or any other interesting material can make your home-made paper pop.

There are several ways to make your own paper, including Western and Eastern techniques involving pouring or dipping. It is so easy to find instructions online for this simple process. The basic paper-making process involves dipping your mold and deckle into the vat of blended paper pulp.

After you have dipped the mold and deckle, you lift the frame out of the pulp mixture and shake it so that the fibers interlock. Finally, gently transfer this new sheet of paper onto your fabric (towel or felt) surface and press and dry it. With a little practice, you can upcycle old scraps to create beautiful and unique sheets of paper.

Bookbinding

Chances are, if you are interested in making your own paper, you will also enjoy making a book from this paper. Bookbinding is a tricky but rewarding process, and there are several different techniques you can try. The most basic bookbinding technique requires nothing more than a needle and thread.

The more complicated bookbinding techniques require more heavy-duty equipment, so these can be more expensive. Whether you are into journaling, or you want to make a unique and special gift for a loved one, we suggest giving bookbinding a try.

Card Making Crafting Hobbies

Birthday cards and holiday cards are becoming increasingly expensive, and they can be wasteful. If you have experimented with home-made paper before, making cards is a great way to use your unique paper. Receiving a home-made card is often so much more meaningful than one from a supermarket, and you have a lot of freedom to tailor cards to individuals in your life.

You can use colorful cardstock, stickers, stamps, dried flowers, or other novel embellishments to create your home-made cards. You can also try using wax seals to give your enveloped cards an extra special touch. You can buy everything you need to start making home-made cards at the stationary or craft shop, including stamps and equipment for wax seals.

Paper Quilling

Are you on the lookout for a dainty and intricate creative hobby? A creative activity that takes a bit more concentration and dexterity? If so, then you should try paper quilling or paper filigree. Creating beautiful three-dimensional artworks from delicately rolled and placed strips of paper is one of the most popular creative activities for adults.

Paper quilling is a relatively inexpensive and easy-to-start hobby. All you need to get started are strips of colored paper, a quilling tool, an adhesive, and a heavy cardstock surface. If you become more invested in this creative activity, you can purchase several different quilling tools to create unique effects.

Some of the more popular subject matters for paper quilling are typography, flowers, mandala patterns, and cute animals. If you let your imagination take the reins, you can create almost anything with paper quilling.

Origami

Many of us have tried origami at some point in our lives, and like us, you may have given up quite quickly. Origami is another intricate paper-based creative hobby that requires an impeccable attention to detail. The Japanese form of paper sculpture is an ancient and beautiful creative practice that many find calming.

The best thing about learning to create origami sculptures is the ease with which you can find guiding instructions. The range of creations you can make with origami is broad. From basic paper airplanes to large ornate pieces that trick the eye, you can make almost anything with origami. You can easily find online tutorials for introductory creations and more detailed designs when you become more advanced. A wonderful part of origami creation is that it is easy to see the progression you make as you practice and create more.

Origami is also much less expensive than some of the other activities on this creative hobbies list. All craft stores stock origami paper, and it is inexpensive. This low price point is great for anyone afraid to start a new hobby because they fear they will mess it up and waste money. Failing and practicing again is an essential part of creating, and doing so with origami will not break your bank.

The Art of Gift Wrapping

At first glance, you may think that gift-wrapping cannot be a creative hobby, but if you are someone who revels in Christmas wrapping and loves to give thoughtful and creative gifts, we recommend giving it a go. There are so many creative practices that you can learn to take your gift wrapping skills to the next level.

You can learn some folding techniques that are similar to origami and allow you to wrap a present without using tape. Other creative gift wrapping techniques include using tissue paper, how to tie a ribbon bow perfectly, and how to wrap uniquely shaped presents.

Decoupage

If you love to decorate things, be that the walls of your house or trinket boxes, then you will love decoupage. This creative activity involves gluing decorative pieces of colored paper onto objects. Decoupage is one of the more affordable crafting hobbies because all you need to start are snippets of colored paper and mod podge glue.

The list of items that you can decorate with decoupage is absolutely endless. You can use the decoupage method to decorate the frames of mirrors or pictures, spice up an old jewelry box, or even add a little excitement to a lampshade. For safety reasons, we recommend completing your decoupage projects in either a well-ventilated room or outside, as the smell can become a little overwhelming.

Die Paper Cutting

You may have never heard of this unique paper-based creative activity before, but it is a wonderful way to create items for scrapbooking, card-making, or gift wrapping. Ultimately die cut is using a machine to cut the paper into very precise shapes and designs. You can use various digital services like Cricut or Sizzix as part of your die paper cutting hobby. All you need to do is create your digital designs, and the machine will cut them out for you.

If you cannot afford to purchase the software and machine, you can buy manual tools. These manual tools will have a predetermined shape that you can stamp out of a sheet of paper. If you are an avid scrapbooker or you love to journal, learning how to die cut is a great way to reduce the costs and make your projects even more personal.

Collage Art Hobbies

Creating collages is one of the most fun and exciting creative activities for adults because there is absolutely no limit to what you can make. You can let out all your creative energy with collages because the range of materials you can use is so broad.

Collaging is also a relatively inexpensive creative hobby because you can use everything you already have in your home. Old newspapers, magazines, photographs, posters, even buttons, flowers, and ribbons can make your collage creations pop. The only shop-bought material you need is glue or other adhesive to bring it all together.

The range of collage art styles is also incredibly broad. You can cut out whole images and then place them in other contexts like this artist, or you can use smaller pieces of colored paper to create a larger composition. Other collage artists prefer creating artworks that are much more abstract.

The collage medium is so fun to play with, and there are no limits to your creativity. Even if you are an artist who usually uses a different medium, creating collages is a great way to develop ideas and themes when you have a creative block. We like to think of collage making as taking out and rearranging all the little parts of your creative brain so that the world and you can see it more clearly.

Stationary and Journaling Craft Hobbies List

The practice of journaling and scrapbooking is becoming increasingly popular as a means of documenting the special moments in our lives. Not only are these creative activities a good way to practice your artistic skills, but you can also create sentimental records of your life to look back on in the future. The activities on this craft hobbies list involve different journaling practices and some crafting activities that can elevate your designs.

Calligraphy and Hand-Lettering

Have you ever stared at a video of someone effortlessly creating beautiful decorative lettering and wished you could do the same? Even if you do not think you have neat or beautiful handwriting, you can easily start learning calligraphy. Like all skills, you will not be amazing at it when you first try, but with practice and patience, you too can create effortless calligraphy.

Calligraphy is a lot more than simply having beautiful handwriting. Each small decorative element in each character is a smaller part of a larger creation. Professional calligraphers take their art very seriously, and you can find countless books on the theory and practice of calligraphy. If you would like to try calligraphy, you can purchase several pieces of equipment like a calligraphy set and some good-quality paper.

You can use several mediums for creating calligraphy, including pen and ink, watercolor paints, and coloring markers. The medium you choose to start with depends on your budget and the effects you want to create. Learning how to create intricate and ornate hand-lettering is a fantastic way to add a little something extra to your journal, scrapbook, or home-made cards.

Creating Foil Art

If you are looking for a new and exciting way to amp up the lettering in your journal, scrapbook, or card-making, we recommend giving foil art a try. Have you ever seen shiny silver or gold lettering on birthday cards or pieces of art and longed to try it for yourself? Foil art or transferring a metallic film onto cardstock may seem like an intimidating process, but it is actually relatively easy, and the results are stunning.

All you need to create your own beautifully shiny lettering or designs are metallic foil sheets, cardstock, a laminator, and a printer. You can find the foil sheets at any craft store, and although the laminator and printer are a bit expensive if you have the money, the results are well worth it.

Scrapbooking Your Precious Memories

Creating personal scrapbooks is one of the most popular creative activities internationally. In the days of digital media, many of us do not keep any physical keepsakes. Scrapbooking can be quite a nostalgic way to collect and keep your most precious memories in a physical form.

You can use anything for scrapbooking, from photographs and printed media to ticket stubs and receipts. Scrapbooking is a fantastic creative hobby because there is no single method or style to follow. Your scrapbook will be completely unique and personal, and you cannot make mistakes or do it wrong.

Scrapbooking is an incredible creative hobby for anyone who loves stationery, writing, and drawing. You can create a scrapbook where you decorate and layout your keepsakes in a unique way for each page. Much like bullet journaling, you can have so much creative fun with scrapbooking. Even though scrapbooking suggests that you should make a book for your keepsakes, you can get creative. You can create pop-up photo boxes or collages to adorn your walls.

When you start to become invested in your scrapbooking hobby, it can get a little pricey. There are so many different materials and supplies available that many of us will want to go out and buy it all immediately. With this creative hobby, being on a budget is an invitation to become more creative. Using paint, scraps of paper, dried flowers, old bits of string, or buttons, you can create something just as beautiful but at a fraction of the cost.

One downside to scrapbooking is that your house will likely become overrun by scrapbooking materials within a matter of days, so having a sensible storage system is a must!

Different Crafting Hobbies with Journals

There is no denying that journaling is becoming an increasingly trendy and popular hobby for adults. There are so many different types of journaling that you can explore, including art journals, daily planner journals, bible journals, and bullet journals. We are going to investigate each of these journaling forms so you can see which catches your eye.

Daily Planner Journaling

The practice of organizing your day, writing to-do lists, and keeping on top of the things you need to do can become a little dull. Planner journaling is a great way to spice up your daily routine and make organizing your life a bit more fun and creative.

All you need to get started with daily planner journaling is a planner with individual pages for each day of the year and a collection of stickers, stamps, colorful pens, and other fun embellishments. If you cannot decide which embellishments to buy, you can get planner journaling sets that include some basic stickers and tapes.

Goal Tracker Journaling

Goal Tracker Bullet Journaling is a method of setting and tracking goals that is integrated with a bullet journal. A bullet journal is a personalized planning system that contains a combination of notes, lists and tasks. The Goal Tracker is a special module in the Bullet Journal that focuses on tracking goals.

The bullet journal goal tracker can be designed in a variety of ways, but generally it is used to write down goals and track their progress. For example, this can be done by setting milestones, recording milestones, and adding notes to goals that have been achieved. The Goal Tracker can also be used to increase motivation by remembering and celebrating past successes.

The goal of Goal Tracker Bullet Journaling is to keep track of goals and progress in an organized and visual way. This makes it easier to stay motivated and focused on achieving your goals.

Bullet Journaling

Perhaps the most popular form of journaling right now, bullet journaling offers a lot more freedom than some other options. To start your bullet journal, all you need is a journal with plain white pages and your collection of stickers, washi tape, colorful pens, and other embellishments.

You can then set up your bullet journal in any way you desire to track any aspect of your life, from daily habits like meditation to your moods. Bullet journals offer so much room for creative expression, and they are so much more personal than using diaries or planners from the shop.

Art Journaling

Art journaling is similar to bullet journaling but is even more free-form and personal. While people typically use bullet journals and the other journals on this list to track daily activities or plan their lives, art journaling is more about tracking your artistic journey.

If you are an artist, whether professional or hobbyist, and you are working on developing a particular idea or theme, using an art journal is a great way to track your progress and try new things. We recommend using a journal with thicker pages, especially if you are using paints, adhesives, and collage materials.

Bible Journaling

We call this Bible journaling because a Bible is the most commonly used holy book for this practice, but you can create a faith journal in any book that is sacred to you. Sacred journaling is a beautiful way to document your spiritual growth and your daily interactions with your spirituality, whether that be the word of the Christian god or your exploration of other religious texts.

Bible paper can be thin, and often pen ink will bleed through the pages, so we highly recommend buying Bibles or other sacred books specially designed for journaling.

Hobby Arts and Crafts with Drawing and Painting

We strongly believe that everyone is creatively artistic and that each person’s art is unique and beautiful. Just because you do not believe you fit into the narrow band of “artistically talented” people who produce art within a mold does not mean you cannot create art.

Drawing and painting are amazing ways to express yourself creatively, even if you do not feel confident sharing it with others. There are also so many different types of art hobbiesinvolving painting and drawing that you have a lot of freedom of expression, and we are sure you will find something for you.

Painting

The world of painting is so broad and full of exciting opportunities. Painting can be a really fun and easy hobby for those of us who just want a quiet night in painting by numbers. Painting can also become very technical, and there are several techniques to master for each paint type. There are four prominent paint mediums, including oil, watercolor, gauche, and acrylic. Each paint medium has its benefits and downsides. Let us break it down so you can decide which style of painting suits you best.

Watercolor Painting

Watercolor painting is in some ways the most forgiving paint medium, but it can get technical too. We love watercolor painting because it has a real sense of freedom of expression, and it is tricky to be very precise and perfect. You can buy watercolor paints in a tube or a pallet, depending on your preferences. It is easier to mix different colors with tube watercolor paint, but pallets are often easier to carry around and store.

Painting with watercolors can be a little tricky at first because you need to get the hang of how much water to use. Ideally, you should use watercolor paper for painting with watercolors, and you often have to soak it in water and then let it dry before you start painting. There are many watercolor techniques you can explore.

You can paint an area with pure water and then drop in diluted watercolor to create a beautiful ink-drop-like effect. Watercolor painting is a great creative activity for those who want to explore different styles and ideas because it is very adaptable.

Acrylic Painting

We always suggest that beginner painters start with acrylic paint because it is versatile, quick-drying, inexpensive, and very forgiving. Acrylic paint does not degrade over time. Another great aspect of acrylic painting is you can use almost any canvas. You can paint acrylics on glass, plastic, wood, paper, and of course, canvas. The texture of acrylic paint is much thicker than watercolor, and you need to use it in a very different way.

Acrylics are also great for beginners because once an area has dried, you can paint right over it again. As a result, you can fix any mistakes you make very easily. It is also simple and painless to clean up after using acrylic paint because it is water-soluble. You can wash your brushes with water and soap. You can pick up acrylic paints and paintbrushes for a relatively low price tag at any craft store.

Gouache Painting

Gauche is somewhere between watercolors and acrylics in terms of consistency and effect. Often called opaque watercolors, the primary difference between watercolor and gouache is that you cannot water gauche down to make it translucent. Gouache does have a really nice smooth texture, and the colors are very vibrant.

Oil Painting

Oil painting is definitely one of the more technical paint mediums. The most prominent feature of oil paints is that they dry very slowly. The slower rate of drying has some advantages, for example, you can mix and rework areas of color directly on the canvas. You can use various thinners and other oils to change the drying time.

Oil painting can be a little harder to pick up than the other mediums, so we suggest that beginners try other mediums first to get the hang of the basics.

Fluid Acrylic Painting

At this point in our painting journey, things can start to get a little messy! Pouring fluid acrylic paints is a lot of fun, and you can create some beautiful paintings. Fluid acrylics are a more viscose form of acrylic paint that you can pour over canvases. You can mix different colors in a plastic cup, and then you can pour the paint over the canvas and move it around to create different patterns. Have a look at acrylgiessen.com, where you find a lot of tutorials for all kinds of fluid painting.

Drawing Creative Hobbies

If you are not interested in painting but you still want to capture the world around you, there are many different drawing styles that you can explore. Even if you do not know how to draw, you will quickly pick up the skills once you start. You can find online tutorials that lead you through the basics and teach you essential skills. Drawing is a fantastic way to document the world around you and calm your mind, which is why it is on this crafty hobbies list.

Urban Sketching Drawing

A budding artist can begin urban drawing very quickly, and the choice of subject matter is endless. Urban drawing simply involves taking your sketchbook and pencil to different locations and drawing the scenes around you. If you visit a farmers market or take a ride on the tube, you can take out your sketchbook and document things that you find interesting and exciting. Urban drawing as a creative activity has become increasingly popular in recent years, and you can take part in sketch crawls almost anywhere in the world.

You can even keep an urban sketching journal, using it to document your daily activities. If you use a journal, you can go back and see how quickly your drawing skills develop. Even if you do not consider yourself a good artist, we promise that urban drawing is incredibly rewarding, and you will quickly refine your skills. This creative hobby is also very inexpensive because all you need is a sketchbook and your drawing implement of choice.

Fashion Design Drawing

Do you love fashion? Do you feel like you have a lot of exciting ideas for different items of clothing? If so, you should try your hand at some fashion design. Just like urban drawing, you can start this creative hobby with nothing more than a sketchbook, pencil, and a head full of ideas.

One of the most exciting parts of fashion design drawing is that you can go one step further and bring your creations to life. You can visit a fabric store, create a pattern from your design, and sew the garment.

Drawing Comics

We do not know about you, but we follow so many comic artists on Instagram and other online platforms. Whether these comics are witty, satirical, or just have beautiful artwork, we cannot get enough of them. If you love story-telling, maybe you have even tried writing before, then drawing comics is a wonderful creative activity for you.

You do not have to be a highly skilled artist to create comics. All you need is ideas and the will to sit down and translate them onto paper. You can create single-frame stick figure comics or develop fully realized characters.

Miniature Modeling Crafting Hobbies

There is something intensely satisfying about seeing something reproduced perfectly in miniature. Whether you are making a tiny exact model of a train, making dolls, or creating tiny landscapes, creating the world in miniature is one of the most popular creative activities for adults. It can be quite pricey compared to some of the other creative hobbies on this list, but the results are certainly worthwhile. Let us dive in and explore the world of miniature things.

Crafting Putz Houses

You may already be familiar with putz houses and villages because they often adorn Christmas displays. Creating miniature putz houses is a fantastic creative activity for adults who love paper crafts and miniature houses. Putz houses are, by definition, small winter houses, often arranged in groups. You can make putz houses out of clay, wood, and even paper. Once you have constructed your putz houses, you can create a beautiful display by putting fairy lights in each one.

Crafting Doll Houses

As children, many of us loved our dollhouses and spent hours redecorating and rearranging furniture. There is no reason to give up that passion now that we are grown, and this is a perfect creative activity for adults who still love to find childlike joy. Building and decorating a dollhouse can be very complex or very simple, depending on your budget and vision.

If you are fond of woodworking and would like to challenge yourself, you can create an entire house from scratch using plywood and other wooden bits and bobs. Creating a whole dollhouse is a creative commitment and will likely take a long time, depending on your other activities. You can find fundamental dollhouse construction tips online, or you can trust your instinct and draw up, then construct your house on your own.

If you do not have the time or budget to create a whole dollhouse, you can create what are called room boxes. Room boxes are a single miniature room with all the fittings and furnishings. For example, you could design and build a beautiful small kitchen or bedroom.

Doll Crafting Hobbies

If you are a lover of everything dolls, then making your own may be the perfect creative hobby to try. The world of doll making is vast, and you can create anything from miniature dolls for a dollhouse to large life-sized ones. Everything about your miniature human is down to you, from the hair to the outfit, you have complete creative freedom.

You can also make your dolls out of a range of materials, from wood to felt or crochet. It can also be fun to make dolls that are models of people in your life. You can find instructions and templates online.

Scale Modeling

Dollhouses and dolls are two examples of scale modeling, and there are so many more. Ultimately, you can make a scale model of anything you want, including trains, ships, houses, gardens, furniture, food, and animals. If you are a detail-oriented person and you love delicate and intricate crafts, then we strongly recommend trying your hand at scale modeling. When making a scale model, you are making an exact replica of a larger object, down to every minute detail.

Whether you are making tiny houses or tiny plants, there will be a scale modeling community. You can find help and inspiration in these groups, and you can also show off your creations. The materials you will use to create your scale models will vary depending on what you are making. While scale modeling may not be the most affordable creative activity for adults, it is one of the most popular.

Bonkei and Fairy Gardens

In theory, fairy gardens are slightly different from the Japanese bonkei, but in practice, they have similarities. Bonkei refers to the practice of making miniature landscapes, often called “tray landscapes.” Traditionally, you do not use real plants in a bonkei, but you definitely can if that appeals to you. You can also add other landscape features like rocks, rivers, and even mountains. Bonkei landscapes do tend to be more realistic than fairy gardens.

Whether you believe in fairies or not, making fairy gardens is a wonderful creative activity for adults who love to garden. The main distinction between bonkei and fairy gardens is the creative license. While bonkeis tend to be based directly on the natural world, you can include all sorts of unique features in fairy gardens.

You can make tiny fairy houses, add benches or swings, or even create a landscape inspired by fantasy. You can also use real plants like succulents in your fairy garden, making it more interactive.

Hobby Arts and Crafts for Garden Lovers

Do you love all things plants? The following activities on our craft hobbies list all revolve around plants and gardening. Many people may immediately jump to gardening when they hear plant-based hobbies, but there are so many more options. From flower pressing to creating self-contained ecosystems, there are endless plant-based creative activities for adults.

Gardening

There is nothing quite as wonderful as creating your own garden if you have space. Nurturing plants and watching them grow from seedlings is such a wholesome creative hobby, and it is relatively inexpensive. You can create a vibrant garden even if you do not have any garden space where you live. You can easily purchase many indoor plants, which can bring a sense of calm and life to your home. Although it may appear to be easy and straightforward, gardening does come with its challenges and complexities.

If you are looking for a creative activity that you can invest your time (and a little money) into, we recommend trying out your green fingers. Our biggest tip for anyone looking to start gardening is, do not be afraid to make mistakes and mess up. Plants die, things go wrong, but it is a learning curve, and the experimentation is part of the fun.

Terrarium

Terraria are the perfect hobby for gardening enthusiasts who do not have the land to bring their gardening fantasies to life. Making and maintaining a terrarium involves creating a self-sustaining ecosystem within a glass enclosure.

Using different plants, moss, rocks, and even miniature ornaments, you can create the most beautiful tiny gardens that will grow and flourish in your home. You can make a vast range of terraria from the minute to very large ones. .

Aquascaping

Aquascaping is fairly similar to creating terraria, except you are crafting an underwater landscape. If you love the underwater world, you have had fish in the past, or you simply want to try something new and exciting, we recommend trying aquascaping. Aquascaping can be quite an investment, so you may need to start small if you are on a budget. You will need all the basics of a fish tank set up, including the tank, some tank-safe soil, gravel, and your chosen range of plants and rocks.

Luckily, aquascaping is a hobby that you can work on for a long time, so even if you can only afford to buy two plants at the start, you can slowly grow your underwater paradise. If you love fish, you can also introduce some small-finned friends into your underwater garden.

Topiary

Topiary is an ancient horticultural practice involving the training and trimming of perennial plants into various shapes. People have been carving shaped shrubs since ancient Roman times. In fact, the stem of the word topiary, topiarius, comes from the Latin name for an ornamental landscape gardener. All you need to start topiary are the shrubs and a set of shears, and you can get both at your local garden center. The best shrubs for topiary are fast-growing ones with very small leaves, a dense branching pattern, and that love being trimmed.

Topiary traditions favor geometric shapes like cubes, pyramids, balls, obelisks, cones, tapering spirals, or tiered plates. Other representational shapes like animals, people, and man-made objects are also popular topiary subjects. Whether you are carving large imposing trees or small and delicate shrubs, topiary is one of the most unique creative hobbies for adults.

Bonsai

If the idea of shaping plants interests you, you may enjoy bonsai. This Japanese art of growing and shaping miniature trees is one of the most popular creative activities for adults globally. For over a thousand years, people have been carefully tending to their bonsai trees, and the oldest bonsai that exists today is thought to be over 1000 years old. Bonsai cultivation requires careful and thoughtful action and loving care and attention.

Flower Pressing

Have you ever collected stamps or other bits and bobs? Do you love flowers and wish you could see them all year round? If so, you should try flower pressing. Not only is flower pressing a fun creative activity that allows you to keep flowers around you all year, but you can also use the dried flowers in other works of art.

Pressing your favorite flowers is a relatively easy process. First, you need to gather some of your favorite flowers, perhaps from your garden or your local park or forest. Next, using a heavy book or a book with a heavy object, place your flowers between two pages and leave them to dry flat for a few days.

Once your flowers have dried fully you can store them in a cardboard box until you use them for another creative hobby. We love to use dried flowers to decorate home-made cards, journal entries, and you can even use them to create collages.

Flower Arrangement

If you prefer your flowers alive and blooming, you should try your hand at flower arrangement. Arranging flowers is one of the most beautiful and rewarding creative activities for adults interested in all things floral. You can use the flowers from your own beautiful garden or visit a flower market to pick out the most beautiful blooms.

Getting started with flower arrangement is simple. You can find a great deal of information online to help. If you are interested in exploring the Japanese ikebana art of floral arrangement, you can also find a wealth of instructional information online. Even if you are not interested in learning rules for design, creating your own arrangements from your imagination is a rewarding hobby.

Creative Hobbies Involving Home Goods

Whether you are trying to live a more eco-friendly life, or you simply like the idea of making your own home goods, these hobbies may be for you. From candle making to upcycling old furniture, you can spruce up your home with lower costs and much more fun.

Making Your Own Soap

If you are conscious about chemicals and worry that all the soaps available in the shops are drying out your skin and damaging the environment, you should try making your own soaps. Not only is the process really fun and rewarding, but you can also control everything about your soap, from the texture to the smell. Handmade soaps are the perfect gift for a loved one, and the expense is relatively low.

There are so many different options for making your own soap, and you can even use things like fruit puree, tea leaves, or glitter to add a little something extra to your soaps. You can also create beautiful artisan packaging to give your handmade soap some more oomph.

Not only are there multiple options for smell, texture, and decoration, but there are several methods you can use. At the base of it, making soap is a chemical reaction between lye and oils or fats. You can buy unprocessed soap to meltdown and customize, or you can make the mixture from scratch.

Having options is great for those who may not be able to afford some equipment. There are hot process and cold process methods, melt-and-pour methods, and the rebatch method, which is great for recycling scraps.

Soap-making has also become a very trendy creative activity for adults recently, and you can find a wealth of how-to guides and inspiration online.

Basket Making

Do you need more storage space, but you cannot afford to buy expensive and generic baskets? Or do you simply love the nostalgic charm of baskets? Either way, basket making is a wonderful creative activity for adults and is one of the oldest and most popular crafts throughout history. There is so much variety in the basket-making world. In terms of size, you can create tiny baskets or large industrial-sized laundry baskets.

You can also weave baskets out of countless materials, including grass, animal hair, stems, vines, hide, and straw. There are also many methods of basket making, including the coiling technique, the plaiting method, and the twinning method. You can find basic guidelines for all these basket-making methods online.

Candle Making

Today candles may not be such staples as they were historically, but they are now an object of leisure and relaxation. One of the most amazing feelings is lighting a candle and relaxing into a warm bath or your bed. Buying candles can be an expensive past-time, but making your own at home is relatively inexpensive and very rewarding. Candle making is both an exciting creative hobby and scientific art.

The basic candle has several fundamental elements, including wax, containers, wicks, and a double boiler. You can also add other elements, like fragrance or color. You can use many different ingredients, but you have to consider your combinations carefully.

Depending on the candle style you want to make, you need to select the right wax and the perfect wick. After you have nailed the basics, you have so much room to experiment and make some beautiful candles.

Upcycling Furniture

Upcycling furniture is one of the most fun and creative hobbies for any adult who loves interior decoration but does not necessarily have the budget to overhaul their furniture every few months. This crafting hobby is one of the broadest with loads of room for creativity. You can upcycle almost anything you want to and you have all the creative license in the world.

If there is something in your house that you no longer love, be it a chair or an item of clothing, you can find a new and exciting life for it. Upcycling is gaining popularity as the world becomes more eco-conscious, and instead of simply recycling something you no longer love, you can upcycle it and increase the value (whether monetary or sentimental).

Crafting Hobbies with Fabric and String

Material is one of the most versatile materials for crafting. You can learn how to cross-stitch, sew your own clothes, create felt sculptures, and tie-dye almost anything. There are so many fabric-based creative hobbies, and they can be fun for any adult looking for a little more creative expression.

Tie-Dying

You may have already had some experience with tie-dying as a child, but we are here to tell you that it only gets better as an adult. There are so many exciting and complex tie-dye designs to explore that you may end up living in a tie-dye house if you are not careful.

Tie-dye is also a very affordable hobby for those on a tighter budget because all you need is your fabric of choice, some elastic bands, and your dye.

Hand Embroidery

There are many forms of hand embroidery, but all of them fundamentally involve stitching designs onto fabric with different colored threads. All you really need for hand embroidery is colored thread and a needle, making it a wonderful creative hobby for those on a tight budget.

Decorating old clothes with hand-embroidered designs is a fantastic way to breathe new life into them too. If you are looking for a creative hobby with delicate details and you have great attention to detail, then hand embroidery may be perfect for you.

Cross Stitching

Cross stitching is a wonderfully relaxing hobby that many people love to practice when they feel stressed or overwhelmed with things in their lives. Slowly and intentionally stitching is incredibly relaxing and can help calm a mind full of racing thoughts, which is why we love it so much.

As one of the easier hand embroidery techniques,  it is perfect for beginners. You can purchase patterns to complete, or you can design your own. All you need is a fabric, thread,  a needle, and a hoop for embroidery.

Needle Point Embroidery

Another form of hand embroidery, needlepoint embroidery is quite distinct. Just like the other embroidery methods, needlepoint sewing is a delicate and time-consuming creative hobby, but it can be relaxing and rewarding. The use of a blunt tapestry needle differentiates this style of embroidery from others. Needlepoint artists use blunt tip needles to stitch patterns that you can find in needlepoint charts.

We recommend starting with more simple designs. Once you gain confidence and new stitching techniques, you can graduate to your more ambitious and complex ideas. As you get more accustomed to the process, you will gain new techniques to elevate your pieces.

Seed Beading

At first, seed beading may sound like an odd thing to have on this list of creative hobbies, but it is a lot of fun, and you can let your imagination run wild. You can use seed beads to craft your own earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. These make for stunning gifts to your loved ones, and you can create pieces for yourself that are totally unique.

If jewelry is not your thing, you can also use seed beads to create animal and human figurines or window hangings. You can create stunning three-dimensional pieces of seed bead art to keep in your home or gift to others. Seed beading is also an easy hobby to get started with. All you need is an idea, or pattern, your seed beads, and the patience and commitment to bring your creation to life.

Creating Needle Felt Sculptures

Recently, needle felting has seen a sudden rise in popularity. Crafters all over the world have started making fun and cute felt sculptures. Needle felting is a crafty hobby that involves repeatedly stabbing a felting needle into a wool ball to make it firm and sculpt it into a unique shape. Many people are needle felting small animals because the texture of the felt closely resembles animal fur. You can create almost anything with needle felting, from flowers to cartoon characters.

To get started with needle felting, you only need a few fundamental pieces of equipment, including wool batting, a dense foam felting pad, and felting needles. There are various felting needles available, and you may need a few. Ideally, we recommend getting the size 40 triangle for general sculpting, the 36 triangle size for attaching different elements, and the 38 star size for the finer details.

Sewing

If you have always longed to learn how to sew, whether it is to make your own clothes or other items for your house, this is your sign to go for it! Sewing can be a rewarding and fun creative activity for adults. You can design and create a whole host of exciting projects, and it is easy to pick up the basics of sewing quickly.

While a sewing machine is not necessary to enjoy sewing hobbies, if you can afford one, it will make your life a little easier. The list of things you can sew is absolutely endless, from pillowcases and other bedding items to shopping bags, clothes, and stuffed toys. The fundamental supplies you will need to get started with sewing are needles (hand needles or for your machine), the fabric for your project, pins, scissors, and various colored threads. You can purchase all of these supplies at your local craft or fabric stores.

If you are using a sewing machine, it is a good idea to get to grips with how to use it before starting your big projects. There are plenty of online video tutorials for almost every sewing machine, and you do not want to make a silly mistake and ruin your whole project before you have really started.

Making Your Own Clothes

Whether you are thrifty, against fast-fashion, or simply cannot find the items you long for in the retail world, sewing your clothes is an exciting creative hobby. Learning to make your own clothes can be a long process, but the result is certainly worthwhile.

Depending on the item you want to make, you will need to make or find the right pattern. There are thousands of free sewing patterns available online, and if you are looking for something specific you may have to buy them. Another important step in making your own clothing is to know your dimensions to tailor the patterns to your own body.

Making Stuffed Animal Toys

If you have children or grandchildren in your life, crafting stuffed toys for them can be such a rewarding creative hobby. Making your own stuffed toys may also be great for your bank account because it is much more affordable than buying toys.

You can find various patterns online for all sorts of different stuffed toys, from teddy bears to more exotic animals. You do not need very much equipment to make stuffed toys, but you will definitely appreciate having a sewing machine.

Quilting

Quilting is an excellent crafting hobby for anyone who loves to sew. Quilts are made by sewing together different layers of fabric. The most popular quilted items are blankets, but many people also make quilted clothing items like jackets or skirts. Typically, people make quilts using a sewing machine because they take a lot of sewing, but if you have a lot of patience, you can make a quilt by hand.

Quilting can be quite an expensive creative hobby, particularly if you are buying each type of fabric. If you are on a budget, you can use scraps of fabric from other sewing projects or even reuse old clothes you no longer wear. Quilting does take some time to get the hang of, but once you have the basics down, you can create beautifully intricate quilted objects for those you love.

Knitting

Knitting is a fantastic creative hobby for adults, particularly those who are also interested in making clothes. Knitting is a very calming hobby, and there is something very soothing about the gentle click-clack of knitting needles. It is very affordable and easy to get started with a knitting hobby. You only need the yarn of your choice and a set of needles for knitting. You can find all these supplies at your local craft or yarn store, but be careful because it is easy to become obsessed!

Knitting is also not hard to master. While it may take you about a day to get the hang of counting stitches and learn the different types of stitches you can create, you will be up and running in no time. You can knit so many things, from warm cozy cardigans to bobbly hats or blankets.

Knitted objects make wonderful gifts for those you love. You can find many knitting patterns online that will guide you through making more complex garments.

Crochet

In many ways, crochet is similar to knitting. They are both needle and yarn-based creative hobbies, but you only need a single hooked needle for crocheting. Crochet stitches are slightly different from knitting, but you can crochet anything you could knit. Some crafters think that it may be easier to learn how to crochet and fix mistakes, but it is completely up to you!

You can find all the yarn and crochet hooks you could possibly need at your local yarn shop. Crochet needles come in a variety of sizes, and it can be a good idea to have a few if you can afford them. Depending on the thickness of your yarn, different-sized needles will result in tighter or looser stitches. As with all things crafty, the final product is down to your imagination!

Macrame

If you love the idea of creating fiber art, but you do not want to use needles, you should definitely try macrame. This craf involves tying knots to create intricate patterns. There are so many things you can make out of macrame, from wall hangings to lampshades. Your only limit is your imagination!

It is also very easy to get started with macrame, and you do not need to spend a lot of money. All you need is your chosen twine and an understanding of the various macrame knots. Learn more about how to learn macrame.

Creating String Art

In some ways, string art is similar to macrame, but they are fundamentally different. While you create macrame patterns with different knots, you create string art patterns by wrapping colored string around nails. String art is an enjoyable creative hobby for anyone who loves decorative wall hangings and colorful designs.

There is no end to the designs you can create, and it is so easy to get started. All you need is a wooden board, many pins or nails, and colorful strings of your choice. If you are nervous as a beginner, you can buy ready-made kits to practice with, or you can dive right into making your own designs. Once you have your materials, you can draw out your design onto the board, pin in the nails, and get wrapping!

Weaving

Weaving to create textiles is an ancient creative hobby. For thousands of years, humans have been weaving beautifully patterned fabrics with yarn and a loom. If you love to create with your hands and yarn, weaving may be the best crafting hobby for you. You will need to invest in some weaving tools before you get started, but they are relatively inexpensive and can be found at your local craft or yarn store. To start your creative weaving journey, you will need:

• A loom
• A tapestry beater
• A tapestry needle
• A shed stick

Once you have your supplies, you can jump right in. You can find countless guides and videos online to teach you the basics weaving techniques.

Rug Weaving

We are sure that if you have been browsing the crafting side of the internet recently, you will have seen the explosion of rug making. Rug making is basically another type of weaving, but there are several different methods you can use. These different methods have vastly different price tags, so this may be something to consider.

You can weave your own DIY rug using cotton piping, small rubber bands, multi-use plastic netting, and scissors. For this basic rug-making method, you simply need to weave small snippets of the cotton piping into your plastic netting, pull them upwards, and tie them with a rubber band. You can find plenty of online instructions for this simple rug weaving method.

The other method which you may have seen all over Instagram is to use a rug weaving gun. Now things start to get a little pricey because the gun is an expensive piece of equipment. This method will be much quicker, so your chosen technique will depend entirely on your budget and patience!

Making your own Lace

If you are a lover of lace, then you need to try this creative hobby. Lacemaking is an intricate and time-consuming creative hobby, but you can create beautiful and exciting designs with a little patience. Making lace is a similar process to weaving textiles, but it can be a little more complicated. You can use your homemade lace to decorate clothing, use it in scrapbooks and cards, or spruce up an old duvet cover.

There are two main lace-making methods, and both are fairly similar in terms of intricacy and expense. The first method is the bobbin lace method, which uses pins, bobbins, and thread to weave your lace patterns. The second method is known as needle lace, and all you need to make lace with this technique is a needle and your thread. You can find patterns and instructions for making different types of lace online.

Printing Hobbies for Adults

Creating your own prints can be such a fun creative hobby, and different printing methods are only growing in popularity. Any creative hobby that involves the transfer of ink onto another surface can be classified as printing, and there are a few different traditional methods. If you are looking to turn a creative hobby into a small business, then a printing hobby is a fantastic option because you can easily recreate designs multiple times.

Lino Printing

Printing with carved linoleum blocks is a fun and creative form of relief printing. Lino printing can be a time-consuming creative activity, but it produces very gratifying results. You also do not need very many tools to begin lino printing. You can purchase linoleum sheets, printing ink, a roller, and a set of lino-cutting tools from your local craft store. You can also buy starter kits that include everything you need. It can be helpful to have a glass plate to roll your ink out on, but this is not strictly necessary.

There are two steps to lino printing. Firstly, using carving tools you need to transfer your design onto the sheet of linoleum. It is important to remember at this beginning stage that your design will be the mirror opposite of what you see when you print it. A good way to get into the swing of this is to practice carving letters. You will quickly see that you need to carve everything backward for it to print the right way round.

Once you have your carved lino design, you simply need to roll ink onto it and place a piece of paper, wood, or cloth onto the ink surface. For the best results, you should press your material firmly onto your lino to ensure all the ink has transferred.

Lino printing can be used to decorate so many things. You can create stand-alone designs, or you can use lino printing to create interesting fabric patterns.

Rubber Stamp Printing

If you are an avid scrapbooker or you love to journal or make cards, rubber stamping may be another great creative hobby to try. Making your own rubber stamps is very similar to lino printing, except you are carving a rubber block rather than a sheet of linoleum.

The only other things you need are carving tools and your imagination. Remember that when you draw out your designs, the rubber stamp will print the inverse. Once you have carved your rubber stamp, you are ready to go!

Gyotaku

Gyotaku is one of the more fringe creative hobbies, but if you are a keen fisher, then this is a wonderful way to memorialize your catches. The Japanese creative printing hobby was first practiced in the mid-17th century and involves creating a print from fish. The process is relatively simple, and you do not need any specific equipment. All you need to get started with Gyotaku printing is your prize fish, some paper, and some printing ink.

Simply cover the one side of your fish with the ink, place your paper over it, and then gently press down onto the paper to transfer the ink. Some Gyotaku artists like to finish off their prints by adding a little color and other details.

Screen Printing

Screen printing is now quite an old-fashioned technique for transferring designs onto fabric, wood, paper, and even metal. These days, printing on t-shirts is usually digital, but that does not mean screen printing is no longer a fun and rewarding creative activity. In fact, screen printing often creates much more vibrant and long-lasting designs because the ink soaks much deeper into the fabric. Screen printing involves pushing your ink through a customized screen to transfer the design onto your chosen surface.

To get started with a screen printing hobby, you do need quite a few specialized tools. There are some essentials you will need, including photo emulsion, glass, screen printing ink, a screen, light, and a squeegee. If you want to try screen printing out but you are wary of investing lots of money, you can buy beginner’s kits, which are reasonably priced. There are many detailed online tutorials available for screen printing beginners.

Sculpting Hobbies

Whether you want to explore carving, casting, or molding hobbies, we have got you covered. Sculpting is a popular creative activity that is only gaining attention on social media right now. You can create sculptures from many mediums, including wood, clay, pottery, metal, and stone.

Clay Pottery

Have you ever longed to create unique pieces of ceramic art, vases, and crockery? If yes, you should definitely try your hand at some pottery. Pottery is not a hobby for those who do not like to get a little messy because the clay gets everywhere! Depending on your budget and commitment, you can use different types of clay.

Air-dry clay is the best option for anyone on a budget, has a small space, or just wants to try it out. You can buy air-dry clay very cheaply at any craft store, and it is easy to work with, but you must remember to always keep it wet!

If you have access to a kiln or can afford to purchase one, you can use traditional ceramic clay. Ceramic clay has some advantages over air-dry clay for anyone serious about pottery, including a much longer drying time. You can also apply beautiful and interesting glazes to your ceramic creations when you fire them in the kiln.

Sculpting with Polymer Clay

Polymer clay is a wonderful medium for creative adults looking to make fun and delicate creations. Polymer clay is not actually clay at all. Instead, it contains polymer polyvinyl chloride (PVC). As a result, polymer clay is incredibly malleable and easy to work with, making it perfect for crafts like beaded jewelry and miniature sculptures.

At the moment, polymer clay is being used by many people starting their small businesses on social media. The most popular use for polymer clay right now is beautiful and unique earrings and other pieces of jewelry.

Carving Wooden Sculptures

Wood carving is a unique and exciting creative hobby for anyone who wants to explore sculpture. It may be a little more dangerous than some of the other activities on our creative hobby list because it involves using a knife or other sharp carving tools, so you should invest in some good quality tools. If you are looking for a creative activity to calm a racing mind, wood carving is fantastic because it takes a lot of concentration.

You can make so many unique creations out of wood, but our top recommendation for beginners is to start small. You have a wide variety of woods to carve, with some being more suitable for carving than others. Once you have carved your wooden creation, you can add varnish to really make it shine.

Crafting Hobbies with Concrete

Concrete seems like such an industrial material, but you can make beautifully delicate and intricate creations with it. The list of things you can make with concrete is long but includes bowls, bookends, pots and planters, candleholders, and jewelry dishes. Stylistically, concrete craft objects can add a touch of modern industrialism to a space.

If you want to get started with crafting with concrete, you can find the ingredients at your local hardware store. You will also be able to find many tutorials online.

Metalworking Creative Hobbies

Metal is another more industrial material that you can turn into beautiful sculptures. Metalworking can be a very rewarding creative hobby because you can make functional pieces for your home as well as stunning sculptures. Metalworking is, however, quite a pricey hobby to begin. You will need a lot of different tools, some of which can be expensive. A large space is also necessary to get started with metal work because it can be a bit of a messy process.

If you are interested in pursuing this creative hobby, you can find the tools and other materials at your local hardware store.

Industrial Hobbies List

The following hobbies involve materials that are more industrial than some of the other crafting supplies we have covered so far. These hobbies are fantastic for anyone who wants to try a more labor-intensive and functional hobby. We must warn you, however, that these hobbies are quite expensive. You will need more expensive supplies and tools to get started, but the results are certainly worthwhile.

Glass Blowing

Glass blowing is the perfect example of an industrial hobby. Are you as obsessed with Blown Away as we are? Have you ever wanted to make your own wine glasses? Or perhaps you have longed to try making glass sculptures? If so, you should definitely try your hand at glass blowing. Blowing glass is a heavy-duty creative activity for adults who want some adventure. Using heat and molding tools, you can sculpt molten glass into ornate designs.

If you are interested in trying glass blowing, you will probably have to visit a studio because the process requires using three separate furnaces.

Glass Etching

If you want to try working with glass, but glass blowing sounds a bit too industrial, why not try glass etching? Using just a few simple tools, including a paintbrush, masking tape, and etching cream, you can create intricate designs on any glass surface. Glass etching is a really fun and creative activity for adults to explore, and you can find plenty of tutorials and inspiration online.

Metal Embossing

Just like glass etching is a smaller scale option for those interested in working with glass, metal embossing is a less industrial way to work creatively with metal. Embossing metal involves creating raised or sunken designs with a stylus on a piece of metal.

Silver or pewter coated with tin are the most common metals for embossing, and you can usually find these at any craft store. If you want to start exploring metal embossing without spending any money, you can use items from your house, like old soda cans or aluminum foil.

Creative Hobbies Involving Leather

There are so many different creative activities for adults that involve working with leather. Leather is a fantastic and versatile material that can be painted, embossed, dyed, burnt, molded, or etched. You can also make so many different leather items, including shoes, handbags, belts, and wallets.

While leather may seem like an intimidating material, working with it is easier than you may think. There are countless tools available for whatever you want to do with leather. Leatherwork is also an incredibly popular creative activity, so you can find plenty of online resources to help you get started.

Furniture Restoration

If you are a fan of old things and antique furniture, restoration may be a particularly satisfying creative hobby to try. With a little elbow grease and a few supplies, you can breathe life back into an old piece of furniture.

Old furniture and supplies are relatively affordable and available at craft stores and hardware stores. You can often find old furniture at markets and thrift shops. You can find many online resources to help you with the different restoration techniques.

Pyrography / Wood Burning

The art of burning into wood is a fantastic creative activity for adults who love wood but cannot commit to larger-scale wood crafts. With only a specialized heat pen, you can draw any design from your imagination on a piece of wood.

You can create depth and dimension really easily in pyrography, and it is a fun way to upcycle an old piece of furniture or create a unique gift for a loved one. If you want to start exploring pyrography, you can find a wood burning beginner’s kit very easily.

Pyrography is a fascinating hobby. Find out more in our in-depth tutorial about Wood Burning Art.

Mosaic

Mosaic is an ancient art form using small pieces of stone, glass, ceramic, or tiles. If you have old crockery or glass bottles lying around, why not purchase some plaster and try to upcycle them into a beautiful work of art? Creating a mosaic is not a difficult or expensive creative hobby, and you do not need a lot of equipment to get started.

You can make many things with mosaic, including house numbers, decorated plant pots, picture or mirror frames, and decorative wall hangings. If you are very brave, you can also create your own mosaic tiles for a DIY bathroom renovation project.

Performance-Based Creative Activities for Adults

One of the most recent studies on creative hobbies found that singing and other forms of performance art were among the most popular creative activities for adults. The survey also indicated that creative hobbies involving social interaction with others were the most beneficial to mental wellbeing. Whether you decide you want to perform on stage or in your shower, expressing yourself through performance is a fantastic way to relieve stress and increase self-esteem.

Learning to Play a Musical Instrument or Singing

Many adults often feel disheartened that they did not learn a musical instrument at a younger age. The good news is, it is never too late to start learning. Using music to express your creative force is one of the most cathartic and emotionally beneficial activities for anyone. You also do not have to be a professional musician to derive these benefits.

Whether you want to gently learn to play your chosen instrument at home via online tutorials, or you want to begin taking adult music lessons, there are plenty of options available. There are so many varied musical instruments available to learn, including the piano, violin, flute, guitar, drums, cello, and bassoon. Do some investigation, listen to some music, and see what instrument calls you.

Singing is another fantastic musical way to express yourself creatively. One recent creative hobbies study found that singing was the number one creative activity among that sample of adults. Once again, you do not need to be an opera singer or pop star to derive the benefits.

Dance

If you are looking for a creative activity that combines self-expression and physical exercise, dancing might be for you. There are many dance styles that you can explore, including ballet, tap, ballroom, and modern dancing. You can also dance in any way you like. If you want to take dance lessons, there will definitely be adult lessons in your city. If you prefer to dance in the privacy of your own house, blast that music and have a blast. If you are looking for endorphins, you should get up and dance!

Acting

If you are looking for a creative hobby to throw yourself into fully, you should try acting. Acting is a wonderful way to push the things that may be causing you to stress to the back of your mind and fully embody the present moment. You can take acting classes or simply audition for your local productions. You can also meet many new people through acting.

Beauty Related Creative Hobbies

Whether you have always been interested in beauty-related hobbies or you want to try something new, these hobbies offer so much space for creativity. While the mainstream perception may make you think these hobbies are made for women only, we strongly encourage anyone interested in beauty to try these creative activities for adults, regardless of their gender identity.

Getting Creative with Make-up

The art of make-up is constantly evolving, which makes it a very exciting creative hobby. If you love to do your own make-up, or you would like to get started, why not make make-up videos or do make-up for other people? YouTube is a fantastic place to find inspiration and instructional videos, and you may even be inspired to make your own videos to help bring the joy of make-up to others.

There are no boundaries to expressing yourself through make-up. You can try your hand at drag make-up or costume make-up. We find most of our make-up inspiration from tv shows like Ru Paul’s Drag Race or Glow Up. 

Nail Art

Like make-up, nail art is a very popular creative activity for adults. There are always new trends in nail art, and it is easy to get lost in watching calming videos online. Nail art is also a relatively affordable creative hobby to start. All you need to get going is some nails (yours or a willing volunteer) and a collection of nail polishes.

As you grow in confidence and experience, you can experiment with nail stickers and other more complex nail art techniques.

Jewelry Making

Jewelry is such a wonderful part of any outfit, and what is better than making your very own unique pieces? Hand-made jewelry can make for fantastic gifts, and you can even make your own small business if that sounds like something you would like to do. There are countless jewelry styles to explore, and you can find your own niche. You can make jewelry by wrapping crystals in wire, pouring resin into molds, or crafting polymer clay charms.

To start making jewelry, you will need a few basic tools, including pliers, wires, perhaps solder equipment, and jewelry saws. Not all of these tools are necessary when you first start, and you can gradually build up your tool kit as you progress.

Digital-Based Creative Activities for Adults

Getting creative with physical materials is not for everyone. Many people are looking for creative activities they can do on a laptop, phone, or camera. If you relate to this, do not fear because we have several options you can explore.

Photography, Videography, and Photo Manipulation

Photography is one of the most popular creative hobbies for adults, and the wonderful thing about it is you can cater your photography to the things that inspire creativity in you. If you love to hike in the mountains, photography can be a way to capture the best moments and memorialize them.

Many people think you need to get an expensive camera with all the lenses to start playing with photography, but this is not true. If you are on a tight budget, there are plenty of affordable camera options that take fantastic photographs for a fraction of the price. You can find photography tutorials and lessons online to take your photos to the next level.

Once you have taken your photos, you can level up even more by learning photo manipulation techniques. You may wonder how many photographers online manage to take such beautifully atmospheric photographs. More often than not, the photos they post are not the raw images from their cameras. A lot of work takes place behind the scenes with software like Photoshop and Lightbox.

Another wonderful creative hobby you can pursue with a camera is videography. Whether you want to document a trip abroad, or provide online cooking tutorials, exploring videography is a wonderful way to express your creativity. You do not need much more than a camera and video editing software to get started with videography, and there are plenty of online tutorials available.

Digital art and Graphic Design

Drawing and painting are such wholesome creative hobbies, but sometimes the inability to undo your work can be overwhelming. If this sounds like you, you should try creating digital art. Digital art is also very versatile, and you can create artworks in a variety of styles with a single piece of equipment.

To start with digital graphic design, you will need a drawing tablet. Some artists use Ipad pros as their drawing tablet, but this option is unnecessarily expensive. You can buy much more affordable drawing tablets designed for professionals online.

Another exciting aspect of digital art is the possibility of turning your designs into animation. There are many different animation software packages available, but some of them can be very expensive. If animation is something you are interested in trying, you can find some free software packages like Pencil 2D, Wings 3D, or Opentoonz.

Creative Writing

If you want to start practicing creative writing, it does not matter whether you think of yourself as a writer or not. Writing creatively, whether it is fiction or nonfiction, is one of the most cathartic creative hobbies on this list. You can pour every ounce of your creativity into crafting a world, a character, or a scene through words. Not only is creative writing a fantastic way to channel your creative energy, but it is also a beneficial practice for your mental health. There are also so many types of writing you can pursue, including:

• Poetry
• Non-fiction pieces
• Biography
• Musicals or plays
• Satire
• Children’s stories
• Fictional works of all genres
• Graphic novels or comics

Writing involves the stimulation of your imagination, causing you to think outside of the box, explore new ideas, and generally stretch your brain in new ways. Creative writing can lead to improvements in creative problem solving, and it can be a wonderful way to focus an overthinking mind.

We love writing as a creative hobby because you do not need anything to get started. If you have a pen and paper, or a laptop, you can start writing creatively right now.

Coming to a Creative Conclusion

We really hope that you have enjoyed learning about all of the varied and exciting creative activities for adults on this list. Creativity is an innate part of being human, and in a world driven by work and productivity, taking some time to let yourself be creative is so important. If you need encouragement to dive into a new creative hobby, know that we are here cheering you on!