Here is a list of ten cheap and easy hobbies anyone can take up. Hobbies are a great way to keep your mind, body, or both active. They can be a creative outlet and can help you express your inner self. It’s okay to try them and find out that a particular hobby wasn’t for you. Don’t keep doing it if you don’t enjoy it. You can always donate or sell the supplies to fund for a new hobby.

These hobbies are in no particular order of cheapest or easiest. Just look through them all and if you find something great if not maybe something on here will spark an idea! Also, most of these are good to try during quarantine!

10) Embroidery

     You can find a vast array of embroidery kits on online. On amazon you can get a pack for three under $20. That’s not bad you’ll be able to reuse the embroidery needles, hoops (if you don’t use them for display purposes), and you’ll have left over floss! In each kit you’ll get floss, needles, an embroidery hoop, instructions on the stiches, and fabric with the pattern already printed on it. There are hundreds of different stiches that you can master. There’s even step by step books to learn the stitches or you can watch videos online. This hobby is relaxing, and you can take it with you anywhere. Once you get more confident in your stitching you can freehand or buy washable embroidery pens to draw on your design.

9) Stretch Bracelets

    Stretch bracelets are a good choice for beginners in jewelry making. You don’t need a lot of tools or supplies. You’ll need beads, stretch cord, scissors, optional are some charms (if you want something to dangle), also optional are jump rings (to hang your charms easier). The supplies are cheap, unless you want to go with the high-end charms or beads. I suggest you start with cheaper supplies to see if you like making stretch bracelets. If you do then buy more fancy beads, supplies, and tools. You can go to your local hobby store to get the supplies or do a search for online markets. Online maybe cheaper and they may have more of a variety. Stretch bracelets can be sold as a side business or gifted to friends and family members during holidays or just because. Think you could be making money off of your hobby at craft fairs, famers markets, and online.

8) Jogging or Running

     This is good for someone who wants to get healthier or to stay healthy. Jogging or running helps with stress. It clears your mind and gets you outside for some needed fresh air. You don’t need anything special just some well supported running shoes, comfortable clothes, and having a water bottle would be a good idea. When the weather gets nasty join your local YMCA they have running and walking track, so you can stay cool and warm during bad weather. Prices aren’t too bad, and they have other services you can use to help stay healthy as well.

7) Writing

      You could start writing all you need is some paper or a computer and a writing utensil. Just start writing down ideas and thoughts to get in the creative mindset. See what you can sort out of the gems to find that bright and shiny diamond. You can write a poem, a flash fiction, a short story, a novel, or start a journal. There are all sorts of things you could write about but those are just a few. Writing is fun and you can also self-publish or find a literary agent to help you get published.

6) Gardening

        This one can get expensive depending on if you buy live plants or start them as seeds and the scale you want to garden. You can grow your own food and get close to nature. If growing fruits and vegetables isn’t your thing there is always flowers. Or if you don’t have a green thumb there are succulents and air plants that are a little more forgiving. Even moss balls can be a contender (keep a look out for my article on moss ball care of beginners coming out next week).

5) Crocheting or Knitting

        You just need crochet hooks or knitting needles (or neither if you’re going to learn to arm knit!), yarn, and scissors. This is another one you can make a business out of or give your finished projects to friends and family members. Something about working with your hands is relaxing and grounding. Either one of these (or arm knitting) is fun and rewarding. There are tutorials on YouTube and free patterns everywhere online just google free crochet or knitting patterns and you’ll find enough to last you a lifetime.

4) Painting

            You just need canvas, paint, and brushes. This is one that can get more expensive depending on what brand of paints, materials, and any extra things you may want to buy. If you go basic and on the cheaper side just to see if you like it then this is a great cheap and easy hobby. There are tutorials on YouTube on proper brush care and how to paint scenery or whatever you want to paint, or you can just wing it and paint from the heart.

3) Starting a blog

            Starting a blog is another fun one. You can write about whatever you want, turn your passion and knowledge into a side business. There are different places and price points for your website domain and web hosting. It can be a little of a learning curve for some people but there are tutorials on YouTube and other websites. There are websites that breakdown of the pros and cons of the different web hosting and website domain sites. I advise to research as much a possible before starting to give you the best start.

2) Baking

           Learn some new recipes and wow friends and family while you learn or improve your baking skill. This is one where it can get expensive depending if you want to go organic with the ingredients or if you buy fancy equipment. You can also make this a side business and sell at farmers markets. Just check with your local and state laws of what you can and can’t sell and where. Some states are stricter than others. Everyone needs to eat and most everyone loves something sweet, or sugar free desserts. What better way to kick your cravings, and save money in the long run, by learning the recipes yourself? This is a great one to do with your kids and whole family! If this is something that you really enjoy you could also make YouTube videos or start a blog.

1) Origami

           You just need paper and your hands (maybe scissors to cut the paper into the sizes you will need)!  This can be relaxing, and you can make beautiful paper art. If you need help on where to start, google and YouTube are your friends. There are video tutorials you can watch and books you can buy or rent from your local library. If you have kids this is something you guys could do together.

There you go ten cheap and easy hobbies which most can be done while under quarantine! Most of these hobbies you can also find resources and books at your local library and on the web along with YouTube videos. Hopefully you found something you’d like to try and stay safe out there!