26 Hobbies You Need To Try In 2026
As the new year approaches, so do New Year’s resolutions. The start of a new year feels like a new beginning, leading many people to set goals and come up with new things to try. And why not add a hobby (or multiple) to your list of new activities to try in the new year!
Today I will be going over 26 hobbies to try in 2026. A lot of these are hobbies that I’ve tried out and loved. Some are hobbies that I want to try for the first time this year. It’s a great mix and I think you are guaranteed to find a new hobby to try!
Let’s get into 26 hobbies to try in 2026.
Why You Should Try a New Hobby
Hobbies are SO important to have in your everyday life. They give you the chance to step out of your busy schedule and do something that you love. Exploring new hobbies in your 20’s can be so fun and fulfilling. Plus, there are so many benefits of having a hobby. Here’s just a few:
- Reduce stress
- Improve mental health
- Spark creativity
- Build confidence
- Strengthen social connections
These are just a few of the ways that hobbies help you out. So if you don’t have a hobby yet, what are you waiting for!! Now is the best time to pick up a new hobby, and I am here to help you do just that.
Even if you already have some hobbies, trying something new can spark creativity and enthusiasm. One of the best parts about hobbies is that there is no limit. You can try as many hobbies as you want, and stick with the one that’s right for you.
26 Hobbies to Try In 2026
Without further ado, here are the hobbies you need to try in 2026:
Reading
It’s no secret that reading is one of my favorite hobbies. I HATED reading as a kid, and now I can’t even imagine going a day without picking up a book.
There are so many amazing books out there. If you need a place to start, check out my books page for all things reading.
Painting Your Own Nails
If you get your nails done or you like the look of having your nails done, I HIGHLY recommend you give this a shot. There are basic at home gel kits you can get on Amazon. I use Beetles Gel and I think it is great for a beginner.
Be patient when you first try this hobby. It takes time to learn the right technique, but once you give it down it’s the easiest thing ever. Painting your own nails is one of my favorite hobbies & self care rolled into one, and it helps you save money at the salon!
Scrapbook
Scrapbooking is one of the best ways to turn your memories into something beautiful. Forget posting all your pictures to Instagram. Print them out and buy some cute scrapbooking paper. Glue it all onto a page and add some extra details to make it super personal. Not only is this a fun activity, but it creates something that you get to look back on years from now.
Jewelry Making
In my opinion this is such an underrated hobby. Craft stores have so many cute charms and accessories you can add to the jewelry you make. An easy place to start is with string friendship bracelets.
Crocheting
Without a doubt one of the coziest hobbies to pick up in the winter. The best part is that it’s also a beginner friendly hobby. You can make anything from a scarf to a blanket to a sweater. The possibilities are endless. I have a beginners crochet tutorial that is a great starting point!
Photography
I think one of the best parts of the age of technology is that almost everyone has access to photography. There’s a camera right on the back of your phone! Go to the camera app and play around with some settings while you snap a few shots. If this is something you enjoy, then consider looking into a good digital camera to take it to the next level.
Baking
Again, another super cozy winter hobby you should try. I mean, who doesn’t love some cookies this time of year? Other than cookies, you can play around with different brownie recipes, breads, muffins, and so much more. If you’re a beginner baker, here are some of my favorite baking recipes.
Explore a New Place
You know that one place you’ve always wanted to visit? Make that a priority in the new year. I love to plan out a little trip. You should make an itinerary for your trip and present it to your friends, then whoever wants to join can! Exploring new places is the best with friends, but also fun to do on your own!
Learn an Instrument
Imagine learning how to play your favorite song on an instrument. That just sounds like so much fun to me. Personally, I really want to learn the guitar this year. You can also try the guitar, or venture to another instrument like the piano, violin, viola, trumpet, clarinet, and so on.
Friendship bracelets
I briefly touched on this with the DIY jewelry, but I think friendship bracelets deserve their own category. They were essentially their own movement when the Eras tour started. There are all kinds of friendship bracelets that you can make and there is truly so much room for creativity. This is also a great hobby to try with friends. You could throw a party and make friendship bracelets and listen to Taylor Swift. Just because the era’s tour ended doesn’t mean the bracelets have to stop. So continue to make the friendship bracelets!!
Bullet Journaling
Journaling seems intimidating when you first start. Unless you start with a bullet journal. This is such a fun way to be creative and journal at the same time. I recommend looking up some bullet journal inspo on Pinterest to get you started with ideas. It’s totally up to you to decide how you want your journal to look. If you’ve never heard of this before and want additional inspo, look up a bullet journal flip through on YouTube. These are super helpful for beginners!
Thrifting + Upcycling
In 2026 we are finding hobbies that are good for the environment. And this one is perfect! I swear my friends who thrift always have the cutest clothes. Thrifting definitely takes some time to figure out a good system to ensure you get clothes and items that work for you. And when you are having a hard time finding those items, try out upcycling. If you see something that has potential but may need a few tweaks, don’t be afraid to buy it! You can turn it into something of your own that fully matches you and your personality with a little bit of upcycling work.
Take a Free Course
Continuing to learn after you finish school is such a good habit and hobby to adapt. There are so many free resources. I have taken advantage of edX, it covers a wide range of classes. Busuu is also great if you are wanting to learn a new language. Or Sololearn if you are interested in learning how to code.
Yoga and Pilates
Every few months I get on a yoga/pilates kick and it’s the best stretch of time ever. Life can be so crazy sometimes, and taking the time to do something for your wellness such as yoga and pilates is so amazing. If you have a CorePower near you, I highly recommend trying out one of their studio classes. If in person fitness classes aren’t your thing, then there are so many amazing options on YouTube.
Hot Girl Walks + Running
When did hot girl walks go away? Did they go away? I remember them being the “it” trend my freshman year of college. In my opinion, this should be an evergreen trend. Walking and/or running is so good for both your mental and physical health. If you don’t already have one (or both) of these incorporated into your routine, add it. If you pick one hobby from this list, please let it be this one.
To make your walk or run extra fun, make a fun playlist to listen to while you’re out. I also love to listen to podcasts or audiobooks if I am taking more of a casual stroll. Walking and running doesn’t have to feel like a chore, do what you can to make it a fun activity you look forward to!
Water Coloring
Simple, but in the best way possible. Well, I guess it can be very complex, but I am not at that skill level yet. All you need is a piece of paper and water color paint and some water. That’s it! I take back the simple, it’s actually very complicated, but you get to experiment with colors and saturation and it’s all very fun to try out.
Chess
This is such a complicated game to be good at, but it is very easy to learn the game. If you are just starting off, Chess.com is a great resource to start with. You can learn the basics and play against people who are within the same skill set. If there is someone in your life who knows chess, I recommend asking them how to play. Advice from people you know might just be better than what you find online. The best way to learn the game is to keep practicing and learn from each game you play.
Gardening
Growing your own food is so cool!! Look up seasonal plants and learn when to plant them in order for them to bloom during their season. Two years ago I made a mini garden and grew the most delicious tomatoes and butternut squash.
Geocashing
I think this is a very niche hobby, but I have to share it because it is the best. You download the app on your phone and it gives you a map of your city and where all these hidden treasures are located. Using the hints given to you, you have to find the geocash. My siblings and I discovered this when we were kids and it would keep us entertained for HOURS. If you have never done this before, consider putting it at the top of your list. It feels like you’re on a real treasure hunt (because you kinda are).
Bowling
Earlier this year I had this strong urge to go bowling. I have not been bowling in years… but I just couldn’t stop thinking about it. Honestly, such a random activity to have the urge to do, but let me tell you it was so much fun. Going to back activities that you did as a child is so much fun and this was one of those activities for me. My skills were lacking so this is definitely a hobby to work on in the new year.
Solo travel
Okay I know that the name makes this hobby sound scary, but I promise it is not. Solo travel doesn’t have to be going on some crazy trip far away for a long period of time. It can mean going to a neighboring town and being a tourist there for the day. If this is a foreign concept to you, my post of female solo traveling is a great place to learn more about how to go about this hobby.
Sketching
Out of everything on this list, this is the one that scares me the most. I say that because I am horrible at it. But I also don’t practice. If you feel the same way, take this as a sign to pick up that empty notebook and just draw something. And your weekly reminder that everyone starts somewhere!!
Pottery
Very thrilled to be sharing this idea, it might be one of my favorites that I do not do enough. You can go to a pottery studio near you to sculpt clay or just paint already made pieces. An alternative to actual pottery is air dried clay, or model magic. These options can be done easily at home and make a great craft night activity.
Hiking
What a wonderful way to explore the world around you. You don’t have to go on an extreme hiking trail to go hiking. A stroll around the lake also counts. If you look up hiking trails near you I am sure a bunch of options will pop up. Before going to a trail make sure to do proper research so you know what to expect and are prepared. And please never go hiking alone, always bring a buddy!
Puzzles
Puzzles are very difficult to me, but I am determined to give them another shot this year. I honestly don’t have the patience to sit down and do a puzzle. If you are like me, try watching a show or listening to a podcast while you do the puzzle so you have multiple things to focus on.
New Hobbies to Try in 2026
And that’s a wrap on 26 hobbies to try in 2026. Trying new hobbies in your 20’s is so important because they help you discover new things about yourself. I hope that you found some new hobby ideas in this post and you are inspired to try a new hobby in 2026.
If you still don’t know what hobby to start with, sign up for my newsletter below and I will send you a hobby hunt worksheet to get you started on your hobby journey.
Exploring new hobbies in 2026 is a great way to start off the year, and I can’t wait to see what the new year has in store!!
xoxo,
Kayla Mae 🫶🏻
