Summer is in full swing which means time to relax, spend time with friends, work on personal goals, and even catch up on sleep. But I also know summer can also mean a lot of boredom once the initial novelty wears off. Don’t fret! I’ve got you covered with a list of great hobbies to try out. Each involves different price ranges, skill sets, and time constraints, so I hope there’s something for everyone!
The Hobbies:
1. Crochet
Crochet is no longer stigmatized as an activity just for the elderly or naturally-talented creatives. Gen Z is bringing crochet back in big ways! From cute summer bags, plushies, and even home decor items, the options for what you can make are truly limitless. I’ll admit, I’m a little biased because I picked up crochet during the height of quarantine and have been absolutely hooked since (get it?). Start with simple tutorials, a hook, and some yarn and you should be able to make masterpieces in no time.
2. Walking/ Running
Whether you’re going for a “hot girl walk” or just a normal stroll or jog, this is a great activity to pick up this summer. It’s accessible, costs basically nothing, great for your health, and you can make it fun with challenges like Couch to 5K (or just challenge yourself to go for a certain amount of time or distance). Just make sure you drink plenty of water and don’t over-exert yourself. I recommend going in the early morning or late afternoon to beat the heat!
3. Nail Art
Who doesn’t love a cute summer manicure? Even better if you can save money and do it yourself! With tons of tutorials and tools to help you achieve whatever look you’re going for, this is such a fun way to pass time and jazz up your look. We even have a DIY on Girlspring for making nail art decals to get you started!
4. Resin Art/ Jewelry Making
I have so many friends who love making earrings out of resin and clay! They are so cute and unique, plus they make the perfect gifts. You can also make super cute resin keychains! I highly recommend checking out this tutorial on Girlspring to find out more!
5. Yoga
Another short, inexpensive, way to get moving and feel better! I’ve always loved yoga but have never known where to start. That is until I found Youtube channels like Yoga With Adriene and Bad Yogi Yoga! They break yoga down into easy classes that fit a variety of needs. They even have challenges and day by day plans so you never have to wonder what to do next!
6. Interior Design/ DIY
I have to say, this hobby is a bit more involved and might require adult permission/ supervision depending on what you’re trying to do. That being said, this is such a fun and affordable way to change a space. From decluttering and reorganizing your bedroom to doing bigger projects like chalk painting furniture and doing Dollar Store DIYs to create things to liven up a room, there’s a project for everyone. When I wanted to change my bedroom two years ago, I saved so much money chalk painting my furniture rather than buying new pieces (which I absolutely could not afford), and since then my space seems so much more “me”. If you feel like it’s time for a revamp, I’d definitely think about some DIYs to make the changes you want to see.
7. Baking
I’ll be honest with you, I’m not great with anything that involves an oven, but I think this is an awesome activity to try nonetheless. Not only can you make yummy treats to share with others (or to keep for yourself), but you can really be creative with this and decorate to make things your own. I have friends who bake all the time and love it. It also caters to different skill levels and can be really inexpensive depending on what you’re making. I successfully made peanut butter cookies (yes, the three step kind… baby steps) that cost about a dollar for the mix. For a dollar I had fresh baked cookies that I had fun making, which, to me, you can’t really beat.
8. Writing
Again, I might be biased here. I am a writer, I majored in English in college, and I’ve been involved with some pretty diverse writing projects. It’s fun for me. But I highly believe that writing is for everybody. Everyone has a story to tell, whether it’s from their own lives or a work of fiction. What better time to get started on that novel or movie you’ve always dreamed of writing like summer vacation?
9. Gardening
For all of my nature lovers and plant enthusiasts, this one’s for you! Anybody can garden to some capacity (whether you adopt a houseplant or start growing your own vegetables) and it’s relatively inexpensive. You can also buy grow kits to make the process even easier!
10. Get a Side Hustle
I know, this isn’t exactly a hobby, but it is something to do! You could even make a lot of money doing it, which is always a plus. Whether you have a summer job or not, there are a lot of easy options where you could make your own hours. Who knows? It could even be the start of your own business! From having a lemonade stand, to dog walking, babysitting, doing yard work in your neighborhood, or even cleaning houses of people you trust, there are many fun ways to get out of the house and make some money. Of course, get your parent or guardian’s permission before doing any of these activities!
Conclusion:
I hope you enjoy these ideas for fun new things to try this summer! Having trouble getting started? We’ve got you covered with these productivity apps and websites!
