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It's one of the most daunting questions of all time. You've met a new person, you're getting along, and then they pose it to you: "What do you like to do in your free time?" Free time? You can't be candid! Netflix binges and stalking your middle school ex are not sufficient answers—and it's moments like these when it's the most helpful to have a casual hobby.

Yes, a hobby. No, it doesn’t have to be coin collecting or building model trains (though I’m not judging if that’s what you’re into). I’ve searched far and wide to put together a list of new hobbies to try that will have a first date, Insta story stalker, or college admissions specialist thinking, "Wow, she's so interesting and well-rounded," and came out with several ideas that are actually fun, easy, and affordable—that way, you can pick them up and get them started ASAP.

Whether you’re looking for fun things to do with friends or you’re simply looking for ways to fill your time flying solo, scroll through to find the best hobbies for adults (that’s you!). And if you realize you have a calling for whatever hobby you pick, please don’t forget about us when you’re famous!

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1. Pizza making

Oh, how I adore this activity! Grab a bag of pizza dough from your local grocery store (we love the herb and garlic dough from Trader Joe's), roll it out, and slap your favorite toppings on to create your ideal pie. Once you start getting the hang of it, you can start investing in some tools, like a pizza oven you can attach to your grill, or a pizza stone that keeps the crust perfectly crispy every time.

Kettle Pizza KettlePizza Pizza Oven Kit

2. Become a Gua sha master

A traditional Chinese medicine practice involving massaging the skin with a stone, gua sha is one of our favorite ways to practice self-care. But doing it right means learning from a pro. Luckily, there’s plenty of information out there, and YouTube videos are a great place to start (we love this one from Sandra Lanshin Chiu, L.Ac., and suggest making sure your teacher is trained in Chinese medicine). We also put together a gua sha guide you can check out if you’re ready to go all in.

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3. Wreck This Journal

If you didn’t have a “Wreck This Journal” back in the Tumblr days, it’s basically a coloring book/journal/scrapbook/napkin (yes, napkin). The therapeutic journal will start out super nice and neat but, once you’re done with all of the prompts, it’ll be your own, one-of-a-kind, ultra-healing masterpiece.

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4. Calligraphy

Whether you’re looking to up your stationery game or elevate your note-taking, learning calligraphy will undoubtedly add a lot to your life. Getting the skill down is totally free (there are tons of great resources online) but, beware, the pens may make your credit card a little sad.

5. Gaming

From Animal Crossing to Myst, there’s absolutely something for you in the gaming world. Just be sure to do it right and splurge on a gorgeous gaming setup!

6. Gardening

Okay, this one may sound overwhelming, but you can ease into it! Whether you want to start with some small indoor house plants that are on the low-maintenance side or you have the space to get down and dirty, gardening is a great way to keep yourself busy (and your space really cute).

7. Throwing themed dinner parties

This is a great way to ceremoniously catch up with your loved ones. Debriefs at a weekly *themed* dinner party are ten times cooler. As far as theme ideas go, might we suggest 1997 Romeo and Juliet, Studio 54, or Dolce Vita? Just some starter thoughts!

8. Learning to cook

Don’t feel bad, Kendall Jenner is still navigating the kitchen too! If you’re looking for ways to the learning process super fun, I suggest picking a workbook to cook through from top to bottom or choosing something random to try from this yummy list of TikTok recipes every night.

9. Nature photography

Seeing life through a lens can make you appreciate it even more, and that’s exactly why I love getting outside and photographing nature. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a DSLR, I'm all about that iPhone camera life. Next stop: a new IG account aesthetic!

10. Self-defense

It’s a wild, wild world out there, and knowing how to take someone out at the knees isn't a bad skill to have in your back pocket. There are several self-defense classes you can take online for free (our favorite is this one from the SEPS Women’s Self-Defense Program) or you can do a quick Google search to see if there are any classes offered near you.

11. Make your own milk alternative

Is this a weird suggestion? Yes. But I promise this hobby will make you an extra unique dinner party guest. Instead of buying your almond milk and oat milk from the grocery store (which I know is enticingly easy), try making them yourself. Just look up some recipes online (like this one) grab your nut milk bag, and get started. Your lattes will thank you! And if you want to be even more adorable, you can start bottling it and gifting it to friends.

12. Puzzling

If you’ve ever placed that final piece into a puzzle, you know that’s a feeling worth repeating regularly. With their range of sizes, shapes, and designs, you’ll never run out of puzzles to tackle. Plus, if you really love one once you’re done, you can frame it for a rustic artwork moment.

13. Learn to read tarot cards

If you’re a big believer in tarot predictions, it could be very worthwhile to delve into the specifics and learn to do it yourself. Lucky for you, we have a comprehensive guide on how to read tarot cards.

14. Pickling

Did you know that you can pickle pretty much any fruit or vegetable? If you pick up a handy fermentation kit—or get some Mason jars, vinegar, salt, sugar, and spices to go completely DIY—you can easily transform your produce into the perfect snack or garnish.

15. Candle-making

Candles can be expensive as hell. But not if you make them yourself! DIYing them also means you can make your home smell *exactly* how you want it to, which is kind of amazing.

Makesy Sunkissed Candle Kit

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16. Cake decorating

You reserve the right to make your art and eat it too! Get creative with fondant, icing, candy, sprinkles, and whatever else your hungry heart can dream of, then get decorating! There are plenty of YouTube channels that will teach you the basics (one of our faves is Cake Cake), or you can simply have at it and learn as you go. If you end up finding that you have a knack for it, I’ve got good news: a well-decorated cake can go for $$$. Hello, side hustle!

Miecux Cake Decorating Kit

17. Poetry

Hello Tumblr kid, we know you’re in there! Let your thoughts flow and speak your truth through poetry. Whether you choose to rhyme or prefer spitting pure prose, the more you write, the better you’ll get—and the better you’ll feel. Promise!

18. Scrapbooking

Good memories deserve documentation! Scrapbooking it's the cutest way to do it. You can design cute pages with photos, ticket stubs, stickers, playbills, and more. Not only will they be great to look back at when you’re feeling blue, but they’ll also prove to your hypothetical future kids how hot their parent was back in the day.

19. Crocheting

From crop tops to cardigans to blankets and bags, the world is your oyster when you learn to crochet. After you grab your needles and your favorite colors of yarn, you can find tons of (free) easy-to-follow patterns on Love Crafts to get you started.

20. Painting

Painting is not only amazingly therapeutic but a cost-effective way to spruce up your space with a personal touch. If you want to skip the experimental phase and follow the greats, you can watch some Bob Ross reruns on Hulu or browse the plethora of how-tos on YouTube.

ESRICH Paint Canvas Set

21. Punch needling

Adorable, handmade rugs are the perfect home decor addition and I believe in your ability to make some yourself. You can find all the tools you’ll need in this beginner kit and, after a few attempts, I’m sure you’ll be pumping out 8” x 10” area rugs in no time.

22. Making playlists

Whether you organize them based on mood, activity, or even location, making playlists can be an awesome, low-stress hobby. Hell, even Obama does it yearly.

23. Songwriting

I mean, Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo write record-breaking hits in their downtime, so who's to say you can’t become the world's biggest pop star too? Just whip out a notebook (and surface all of those heartbreak memories) and see what comes of it. Who knows? You could surprise yourself.

24. Learning a new language

If the only thing you can say in another language is "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi," it’s about time to make some changes, friend. Download a language learning app like Duolingo or Babbel on your phone, take on a tried-and-true Rosetta Stone course, or sign up for an immersive class somewhere near you. Whichever you choose, you’ll be better for it.

25. Wine tasting

At the risk of sounding like a greeting card, we will take any excuse to drink wine, especially if it’s under the guise of ~learning~. Sip enough vino—and accompany it with a wine-appreciation course or book—and soon you’ll actually be reading the wine list at a restaurant instead of simply looking for the cheapest bottle.

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26. Meditation

Get your ohm on (*Missy Elliot voice*) and find your inner peace (yes, it’s in there somewhere) by learning how to meditate. If you have a Netflix subscription or your ex still hasn’t logged you out of their account, we recommend taking the Headspace Guide to Meditation course available for free on the platform, which is perfect for beginners.

27. Pilates

If you’re looking for a more active hobby, here ya go! All of our favorite celebs have made it clear that Pilates is the workout-du-jour, so definitely try it out if you’re looking to do something other than running on the treadmill. Check out Move With Nicole on YouTube for some free at-home routines.

28. Mixology

Start by learning the classics, like a perfect cosmopolitan (😉) or an old-fashioned. Then, go off and explore with whatever’s in your pantry. Just, please, don’t start calling yourself a “mixologist.” Please. Check out our fave cocktail recipes though.

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29. Take a masterclass

If you want a hobby that’ll truly help you better yourself and become *that* person, investing in Masterclass is the way to go. From TV writing with Shonda Rhimes to cooking with Gordon Ramsey himself, taking this "hobby" seriously will make you an almost professional in just about everything.

30. Manicuring

Okay, this is a skill that could make you some extra money, TBH. We’re definitely having a nail art renaissance and learning to do it yourself would be HUGE. All side-hustle efforts aside, if you can get your left hand done without it looking like your right hand’s awkward sister, I’ll be thoroughly impressed.

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31. Start a book club

Reading is fun, kids! But reading with friends is even more fun. Pick a hot new read for you and your friends to check out each month and discuss over wine and crackers. Whether you guys choose a steamy romance or a gripping celeb memoir, it’ll be a quality way to spend your time.

32. Learn a new instrument

Have you ever been at a party, seen someone go ham on a guitar or keyboard lying around, and gained ten times more respect for them? Well that someone could be you! Besides the public praise that your new musical talent will earn you, it’ll also be so satisfying to master your first track. Secure your instrument of choice, and then check out one of the countless free tutorials online!

33. Join a sports league

You’d be truly shocked at the amount of organized sports networks that likely exist in your area. Peruse through Facebook and/or Yelp for groups that are looking for new players to join their bowling team, soccer team, basketball team, or even pickleball league.

34. Take nature walks

Is there any practice greater than spending a few quiet moments in the great outdoors? Explore your local woodland trails, or just pop your headphones in and wander around your local park. It’s a great way to reset and clear your mind (plus it’s a super healthy habit).

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35. Become a movie buff

This doesn’t even require a fancy film degree. Just make an account on the movie review app Letterboxd, then try to start regularly watching all of the classic old movies that you’ve never gotten around to (here are our suggestions). Afterwards, you can post your official review on the app and check out what others thought about the movie too. Motion pictures baby! They’re a hoot.

36. Launch a special-interest IG account

The weirder it is, the better! (Might I remind you of Lorde’s old finsta dedicated to ranking onion rings around the world?) We all hold the authority on a super niche topic whether we like it or not—share your expertise on the World Wide Web for your dear friends to follow along!

37. Make soap

The prairie girl lifestyle is so therapeutic. After you spend one afternoon mixing coconut oil and lye together to make your homemade soap, you’ll surely agree. Need some guidance on how to get into the soap game? Here’s a great starter guide.

38. Join a running club

Before you start throwing tomatoes, this experience can actually be fun, even if you’re no Sha'Carri Richardson. You can always find people within larger running groups that are down to match your pace, and it’s a great way to make new friends. Win-win! Just make sure to have some comfy running shoes handy.

39. Start thrifting

Turns out that sifting through people’s old stuff can be quite the adventure! Start visiting your nearby secondhand stores for bargain clothing and home decor finds. It’ll be so exciting to tell people how little you copped them for.

40. Start a podcast

Ok yes I know, it feels like we’re experiencing a bit of a podcast overflow right now, but that shouldn’t stop you! Think about how many TV shows, movies, and songs exist in comparison to the number of pods. You wouldn’t hurt anyone by investing in some equipment and yapping about a topic that matters to you. Who knows, you could even be the next Alex Cooper.

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Hannah Chubb is the lifestyle editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things home, travel, food, health, career, and more. She spends pretty much every hour of every day curating the internet for the best new products, trends, and travel destinations. You can typically find her looking for houses she can’t afford on Zillow or Airbnb, planning her next meal before she gets to the restaurant, or taking all of the Justin Bieber classes over and over and over again on Peloton. Follow her on Instagram.

Annabel Iwegbue is an assistant editor at Cosmopolitan where she primarily covers lifestyle and fashion. Before joining Cosmo, she covered entertainment at Harper's Bazaar, The Knockturnal, and Black Film. She's originally from Charleston, South Carolina, and is currently based in Brooklyn, New York. She holds a B.A. in Journalism and Cinema Studies from New York University. You can check out some of Annabel’s work here and also find her on Instagram and Twitter.

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