24 Best Crafts and Hobbies for Adults

Instead of spending your spare time scrolling through social media, why not invest it in a more creative outlet?

We’ve rounded up 24 of the best crafts and hobbies for adults to help you find ideas and inspiration and get started with your own DIY project. 

Art Hobbies & Crafts

Art is a great way to enhance memory retention, boost your problem-solving skills and improve your observation. Plus, it’s one of the best ways to relieve stress and let your imagination run wild. 

Below is a comprehensive design and art hobbies list that anyone can do, regardless of skill level. For most of them, you only need basic supplies as well, so they are fun and cheap to do. 

1. Drawing & Painting 

You don’t have to be an artist to find doodling or painting relaxing. 

From basic sketches to more advanced techniques like watercolouring or oil painting, you can create anything you want just by using a pencil, colours, a piece of paper, and your imagination.

For those with more artistic ambitions, sculpting or modelling are great art hobbies. You could use a variety of materials, whereas there is no limit to the shapes and sizes you can try out—a great way to express your creativity. 

2. Calligraphy

Mastering beautifully written words or phrases with elegant pen strokes using a selection of colours and styles is a great way to show off your creative skills. 

If you have an eye for detail and the patience to match, sign up for a calligraphy course or online tutorial or purchase the supplies and get started with crafting beautiful writing. You can start off small with a single colour and then move on to more complex styles and designs. 

3. Digital Art

If you are not a fan of pen and paper, give digital art a try. There are several programs you can utilise to create animations, drawings, sketches, as well as storyboards, which you can use as a creative outlet.  

While many believe that this hobby requires a bigger initial investment, you can actually find a wide range of affordable drawing tablets, while most sketching and drawing software have free trials.

4. Paper quilling

There are several types of crafts and hobbies that you can do with just a bit of paper and glue and quilling is one of them. 

Quilling involves rolling small thin pieces of paper into different shapes. It is an incredibly versatile art allowing anyone, regardless of age and experience, to create gorgeous shapes, forms and even jewellery pieces.  

5. Scrapbooking 

Scrapbooking allows you to get creative with decorations and writing while at the same time giving you the chance to preserve your family history or memories in a way that is truly your own. You can also add personal notes under the pictures or anecdotes to further personalise your project.

All you need is some paper, colours and some memories. 

DIY Crafts

Did you pick up a DIY hobby during the 2020 lockdown? If not, you can do it now. Here is a list of DIY crafting hobbies that can keep you busy over the weekends.

Keep in mind that, unlike art crafts, these hobbies will require more specific supplies and materials so be ready to make several trips to the arts & crafts supply shop. 

6. Soap Making

If you’re active on the crafting side of TikTok, you’ve probably come across a plethora of soap makers each with a unique recipe for handmade soap. If that is not enough to inspire you to get into soap making, then consider the benefits for your skin and your budget. 

Plus, it’s a great way to get your creative juice flowing—you can mix and match shapes and materials and try out a variety of styles. And if you get bored of soap, you could always use the techniques you pick up here to make your own scented candles. 

7. Basket Weaving

The art of weaving malleable materials, like willow or rope, into three-dimensional items such as baskets, mats, or mesh bags, is a long-standing tradition in the UK. It is also a relaxing and therapeutic hobby that anyone can do with a little help and patience. 

If you are an absolute beginner, it’s a good idea to get started with paper so you can get familiar with the process before moving on to more challenging materials. 

8. Jewellery Making

Immensely satisfying and versatile, jewellery making is a great DIY hobby for people of all ages. What’s more, since people are always on the lookout for unique, handmade jewellery, this is one of the crafting hobbies that can make money.

Keep in mind that you might need some guidance to get started. Luckily there are plenty of online courses that can show you the most common techniques used as well as supply you with a full list of required materials. 

9. String Art

String art is among the best craft hobbies for beginners as it requires no particular skill, especially if you choose to do simple outlines.

You can take it to the next level and add a few decorative elements to your design, such as beads or use different materials to give the final piece a more polished and professional look. 

10. Terrazzo

Terrazzo is a decorative finish often used on floors and walls, but it is a great technique to use in the creation of side tables, coasters, candle holders, and so much more. 

To get the terrazzo effect you would need some kind of material chips (usually pieces of tile) and a binder to keep the chips in place (like cement). Since you can mix and match materials (from marble and granite to glass and quartz) and create patterns yourself, this is one of the most creative hobbies to do at home. 

If you are a stickler for the rules, though, try mosaics instead. It involves the same techniques, but with mosaics you put individual pieces in a specific pattern and then fill in the empty areas with cement. 

Industrial Hobbies

Unlike DIY crafts, these are not the most suitable craft hobbies for beginners as they require some skills. This should not deter you from giving them a try—any of the hobbies listed below can help you relax and boost your creativity, you will just need more time to master them. 

11. Woodworking

This hobby encompasses anything from carving a block of wood to creating wooden furniture pieces, such as shelves, benches and tables. 

In addition to exercising your mental abilities and improving your focus, woodworking can be a great physical activity as well. Not to mention, it is incredibly rewarding—there is always a feeling of pride when you incorporate a piece of furniture into your home that you made yourself from scratch.  

12. Glassblowing

Glassblowing is the process of shaping molten hot glass into a piece of art using a blowpipe. 

While many people consider this as one of the craft hobbies for men, anyone can do it with the right tools and the proper guidance. You will need to follow safety measures as well, but it is more than worth it—the entire process is nothing short of magical, and it will leave you with a beautiful work of art, which you can sell, keep or gift. 

13. Leatherworking

Like woodworking, crafting items out of leather boosts both your physical and mental abilities, so it is the perfect craft if you’re looking for a hobby that requires industrious effort as well as artistic finesse. There is no shortage of ideas with leatherworking—from wallets and cases to dog collars and bags—anything goes. 

However, this is an expensive hobby and as easy as TikTok and YouTube tutorials make it appear, it needs a lot of practice. 

Needlecraft Creative Hobbies

Needlecraft is often referred to as a hobby for old ladies, but nothing could be further from the truth. There are several hobbies and crafts involving needlework that are suitable for people of all genders, ages and artistic abilities. 

Let’s take a closer look. 

14. Embroidery

Traditionally,  listed among the best craft hobbies for ladies, embroidery is a relaxing, rewarding and financially gratifying activity to take up (for both men and women). There is a wide variety of starter kits to help you get the hang of it, as well as a myriad of patterns and materials to use. 

To add some extra spice to your creation, you can even incorporate pearls and beads. 

15. Crochet

When it comes to relaxing and creative hobbies, crochet ticks all the boxes. It is soothing, helps you manage stress and anxiety and is suitable for people of all ages and talents. It boost mental abilities as well as mobility and stimulates creativity. 

Best of all, it offers endless gift opportunities—you can turn yarn into beanies, toys, scarves, clothes, blankets, bags, headbands, so you can make something for anyone. 

Those interested in flexing their crochet skills a bit further can venture into knitting. Just like crochet, knitting is relaxing and fun but requires a higher level of skill as it uses two straight needles to create more delicate stitches. 

16. Punch Needle 

Next up on the list of crafts to learn is punch needle. Also known as punch needle embroidery and punch needle rug hooking, this is a fun and creative stitching method that involves punching loops of yarn into the cloth with a large needle to produce textured designs. Due to the process, the end result has a rug-like appearance, hence the name. 

You only need a few supplies to get started, making punch needle an affordable and accessible choice for anyone.

17. Lace Making

Lace making is the process of creating an openwork cloth by hand using single or many threads. Although there are materials available nowadays that can simply the process, this is an incredibly intricate and challenging technique that may not be suited for everyone. 

If you do decide to give it a try, start off with a bigger-sized thread and simpler designs. You can also take a look at a few tutorials online from specialised teachers who can share tips on mastering the art of lace making. 

18. Weaving

Weaving may not be among the first crafting hobbies to spring to mind, but this unusual art of turning yarn into fabric makes for an incredibly satisfying pastime. It is relaxing, tension-free and allows you to work at your own pace.

On the down side, it is expensive and requires a lot of practice—it may take years before you fully master this craft, but when you do, you will have the satisfaction of achieving something great. 

19. Macrame

Unlike knitting and weaving, macrame is a technique that uses knots to create amazing pieces. This craft is easy to learn, inexpensive, and versatile—you can create anything from plant hangers and earrings to cushions and lampshades!

In addition to making something for yourself or as a gift, macrame can be profitable business—handmade macrame pieces are highly in demand on platforms like Etsy and Folksy.

Gardening Hobbies

Fancy yourself as a bit of a green thumb? There are several hobbies that you can do in the garden, from traditional flower arranging to unusual crafting hobbies like tree shaping. 

20. Flower Arranging

Flower arranging is a fantastic hobby for anyone who has a keen eye for detail and colour and loves plants and flowers. It is inexpensive (you can use flowers from your garden or buy from the local market), easy to do and not incredibly time-consuming. 

Having flower arranging as a hobby doesn’t just benefit you but those around you as well. From providing friends and family with beautifully arranged bouquets and centrepieces for special occasions, you could end up saving them a lot of money. 

21. Bonsai

Bonsai is the Japanese art of growing miniature trees in your home. As a hobby, it can be unbelievably rewarding, however, it is not for those who want fast results. Bonsai care, cultivation and design require a lot of patience and understanding, so the process is slow, time-consuming and often frustrating. 

If you feel that you can handle the pressure of caring for a Bonsai tree, you can find plenty of online suppliers of outdoor and indoor Bonsai trees and accessories across the UK. 

22. Terrariums

If you want to grow plants but still be able to express your creative side, then this is the hobby for you. 

Terrariums are sealable glass containers that house soil, plants, and other natural materials. Primarily used as ornaments, terrariums are fun, inexpensive, and easy to care for. 

They are also quite versatile, allowing you to play with different themes, plants, and designs. 

23. Flower Pressing

Although many find flower arranging a therapeutic activity, fresh flowers will inevitably wilt. So, why don’t you consider flower pressing as a way to preserve your hard work?

This Victorian art is more than that, though. It is an outdoor pastime that can also be quite educational, not to mention creative. Much like scrapbooking, you can preserve flowers in a book or use the pressed flowers to make personalised greeting cards, table placements or even home decorations. 

24. Topiary

The technique of shaping bushes into visually appealing shapes is known as topiary. This highly entertaining hobby not only lets you spend time outside but can also be a great chance to get your imagination going—you can shape small trees and bushes into anything you can think of, from obelisks and pyramids to different animal shapes.

Be sure to take a look at some videos or images to get inspired and make a design plan before taking out the shears. 

Final Thoughts: What Are the Benefits of Crafts and Hobbies for Adults?

There are several benefits of taking up crafting hobbies. For one, they can be unbelievably relaxing and soothing—taking your mind off work and personal issues and helping you release stress in the process. 

What’s more, crafting hobbies are known to help individuals suffering from anxiety and depression. Creativity is said to boost dopamine levels in the brain (which is a natural antidepressant) and thus provide relief for people with mental health problems or those processing a trauma. 

They can also help elderly adults with mobility, motor skills and memory retention, as many types of crafts and hobbies require both mental and physical activation. 

Last but not least, hobbies can improve your social life. Even if you don’t take part as a group, you can still get in touch with like-minded individuals on the internet and share advice, ideas and experiences. 

Bottom Line

Crafting hobbies are not just for children. From crocheting and woodworking to flower arranging and scrapbooking, there are many crafts and hobbies for adults you can choose from. 

If you are a beginner, consider taking an online class or two to learn the basics of the craft. But remember—it’s practice that makes perfect, so don’t give up trying.