Are you a mom looking for an engaging hobby? Check out these wonderful hobbies for moms and pick one today!
When I first became a single mom, I was seeing a therapist.
She told me that I needed to do something for myself everyday (even for just a few minutes).
I remember thinking, yeah right, I don’t have TIME for myself!
She handed me a list of activities that I could choose from and I remember thinking, Oh, I actually love to do some these things!
My therapist explained how important it is for people (especially moms) to take time to do something for themselves every day.
She didn’t mean regular things to take care of ourselves – like eating healthy, taking a shower, getting enough sleep…
She meant doing something creative that feeds your soul!
Even though I was a busy single mom (with 2 little kids under age 6 at that time), I started making just a little bit of time every day for old hobbies and what a difference it made in my overall mental health and outlook on life!
As moms, we can often get caught up in just being a “mom.”
But you don’t want to also forget that you are an individual woman with needs and wants as well!
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Why Moms Don’t Have Hobbies
It was very easy for me to come up with a list of reasons (excuses) why I couldn’t have a hobby as a mom (especially as a single mom).
1. I don’t have time!
This is probably the biggest one. When do moms have time for hobbies?
Instead, look at what you can do to organized your schedule and save some time.
Do you have some routines set up in your home?
Can you meal plan or give your kids chores?
Do you waste a lot of time on soul-sucking social media? (You can put that time toward your hobby. My therapist said 10 minutes a day.
I think all moms can find 10 minutes a day (especially if we log off our social media).
2. I can’t afford a hobby.
While some hobbies may be expensive, many are not.
There are even ways to choose less expensive items for the same hobby (shopping on sale, buying used, borrowing from a friend, etc.).
Start with the basic supplies (or borrow or rent) and then build up slowly. You can use free items (like books from the library or free YouTube videos with instructions).
My sister recently started wool felting and she has made some really lovely creatures. She uses free videos online and books from the library for ideas and instructions and started with inexpensive beginner kits.
3. I don’t need one.
I’m a mom – I’m busy enough.
Except, cultivating hobbies is important. I’m not defined as a person because I’m a just mom.
The truth is that spending time on hobbies that you love brings joy and gives life to your soul!
As Brené Brown says in her book The Gifts of Imperfection:
If we want to make meaning, we need to make art. Cook, write, draw, doodle, paint, scrapbook, take pictures, collage, knit, rebuild an engine, sculpt, dance, decorate, act, sing – it doesn’t matter. As long as we’re creating, we’re cultivating meaning.
Brown, Brené. The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are. Zaltbommel, Netherlands, Van Haren Publishing, 2010, p. 96.
Show your kids that you enjoy life as a mom, find meaning in life, and that you can have a passion for hobbies (especially if you are a mom of girls like I am).
4. I don’t need more stuff.
I get this! My 2 little girls enjoy trying out all sorts of “hobbies.” And that means we collect all sorts of things!
Still, you can be intentional in what you keep in your home and learn to declutter so that you are not overwhelmed.
You can start small with few supplies and if your hobby is creating actual items, you can give them away as gifts to friends and family (like artwork my girls have created – or my sister gifting her wool felt creations).
5. I don’t know what hobby to choose.
What did you like to do as a child?
Is there anything you have always wanted to try or do?
What do you wish you could do when you see others doing it?
Why Moms NEED Hobbies!
If you currently don’t have a hobby, you need to find one because hobbies:
- Give life to soul
- Provide a sense of self
- Bring joy
- Can stimulate your mind
- Bring calm
- Develop and express creativity
- Develop relationships
- Can keep you healthy
- Rejuvenate your mind
- Offer stress relief
- Most importantly they provide FUN!
Whether you are a working mom, a new mom, a busy mom, or a stay-at-home mom, you definitely need to get a hobby!
Easy Hobbies for Moms
Do you need help choosing a hobby? Check out these great hobby ideas for mom below!
Creative/Arts & Crafts Hobbies
- Crochet or knitting – Crochet Kit for Beginners and The Knitting Bible
- Sewing – First Time Sewing: The Absolute Beginner’s Guide
- Candle or Soap making
- Baking or Cooking (Cookie/cake decorating or trying new recipes)
- Jewelry making
- Coloring – there are lots of adult coloring books
- Diamond painting (I have completed several diamond painting projects and find them relaxing!)
- Upcycling furniture
- Making greeting cards – Floral Card Making Kit
- Pottery
- Painting
- Calligraphy – Pretty Simple Lettering
- Photography
- Scrapbooking
- Creating photo books
- Writing – Paperage Lined Journal
Hobbies for Moms to Stimulate the Intellect
- Bible study
- Reading – (I am part of a Well-Read Mom book club and I love it!)
- Instrument lessons (Maybe it’s time to play an instrument! You can use free YouTube videos to learn a new one or brush up old skills.)
- Coding (Exercise brain and learn a useful skill! Codeacademy)
- Learn a new language – try Duolingo or check out free resources at your local library
- Learn something new on Coursera or YouTube
- Listen to a new podcast
Active Hobbies for Moms
- Exercise (there are lots of options!)
- HIIT
- Zumba
- Pilates
- Running – for a small, one-time fee, this Get Running app is great. I used it to start a running routine.
- Walking
- Sign up for a sport or exercise class at a local gym
- Volunteering (lots of places could use your help!)
- Pregnancy centers
- Food pantries
- Homeless shelters
- Churches
- Animal shelters
Very Easy Hobbies for Moms
- Meditation – we have Calm, an app that has calming meditations and sleep stories. My kids loves the sleep stories.
- Gardening or planting
- Scrapbooking or creating photo books
- Photography
- Writing letters
- Journaling
- Genealogy
- Dance lessons (find free ones on YouTube) – Start with this one that I showed my kids
- Learn from a new podcast
- Geocaching
Hobbies for Single Moms
If you are a single mom like me, then here are some very simple hobbies for single moms that you can try! (I’ve done all of these in the last few years and they are easy, fun, and stress-relieving!)
- Exercise (This is a great for stress relief and your overall health and there are so many different exercise options!)
- Writing
- Diamond Painting
- Gardening
- Playing an instrument
- Cooking or Baking
Hobbies for Moms that You Can Actually Make Money With
If you want to try a hobby and make a little extra money, check out one of these hobby ideas for moms to make extra cash:
- Tutoring
- Virtual Assistant
- Writer – You can find freelance work on places like Upwork or Fiverr.
- Start an Etsy Store – If you are craft, you can sell things (items or printables).
Related:
Jobs for Stay at Home Moms
Side Hustles for Single Moms
Ways to Make Extra Cash
Hobbies for Moms on A Budget
Are you looking for cheap hobbies for moms? Here are some great ideas (for many of these you can free printables or videos online):
- Exercising (can be done outside for free – walking, running, bicycling; for others, you can use free YouTube videos)
- Gardening
- Photography
- Cooking or baking
- Journaling
- Trying new recipes (you can meal plan and kill 2 birds with one stone here!)
- Coloring or drawing
- Reading books (borrow from the library)
- Playing sudoku
- Playing board games
- Origami (just need paper and free YouTube videos)
- Puzzles
Final Thoughts on Hobbies for Moms
Start a hobby today and show your kids the joy of living a full, creative life. Have you tried one of these hobby ideas for moms? Which is your favorite?
