Are you looking forward to retirement, but wondering what in the world you’re going to do with all that free time? Finding a hobby you love is one way to feel fulfilled after your working years. Hobbies can help you stay physically active, keep your mind sharp and connect you to new friends.
There are so many possibilities to choose from. You can finally get into the hobby you’ve been itching to do for years but never had time for, or check out an exciting activity that’s totally new to you.
Not sure where to start? Get your wheels turning with these eight hobbies to do in retirement.
Writing
Have you always dreamed of writing a book? There are tons of how-to guides that can help you finally get started on that novel, memoir, cookbook or children’s book idea you’ve been procrastinating on for years. You could even try blogging about interests or experiences.
And one of the great things about writing is that it’s portable. From the comfort of a cozy chair, your favorite coffee shop, your neighborhood park or even a hammock at the beach, you can take your hobby with you wherever you go and gather inspiration from your surroundings.
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Whether growing fresh veggies, transforming your backyard into a tranquil Zen garden or vying for a blue ribbon with your gorgeous roses, gardening is one of the hobbies to do in retirement that ticks a lot of boxes. It’s creative and inexpensive, promotes relaxation, physical exercise and connection with nature, and you can do it alone or with others. Plus, your friends will be more than happy to share your summertime bounty of tomatoes and zucchini.
The internet is full of resources and kits for first-time gardeners, like mini herb gardens, beginner tool kits, unique vegetable kits and bonsai starters.
Shop our Amazons storefront to stock up on garden tools.
Fitness or Sports
When deciding on hobbies to do in retirement that could help your overall wellness, the answer could lie in your morning workout or favorite sport.
If you love golf, basketball, softball or tennis, you could join a club or community league to make friends and have fun playing your favorite sport.
When it comes to staying physically active, there’s so much to choose from, from yoga to tai chi, to swimming or Zumba. Just remember to always ease into any new physical activity and consult with your physician to reduce the risk of injury.
Crafting
There’s something so satisfying – and therapeutic – about making things with your hands, especially after a career that involves sitting at a desk.
Whether you’re interested in woodworking, pottery, knitting, scrapbooking, water colors or jewelry making, there are endless ways to get in touch with your creative side and make items that are useful, beautiful or both. Design tiles for your new garden, knit scarves for your grandkids, sew blankets for people in need or build the perfect dining table.
You can also try learning something new with a kit that comes with instructions and all the materials you need, like this crochet kit.
Learn To Play an Instrument
Maybe you played piano when you were young but had to give it up, or you’ve always wanted to learn the guitar but never had time.
It’s never too late to learn a new instrument, and studies have found the process can improve your memory, boost concentration and reduce stress.
Sign up for one-on-one lessons, tune in to instructors on YouTube or check out a how-to guide for your instrument of choice. For a fun way to practice, make music with friends at a weekly jam session or join a community orchestra.
Dancing
Dancing is a wonderful way to meet new friends and stay active in your retirement. You can try swing dancing, waltz, contra, salsa or country line dancing; there are so many styles to choose from, you’re sure to find one that matches your physical ability and musical taste.
Look for free community dance lessons offered by your local civic association or recreation center, or build your confidence with formal lessons at a dance studio (spangly costumes not required!).
Travel
Whether you’re planning the ultimate cross-country road trip in an RV or want to sip wine at a Parisian cafe, with your newly flexible schedule, retirement is the perfect time to travel.
Let a AAA travel agent help you plan your next trip.
Photography
If you’ve always dreamed of getting into photography, there are plenty of affordable, entry-level digital cameras to start with. Try an online tutorial or enroll in a photography class to learn about all those funky manual camera setttings and hone your craft.
Through taking photos, you can explore your city, engage with nature, document your travels and capture moments with your family. You’ll gain technical skills, develop your artistic side and create something special to share with others.
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What are your favorite hobbies to do in retirement? Tell us in the comments below!
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Play Pickleball!!!!
How could you possibly leave off reading?
What can my husband do when he is on oxygen 24/7?
That is a challenge! How about things online? Covid has forced many museums, botanical gardens, zoos, etc to offer lectures, concerts, and classes online for low/no fees. I’ve done a NY Botanical Garden with a botanist who does research in South America, and am signed up for a Sea Chantey workshop at Mystic Seaport CT. Neither place is local to me, and these are not existing interests but sounded like fun!
That is hard, but possible things might be painting (watercolors don’t have odor), drawing, puzzles (there are some very fine ones available), birdwatching, audio books, regular reading, genealogy online, etc. One of my relatives has a portable oxygen concentrator that lets her be outdoors or getting around for a few hours without worrying about running out of oxygen; if he doesn’t have one, you might look into it for your husband.
My vote goes to nature in general—and birding in particular!
https://blog.ioaging.org/activities-wellness/birdwatching-helps-older-adults-reconnect-nature-health/amp/
I volunteer for Soldier’s Angels and get so much from it. I support deployed military by sending a package a month and a weekly letter. I also belong to the Letter Writing Team and write as many or as few letters a month that I want to. The requirement is only one letter per month. A great organization with the nicest people. By doing this I feel that I am still contributing
Many people now are getting pets; if you have a dog, why not take it to training classes, maybe investigate the many dog sports that are available? You’ll end up with a well-trained dog, new friends, and a new hobby, all while keeping your mind active, learning new things!? You’d be surprised at the people who do dog sports, from moms and dads, to physicians, attorneys, and CEOs!
some great ideas to look into thanks
Chess is one of the best to stimulate your mind and keep it active. lichess.org
Hit the gym or workout at home for the physical side of things.
Collecting, restoring and rebuilding vintage electronics (radio, stereo, etc) as well as the amateur radio hobby.
What about suggestions for hobbies / activities for the visually impaired?
I have too many hobbies. Working on antique cars. Photography, I’ve been taking photos since 1950 have over 28,000 filed B&W negatives.Working on our house. Photographing
& recording trad jazz, both current & past (Born in ’35 and prefer music of the ’20’s-’30’s)
Plus a number of other things.
True..you have to find a hobby before retiring, so life will be interesting and productive after you stop working. I retired 3 yrs ago and I joined 2 senior centers for activities to kill boredom and found new friends. I did zumba and yoga exercises 3x a week in one senior center and did free acrylic painting classes for 2.5 hours/ 2x a week in another centerAAA. But since pandemic closed all senior centers, I started doing my chair yoga in my living room and sewing mask for the frontliners and making quilts and bags on the leftover fabrics, for my grandkids and gifts for families and friends. No time wasted and I feel productive. I’m almost 70(next month) but my energy is high like a young woman. I believe, the positivity in me is what’s keeping me alive. Stay safe and get that vaccine into your arms!!!!
How about Model Railroading? Many clubs all over the country to get you started. Great camaraderie and involves multiple skills such as woodworking, wiring, model building and creating scenery. Check out one of many clubs via links such as http://www.wmrr.org.
I took up geocaching when the pandemic started. It is a great activity for exercising and exploring.
Handmade greeting cards is one of my hobbies. I make cards for nursing homes, children’s hospitals. If you’re lucky you can sell them too to cover costs at least. It’s helped me to stay busy during our stay at home orders.
Even as a child I made cards for occasions like birthdays and anniversaries for family members. Over the years I have sometimes done cards or other artsy-crafts-type things (like decorated treasure boxes), mainly for grandchildren and my husband. Could you kindly tell me more about what you do and how you do it? E.g., do you mass produce your cards in some way? Or is each one totally unique? I also like “do-good” activities, so the idea of cards for those in some way needy appeals to me. Do you send cards to such people or give or sell them to homes who then give or sell them to the actual senders? Anything you can tell me I would love to know. Thank you! Viv
I like working with my hands. Presently, I am handcaning a chair and putting an imitation rush seat into another.
I have gone back to stamp collecting and this makes me an armchair traveler. You can learn a lot of history and culture this way. There is also a lot of virtual stamp club activity. My grandkids got me into building Lego models. I favor the Architecture series which does buildings and monuments. Both of these hobbies are very suitable to pandemic restrictions.
Ham radio is a great activity. Lots to do both at home and in the field with portable operating. I’ve been licensed for 50 years and still have fun with it. To find out more see http://www.arrl.org
73s to you Bob H
I have been able to parlay my love of teaching (yes, I am a newly retired teacher) and my love of crochet and combine them. I am now a certified crochet instructor with 3, possible 4, students.
Model railroading which requires a lot of craft skills and tropical fish.