Has anyone ever asked you if you have any hobbies and your mind went blank? Do I have hobbies? A hobby for women (or anyone) can be just about anything that you enjoy doing in your leisure time, like exercising or reading!
If you’re looking for hobbies for women, these pastimes will help fuel a new passion and empower you while also living a more sustainable life. Thisjust means that these hobbies aren’t unkind to the planet and can actually result in major benefits (we’re talking handmade clothes, fresh food, better health, and more.)
Let’s dive into some of the best hobby ideas for women to make the most out of your spare time! These are all hobbies I enjoy, so I’m not going to lead you astray!
Note: Some of the links below contain affiliate links. This doesn’t increase the cost of any item to you, but simply means that I’ll receive a small commission of any sales from those links. But don’t worry — I only share products that I love and trust!
My favorite hobby ideas
A hobby is what you make it, but at is core it should be enjoyable, relaxing, and stress-free! If you’re looking for some fun hobbies for women, these are my recommendations (from experience!)
And remember these hobby ideas for women are eco-friendly and sustainable, so it’s all a win in my book!
Note: Just because this blog is about fun hobbies for women, they aren’t limited to any particular gender. Anyone can do these activites!
Knitting & crocheting as a hobby
Knitting and crochet are timeless arts that have experienced a resurgence in recent years, and for good reason! These slow-living crafts offer a meditative escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, providing a sense of calm and accomplishment.
I regularly knit and crochet. At first I spent most of my spare time crocheting and now I’ve turned more so toward knitting as a hobby. I’ve made blankets, sweaters, blouses, hats, balaclavas, baby bonnets, tank tops – the list goes on!
My grandma taught me the crochet basics when I was young, but everything else I learned from fun online courses (find a bunch of free & cheap classes to follow) and YouTube.
Now, hear me out, both of these pastimes can be unsustainable if you use the wrong yarn. Avoid synthetic materials like acrylic. Instead, opt for sustainable and eco-friendly fibers like organic cotton, bamboo, linen, or hemp.
These materials are free from harmful chemicals and often sourced from renewable resources, making them the perfect choice for eco-conscious crafters. Additionally, consider using recycled yarn, giving new life to discarded fibers while reducing waste.
If you don’t know where to begin, check out this beginner’s crochet course and learn how to make food amigurumi (SO much fun!).
I also recommend this course to learn the basics of knitting and crochet.
Gardening for clean living
Gardening is a hobby that connects us with the earth and rewards us with the fruits of our labor! It’s such an important skill to learn, and it’s an amazing way to not have to rely on corporations for everything.
Whether you have a sprawling backyard or a tiny balcony, you can find space for a garden – even if it’s just a few plants on your windowsill!
Embrace organic gardening practices by using compost to enrich the soil, opting for heirloom seeds to preserve biodiversity, and attracting pollinators with native plants.
Gardening is one of my newest hobbies (and one of my favorite ways to practice sustainable living). I’ve already grown cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, green beans, pumpkins, zucchini, and so many other plants – and I’m only a beginner!
Learn from a family member, scour YouTube, or look for programs in your community to learn how to garden as a hobby.
Practice your writing skills
Writing is a creative outlet that allows you to express your thoughts, emotions, and imagination.
Whether you want to be more proactive about journaling or you’re interested in writing poetry, short stories, or keeping up with a blog, there are so many ways to express yourself as a writer. It’s a hobby for women that could most certainly become a career!
I tend to do a little bit of everything when it comes to my writing. I write fictional stories (for pay and for fun) and write journal entries on a regular basis as part of my holistic lifestyle.
If you want to learn how to be a better storyteller, check out these creative writing exercises.
And hey, there were times when women weren’t encouraged to read or write or were outright banned from doing so, so shape up your writing skills as a hobby and give a nice middle finger to history.
Meditation and yoga as hobbies for women
Incorporating meditation and mindfulness into your daily routine is a sustainable way to nourish your well-being and cultivate a deeper connection with the environment.
Spend time in nature, practice yoga, or meditate in a serene space to recharge your mind, body, and soul. This sustainable and relaxing hobby helps to reduce stress, improve mental clarity, and have a sense of gratitude for the world around us.
You can find yoga classes on YouTube. I also encourage you to learn the basics of meditation by reading or watching some relevant videos.
Try archery for a fun and active hobby
Archery, an ancient art of precision and skill, has transcended time and become one of the best hobbies to learn.
For women seeking a hobby that combines strength, focus, and a whole lot of fun, archery offers a unique and empowering experience.
I first got into archery when I visited a Viking village in Estonia, and I’ve never had so much fun!
And it’s such an amazing hobby to learn! From unleashing your inner warrior to finding a serene connection with nature (yes seriously), archery provides an opportunity to embark on a fulfilling journey of self-discovery.
A lot of communities have parts of parks designated for archery. You can also find other places to do archery by doing a bit of searching online.
Otherwise, if you have a backyard that can be safely set up to do archery, give it a whirl there!
Here’s where you can get your own archery bow.
Let cooking become a hobby and a passion
Cooking is a daily chore for many of us, but with a little bit of inspiration, it can transform itself into a fantastic hobby!
Consider a country you’re curious about or one that you love cuisine from and try your hand at making some dishes. Whether it’s homemade Japanese maki rolls, Spanish paella, or authentic Italian spaghetti, there’s so much fun to have while cooking.
And don’t forget about baking! Maybe you want to learn to make bread, cakes, or even croissants. Plus, baking your own bread is more sustainable than buying store-bought alternatives that are filled with preservatives and unnecessary ingredients.
Take up reading
Reading is one of the oldest hobbies, and despite television and cinema, literature still thrives. Fill your bookshelves with secondhand books from your local thrift store or bought online through platforms like PangoBooks for the most sustainable approach!
Of course, buying new books isn’t out of the question. If you want to be more sustainable with this hobby, just make sure you bring your own shopping bag, support independent bookstores more often than not, and lend your books to others. Spread the love!
If you need some inspiration on what to read, check out some of my book recommendations here.
So, get out there and embrace your creativity and find a new hobby that suits you! If you have one of these hobbies and it’s not working for you, don’t stress! Just move on to one of the other best hobby ideas until you find the right match.
Either way, it might not be a homerun the first try. A lot of these hobbies for women take practice. Be patient, have fun, and relax!
And remember, women’s hobbies aren’t just for women!
