America's Most Popular Hobbies

A post about hobbies – what they are, how to go about finding one you enjoy, and the truth about which hobby (or activity) is actually the most popular in the world this very moment. You might not believe what it is.

In This Post

To Start…

I wrote a post about hobbies a while back. It covered hobbies for men and it was somewhat limited. Good, but limited. I didn’t include stats, facts, or figures. I’ll fix all that today. Also, in my previous post, I’m not sure why I focused primarily on men when so many hobbies out there are quite interchangeable between the two sexes. Perhaps that’s part of my reasoning behind this new post – I’ll cover folks who come from various walks of life and it’ll be one in which I list so many more activities than one would expect. This is going to be a huge post that’ll include lots of great ideas for those who love to diddle and daddle with things and enjoy activities when bored. It’ll also include activities for those who never get bored; for those who already have too much to do, but who are always looking for more.

What is a Hobby?

I searched for the answer to this question and found dozens of definitions. Here is one of the better ones: “A hobby is a leisure activity done for enjoyment, relaxation, or personal interest.” Some definitions weren’t so elegant. For example, I found things like this: “Hobbies are activities like stamp collecting and learning a new language.” Not the greatest, but for the average person, the point was made. I always thought of hobbies as activities people engage in because they have little choice, meaning, they were born with preset interests and if life were to pass them by without them spending time enjoying said interests, well, they’d go mad. My brother was born with preset interests. He’s a collector and a builder and definitely a thinker. I’m a thinker, but that’s pretty much it. My brother didn’t conjure up hobbies as he made his way through life. Those hobbies already existed and the two paths merely needed to cross. I believe the match was made long before he ever arrived. For people like me though, we venture out and hunt for interests and hobbies. Nothing was preprogrammed into my brain and for me, the entire ordeal is a much more challenging endeavor. Don’t get me wrong – I do things. But nothing like how my brother does them. He can get intense. I’m much more laid back. And quite honestly, if I didn’t try my damnedest, I’d probably be interested in nothing at all.

There’s a debate in my mind as to what a hobby actually is. To me, coin collecting and analysis is a hobby. Playing football isn’t. In order to be considered a hobby, an activity needs to be dug into, researched, dwelled upon, obsessed over. It also must include continuity. For example, “I’m going for a walk.” is a person who goes for a walk – once. “I walk 2.2 miles every single night.” is a hobbyist walker. A hobbyist is a person who pores over a topic to such a degree as to become nearly an expert on the thing. Consider those who collect model trains. As hobbyists, I’d be shocked if each and every one who was serious about their interest wasn’t near the level of expert on it. Coin collectors are a similar breed. Casual bakers? Not so much. Serious bakers who use scales, magnifying glasses, and tweezers? Yes. To me, it’s the intensity of the hobby that matters most, but again, that’s just my opinion. People would argue with me about this claim, but that’s why I express my opinions here on the internet and not in person. I don’t want to get punched in the lip.

But seriously, if you disagree, please prove me wrong in the comment section below. I’d love to read your thoughts.

All I’m saying is that the interest needs to be genuine and have some depth to it as opposed to something a person thinks he or she might enjoy one day and then abandon the next. I sewed for a few weeks once. I repaired some aging garments. I called myself a sewist. The sewing machine I used is now tucked back in its place where I’m certain it won’t reemerge for years. I wouldn’t exactly call my sewing a hobby, simply because the experience was so short lived. I practice Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I’m at the point in my training where I attend class once per week to teach. I’ve got students who study the sport far more than I do. To them, it’s their hobby. To me, it’s something I simply enjoy doing. Their analysis and depth of consideration is what makes the difference. Their fascination. Their obsession.

Pastimes vs. Hobbies

What’s the difference between a pastime and a hobby? At first glance, not a lot. They’re both leisurely activities. Upon closer inspection, however, a pastime might be considered more thoughtless than a hobby would be. Not to be blunt, but watching television isn’t all too thoughtful. It’s more of a pastime than a hobby. If this is true (which it may not be), wouldn’t reading be considered a pastime as well? A pastime is something that’s considered to be enjoyable and something to help pass the time. Calling a friend over on a singular rainy day to play cards might be considered a pastime. Studying and learning various card games and holding competitions every Monday night would be considered more of a hobby. Coming back to the television thing for a moment; watching TV while eating a bowl of ice cream after mowing the lawn would be considered a pastime. Collecting every season of Downton Abbey on DVD, dressing in English period clothing, contributing to online Downton Abbey forums, and attending annual Downton Abbey conventions in Yorkshire County would most likely be considered a hobby. A hobby is most certainly thought of as a pursuit outside of one’s occupation that offers either relaxation, the quenching of an interest, or both.

Speaking of pastimes, can you guess which one is the most popular in the United States today? It’s screen time. Take a look:

Every day an average American spends around 7 hours and 4 minutes in front of their screen. People worldwide spend about 6 hours and 58 minutes on their screens on a daily basis. Since 2013, there has been an increase in screen time by 50 minutes per day. Source.

After I read this, I said, “Yeah, well, many people work in front of computers and that explains the screen time thing. Really? Not so.

Americans check their phones on average 96 times per day, or once every ten minutes. The average American spends 5 hours and 24 minutes on their mobile device each day. Source.

I guess we’ve found our new pastime. It’s not as bad as they’d lead you to believe though. Instead of playing Solitaire with physical cards now, most people play it online. And people also watch videos on YouTube instead of TV these days. These are just two examples. So what’s occurring may be attributed to changing entertainment sources to some degree. Still though, screen time probably isn’t good for the soul. I remember when I was a kid, my mother would tell me to get away from the television and to go outside. According to her, the television was rotting my brain. She was most likely correct.

Let’s take a closer look at what people are viewing on their screens:

TV – 34%
Video Games – 16%
Movies – 14%
Online Videos – 12%
Social Media – 9%
Other – 9%
E-Books – 6%

Ah, but the kids today are so much more savvy than their parents are. It’s the parents who are sucking up all that screen time. It’s the retired folks who check their phones all the time. Really? Not so. Let’s take a look at who is actually using all that bandwidth per day:

Generation Z – 7 Hours, 18 Minutes
Millennials – 6 Hours, 42 Minutes
Generation X – 6 Hours
Baby Boomers – 2 Hours, 54 Minutes
Silent Generation – 2 Hours, 48 Minutes

Well, at least the really young children aren’t using electronics like the rest of us are. Again, really? Not so. Children between the ages of 8-10 are sitting behind screens for an average of 8 hours per day. I suppose, if a person wanted to sit and talk with someone face to face, like we did in the old days, they’d have to find someone from the Silent Generation. Otherwise known as the Traditionalist Generation, folks who were born between 1928 and 1945 can teach the rest of us a few things. Notably, how to avoid rotting our brains. All this screen time should be motivation enough to find a new hobby or two, preferably that are off-line.

The Most Popular Hobbies in the U.S.

Have you ever wondered what other people are doing with their spare time? I have. I’m always on the hunt for the next best hobby. I’m a fast thinker and being as such, I tend to get bored a lot. When I’m bored, I walk around looking for things to do. When this occurs, I typically find some sort of wood to cut/split or blog post to write. I suppose you can consider my blogging a hobby. Lord knows I’ve spent enough time doing it. It does keep me busy, which is nice. Still though, I oftentimes wonder what others have found to claim their time. I wonder to myself, “Is what they do more interesting than what I do? Is it more rewarding?” I guess what I’d really like to know is if people out there are living a better life than the one I’m living. Not that I’m jealous or anything – I’d simply like to know what’s going on in the world.

Here’s the answer to all my questions. Here’s the list of the most popular hobbies in the country. Go ahead and ask a friend, “Hey, what have you been up to lately, besides work?” They’ll likely respond with one of these activities.

Favorite Hobbies – As of December 2023

Cooking/Baking – 42%
Reading – 37%
Pets – 35%
Video Gaming – 35%
Outdoor Activities – 31%
Traveling – 29%
Socializing – 27%
DIY/Arts & Crafts – 26%
Board/Card Games – 24%
Gardening/Plants – 24%
Cars/Vehicle – 20%
Sports/Fitness – 20%
Meditation/Wellness – 20%
Photography – 20%
Tech/Computers – 20%
Writing – 19%
Making Music – 17%
Other – 5%

The reality of it is that some of those listed above aren’t exactly hobbies. Chatting with your friend on the phone for four hours on a Thursday night would technically be considered socializing. Really though – it’s an activity, not a hobby. I will say that reading, if taken seriously, is a hobby. As is fishing and working out. Aquascaping, photography, building hotrods – all excellent hobbies.

Ridiculous Hobbies

I did a bit of research before writing this post and during that research, I unearthed some apparent “favorite” hobbies offered by NPR listeners. When asked, 3,000 folks responded with what they love to do the most. I’m obviously not included in this group of people. While interesting, I have a hard time believing that “Cat Olympics” can be considered a serious hobby. Granted, I may be wrong. I’m a sheltered soul who hasn’t seen the world as of late. Perhaps cat Olympics is a real thing. I’ll share NPR’s list below. As you’ll notice, some alleged hobbies are actual hobbies while others are, well, not.

Seeing National Parks
Fencing
Recycling Silk Neckties
Cat’lympics
Making Pirate Hats
Small Science Projects
Pickleball
Watercolor & Embroidery
American Girl Dolls
Making & Hosting Trivia Games
Woodworking & Wood Turning
Israeli Folk Dancing

After reading through this list, I’m finding myself in somewhat of a state of disbelief. I can’t fathom the idea of more than two people responding to this, obviously very unscientific, survey with the response: Making Pirate Hats. I mean, c’mon. It is what it is, I suppose. To each their own.

I will tell you, however, that I once trained Jiu-Jitsu at a school in Middletown, Connecticut. In the same building, in fact, in the very same room, was a fencing class. Wesleyan University is located in Middletown and I imagine that the fencing class stemmed from the university. What a cool sight. I’ve never actually seen fencing up close, but after watching it, I can tell you with all certainty, it is indeed a hobby. An interesting and quite zealous one to boot!

How to Settle Upon a New Hobby

Hobbies are fun. They’re rewarding and they can assist with attaining a higher quality of life. Hobbies can teach people new things, give people something to think about, and even offer purpose. There’s no reason to avoid finding a great hobby – but the trouble is just that – finding one. Or should I say, settling upon one. Finding one isn’t the challenge. Deciding which one is best for you is where things can go awry.

I’ll tell you right now that settling on a new hobby isn’t as easy as it sounds. Hobbies have been tried and abandoned more times than there are trout in Clearwater Lake. I can’t even begin to tell you how much paraphernalia I’ve purchased through the years that I’ve thought would satisfy my whims. Model rockets, guitars, online classes, cameras – it always ends the same way – despair and abandonment. If I had to guess, I think my problem has always been lack of analysis and awareness. Now that I’m older and wiser, I believe I know the proper process for thinking of and choosing an appropriate hobby.

In this section, I’ll offer you a few tried-and-true tricks that can greatly assist with settling upon a new hobby. I’ll do my best at expanding upon each tip.

Do What You Already Enjoy – Let’s say there’s nothing in your life you can claim as an actual hobby. You certainly have interests, but you haven’t delved into them and wouldn’t consider any of them as part of your identity. If you’re looking for a hobby, begin looking at what you already like to do. For instance, you might enjoy drinking beer. Why not brew some yourself with a beer brewing kit? Why not visit breweries, interview brewmasters, take photos of their equipment and gear, and then start a blog on brewing? Join and contribute to a brewing forum and follow brewing Facebook pages. Join groups. Get involved. You see? Turning a simple activity into a full-fledged hobby isn’t as far fetched as you might think.
Turn Your Childhood Interests into Hobbies – Just the other day, I was discussing with someone my childhood fascination with baseball cards. I’d buy packs of them (which included pieces of gum inside), trade them with friends from school, and even play games against others to win some cards from their collections or lose some from mine. I liked baseball cards. Everyone did. So what happened? I guess I grew up and lost interest. If I were looking for a new hobby today, I might revisit my baseball card addiction to see what I could do with it. I know there’s a huge fanbase of baseball card trading, discussion, and buying/selling. I also know there are baseball card conventions and sports card shows. There’s a huge population of sports card buyers and sellers on Ebay and many worthy related pages and groups on Facebook. It’s never been easier to get involved again with something you loved as a child.
Find Out Who You Are – Discovering who you really are is critically important to settling upon your next hobby. If you’re introverted and don’t particularly enjoy the company of other people, it wouldn’t make much sense to join a 100 person amateur orchestra to practice your trombone. Likewise, if you dislike being alone, it wouldn’t make much sense to sit in a small dark room collecting stamps by yourself. The question is, how does a person go about finding out who they are? That’s easy. Simply take a personality test. Since finding and deciding on a hobby is so much like finding and deciding on an interesting job, the Strong Interest Inventory is a good option. It can help you identify key interests. Also, to find your personality type, try the Myers Briggs Type Indicator. By discovering who you actually are, you’ll be better able to align yourself with the perfect hobby. After all, having helpful information during a process like this is so much better than not having that information at all.
Try Some Out & See What You Enjoy – There are these things out there called hobby shops. If you’ve never visited one, you really should. They contain all sorts of incredible materials and equipment for the most entertaining of hobbies. The last hobby shop I visited was in Atlanta and it had a huge remote control helicopter sitting front and center, just as you walked through the front door. Talk about getting the heart rate up. These types of stores sell remote control cars, crafting supplies, model airplanes, model trains – you name it. Also, have you heard of Hobby Lobby? It’s an arts and crafts store. If you’d like to get into painting or crafting, that’d be the place to visit. There’s no shortage of stores to whet your appetite as it pertains to settling upon your next hobby. Give a few a try. See what sticks.

One more thing – while engaging in activities like those I’m referring to in this post, it’s important to have support and motivation. Ample studies have shown that without external support, hobbies have a higher “quit rate” than those that have the support. So think about Facebook groups, online forums, friend groups, etcetera, when choosing your next hobby. Discussing your interests with others can truly give you a boost.

So tell me, what are you interested in? What has been calling to you and what do you think your next hobby might be?