Fun Hobbies for Busy Moms That are Actually Worth Your Valuable Time
As a mom, particularly as a newer mom, it can be so easy to get lost in the every day craziness of motherhood.
Sometimes we forget that were are still people who have needs and deserve some time to create and do things we enjoy outside of motherhood.
Once I became a mom, anytime someone ask me the questions, “what do you like to do for fun?” or “in your spare time?” or “what are your hobbies?” my brain would short circuit and I would not know how to answer.
Spare time? Hobbies? FUN?!
And that is not to say that I don’t love being a mother and enjoy lots about motherhood, or think my kids aren’t fun. Because that is the farthest thing from the truth. My kids are a riot and I love being with them.
But, especially when they are super young, it can feel like you are drowning in the every day mundane-ness of it all and just trying to survive. Forget free time and hobbies, I just want sleep!
If that sounds like something you struggle with, trust me, I get it!
There are seasons of survival in parenthood and that’s just how it goes sometimes. It does not last forever.
It took me some time to even find the motivation to want to get back into doing the things I love, and even trying to learn some new things.
Once I did, I rediscovered the hobbies I love and even learned some new ones!
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Why Bother With Hobbies?
Hobbies are a creative outlet and healthy way to distract your mind from your day to day tasks that come with motherhood, like dirty diapers and how to baby proof the next thing in your house.
They are a great way to take a break from all the work you do all day as a mom! You deserve to have something to do that is just for you, that you truly enjoy.
If you struggle with postpartum depression or anxiety, having a hobby can truly help settle your brain as well.
Having a hobby is a wonderful form of self-care, something us moms could all use more of. Having a hobby can connect you back to YOU!
Not only is having a hobby good for you, it is good for your kids too. You can teach them that mommy has other things she enjoys as well as taking care of her babies, and how many amazing things there are to learn and do out there!
RELATED: 7 WAYS TO OVERCOME POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION
If you are looking to rediscover your love of your favorite hobbies or want to try something new, these are the ones that I have tried (or want to try next) and how difficult I found them to learn or do.
Crocheting
This is the most recent one I have picked up. It looks difficult depending on what you want to make, but the basic stitches are so so easy.
If you want to make a simple blanket, or dish cloth, you could mindlessly whip one up pretty easily. The satisfaction of a finished product that you made is unbeatable.
I have made tiny little crochet flowers in minutes, and those are so fun and cute. I have made dish cloths and I am working on sweaters for both of my kids. The pattern I’m following is Briana K Designs Cuff to Cuff Child Sweater. She has a video included which has been so helpful!
I’m definitely enjoying crocheting. It is easy to tailor in difficulty, depending on what you want to make.
Embroidery
Embroidery is not super difficult, but I sometimes lost interest in it because it can take so long to finish a piece, depending on how much detail you put in.
There are also a ton of different stitches, depending on how you want things to look.
That being said, it’s not hard and there are lots of videos to follow online. I have made a few things and it’s also super cheap to get started.
You can even find kits with designs on the fabric already for you to follow, and all the thread you will need on amazon or at the dollar store.
An Instrument
Learning a new instrument is beneficial in so many ways.
It is so good for your brain, improving memory, focus, and coordination. Playing any instrument has been shown to reduce anxiety levels as well. What mom couldn’t use a bit of all this?! I know my memory alone has been horrible since having kids.
I’ve played the piano since I was a kid and love to get back to it every once in a while. It really calms me and brings back memories from childhood.
I have picked up the guitar as well, though I am not consistent in the least.
This hobby can be expensive if you do not already have an instrument, but you can get cheaper instruments as well.
For example, though all instruments range in price depending on quality and brand, smaller instruments like Ukeleles you can get off Amazon for pretty cheap.
You could also find a used instrument on marketplace, or at thrift stores. The possibilities are out there if you look hard enough!
Scrapbooking
I have never personally been into scrapbooking, but it is really popular right now!
I do think it is a super fun way to be creative while preserving really special memories. Plus, it is so easy to take a million pictures and keep them on your phone, and rarely look at them again. This is a great way to have something tangible to look at and share with friends and family.
There are so many cute scrapbooking stickers, trinkets, stamps, gems, papers and books. You can really customize the amount you get into it, and therefore the amount of money you spend.
I was scrolling amazon and found some super cute kits to get you started!
Gardening
I LOVE gardening! You can definitely have a super small garden that is easy to care for, or you can go all out and grow all your own vegetables, cut flowers, herbs, and more!
I have learned so much over the years about gardening and there is still so much to learn. That’s part of what I love about gardening.
There is something about growing your own food, or picking flowers from your own garden, that is so satisfying and makes me feel accomplished.
If you really get into it, you can even start doing things like canning your own jams, sauces, and pickled veggies. I learned from a neighbor how to can the blueberries from our own bushes, and it wasn’t too difficult!
So, not only have I learned a few different things from one hobby, it’s connected me, not only with my neighbor but with other friends and people in my community who garden as well.
Blogging, Writing, or Journaling
There’s something about putting pen to paper, or just getting your thoughts out, that is therapeutic.
It helps you organize what’s going on in your brain visually, and we all know as moms there’s a constant stream of thoughts and lists in our minds at all times.
We carry a lot of the mental load of parenthood, so it only makes sense that it would help to put some of it down once in a while, and get it out of our heads and onto something tangible.
I have been hearing a lot about junk journaling, which essentially sounds like a mix between scrapbooking and journaling. It is a journaling but with a little more flair and creativity!
If you like typing but don’t like writing, try blogging!
Trying New Recipes
I’m a sucker for a new recipe myself. I get tired of the same things over and over again, although there is nothing wrong with some consistency.
But, there are so many recipes out there, so many fun spins on tried and true meals, that the possibilities are quite endless!
I love scrolling through pinterest or other social media accounts to get new ideas for the meals my family already knows and loves.
You could even make a recipe book with all your new favorites.
Photography
Photography is fun because most of us moms are already taking a million pictures on our phones. So, why not make it a full hobby?
You can just take and edit pictures on your phone, by choosing any of the hundreds of editing apps available out there.
You can also get a decent digital, professional set, or polaroid camera for pretty cheap on Amazon, or even a more professional type camera on marketplace!
Exercising
We all know exercising has so many benefits, not only physically but just as importantly, mentally.
Exercise is so versatile, there is something for everyone! You can really make it as intense as you would like it to be.
The options are endless, between walking, yoga, running, strength training, pilates and so much more. Many of these things you can find Youtube videos of varying degrees of length and difficulty.
Reading
Not everyone is into reading, but if it is your thing it’s a great hobby!
I love reading for so many different reasons. Even as an adult, reading can increase your intelligence, and strengthen your mind, and act as a little escape from your tiring day as a mom.
Now that my kids are a little older, I enjoy reading in front of them while they play, draw, or sit and read beside me. I love being an example for all the great reasons I believe my kiddos should be reading as well.
I find reading calming before bed, and although I love a good doom scroll, unfortunately the rumors are true – screen time before bed really is detrimental to my sleep. I do get better sleep when I read instead of look at my phone. Bummer.
Sewing
I can generally fix clothes that need to be stitched up, and I used to make little clothes for my stuffed bears. That was a long time ago, sewing is something my mom and grandma taught me the basics for.
However, I have never made any adult clothes or even child clothes, but I love watching videos of people doing it!
I have even gone as far as looking up used sewing machines, but I don’t think this is one I would enjoy quite as much consistently.
However, there are lots of easy ways to get started sewing, even as far as dollar store kits to try it out!
Clay Crafts
I LOVE clay crafts!
You can do cute little magnets, trinket dishes, really the sky is the limit, and there are so many ideas online.
All you need is a starter kit like THIS ONE and you are set! It comes with air dry clay, tools, cookie cutters and even some paint.
I hope this list gave you some great ideas to get your creativity flowing. I would love to see pictures and know what hobbies you’ve tried and loves!
Let me know in the comments. Happy hobbying and crafting!
