Hobbies for moms: How to start a hobby you love (and make money too)

woman doing yoga; hobbies for moms: how to start a hobby you love (and make money too)

Are you wondering what are some good hobbies for bored moms? No matter if you’re a mom in your 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, or 50’s these 90+ hobby ideas can help you fill your time and you can even make some extra money (which also makes them great for stay at home moms!). 

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“What do you do for fun?”

That question made my skin crawl because I had no idea what I did for fun besides binge-watch Netflix or read all of the drama on Facebook. 

A hobby isn’t only good for your mental health but it can also be a way to bring in some extra money. 

But finding the right hobby isn’t always easy. Everyone always says to do what you’re passionate about but what if you have no idea what you’re passionate about? 

Here are a few ideas to help you figure out that part first. 

The simple strategy to find a hobby you love

So you’ve decided you want to start a hobby to fill the little bit of spare time you have. Simple ways to find your perfect hobby are to: 

  • Try different hobbies and see which one you love
  • Think about what you loved to do as a child
  • Consider your spending habits and see what you love to buy

Let’s dive deeper into each of these so it’ll be easier for you to find your perfect hobby. 

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Trial and error

The spice of life. We use trial and error for so many aspects of our life such as finding a career we don’t hate, creating a realistic morning routine, or perfecting our time management skills

Go through the hobbies on this list and see which ones interest you. A few things to consider beforehand are: 

  • The learning curve
  • The upfront investment
  • The time commitment 

Do you want to learn a new skill or do you want to perfect something you already know how to do? Do you have money to invest in supplies? Will it take you 6 months to finish a project and is that ok with you? 

Research your hobby beforehand so you can answer these questions. 

Think about your childhood

You may reminisce and remember that you loved to take pictures when you were younger. Or maybe you loved to hike and get plenty of fresh air. 

Think about your favorite childhood memories and pay attention to what you used to do for fun and no longer do because you’re a busy mom. 

Consider your spending habits

My husband loves to go through our bank statements and ask me about every expense. “What did you buy at Hobby Lobby for $103?” 

I go on and on about all of the cute bathroom decorations I bought that end up covered in dust while they sit in the closet for a year until I spring clean and find them. 

That’s because I love the idea of decorating…but I don’t enjoy decorating. 

But if you notice you spend over $30 every month on cute bows for your daughter, it may be worth your time and effort to make your own. 

Or maybe you’re like me and spend hundreds of dollars at Hobby Lobby but you actually enjoy decorating. Think about starting a DIY blog or a vlog on YouTube (and make lots of money) showing how you create these beautiful spaces.

Those are the simplest ways for you to find a hobby that you jump out of bed in the morning cause you’re so excited to get started.

Related: 7 Soul cleansing ways to be genuinely happy

Happy woman doing online shopping at home

Why (and how) having a hobby will change your life

Isn’t being a mom a hobby? The short answer is no. You need something outside of those responsibilities that make you feel complete as a person. 

Having a hobby doesn’t mean you don’t love being a mom, it’s a creative outlet for you to focus on something you love doing. 

Here are a few of the many ways a hobby will improve your life: 

  • Improve your mindset
    • Less depression
    • Better perspective on life
  • Gives you something to look forward to
  • Helps you find your identity
  • Improves your confidence and self-esteem
  • Make new friends
  • Additional income
  • Challenge yourself
  • Creative outlet
  • Relieve stress
  • More patient

A hobby is important because it’s something you do alone that makes you a better person and a better mom.

Is it OK to not have a hobby?   

Sure it’s OK to not have a hobby, but why wouldn’t you want one? Maybe you think you don’t have enough time, here’s how to block your schedule so you can be more intentional about how you spend your time.

Maybe you have an active toddler who’s not on a schedule and every day is chaotic. No problem! Here’s how you can create a daily schedule for your toddler so he knows what to expect every day which will help cut back on tantrums. 

Or maybe you have a newborn, you don’t get any sleep, and you spend your spare time cleaning. That’s how I felt when my daughter was little so I get it. But you know what? I also had to be monitored for postpartum depression because I wasn’t doing anything for myself. 

Here’s how you can get things done with a newborn (including your hobby). 

So again, yes it’s OK to not have a hobby, but why wouldn’t you want one? 

Related: How to start a bullet journal when you’re overwhelmed

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3 crucial things to consider before choosing your hobby

Once you’ve decided that you want to start a new hobby there are a few things to consider. 

1. Free time

How much free time do you have to commit to your hobby? And don’t think you have to make time for your hobby every single day. 

This could be something you do once a week while your daughter is at her mother’s day out program or once a month when your little one goes to hang out with his grandparents for a few hours. Or something you do every day during nap time or after bedtime. 

Make yourself a priority and find time to work on your hobby. 

LaCresha Sims

2. Spare cash

Will your hobby cost you any money to get started? If you want to paint do you have brushes, paint, an easel and whatever else you may need? Can you afford those supplies? 

Research your hobby and get an estimate of how much it’ll cost you to get started. 

3. Learning curve

Do you want to learn something new or do you want to be great at something you already know how to do? 

Figure out which one excites you more and go from there. 

90+ hobbies for moms that will give your life new meaning

So here’s the fun part. If you don’t know what hobby you want to pursue, here’s a list of 90+ hobbies for moms that you’re sure to find at least one you love. 

Outdoor

  1. Walking 
  2. Hiking
  3. Biking
  4. Gardening
  5. Fishing 
  6. Camping
  7. Running
  8. Sports 
  9. Traveling
  10. Bird watching 
  11. Kayaking 

Crafts 

  1. Painting
  2. Bow headbands
  3. Scrapbooking
  4. Drawing
  5. Sculpting
  6. Knitting/Crochet
  7. Pottery
  8. Illustration
  9. Sewing
  10. Mosaic
  11. Flower Arranging
  12. Embroidering
  13. Cricut
  14. Soap making
  15. Sketching
  16. Wreath making
  17. Cardmaking
  18. Origami
  19. Basket weaving
  20. Candle making
  21. Bath bombs
  22. Cross stitching
  23. Diamond painting
  24. Make jewelry
  25. Quilting

Health/ Fitness

  1. Crossfit
  2. Aerobics
  3. Water aquatics
  4. Yoga 
  5. Pilates
  6. Weight lifting
  7. Dancing 

Designing/ Writing

  1. Drawing
  2. Penpalling
  3. Songwriting
  4. Poetry
  5. Journaling
  6. Graphic design
  7. Baking 
  8. Cooking
  9. Cake decorating
  10. Furniture restoration
  11. Lettering 
  12. Calligraphy
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Mental stimulation

  1. Puzzles
  2. Board games
  3. Book club
  4. Genealogy
  5. Trivia 
  6. Tutor 
  7. Meditation 
  8. Astronomy

Financial

  1. Couponing 
  2. Selling household items
  3. Selling printables 
  4. Investing
  5. Collecting valuables
  6. Flipping
  7. Thrifting 
  8. Proofreading
  9. Bookkeeping
  10. MLM’s 

Learning

  1. Learn a new language
  2. Reading
  3. Learn an instrument

Digital/ Online

  1. Video games
  2. Photography
  3. Blogging
  4. Vlogging
  5. Surveys

Volunteering

  1. Church
  2. Homeless shelter
  3. Domestic abuse shelter
  4. Baby cuddler
  5. Library
  6. Meals on wheels
  7. School 
  8. Clinic
  9. Hospital 
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Quick recap…

When you have a hobby, you’ll no longer dread the question, “what do you do for fun?” 

You have a hobby you love doing that also makes you a better person and mom. Although it’s OK to not have a hobby some of the benefits include: 

  • Helps you find your identity
  • Improves your confidence and self-esteem
  • Make new friends
  • Additional income
  • Challenge yourself
  • Creative outlet
  • Relieve stress
  • More patient

So why wouldn’t you want to have a hobby? 

woman painting mural outside

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