31 Best Hygge Hobbies to Try will inspire you to start a new cozy leisure-time activity. The problem is, there are way too many fun hobby ideas to pick!
Best Hygge Hobbies to Try
If you’re looking for more ways to add coziness to your life, Hygge Ideas on Ultimate Self Care and Best Hygge Movies to Watch will help you with that goal.
“To be really happy and really safe, one ought to have at least two or three hobbies, and they must all be real.”
Winston Churchill
Sometimes life can feel like a never-ending freeway. We are always racing from place to place with a never-ending to-do list. We forget to put ourselves on the list of things to do.
Hobbies allow us to carve out some time to nourish ourselves. When we master a new skill, we become more confident in all aspects of our lives.
Mental health is essential, and having hobbies destress our bodies and our minds. They also help lower blood pressure, according to webmd.com. Hobbies also enrich our lives because when we are passionate about something, we become more alive and will impact everything we do.
Doing something you enjoy will not only benefit you, but it will touch everyone you come in contact with because you’re nourishing your soul.
What are Hygge Hobbies for Women?
Just because you don’t see an idea on this list doesn’t mean it’s not a hygge hobby. This list is a fun way to get your creative juices flowing.
Some creative hobby ideas will jump off the page, and others will fall flat. This hobby list is a great place to start and help you discover what speaks directly to you.
You can also try different hobbies and see which ones you like the best. Don’t feel bad if you try something that doesn’t fit your life. We’ve all done that.
Hobbies are also one of the best ways to socialize with like-minded people. Once you start a new hobby, embrace your new skills and look for groups or individuals with the same passion. You get to meet new people and improve your life skills simultaneously.
Don’t be afraid to be a beginner. We all have to start somewhere. Learning new skills will take some time and this list of hobbies will help get you started.
You can subscribe to a magazine that features your hobby, check books out at the library, look at tutorials on YouTube videos, take online classes from experts, or even volunteer to help someone who does what you want to learn as a living.
Creating a Cozy Life Group
Since you found this article on the best hygge hobbies for women in your leisure time, I’m guessing you like all things cozy living. I created a Facebook group called Creating a Cozy Life with over 195,000 like-minded souls.
It’s a group where we share recipes, pictures of things that leave you in awe, and ideas on how to make your life just a little more snug. You can join here to be part of the virtual cozy cabin
1. Animal tracking
There’s an entirely different world right outside our front doors. Wild animals are going about their day-to-day business. We sometimes forget we are co-existing with these magnificent creatures.
One of the most hygge things you can do is include observing the natural world into your life. Animal tracking is one of those leisure activities that is an excellent way to enjoy the outdoors, and you discover which animals live in a particular area.
You can follow wildlife tracks in the sand, mud, and snow – each season offering a window into this beautiful natural world.
2. Board and Card Games
Board games and hygge go hand-in-hand. It’s a great way to connect with family and friends.
Hosting a weekly game night might be the secret ingredient in creating memories that warm your soul.
Some ideas on hosting a board game night:
Potluck
When everyone brings something to game night, it takes the financial pressure off the host. Some of the best ideas are to have a simple meal of homemade chili and cornbread, soup and salad, charcuterie board, baked potato bar, or a taco bar.
You could also strictly have finger food, so cutlery is not needed.
Have several games
When you’re first starting out creating a game night, it’s best to have multiple games. Your friends and family will select their favorite games to start your night.
A roaring fire
If you have a fireplace, it’s the perfect backdrop for your weekly hygge hobbies event in the cooler months.
3. Making terrariums
Bringing a small sampling of the great outdoors into your home is easy when you learn how to create beautiful terrariums.
Terrariums are works of art with their own eco-system for your entire family to enjoy. They also make one of the best hygge hobbies gift ideas.
Some things you will need to get started on this hobby are a container, a variety of plants that with the same sunlight and water needs, potting soil, pea gravel, and decorative items.
You can make a few terrariums for your office and co-workers too. Why not share your hobby with people you’re around most days?
Selling your terrariums is another option. It’s a great way to make extra money.
4. Candle Making
When you live a cozy life, candles are a must to have around. Instead of purchasing your candles, why not learn to be a master candlemaker? It’s the perfect new pastime for hygge-loving women.
I remember my aunt making beeswax tapers in her rustic kitchen in Vermont. Every night she served dinner bathed by candlelight.
Candles are a beautiful item that constantly needs replacing and also make the best gift idea. Who wouldn’t love a box of homemade candles scented with their favorite essential oils?
5. Reading
Reading is a hobby that allows you to live in another world without leaving the comfort of your own home. It will help you improve your imagination and let you escape everyday life pressures for a little while.
The best thing about this hobby is you can read for as little as 10 minutes or take an entire afternoon to delve into your favorite memoir, romance, historical, or even decorating book.
I always carry a book in the car if I end up with an unexpected wait for something. You can also share your hygge hobbies with others by joining a local book club or starting one online.
If you’re looking for some ideas on books to read – I gave you some ideas here Best Hygge Books to Inspire a Cozy Life
Book lovers are a worldwide club. Here are the terms for people who read a lot in each country:
English: Bookworm
Danish: Reading horse
French: Ink drinker
German: Read rat
Romanian: Library mouse
Indonesian: Book flea
6. Candy Making
Once you start making homemade candy, you’ll end up with more friends than you can count. Who doesn’t love indulging in a piece or two of fine chocolate daily?
There’s so much to learn about this delicious craft. Your friends will all appreciate you picking this activity as one of your hygge hobbies.
Whether you prefer to make old-fashioned hard candy, truffles, fudge, or even salt-water taffy – this skill satisfies all your senses.
7. Origami
There’s something so simple but beautiful about origami. Transforming paper into magical birds taking flight and flowers are just some ideas to do with this beautiful craft in your spare time.
Origami means the art of folding paper and is primarily associated with Japanese culture. Hygge hobbies are the perfect way to let your mind relax as you create works of art.
I knew someone that loved to make origami birds and leave them for strangers to find. She felt the right person who needed an uplifting message from the world would find each of her creations. It was her way of making her neighborhood a better place to be.
8. Homemade Soaps
Soap-making is one of those hygge hobbies you can’t get enough of once you get started. Good thing everyone loves homemade soap, so finding people to gift your creations to won’t be a difficult thing to do.
Loaves of soaps are works-of-art. There are soaps for everyone, including even the men in your life. One of my blogging friends created a soap that was geared toward manly men, and it became one of her most popular posts.
9. Hiking/Walking
Two of my favorite hygge hobbies are hiking and walking. Hiking is great exercise, a way to spend quality time with friends, and enjoy the outdoors simultaneously.
I found a path near my home that a new neighbor pointed out. It’s a large dirt road that leads to homes in the country. There are barely any cars on this road, and the path takes you through acres of trees.
Every day brings new changes to the forest I walk past with one of my dogs. A new spider web glistens with dew on an early morning walk, chestnuts fall from oak trees when squirrels scurry on their branches, and the sunlight takes on a magical hue as it peeks through all the leaves.
Not only are walking and hiking good for your stress levels, but they are also good for your overall health.
10. Genealogy
How much do you know about your family’s history? Genealogy is a rewarding hobby that can help preserve the past for future generations.
Genealogy uses historical records, oral records, and genetic analysis to obtain the history of a family, according to Wikipedia.
You can use the information you glean to plan a vacation to where your ancestors lived, creating a family cookbook and traditions lost along the way.
11. Canning
There’s something about a well-stocked pantry that makes me swoon. A pantry filled to the brim with homemade canned goods takes it to a new level.
Cracking open a jar of fruit preserves made from a harvest of fresh peaches from your tree in the dead of winter makes one warm and toasty inside. Everything tastes better when you know it’s homemade.
Lately, I’ve been making Quick Pickled Red Onions and Bread and Butter Zucchini Pickles.
The possibilities are endless for creating your own favorite combinations of preserves. You can also make boozy jellies and jams for homemade gifts everyone will love.
If you’re looking change your career, I wrote a post on how to start a jelly and jam business. Turning your hygge hobbies into money-making endeavors is a better way to create a job you’ll love.
12. Woodworking
I wish this were something I was interested in doing. The possibilities are endless for making things for my home. But I’m resigned to being simply a curator of handmade wooden items because I’m too absent-minded to saw anything and add this skill to my hygge hobbies.
Learning how to build your own shelves, furniture, and accessories is a good way to save money and make your home even more beautiful.
A friend has a wooden picture with pieces of different kinds of wood laid out in an intricate design. Each piece of wood was from a different area of the world and represented the countries and states where their ancestors had lived in.
When you look at all the different grains of wood side-by-side, they tell a different story. Imagine all the things you can create with this skill set.
13. Quilting
Quilting is a wildly popular hobby now. There’s a reason for it…it’s such a relaxing thing to do after a stressful day. It also lets you use your creativity to make a variety of designs.
A bonus of taking up quilting as a hobby is making lifelong friends. Quilters are a tight-knit group that loves to share their techniques with newbies.
Shopping for fabric is one of the bonuses of starting this hobby. There are so many beautiful colors, designs, and materials to pick from in the fabric world.
The best part is quilting is a hobby that allows you to cover your friends and family with love.
14. Camping
Exploring our beautiful world is a wonderful hygge hobby. Spending time out in nature and bonding with your friends and family creates memories that will keep us warm our entire lives.
Being present for a gorgeous sunrise and sunset in the mountains, watching snow land on a cluster of pine trees, and hearing the rustle of leaves crunching as you step are just some things you will experience.
Not only do you get to spend time in nature, but you get to cook over a campfire. There’s something about campfire food that makes your tastebuds dance.
Get yourself a nice sleeping bag and camping gear for your new adventures. The perfect time to get started is now.
15. Napping
I have a confession to make. I’ve never been a napper. I couldn’t understand people that were able to go to sleep during the day. It was a skill set I didn’t have.
That all changed when I started getting up at 4-5 in the morning to write. The earlier I started writing – the easier it was for me to get into the flow.
Now napping is my jam. I work for a few hours in the early morning while the rest of the neighborhood is still peacefully asleep. Even my tribe of four dogs finds that the 4 AM hour is too early for them.
Later in the morning, I take an hour’s nap. Now, I get it. I wake up refreshed from my nap, ready to take on the rest of the day. I’ve found I work way more after I started this habit.
If you don’t work from home, you can still become a master napper on the weekends. Your body will thank you for it!
16. Baking Bread
Freshly baked bread and rolls are just something that makes everyone’s mouth water.
I know one of the keys to making great bread is a culinary scale. You get better results by weighing the ingredients versus measuring them. Here are some excellent books to get started on this hobby The Bread Baker’s Apprentice and Flour, Salt, Water, Yeast.
Making homemade bread with your children teaches them life skills they will use in their lives and pass them on to future generations. Making your bread is healthier than buying bread because you know every ingredient in your recipes.
17. Collecting antiques
Collecting vintage treasures is one of my favorite hobbies. Antique mixing bowls, vintage paintings, and toleware lighting are just some things I love to look for at antique shops, flea markets, and garage sales.
I think vintage and antique home decor items make a home seem a little bit cozier. Decorating your cottage with vintage items gives your home a unique look.
The weathered patina on an antique copper pot makes cooking in it even more special. You know that this pan has some history and cooked many meals before you found the treasured item.
Hunting for vintage treasures is part of the fun. You can do this hobby solo or invite a few friends along for the trip.
My sister and I recently went to a barn sale with European antiques. It was amazing. One of the treasures I walked away with was a Maine blueberry box that I now have on my coffee table. I love Maine, and this box is a simple reminder of the good times I experienced there.
18. Heirloom gardening
Gardening is a hobby that has endless variations. At my last home, I had a massive flower garden, an herb garden, and a tea garden.
I’m planning on putting in an heirloom vegetable garden at my new house. I want to have fruits and vegetables you can’t get at the grocery store.
I think bringing back varieties of fruits and vegetables that have been forgotten about is important. Just the amount of heirloom tomatoes alone would make your head spin. I want to grow and taste them all.
If you don’t have much land to grow your food, you can still have herbs on your windowsill or balcony to add to flavor your food.
19. Watercolors/Painting/Drawing
If you’re looking to tap into your creative side and create beauty at the same time, watercolors, painting, and drawing are just a few ways you can express yourself.
They are all ways to learn a new craft and not spend a lot of money doing it. Landscapes, flowers, portraits, animals, and small-town scenes are just some things you can learn to paint.
20. Photography
Photography is the hobby I will be diving into in the next year. It’s something I’ve always wanted to learn to do better but never took the time.
I bought a couple of different photography classes that I’ll be taking to take my photographs to a new level. Whether you use photography to document your family’s life, for business, or to capture moments in time around you, this hobby will enhance your life.
Most areas have Facebook groups where everyone shares their photographs of beautiful places locally that you can find. It’s easy to make friends with people with the same interests as you.
I will mostly be photographing food and my home to share on my blog. What are some of the things you like to photograph?
21. Rock painting
Painted rocks are the perfect hobby for those who want to spread kindness in the world. Worldwide clubs on Facebook share photos of found rocks and dropped off rocks.
You paint a rock with a flower, a bird, or even a positive saying. You write your local Facebook rock painting group on the back of the rock. Then it’s time to seal the stone and hide it for strangers to find.
People of all ages can participate in the fun, from young to old. To learn more about How to Get Started Rock Painting – check out my article.
If you want to read an article featuring a rock artist, you can find one here on Cindi Riley.
22. Knitting
When most people think of hygge hobbies, knitting is one of the first ones we think about. I think knitting is one of the most relaxing things you can do for yourself.
You can make various items such as mug cozies, stuffed animals, scarves, hats, and blankets – and give gifts made with love.
One of the best things about knitting is that you can take your hobby anywhere and indulge in your passion while waiting for something else.
Other hygge hobbies that are similar that you can try are crocheting and embroidery.
23. Foraging
Foraging is a wonderful skill to learn that has medicinal and financial benefits. Who wouldn’t like free food?
My neighbor at my last house bought an acre of land. She planted hundreds of native plants in the area that would produce some of her food – besides having a fenced garden. She also went on adventures in the woods, gathering ingredients to make soups and teas.
I will be looking at my new home in the same light as she did and see what things I can forage to do the same.
24. Calligraphy
I admire anyone that can do calligraphy. I think letter writing will make a come-back, and learning calligraphy is a beautiful way to put a unique stamp on your letters.
You can also write keepsake letters in calligraphy documenting your children’s lives to leave as keepsakes for future generations.
25. Raising chickens
My sister and I did an urban farm tour around Seattle a few years ago. One of the farmers we met stood out from among her peers because of her love for her chickens.
Her entire yard was designed to making her chickens happy. She planted their favorite foods; they even had their own balcony they liked to hang out on. She told us she used to watch a lot of television, but now that she had her flock of chickens – her family loved to sit out in the backyard and watch their feathered friends.
26. Master tea blender
I’m pretty obsessed with tea. Making my own blends is another hobby I will add in the next year. (My hobby list is getting pretty long!)
There are so many different combinations you can make to make unique teas. I once tasted an herbal tea combination that tasted like root beer!
Herbal teas also have health benefits, so there’s a happy bonus to this hobby. Tea blends are a fantastic way to help with stress relief, as a sleep aid, and even weight loss. You want to make sure you use organic ingredients to make your blends.
Some of the ingredients I will grow myself, and others I will buy online in bulk. I will feature some tea combinations, so make sure you follow me on Pinterest for new posts.
27. Beekeeping
Beekeeping is something you can do for yourself and help save the planet at the same time. As a bonus, beekeeping has the sweetest reward – honey!
You can keep bees anywhere near the area where flowers bloom, and it doesn’t require much space.
Teaching your children how vital bees are to our food supply is a life lesson worth learning. It’s such a gift to be able to see these hardworking creatures up close.
Just think of all the honey you will have when you start this rewarding hobby! You’ll have a never-ending supply of honey for your tea, to drizzle on cheese and fruit, to cook with, make salad dressings, and even pour warm honey over ice cream.
28. Stargazing
There’s a magical world right outside our front door. All you need is a telescope and a little time to take in the wonder that dances above us in the night sky.
You can print off star maps online (google star maps), and you’ll start to navigate the stars.
Bring some chairs and blankets outside, along with some hot beverages. Share your passion with friends and family members.
I found this YouTube video on the history and myths of The Constellations. The word constellations means a grouping of stars.
29. Jewelry Making
Why not learn to make your own creations if you love jewelry?
Finding the right jewelry to go with your outfits will be easy when you learn to make your own. Bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and rings can all get your special touch with this fun hobby.
There are so many different styles of jewelry to try. From traditional to trendy, you’re sure to find a look that is both fun to make and pleasurable to wear.
You can find tutorials on creating your own jewelry on YouTube or check out a book at your local library to get started.
30. Mosaics
My sister taught herself to make mosaic stepping stones out of antique plates. I still have mine in my garden, and they make a beautiful statement.
One garden tour I went on featured the work of a mosaic artist throughout her backyard. She had mosaic birdbaths, sculptures, and tables dotted among her plants. She let us peek inside her house to see her mosaic fireplace mantle.
31. Cheese Making
It can seem daunting when you think about making your own cheese at home.
Homesteaders aren’t the only ones that make their cheese. You can be a cheesemaker even if you are living in a small apartment. Some types of cheese are easier to make than others, but you can dive into this intriguing world to supply your family and friends with a little slice of heaven.
There are even cheese-making kits available. Here’s the Ultimate Cheese Making Kit on Amazon that teaches you to make ten different kinds of cheese.
You can also learn more about pairing cheese properly. Cheese and hygge make the world a better place to live, and it’s one of the best hygge hobbies.
Some other creative hobbies for women you can try are:
Writing
Bullet Journaling
Coloring
Ukulele
Cake decorating
Kayaking
Balloon art
Study of Architecture
Fishing
Grilling
Wine tasting
Guitar
Pottery
Floristry
Scrapbooking
Papier-Mache
Kite flying
Jigsaw Puzzles
Scale Miniature Building
Beer brewing
Wine making
Poetry
Song writing
Singing
Piano
Archery
Croquet
Ice Skating
Snorkeling
Needlepoint
Cross-Stitch
Embroidery
Needle Felting
Spoon carving
Rug Hooking
Snowshoeing
Card making
Piano
Visiting museums and galleries
Sea glass, seashells, or rock hunting
Flower pressing
Dining at unique restaurants
Listening to old records
Making paper
Writing pen pals
Crossword puzzles
Chess
Memory keeping
Wreath making
Repurposing
Bonsai
Bird watching
Rock climbing
Learn a new language
Interior design
Dance classes
Horseback riding
Flower arranging
Musical instrument
We’ve reached the end of Hygge Fun Hobbies to Try Today. I hope you enjoyed it.
Tell me in the comments below how you liked the Best Hygge Hobbies to Try Today post and what new hobby you decided to try and if you met new friends along the way.
Make sure you join our Creating a Cozy Life – Hygge Style Facebook group. You’re not going to believe how amazing it is. Join here to be part of the virtual cozy cabin.
Please pin this relaxing hobby post below on your simple living board on Pinterest to refer back to it again.
If you would like to learn more about having more hygge in your life, The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living is the perfect way to get started.
Thanks for stopping by!
Related Posts to Hygge Hobbies:
- 31 Hygge Home Ideas
- Hygge Ideas on Ultimate Self-Care
- Hygge at Work: Turn Your Office into a Cozy Place
- How to Make a Hygge Backyard
- Cozy Morning Rituals to Try Today
- How to Hygge: 31 of the Best Cozy Ideas
- How to Create a Hygge Bedroom You’ll Never Want to Leave
- Cozy Bedtime Rituals to Try Tonight
- 10 Best Hygge Gifts for Best Friends
Angela
Friday 13th of October 2023
What a great list of ideas, not just for me but for hard-to-buy-for adult children (i.e. cheese making kit!) I have had a book for a few years called, "You Can DO IT! The Merit Badge Handbook for Grown-up Girls." I flip through it periodically to get ideas about what to do next. It actually outlines how to dip one's toe into different activities and interests to see if pursuing would be worth it. 60 activities from dancing to volunteering, reading to camping, it gives steps to get started and references and expert to help. Highly recommend to folks who are looking for ways to branch out without investing too much time or money or who want to create an in-person group of like minded adventurers! Thanks for this great list of ideas, many of which I would never have thought of!
Janine
Tuesday 20th of December 2022
I love some of these ideas. I want to learn quite a few of them like candle making and soap making, quilting, knitting. I love playing board games. Such fun relaxing things to do.
Kelly
Tuesday 20th of December 2022
I agree. I think people were happier when they had the time to do something creative to wind down. Hobbies become passions. Kelly
K
Tuesday 20th of December 2022
What century is this? Why are these hobbies gendered? Can men not do these things too?
Kelly
Tuesday 20th of December 2022
Hello K! Bloggers write articles to target keywords searched for in google. If I targeted the keyword "hobbies" I would have no chance of ranking in the search. Since I targeted the keywords "hobbies for women" I do have a chance to rank in the search for those terms. It's as simple as that. Kelly
Today’s News for Women Over 50 – Lifestyle Trend Reports
Tuesday 22nd of March 2022
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Quadira
Tuesday 2nd of November 2021
Hi again, Kelly. Great ideas here! I clicked on the link under knitting for the fairie knitting book, but it took me to a link on bread making. Hmmm! Maybe you want to fix that. thanks!