Best Hobbies to Try in 2019

Geocaching

If the idea of spending more time outdoors while you partake in a mini adventure appeals to you, geocaching might be the hobby you were always looking for. Geocaching is the world’s largest treasure hunting community, with over 3 million geocaches to be found around the world.

Geocaches are cleverly hidden treasure box containers which you seek to find by using the Geocaching app or a GPS device. What treasure can be found in the mystery boxes you ask? Most boxes have a log book for you to leave a message; others will have weird and wonderful small trinkets that you can take as a memento, as long as you leave one as a replacement.

This is a great hobby for all the family to enjoy, while spending more time outdoors, exercising and most importantly, finding treasure.

Bird Watching (AKA Birding)

There are few hobbies more relaxing than bird watching. A pastime that allows you to unwind from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life, while you immerse yourself in the great outdoors. You don’t need any fancy equipment to get started, simply get outdoors and take note of the type of birds you start to spot.

Your location and time of day/year will have an impact on what birds are available to observe. There are a number of handy guides online and also some apps you can download and tick off which birds you have spotted throughout the year. If birding becomes a regular hobby then it would be worthwhile to invest in some equipment such as a quality pair of binoculars.

Terrarium Making

Terrariums are transparent or sealed glass containers that house a collection of small plants to create a mini ecosystem, essentially a miniature garden you can have on your coffee table. Not only are terrariums appealing on the eye, they are also low maintenance.

Creating a terrarium is a great hobby which allows you to be creative and unwind at the same time. There are plenty of books and guides online to help you get started. Why not take advantage of your surroundings and source what you can for free, such as stones and moss from the garden.

Adult Colouring Book

A nostalgic hobby that can provide hours of amusement while also having a positive impact on your health. Traditionally considered as an activity for children, adult colouring books are now a worldwide phenomenon. The idea of using a colouring book to entertain and calm a child, can also have the same benefits for an adult.

Some experts believe that adult colouring books can have a calming effect, reduce anxiety levels and help with improving concentration. There’s a wide variety of themes to choose from so you are sure to find one that appeals to you.

Upcycling

With today’s throwaway society, it’s more important than ever to revive and reuse where we can, upcycling is the perfect hobby to satisfy that need. Upcycling is the process of converting old or discarded materials and turning them into useful objects.

Not only does this have a positive impact on the environment, it can also have a positive impact on your pocket. Upcycling can take many guises, it’s all a matter of what you have available and your own creativity. Turn an old ladder into a bookshelf, a tennis racket into a mirror or an old TV into an aquarium, the possibilities are endless.

Calligraphy

Previously considered an ancient form of art, calligraphy has evolved over the year to become one of the most popular hobbies in the world. Calligraphy is an artistic form of writing by hand using a broad tip instrument, brush or other writing instruments.

Just like a finger print, everyone’s handwriting is unique, making calligraphy one of the most personalised forms of art, as your personality is reflected onto the paper with every word you write. Calligraphy is an inexpensive hobby that everyone can try and could even turn into a business with many experienced calligraphers selling their creations and skills as a service.

Mosaic Art

Mosaic art is the process of creating patterns or shapes by arranging hundreds or thousands of small, coloured tiles to create a decorated surface. The oldest discovered mosaics date back to the third millennium BCE and still remain a popular art form to this very day.

You can buy mosaic starter kits from reputable craft retailers across the UK or why not take advantage of a local workshop where you can start to learn the art and meet new people.

Nordic Walking

According to the NHS, Nordic Walking is a ‘full-body exercise that's easy on the joints and suitable for all ages and fitness levels’. In essence Nordic walking is the same as everyday walking with the introduction of using specially designed walking poles, which utilise your upper body to propel you forward as you walk. Originally a summer training regime for cross-country skiers, it’s now a well-recognised way to transform your walk into a full body exercise.

There are a number of Nordic walking groups across the UK where you can get involved and with walking poles available for around £30, it’s a cost effect way of keeping active and starting a new hobby.