There is something happening quietly, and I actually love it! People are slowing down, setting down their phones, picking up their hooks and needles and digging in the dirt. Grandma hobbies are all the rage! In this fast-paced life, maybe we’re finally realizing that our grandmothers were right all along, that simple things aren’t small things at all. They’re actually some of the best things!
“Grandmother. The true power behind the power.” —Lisa Birnbach
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Crocheting: The Comeback Craft
Crocheting has part of my life since I was a little girl. It was a fond hobby of my mother’s. Lucky for me, from a very early age, she showed me how it was done. If you’ve ever picked up a needle and yarn you know there is something magical about it.
Whether you’re making a blanket, a gift for someone you love, or maybe something for your own home, every stitch becomes intentional. One stitch at a time, before you know it, you’ve made something beautiful with your own two hands. It’s almost meditative!
And the best part? You don’t need to spend a lot to get started. Just a needle and some yarn. If taking a class isn’t in your budget right now, no worries! There are plenty of great tutorials online, and beginner supply kits are easy to find too.
Gardening: Getting Your Hands in the Dirt
Gardening is so therapeutic for me. I love getting my hands in the dirt. I am a self-taught gardener. My grandparents and parents both grew up on farms down south and shared some of their knowledge with me. Some years my flowers and garden are glorious and then some years, not so good. I’ve learned from trial and error and have loved it all!
There’s nothing quite like putting your hands in the soil, have some patience and watching something grow. It’s humbling, hopeful, and honestly one of the most rewarding things you can do with your time. If you’d like to try your hand at raised bed gardening, you can see my posts Simple Tips for Starting a Raised Bed Garden, Essential Supplies for Raised Bed Gardening and Easy Ways to Maintain a Raised Bed Garden.
I’m Kim, and I’m a self-taught gardener with plenty of failed experiments, and a deep love for watching things grow. I’ve learned everything through trial, error, and 30+ years of getting my hands dirty in Michigan soil. I share what’s actually worked in my garden so you can skip some of the mistakes and get straight to the growing!
Canning and Preserving: Grandma’s Pantry is Back
When I was growing up, canning was just part of life. Like I mentioned, my parents were both raised on farms, so a pantry stocked with home canned vegetables was completely normal in our house. There is something so nostalgic about it for me, in a giddy kind of way!
While I haven’t carried the canning torch myself, my middle son absolutely has, and I couldn’t be more proud. Every summer he and my daughter-in-law fill their pantry with the fruits of their labor. Canning is one of those lost arts that is definitely making a wonderful comeback, and honestly, grandma’s pantry was onto something really good and yummy!
Why Can Your Own Food?
Birdwatching: The Hobby that Cost Almost Nothing
Did you know someone who watches birds is actually called a birder? I never knew until I ran into one of my friends at Aldi’s. She recently retired and she is a big birder! While I may not be an official birder quite yet, I do love watching the birds in my own backyard, and I think that counts!
“The birds of the sky nest by the waters;
they sing among the branches.” – Psalm 104:12
Birdwatching doesn’t have to be a complicated or expensive hobby. A pair of binoculars, a simple feeder, a few quiet minutes by the window, or a walk through the park or nature area is really all it takes. If you have a smartphone, a bird identification app like Merlin Bird ID is free and so much fun! Birdwatching is one of those grandma hobbies that quietly reminds you to slow down and notice the beauty that’s near.
Jigsaw Puzzles: The Screen-Free Hobby You Need
What’s more fun than working a jigsaw puzzle? During Covid my family and I embraced puzzle making and now they’re having a major comeback. With many trying to relieve stress in our fast-paced lives or limit their screen time, this hobby makes so much sense! Puzzles are the perfect way to slow down, and one of those grandma hobbies that the whole family can enjoy together. Now, that’s something really special to celebrate!
Put some of your favorite music on, pour yourself something warm, and enjoy the process. Oh, and if you’re looking for a great way to store your work in progress, this wooden puzzle board with drawers is a must have and holds up to a 1,000 piece puzzle. I honestly don’t know what we did without it!
Sewing: Slow Down and Stitch
Sewing is one of those hobbies that never goes out of style. I might be a little biased but, I think it needs to land on the top of the list! There’s something so grounding about sitting down at the sewing machine. Whether you’re mending, making a pillow, or a garment, sewing is practical and meaningful. I sew blankets for a cause very close to my heart, raising money to help find a cure for brain tumors. You can read the back story HERE.
If sewing has been on your heart to try, I encourage you to go for it! A beginner class at your local fabric or craft store is a wonderful place to start. You’ll learn so much and likely meet some fun people too! If a class isn’t in the budget right now, YouTube tutorials are also a fantastic free option. Start simple, be patient with yourself, and just begin. Remember, every single stitch is a step forward!
Grandma Knew Best All Along
I’m a grandma now, Mimi to be exact, and I pray that my grandchildren look back and feel like I shared some of these impactful hobbies with them. They help me plant, we work puzzles together, play with yarn and when they are a little bit older I will teach them to sew. If you love doing crafts and projects with your grands or little ones, you might enjoy my Mimi and Me series right here on the blog. It’s one of my favorite things I do!
Whether you pick up a crochet hook, dig in the dirt a little, or sit next to your window and do a little birdwatching, I hope this post has inspired you to slow down. Grandma hobbies aren’t just a trend. They’re a reminder that the best things in life don’t require a schedule or a screen. They just require a willing heart and a little bit of time. I would love to hear what your favorite grandma hobby is!
Grandma knew right all along, and now so do we!
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Love it! I say every year that I am going to learn to crochet and never do!! I need a new poncho!!
Ha! Maybe I’ll make you one!
Wonderful that people are trading their phones for hobbies. Gardening is so therapeutic. Your family is lucky to get canned vegetables. Need to get something on my loom. Love all your favorites.
Yes, you make some beautiful things with your loom, Tina!