Are you tired of people asking you about your hobbies and not having anything to say? Well, we are. This past weekend we decided to put the top ten most popular hobbies to the test to finally see what these hobbies are about. After doing extensive research we found that the top hobbies were ranked cooking/baking first, reading in second place, pets in third, gaming was fourth, watching television was fifth, sports sixth, fitness in seventh, making art (drawing, painting, etc.) was eighth, crafting came in ninth, and finally music came in tenth place.
- Cooking And Baking: 39%
The experience of baking is very relaxing and rewarding but depending on what you are making this process can be tedious. Even a simple chocolate chip cookie recipe can be very time-consuming and require lots of patience. Despite having to clean up the kitchen after a sugary mess, a warm chocolate chip cookie, and the smell of a sweet home is worth it all. Trying out a new recipe can be a great way to get your mind off of any stress and to remind you to enjoy the little things in life.
2. Reading: 36%
Some people love nothing more than to curl up with a good book, while others actually cannot think of anything worse. Reading has become a less common hobby over the years, but it is still a favorite pastime of a lot of people at our school. Alternatives to reading if you don’t have the time to read or you just don’t want to, could be listening to a podcast or audiobook! Spotify and Audible are both great alternatives to still be able to enjoy a good story without having to sit still.
3. Pets: 34%
Whether it is a cat, dog, fish, turtle, snake, or something else, these animals can be a great way to keep you entertained. Teaching your pet a new cool trick or taking them on a walk in a nearby park can help relieve some stress and help to spice up their skills. Maybe your pet likes interacting with other animals! Taking them to a park or meeting up with a friend who also has an animal can allow both you and your pet to connect with others.
4. Gaming: 32%
Although not everyone’s first pick, playing video games with friends can be super fun while building teamwork skills. This is definitely a go to activity for some people, especially on a day that we have a hurricane! Can’t go outside? This hobby allows you to get together with your friends safely from the comfort of your own home! After trying this activity for ourselves we decided that maybe we definitely didn’t have the fine motor skills to keep up with the game but alas it was an experience.
5. Watching TV – Including Netflix, Cable, etc: 31%
For some people, there’s nothing better than kicking back and binge-watching their latest favorite show or movie. For others, it’s watching their team play in the game of the season, no matter which one you prefer – with thousands of shows, movies, and live programs, there is something for everyone. Some of the most popular shows of all time according to IMDb include, “Breaking Bad”, “The Office”, and “The Sopranos”. If you don’t have anything to binge at the moment, give any of these a try! IMDb’s list of the top movies of all time had titles such as, “The Godfather”, “The Pursuit of Happiness”, and “The Shawshank Redemption” in their top 10 list.
6. Sports: 28%
Sports are definitely a fan favorite, and honestly, I am surprised they weren’t placed higher on this list. Almost 80% of Americans claim to play a sport. Whether you like basketball, football, soccer, tennis, baseball, etc., this list is truly never ending, and by doing some quick research you may be able to find a niche sport that is perfectly fit for you! Overall sports are a great way to engage yourself physically and improve your overall health. These can be done by yourself or with friends and you don’t have to feel the pressure of joining a team to participate. Many local parks have pickleball, volleyball, tennis, and basketball courts so grab a friend and go try one out!
7. Fitness: 25%
Fitness in general is a great way to keep busy and healthy but it can also be fun and let people become part of great communities. Whether it’s being on a school team, going to the gym, being part of a run club, or anything in-between fitness is a great all-round hobby. Finding your community within the large umbrella of fitness can seem scary, but everyone’s a beginner at one point or another in their lives and people are typically much more welcoming than you think.
8. Fine Arts (General Art, Painting, Drawing): 24%
Feeling stressed? Overwhelmed? Anxious? The answer is probably yes, and if so, this could be a hobby for you! Few things are as relaxing and mind-clearing as putting everything in your life aside and focusing on the beautiful things. If you are just starting out, paint-by-numbers kits can be a great way to start out your skills before moving up to painting or drawing free-hand. Any kind of art that makes you feel happy is good art so don’t feel self-conscious about starting out. Any art you make, your mom will probably love and hang on your fridge! So if you’re feeling like trying something out without having to leave your room, this is a great option for you!
9. Crafting: 23%
Though this may seem similar to fine art (and it is basically the same thing), there are a couple of key differences between these two top hobbies. According to the MUSEO art academy, “Art is more focused on using tools and materials to express an emotion or idea, while craft is more focused on using tools and materials to create a specific tangible object or product”. Some fun and simple crafting ideas for you to try out could include ceramics, wood crafts, paper crafts (such as origami), and so many more! Whether you decide to try out making a paper mache mug or a new jug in a pottery class, have fun! That’s what hobbies are all about!
10. Music – Listening and Creating: 22%
Listening to music is one of the most dynamic hobbies as you can listen to anything, anywhere, anytime. If you love indie, pop, rap, or anything in between there are many things you can do with a love of listening to music. You can start by making your own playlists for any mood that you may be in, or you can take up an instrument and learn how to play your favorite songs or create your own! Music is a great way to create anything you can think of in a really fun way!
