When I think about my favorite hobbies, I remember the time I tried watercolor painting on a rainy weekend in Seattle. It wasn’t just fun, it felt like therapy. Over time, I have explored many hobbies myself, researched what women across the USA enjoy, and discovered that favorite hobbies aren’t just pastimes, they are part of who we are.
Whether you’re searching for favorite hobbies examples to try something new, or looking for the perfect hobby to match your busy lifestyle, this guide will help you discover activities that bring joy, relaxation, and personal growth. From creative pursuits to active adventures, we will explore favorite hobbies for women that are gaining popularity across America.
The best part? Many of these hobbies can fit into any schedule, budget, or living situation. Some might even surprise you with how quickly they become your new passion.
Why Favorite Hobbies Matter in Women’s Lives
Hobbies do more than fill free time; they boost mental health, spark creativity, and strengthen social connections. Research shows that engaging in regular hobby activities can reduce stress, improve focus, and increase overall life satisfaction.
A busy mom in Texas might choose journaling as her favorite hobby for its flexibility and healing benefits, while a young professional in New York might prefer salsa dancing for the social interaction and physical activity. The key is finding activities that align with your personality, schedule, and goals.
Pro Tip: Don’t chase trends—choose hobbies that match your lifestyle and energy levels. The most popular hobbies in the world won’t necessarily be your favorite hobbies.
20 Favorite Hobbies for Women in the USA
Creative & Relaxing Hobbies
Candle Making (Eco-Friendly Scents)
Amelia, a teacher from Oregon, began making soy candles with essential oils as a weekend stress reliever. Now she creates custom scents for friends and family, turning her living room into a small aromatherapy studio.
DIY Jewelry Crafting
Wire wrapping, beading, and plastic art have exploded in popularity. Many women love creating personalized pieces that reflect their style while saving money on accessories. Isabella, a designer from Chicago, started crafting beaded earrings on weekends. Soon her coworkers wanted to buy them, and now she sells her pieces at local art fairs.
Watercolor Painting
This forgiving medium allows beginners to create beautiful art without years of training. Local art stores across America report watercolor supplies flying off shelves as more women embrace this meditative hobby.
Pottery & Clay Art
Community pottery studios are popping up nationwide, offering wheel throwing and hand-building classes. The tangible nature of clay work provides a perfect digital detox.
Scrapbooking & Memory Journals
Modern scrapbooking combines traditional photo preservation with digital printing and creative storytelling, making it easier than ever to preserve family memories.
Active & Outdoor Hobbies
Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP)
From California lakes to Florida coastlines, SUP has become a favorite hobby for women seeking low-impact exercise with scenic views. Many yoga studios now offer SUP yoga classes too.
Hiking & Trail Walking
National park visits have surged, with women leading the charge in discovering local trails. Apps like AllTrails make it easy to find beginner-friendly paths near any city.
Pickleball (America’s Fastest-Growing Sport)
This tennis-badminton hybrid is sweeping retirement communities and city parks alike. It’s easier on joints than tennis but still provides great cardio and social interaction. My friend Grace, a 48-year-old from Florida, joined a local pickleball league after retiring. She says it gave her both exercise and a whole new circle of friends.
Cycling for Fitness & Fun
Whether it’s road biking, mountain biking, or casual city cruising, cycling offers freedom, exercise, and exploration. Many cities now have bike-share programs, making it accessible to everyone.
Gardening & Urban Balcony Gardening
Even apartment dwellers can grow herbs, vegetables, and flowers in containers. The farm-to-table movement has inspired women to grow their fresh produce. Charlotte, a mom of two in Texas, started a balcony garden with herbs and tomatoes. Now it’s her favorite way to de-stress in the evenings while teaching her kids about nature.
Social & Community Hobbies
Book Clubs (Virtual & In-Person)
Digital platforms have changed book clubs, allowing women to connect with readers nationwide while local libraries continue hosting in-person gatherings.
Cooking Classes & Baking Parties
From Italian pasta making to French pastry techniques, cooking classes combine learning with socializing. Many women host baking parties where friends learn new recipes together.
Volunteering at Local Shelters
Animal shelters, food banks, and community centers rely on volunteers. This hobby provides purpose while building meaningful connections with like-minded individuals.
Dance Classes (Salsa, Zumba, Hip-Hop)
Dance studios report high female enrollment in group classes. These hobbies combine fitness, music, and social connection in one energetic package.
Trivia Nights & Board Game Groups
Local bars and cafes host weekly trivia competitions, while board game cafes have created welcoming spaces for strategic thinking and friendly competition.
Modern & Tech Hobbies
Blogging or Journaling Online
Platforms like Medium, WordPress, and Substack allow women to share their expertise, experiences, and creativity with global audiences while building personal brands.
Podcast Hosting or Storytelling
User-friendly recording technology has democratized podcasting. Women are launching shows about everything from true crime to personal development.
Digital Photography & Travel Vlogging
Smartphone cameras and editing apps have made high-quality content creation accessible. Instagram and TikTok provide platforms for sharing visual stories.
Learning a Musical Instrument via Apps
Apps like Simply Piano, Yousician, and Flowkey make it possible to learn guitar, piano, or ukulele from home at your own pace.
If you are interested in Learning a Musical Instrument via Apps, this guide provides some of the best apps to start your musical journey.
DIY Home Décor (TikTok/Instagram Trends)
Social media has inspired creative home decorating projects using affordable materials. Women share room makeovers, furniture flips, and organization hacks online.
Favorite Hobbies That Can Also Make Money
Some hobbies naturally change into side hustles or small businesses. Candle making, jewelry crafting, blogging, and photography all have strong market demand. Many successful entrepreneurs started by selling handmade items on Etsy or building audiences through social media.
Pro Tip: Start small by posting your creations on Instagram or Etsy before scaling. Focus on perfecting your craft first; the business opportunities will follow naturally.
Favorite Hobbies by Life Stage
Teens & Young Adults
Dancing, digital journaling, online content creation, and fitness hobbies appeal to younger women who value self-expression and social connection.
Busy Moms
Baking (which can involve kids), yoga (with flexible timing), and container gardening (with a manageable scope) work well for women juggling family responsibilities.
Women Over 40
Hiking, watercolor painting, and volunteering offer stress relief, physical activity, and community engagement that many women prioritize in midlife.
Favorite Hobbies vs. Most Popular Hobbies
There’s an important difference between personal favorite hobbies and the most popular hobbies in the world. While surveys show reading, gardening, and cooking consistently rank among the top 10 most popular hobbies globally, your favorite hobbies should reflect your unique interests and circumstances.
The top 10 American hobbies according to recent surveys include reading, gardening, watching movies, spending time with family, traveling, fishing, cooking, hiking, exercising, and listening to music. However, the most fulfilling hobbies are often the ones that challenge you personally or provide the specific benefits you are seeking—whether that’s creativity, fitness, social connection, or stress relief.
How to Find Your Next Favorite Hobby
Start by reflecting on what you enjoyed as a child or activities you have always wanted to try. Consider your available time, budget, and space constraints. Many communities offer beginner classes, allowing you to try different activities before committing.
Online tutorials provide risk-free ways to experiment with new hobbies at home. YouTube, Skillshare, and MasterClass offer instruction in everything from photography to pottery.
Pro Tip: Try a hobby swap with a friend; you might discover your next passion while helping someone else explore theirs.
Start Your Next Hobby Adventure Today
Your perfect hobby is waiting to be discovered. Whether you are drawn to creative pursuits, active adventures, or social activities, the key is taking that first step. Pick at least one hobby from this list and commit to trying it this week; you might just find your new passion.
Remember, the best hobbies aren’t necessarily the most popular ones worldwide. They are the activities that bring you joy, help you grow, and fit into your unique life situation. Don’t be afraid to experiment until you find the hobbies that truly resonate with you.
What hobby will you try first? Share your favorite hobbies examples in the comments below—your recommendation might inspire someone else to discover their next passion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Popular examples include painting, hiking, gardening, photography, journaling, cooking, reading, and crafting. The best hobbies align with your interests, schedule, and goals.
Reading, gardening, traveling, cooking, hiking, music, photography, sports, gaming, and crafts consistently rank as the most popular hobbies for adults nationwide.
Yoga, watercolor painting, jewelry making, stand-up paddleboarding, cooking classes, book clubs, and volunteering are particularly popular among women seeking creative, active, or social pursuits.
Volunteering, learning a musical instrument, photography, creative writing, and fitness-based activities provide mental stimulation, social connection, and personal growth that many adults find rewarding.
Reflect on your interests, try different activities through classes or online tutorials, consider what you enjoyed in childhood, and experiment with hobbies that match your lifestyle and available time.
Yes, hobbies like yoga, journaling, painting, gardening, and hiking are scientifically proven to reduce stress hormones, improve mood, and promote mental well-being through mindful engagement and creative expression.
