Winter can be a magical time of year, yet embracing the cold, blustery weather and short, dark days isn’t always easy. But one of the best ways to beat the seasonal blues – and keep busy – is to indulge in a cosy winter hobby that’ll add warmth, enjoyment, and comfort to your day.
From indoor activities where you can curl up on your sofa to outdoor excursions that’ll bring colour to your cheeks, there are all kinds of hobbies that are perfect for winter. Aside from being a fun and creative way to pass the time, most also encourage you to make the most of the season’s slow pace and celebrate its unique charm.
So, if you’re looking for inspiration, we’ve got you covered. Here are 15 cosy hobbies to get stuck into this winter.
1. Bread making
If you’ve always wanted to bake delicious bread, winter is the ideal time to start. Not only is making your own bread a rewarding experience that can help you appreciate the simpler things in life, but it also fills your home with comforting, delicious smells and keeps your kitchen warm.
Kneading and shaping dough is also very meditative, so you may find that bread making is an excellent way to deal with stress and anxiety. For recipe inspiration, why not check out our list of 10 best bread recipes to bake at home? Or if you’d like to branch out from bread, our article, 12 of the best baking recipes, might be helpful.
2. Knitting or crocheting
If you’ve never held a crochet hook or knitting needles, creating your own scarf or blanket may seem daunting. But learning to knit or crochet isn’t too difficult, it just requires some practice. The rhythmic work of knitting and crocheting can be soothing while making your own cosy creations can be hugely satisfying. They make lovely personalised gifts, too.
If you’re interested in knitting, check out our guide on learning how to knit. Or, if it’s crochet that interests you, have a read of our introduction to crochet.
3. Ice skating
Not all cosy winter hobbies need to be enjoyed indoors. If you’re keen to get some fresh air, why not try ice skating? As one of the most popular winter sports, ice skating is a great way to improve balance, boost joint flexibility, and build leg muscles. It’s also a fun low-impact workout that can be enjoyed solo, or with friends and family.
Plus, warming up with a hot chocolate afterwards feels especially cosy. In winter, temporary ice rinks pop up everywhere, so keep your eyes peeled. To find your nearest permanent ice rink, head to the official Ice Skating website.
4. Candle making
Soft glowing candlelight can be a wonderful way to add warmth and cosiness to winter nights. Seasonal scents, like pine, berries, and citrus, can also help you get into the winter spirit. Rather than buying scented candles, which can be expensive, why not make your own? Making candles is easy: all you need is wax, wicks, a container, fragranced oils, and, for coloured candles, some dye.
Not only do homemade candles make lovely gifts, but they also allow you to add a personalised and seasonal touch to your living space. To find out more, have a read of this candle making guide by The Spruce Crafts.
5. Winter photography
If you’re keen to develop your photography skills, winter is one of the best times of year to get snapping. The days may be short, but winter light has an almost ethereal quality, and snow-dusted houses and frosted foliage are particularly photogenic. Why not go for a walk in your local park and keep an eye out for beautiful scenes? It’s a great way to get some fresh air and gentle exercise, too.
To find out more, you might like to read our beginner’s guide to photography.
6. Jam and preserve making
If you’re keen to get busy in the kitchen but don’t fancy making bread, why not have a go at making your own jams and preserves? You don’t need to be a great cook or own fancy equipment to make your own preserves. Whipping up a big batch of jam or chutney is a lovely way to spend a winter afternoon, and you’ll probably end up with several spare jars you can give away, too.
For more on making different jams, you might like to check out Jamie Oliver’s guide. Or if you’d rather make savoury preserves like chutneys and pickles, Delia has a good guide.
7. Reading by the fire
Few things feel cosier than curling up on your sofa with a good book – particularly when it’s cold and dark outside. But when you add a fireplace, things get even more cosy. The crackling sounds of a fire can help you get lost in a book, and the warm glow from the flames brings comfort. Don’t have a fireplace? Just get one of YouTube’s fireplace ambience videos up on your TV!
8. Stargazing
Winter is the best time to go stargazing, because the cool air leads to bright, clear skies. Spotting stars, constellations, and even planets is easier than at any other time, and gazing up at the sparkling sky on a quiet winter night can help you appreciate the vastness of the universe. Just be sure to wrap up warm, and keep things cosy with a flask of tea or hot chocolate!
To find out more, you might like to check out our introduction to stargazing.
9. Slow cooking
If you don’t have a slow cooker, winter is the time to invest in one. Not only do slow cookers fill your home with mouthwatering aromas, but they also make hearty meals that are ideal for cold weather – without you having to sweat over a stove. Plus, they use less energy than ovens, make larger portions, and are suited to simple ingredients, which can all help you save money.
If you get your cooker on in the morning, your home will be filled with comforting smells all day, and you’ll have a delicious dinner to look forward to in the evening. For recipe inspiration, check out our article: 10 of the best slow cooker recipes to save you time and money.
10. At home spa day
Winter can be tough on both our minds and bodies. The short, dark days can leave us feeling low, and the cold weather can play havoc with our skin. So why not set aside a few hours and treat yourself to an at-home spa day? Unwind with soothing music, light some candles, run a warm bath (or have a long shower), put on an indulgent face mask, and treat yourself to some luxurious skin care.
Many of us don’t prioritise self-care, so pampering yourself with a relaxing spa day at home is the perfect chance to treat yourself. Plus, it’ll leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.
11. Calligraphy
If you’re looking for a creative pursuit, why not give calligraphy a try this winter? Calligraphy is relaxing, rewarding, and meditative, and you don’t need to be good at drawing or painting to master it. And, not only will learning calligraphy mean you can write beautiful letters, but it also enhances fine motor skills and boosts concentration. Plus, in a digital world, calligraphy is a great way to slowly stimulate our creativity.
To find out more, check out our introduction to calligraphy.
12. Make mulled wine or mulled cider
Mulled wine is one of the most popular drinks around Christmas…but it doesn’t have to be reserved for the festive season. This warm, fragrant drink is ideal for cosy winter evenings – and it’s another good way to make your home smell lovely, too. If you don’t drink, or are cutting back on booze, you can simply use non-alcoholic wine, or even apple juice. Check out our recipe for mulled wine.
13. Wreath making
Although they’re a popular festive decoration, wreaths aren’t just for Christmas. They’re seasonal, and you can make beautiful spring, summer, and autumn wreaths, as well as the classic winter one. So, if you’re keen to do something artistic, why not gather some winter foliage, berries, and pinecones and make a homemade wreath to hang on your door – or inside your home?
For DIY winter wreath inspiration, check out this guide by Gathered.
14. Upcycling
If you’d like to get creative but don’t fancy making a wreath or doing calligraphy, why not have a go at upcycling? Upcycling is the act of repurposing old clothes or possessions and breathing new life into them, and it’s a great way to stay busy on a cold winter day. Why not turn old jars and cans into pretty plant pots, or turn an old mirror into a fancy drinks tray?
The options are endless…just have a read of our 16 creative upcycling ideas for inspiration.
15. Plan your next holiday
One way to chase away the winter blues is to plan your next holiday. Why not make an evening of it, and research different destinations, create itineraries, and watch travel documentaries? The anticipation of upcoming adventures is a great way to add excitement to the colder months. You can make it extra cosy by doing your planning in front of the fire with a scented candle…and perhaps a glass of mulled wine!
For travel ideas and inspiration, head over to the travel section of the Rest Less website.
Final thoughts…
If you’re feeling a little lacklustre or uninspired this winter – or you have some extra time to kill – the activities above shouldn’t just keep you busy, but also provide a sense of wellbeing.
A combination of indoor and outdoor activities is important for our physical and mental health, so hopefully there are several hobbies you’re keen to get stuck into.
From outdoor pursuits like stargazing, ice skating, and winter photography to cosy indoor activities like reading, cooking, or arts and crafts, these 15 hobbies will all help you savour the beauty of winter.
Do you have your own suggestions for cosy winter hobbies? Or are you going to give any of our own suggestions a go? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.