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As digital entertainment, AI, and social media have exploded in popularity over the last two decades, traditional hobbies have somewhat declined. But more recently, researchers have begun documenting a shift, primarily among Gen Zs and millennials, but increasingly among those in their late 40s and beyond.
In a world that feels increasingly faster, louder, and more digitally driven than ever, many of us are beginning to turn away from blue screens, cortisol spikes, and the instant gratification we get from smartphones and social media, and rediscover the joy of “analogue” hobbies. And we’re not using them to simply pass time, but as something that brings genuine meaning, creativity, and connection to our lives, and even improves self-worth.
As AI becomes a greater presence in our lives, and the digital feels inescapable, there’s evidence of a quiet, mindful revolution being waged with knitting needles and chess sets, or on pickleball courts and HYROX courses. Some are seeking a welcome break from screens or a sense of community, while others want to get fitter, mentally sharper, learn something new, or simply be happier.
So, if you’ve been feeling like you’re ready to put the phone down and pick up a new hobby, we’ve got your back. There’s a never-ending list of incredible hobbies out there to choose from, and we’ve whittled down the list to hopefully get you inspired.
Here are seven great hobbies that are growing in popularity in 2026.
1. Playing piano
The piano has always been a hugely popular instrument. However, its popularity has skyrocketed since the advent of the digital piano, and it’s one of the most popular instruments sold in music shops in 2026.
No longer must we fit a huge, 200kg behemoth in the corner of a room to learn to play, and there’s a superb range of slimline, beautiful-sounding digital pianos now available to suit a range of budgets. Not only that, but there are also plenty of online resources that allow beginners and beyond to learn to play or improve their skills without having to find a local in-person teacher.
Learning the piano is a joy, and while there’s the prevailing and not entirely inaccurate opinion that it’s far easier to learn an instrument in your youth, there are many benefits to learning the piano later in life – and there’s no reason you can’t become proficient with a little practice and effort.
Just 20 minutes a day can garner massive improvements in your skill, and with a little consistency, you’ll be entertaining people with a repertoire of songs in no time.
2. HYROX
You might have seen our introduction to HYROX last year, which we published due to the sport’s burgeoning popularity worldwide and its suitability for competitors of all ages and abilities. In 2026, HYROX is set to be bigger than ever, with an estimated 1.3 million people competing globally in these fun, hugely social fitness events.
For everyone from total beginners to those trying to re-engage with strength training, and total fitness freaks, HYROX has a suitable challenge. While many large, socially driven fitness events can have a slightly intimidating element, HYROX is grounded in its inclusivity and in the measures it takes to ensure everyone who wants to take on the challenge and train to the best of their individual ability can do so.
It’s a brilliant way to get in shape and stay accountable, and a perfect opportunity to meet new people if that’s something you want to do – and the sense of achievement you’ll enjoy after finishing your course is second to none.
If fitness is your goal, this could be the hobby for you in 2026. To find out more, have a read of our article: What is HYROX? Plus, how to get started.
3. Reading
After a significant decline in reading that many attribute to our screen habits and the plummeting attention spans that come with them, reading is officially back. In fact, in a bid to ride the reading wave and encourage the upsurge in reading to continue and grow, the National Literacy Trust has made 2026 the National Year of Reading.
So if you find that your own reading habits have fallen by the wayside, 2026 is the perfect time to turn over a new leaf…literally. Pick up a page turner and lose yourself in the captivating, soul-affirming wonder of a beautifully written book.
Whether you prefer some meaty non-fiction or an enchanting and unputdownable novel, you’ll probably find that slowing down and returning to the tactile pleasure of the turning page will bring many rewards that go beyond the pleasure of being immersed in a story. From better sleep and memory to reduced stress and greater longevity, reading is still one of the best ways we can choose to spend our spare time.
Head over to our books, literature, and writing section to get ideas for what to read next.
4. Needlecrafts
Handmade yarn projects have been growing in popularity for years, but in 2026, knitting, crochet, and embroidery truly have the hobby world sewn up. The meditative quality of crafting in this way is probably one of its greatest attractions for hobbyists, and it’s well known that knitting and needlework have proven benefits for wellbeing.
But these are also great hobbies for the constant rewards they offer – multiple projects that actually get finished and give you real-world, tangible evidence of your improving skills and creative energy. The satisfaction of conceptualising a piece of work and slowly bringing it to life until it’s something you can wear, display, or gift to loved ones is unbeatable. And seeing your grandchildren happily wear a little woolly hat or pair of mittens you created for them is the ultimate reward.
5. Birdwatching
Birdwatching has quietly fluttered its way into the hearts and minds of the general population as people become more keen on finding ways to slow down, take a breath, and truly connect with the nature around us. Whether you’re strolling through a local park, walking along the coast at a dedicated bird sanctuary, or simply pausing in the garden with a cup of tea, noticing the flurry of activity from the birds around you can turn an ordinary moment into something special.
The beauty of birdwatching is that the more time you spend paying attention, the more you begin to notice – seasonal visitors arriving or leaving, familiar birds behaving differently, fledglings showing up in late spring to greedily demand food from foraging parents, or even just the distinctive calls that mark the changing months.
You’ll see the markedly different personalities that different birds exhibit, from the brazen territorial tenacity of the robin to the curiosity of pigeons and doves, or the incredible intelligence of corvids. It’s a hobby that encourages mindfulness in the loveliest way and cultivates a quiet calm in those who take the time to sit down, stay still, and watch our feathered friends foraging, flying, and fluttering through the treetops.
Check out our beginner’s guide to birdwatching to learn more.
6. Chess
Chess has experienced a phenomenal surge in popularity since 2019/2020, when Covid lockdowns forced people to stay home and find entertainment indoors, and the hugely popular series The Queen’s Gambit hit our screens. The popularity of the game has shown no signs of slowing down either; in January of 2023, the number of people signing up to Chess.com hit record highs, and in February of the same year, a billion games of chess were played on the site.
Even its traditional image as a game for “nerds” is rapidly changing, and it’s fast becoming a game that’s considered cool, and even a status symbol among young men and women. For people of all ages, it’s a fantastic hobby to take up, encouraging mental acuity and improving memory, focus, strategic thinking, and attention spans. It’s also a lot of fun and a great way to meet people, either online or at a physical, brick-and-mortar chess club.
It’s simple enough to learn, if a little slow to get really good at, but the learning curve is steep, and the feeling of getting better at the game is fantastic fuel to keep going. You can start online and learn the basics on Chess.com, or join a local club where more experienced players will show you the ropes.
7. Pickleball
Pickleball has become one of the most talked-about sports of the moment, and its popularity shows no signs of abating in 2026. It’s a lively racket game that blends elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, but with a smaller court and newcomer status, it’s a little more accessible to newbies and relatively easy to pick up.
But pickleball’s real strength lies in its social atmosphere: matches are often played in doubles, creating a relaxed, chatty environment that feels every bit as much a social gathering as a sporting event.
According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in the United States for several years, with participation rising by more than 300% since 2021 and reaching nearly 20 million players in 2024. The sport is booming in the UK, too, with record numbers of newcomers picking up rackets every year.
While pickleball is a fun and relatively casual sport, it still offers enough challenge, strategy and movement to keep regular players coming back week after week, keen to hone their skills. To get started, check out our introductory guide.
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Final thoughts…
Of course, the beauty of hobbies is that they’re never really about the result. Very few of us will become concert pianists, professional athletes, grandmaster chess players or celebrated authors of bestselling novels. But that’s never been the point. The real reward lies in the doing – in the quiet pleasure of learning something new, the steady rhythm of practice, the gentle beat of clicking needles, the small but satisfying sense of progress that comes with sticking at something.
Taking up a hobby asks something of us that modern life tends to suck out of us: patience. In a culture built around speed, convenience, and instant results, hobbies invite us to slow down and focus on what’s in front of us without scrolling to something new every two minutes. Whether you’re working through a tricky piano piece, attempting a more complicated knitting pattern, or trying to outsmart an adversary on the chessboard, improvement tends to come gradually and pay off greatly.
There’s also a deeper sense of self-worth and identity that hobbies can nurture. When you commit time to learning something – anything – you might begin to see yourself differently. You’re no longer just someone who scrolls through their phone after dinner; you’re someone who plays piano, trains for fitness events, reads voraciously, or spends Sunday mornings watching birds in the garden. You’re someone who gets better at something, hones a skill, cares about getting better at something, and invests in a passion.
So whether you set up a chess board, lace up your trainers, charge up your Kindle, or tune up an instrument, remember that starting a new hobby is never a waste of time… in fact, it might just be one of the most rewarding things you do this year.
Head over to our hobbies and activities section for more ideas and inspiration.
Have you taken up a new hobby recently that you think belongs on this list? Or do you have any thoughts on any of the above? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
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