21 hobbies for women that will spark creativity and help you discover a new passion

These hobbies for women will not only help you learn a new skill, but also could boost your health and wellbeing - not to mention help you meet some new people in the process. 

Taking up a new hobby allows you to carve out some time for yourself while unplugging from things like work, family stress, and errands. As well as helping to relax your mind, hobbies can reconnect us to things we truly enjoy doing - they don't need to be productive or earn us money. 

Many of these hobbies for women are inexpensive, too, with fun activities such as cold water swimming, yoga for beginners and fermenting requiring very little in terms of start-up costs. We’ve weighed up the most popular hobbies for women below including hobbies for couples, easy hobbies you can do at home, hobbies you can do in the kitchen, and the most relaxing hobbies to help you decide which is the right one for you. Let these ideas for hobbies inspire you to try something different and enrich your life. 

Why are hobbies good for our health?

Hobbies can be a lifeline when it comes to dealing with stress. Family psychotherapist Jay Perkins of Partisan explains, “Hobbies are a way to detach ourselves from the anxieties of everyday life and can provide a valuable escape route for our minds. Even just half an hour spent engaging our minds on a hobby can have a positive impact on our mental health." 

Research from the National Library of Medicine shows how hobbies stimulate the reward system in our brain and release hormones such as dopamine that motivate us to do the hobby again, as well as having more individual benefits. Playing a musical instrument, for example, is said to improve memory according to Dr Ciara McCabe, a professor of neuroscience, psychopharmacology and mental health. Dr McCabe also links reading and board games to preventing dementia in later life.

"People with hobbies are less likely to struggle with depression, stress, and low moods,” Poonam Dhuffer, a meditation practitioner, told us. According to Dhuffer, hobbies are a great way to practice mindfulness too, who told us, “Crafting, for example, can calm our nervous systems, as we’re using our hands and brains together, being fully aware of where we are and conscious of what we’re doing."

Jay perkins

Jay Perkins is founder and chief executive officer at Partisan. He is a qualified child, adolescent and family psychodynamic psychotherapist and EMDR therapist. He specialises in creating alternative help systems that centre marginalised and racialised communities. 

Ciara McCabe

Professor Ciara McCabe examines the human reward experience using behavioural techniques and brain imaging. She is a lecturer in cognition, learning and neuroscience, as well a MSc and BSc project supervisor. 

Poonam Dhuffer

Poonam Dhuffer is a somatic coach, meditation practitioner and creative facilitator at YSM8, which aims to help members of the community unlock their inner wisdom through meditative practices. 

The best hobbies for women 

Fitness

1. Practice yoga

Start up costs: ££ | Start up kit: Yoga mat, blocks and online classes | Indoor or outdoor: Both  | Group activity: Optional | Skill level: Class dependent

Yoga is about so much more than simply rolling out your best yoga mat and honing your technique - it’s a whole lifestyle and the more you learn about yoga and its ancient principles, the more it will benefit you off the mat. 

“Yoga isn't just about the postures themselves, the practice takes us on a journey of self-discovery,” Lauren Brady, yoga teacher and founder of Lauren Brady Yoga told w&h. "Firstly connecting us to our bodies and breath, and then taking us deeper. We learn to see ourselves more clearly on and off the mat, to witness our thoughts and reactions, and ultimately it guides us to see that we are part of something greater than ourselves, connecting us to our spirituality.” 

Yoga is one of the most popular exercise forms in the world, as well as being one of the most popular hobbies for women. Last year the Yoga Alliance reported that around 36 million people were regularly practicing yoga in America alone and 56% of those were classed as beginners. With so many tutorials online, yoga is a hobby that you can get started with very easily. The benefits of yoga are clear; not only will you feel stronger and fitter, but yoga can also help reduce stress, increase happiness and improve memory function. 

Lauren Brady

Lauren Brady is qualified yoga teacher who offers a range of techniques, from flowing vinyasa to the calmer more inwardly focused yin yoga. 

All you need to begin practicing yoga is a mat, which you can use in the house or garden, and some workout clothes. Comfort is key, so make sure you choose activewear that fits well and feels great. If sore joints are an issue, you could try one of the best thick yoga mats, too. 

2. Nordic Walking

Start up costs: £££ | Start up kit: Walking poles, walking shoes | Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor | Group activity: Optional | Skill level: Medium

Nordic Walking uses poles that propel you forward. This means you engage your upper body more than when rambling or trekking. It’s also great for those with joint problems, as the poles mean you’re applying less pressure when walking. “Public Health England and the Centre for Aging Better recently said it’s one of the best activities for strengthening muscles and balance,” Dr Melanie Wynne-Jones told w&h. “Which is essential, as this tends to deteriorate as we age, making us more prone to falls.”

It's no secret that walking in nature is good for body and soul, with the benefits of forest bathing earning it a huge following across the world. Whether you live near the ocean, or forest or want to take in the sights of your hometown, walking gives us space to think, gets our joints moving, and allows us to breathe in some fresh air. Nordic walking poles cost around £30 and you will also need a good pair of walking shoes (check out our guide to the best women's walking shoes if you're in the market for a new pair). Then it's worth getting in touch with a Nordic Walking instructor to find out about walking routes near you. This is also a great hobby for couples if you want to start with a companion. You can find out more at Nordic Walking UK.

3. Wild swimming

Start up costs: ££ | Start up kit: Swimming costume, (optional) wetsuit, swim boots, swim gloves, wooly hat | Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor | Group activity: Optional | Skill level: Medium 

Wild swimming - also called open-water swimming - has been rising in popularity for a few years now, making it one of the best new hobbies to try if you're looking to take up something physical, invigorating - and maybe a little out of your comfort zone. There are plenty of health benefits of cold-water swimming, including an instant mood boost, increased fitness levels and better circulation. Cold water swimming also makes it on our list of the best hobbies for women in their 30s though it really is all-ages. 

Matt Ovenden, on-the-water expert at Borrow A Boat, says, “The thrill and exhilaration that comes with wild swimming has meant it’s fast become a national pastime. Far from just a way to exercise, wild swimming comes with a plethora of mental and physical health benefits, from the cold water helping to boost your immune system to the release of endorphins giving you a natural high."

To get started, invest in a good-quality swimsuit and potentially a wetsuit. You'll also need to purchase some neoprene swim gloves and boots if swimming in colder temperatures (some wild swimmers also prefer to wear aqua shoes while wild swimming to protect their feet from any potentially rocky ground) and complete an induction at your local pond, lake or by the sea depending on where you want to wild swim. There are additional health benefits to swimming in the sea thanks to its high salt content, but some may prefer a secluded and still lake to get their ecotherapy fix. For guidance, take a read through the Outdoor Swimming Society Swim Responsibility Statement and always chat about safety considerations with a lifeguard beforehand.

“The beauty of wild swimming is that it’s a simple, low-cost hobby that anyone, regardless of age, gender, background, can enjoy with opportunities to enjoy it wherever you live," Ovenden explained. If you don't feel confident heading out on your own, there are plenty of groups to join where you can wild swim with others in tow. The Outdoor Swimming Society's website has an extensive list of local groups to join.

4. Dancing

Start up costs: £ | Start up kit: Just bring yourself and maybe a good pair of trainers | Indoor or outdoor: Indoor | Group activity: Optional | Skill level: Easy

Dancing is arguably one of the most fun hobbies to pick up, and it's fantastic for upping your fitness levels too. According to the NHS, it's brilliant for weight loss, as well as improving your posture and your bone and muscle strength. Not only is dancing good for your body, but it's also a great way to improve your mental health, it releases endorphins which can make you feel relaxed and happy.

If you're keen to take up dancing as a hobby, there's also nothing stopping you from getting started right now. If you'd rather learn to dance in a more professional setting though, there are always local dance groups running. Plus, learning to dance with others is a great way to socialize, and have fun at the same time. 

You can try your hand at any form of dancing, be it modern dance, classical dance such as ballet, or professional dance numbers such as the foxtrot and the tango. Lessons vary in price, especially if you opt for pricier one-on-one sessions as opposed to group classes. But you can make a start yourself right away (and for free). Simply put on your favourite upbeat song and go for it!

Crafting

5. Learn the art of ceramics

Start up costs: £££ | Start up kit: Ceramics course (will include materials) | Indoor or outdoor: Indoor | Group activity: Potentially | Skill level: Medium 

Thanks to numerous ceramics courses across the country, ceramic making can be a hobby for the masses, with classes to suit all abilities on offer. This is one you generally can't do at home, as you'll need to use a kiln to transform your pieces from clay to ceramics, but creating beautiful pieces of crockery, vases and ornaments isn't as intimidating as it may sound under the guidance of a professional. Who else is ready for their own Ghost moment?

For Hayley Johnson, a PR Director from London, ceramics classes have provided a much-needed respite from the digital world. "I've always loved interiors so ceramics is a wonderful creative outlet for that," she told w&h. "Beyond that, it's also a great ritual of self-care. Like most people, I spend way too much time glued to a screen, so it's a great way to have a complete digital detox. In fact, pottery is so messy that I can't even wear my smartwatch, so for a few hours I'm completely free from notifications popping up. 

"Pottery also teaches me to slow down. In the day-to-day, I always feel like I'm rushing around and am non-stop, but throwing on the wheel requires a lot of patience. One rushed action and you can ruin a whole pot, so you have to learn to slow down and concentrate, really be in the moment and present. It's like a form of meditation."

6. Try your hand at jewelry making

Start up costs: ££ | Start up kit: A jewelry making kit | Indoor or outdoor: Indoor | Group activity: No | Skill level: Medium 

The best jewellery-making kits will include everything you need to take up this rewarding hobby, including any necessary tools and detailed instructions. Kits usually come with wire, string, needles, hooks, lobster claws, and clasps. And if you’re still not sure, there are so many online jewelry-making classes that will help you perfect your craft - t's never been easier to learn how to make jewelry at home. 

Crafting your own jewellery has long been considered a therapeutic creative outlet - it’s time-consuming but produces a beautiful result. You could start with something really simple, such as learning how to make a bead bracelet and then work your way up to intricate, one-of-a-kind statement pieces. Learning how to make earrings is also a good first step, as a simple style can still look really effective.

Jewellery-making is one of the most popular hobbies for women. Make unique pieces to update your look, or create homemade gifts for loved ones. Before you know it you could have a covetable collection, whether you want to set up a store on Etsy or keep your creations for yourself. 

7. Embroidery, tapestry or knitting

Start up costs: £ | Start up kit: Knitting/embro needles, fabric and thread or yarn | Indoor or outdoor: Indoor | Group activity: No | Skill level: Difficult at first!

Taking up embroidery, knitting or tapestry can be as simple or complicated as you like. If you want to try basic embroidery, all you need is some fabric (like cotton or calico), an embroidery hoop, embroidery needles, and thread. You can order all you need online from a craft store such as Hobbycraft - just look for the section on basic stitches. 

If you want to hone your craft further, you could teach yourself how to stitch with one of the best sewing machines via online tutorials, to create beautiful textiles at a quicker pace (our guide on easy sewing machine projects is also a great place to start!) This being said, there's something to be said for the slow and mindful pace of embroidering or knitting, methodically working towards a finished product. It's meticulous work, but deeply satisfying when you're left with the finished item.  

You might like to start with embroidering a name, a simple pattern, or a floral design. To begin, simply draw on your cloth with a pencil and stitch on top - adding buttons and sequins is an easy win. And if you’re a confident artist, try recreating a portrait in stitch. There are plenty of online tutorials to get you started, like this video that walks you through seven basic embroidery stitches, or this knitting video that will teach you the basics. It's one of the easier hobbies for women to pick up without much prep at all.

8. Learn how to make Macrame

Start up costs: ££ | Start up kit: String or cord, online tutorial | Indoor or outdoor: Indoor | Group activity: No | Skill level: Difficult at first!

Macrame was all the rage in the '70s. Now - along with houseplants - it’s back in vogue. Making a macrame plant pot holder is one of the easiest ways to try out this skill and you can then move on to more advanced patterns. It’s a low-cost hobby, too. All you need is string/cord and a little patience and pot holders make lovely gifts, making it one of the more lucrative hobbies for women.

There are good things and bad things about taking up macrame and if you're not one who possesses much patience, then it's probably not for you, as this is one hobby that takes a little time to develop the skill. However, once you master it, it's a great creative skill to have as you can make a whole range of beautiful products. You can make home accessories like placemats and coats, make a lovely light spring jumper or you could even pair it with some feathers and come up with a magical dream catcher.

9. Take up candle-making

Start up costs: ££ | Start up kit: Wax, a jar, a wick, and other household essentials- or, you can buy ready-made kits | Indoor or outdoor: Indoor | Group activity: It can be! | Skill level: Medium

You might not have considered it as a hobby, but let's face it - some of the best-scented candles can be pretty pricey, so making your own is a great way to create some really unique candles that won't cost you the earth either. Candle-making is a brilliant way to get creative, plus it's one of our favourite hobbies to do at home when we want to relax and unwind.

We've got a full guide on how to make candles at home, but the very first things to consider when making a candle are the wax you will use, the container, the wick, and the fragrance or essential oils you want to create the scent of your candle.

When it comes to actually creating your candle, the process is actually relatively easy. Put simply, it involves melting your wax and fragrance oils in a pan, inserting the wick, and leaving the candle to cool for at least 24 hours at room temperature.

Not only will taking up candle-making as a hobby leave you with a gorgeous end product you can enjoy almost instantly, but it can also be really meditative and relaxing, as you work your way slowly through the process to create something tangible. Plus, it won't cost you loads to get started, and it's something you could enjoy with others too - why not try it out as an alternative date night idea with your partner?

Cooking

10. Have a go at fermenting

Start up costs: £ | Start up kit: A fermenting starter pack, jam jars, veg | Indoor or outdoor: Indoor | Group activity: Optional | Skill level: Medium

Gut health has placed itself firmly at the forefront of our health agenda, with the benefits of eating fermented foods obvious, from clearer skin to better organ function, as well as having a significant impact on our mental health. They don’t call the gut the ‘second brain’  - a term coined by medical experts to explain the importance of what's happening in our guts - for nothing. Thanks to our newfound respect for gut-loving foods, fermentation has become a popular hobby, with many heading to the kitchen to cook up kefir, miso paste, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha. 

Kombucha in particular is having a health-food moment, with sales skyrocketing in recent years. “At LoBros we sold more than 2 million bottles in 2020, with online sales growing 127%,” Natalie Stanton, head of sales at Soulfresh UK told w&h. “Brewing your own kombucha has also seen a resurgence, with sites like Happy Kombucha selling everything you need for a homebrew kit. It’s a fun hobby with a delicious outcome.” Kombucha is easy to brew at home if you have the correct tools; sugar, tea, and a living bacteria culture called a scoby. 

Fermented foods such as sauerkraut and kimchi are also easy enough to whizz up in a blender or food processor. To rustle up some kimchi, all you need is a diced crunchy vegetable, salt, and a jar with a well-fitting lid so it's a great one to start with. Dr Clare Bailey, the wife of Dr Michael Mosley, who is famous for his No Sugar Diet, is a big fan of fermented food kimchi. She has incorporated it into their Fast 800 intermittent fasting plan and the couple praise gut-friendly foods as a whole in their book, The Clever Guts Diet. If you want a hobby that will boost your health from the inside, it looks like fermenting is the way to go. 

11. Build up your recipe collection

Start up costs: £ | Start up kit: Ingredients and kitchen utensils  | Indoor or outdoor: Indoor | Group activity: Optional | Skill level: Easy

Trying out the best recipe boxes can be a great way to experiment in the kitchen, with top chefs and foodie brands sharing their insider secrets when it comes to rustling up tasty dishes. Before you know it, your culinary skills have much improved thanks to the nifty tips and tricks picked up along the way, all while following fool-proof recipe cards. Cooking isn't only a wonderful treat for your friends and family, it has the ability to quiet our minds and encourage us to concentrate on the task at hand. For many it's therapeutic.  

Baking is far more precise by nature, perhaps one for the scientists and mathematicians among us, while cooking allows you to bend t