Now that fall and winter are on the horizon, there’s no doubt that I’ll be leaning into all the cozy grandma hobbies the rest of the year. The obsession with ‘grandma hobbies’ is something that’s here to stay! After all, there’s a saying that what’s old is new again, and all the mahjong groups and self-made crochet experts out there are definitely proving that the adage is true.
You may have heard the term ‘grandma hobbies’ in multiple different forms: grandmacore hobbies, old lady hobbies, or analog hobbies. They’re hobbies or activities that you might have traditionally found someone closer to your grandmother’s age doing—like baking or needlepointing. And even if you’re not a grandma yourself, I’m here to tell you that grandma hobbies are totally a cool-girl thing to do.
These pastimes all have another thing in common—they don’t involve screens. They offer an analog way to decompress by doing something with your hands, to flex creative muscles, and, often, connect with others. And I can’t fail to mention that these types of hobbies are the perfect activities for a cozy night in. Sometimes, finding time for hobbies as a mom can seem impossible, but having interests outside motherhood can translate into feeling happier and more fulfilled, too!
Why I started doing cozy analog hobbies
I myself have fallen deep into the hole of ‘grandma hobbies’ and agree that they’re a great way to relax and slow down without zoning out completely. After all, there’s nothing better than sitting down, cozying up on my couch with a hobby of choice and having some much-needed me-time. My foray into the ‘grandmacore’ realm began almost 10 years ago when I learned how to needlepoint. I wanted an analog activity to do with my hands while I watched TV that wasn’t doomscrolling, and since then, I’ve completed multiple pillows that adorn our couches and more projects I’m proud of.
Being off my phone when I’m working on a project does wonders for my mental health, but I also get a lot of satisfaction from seeing the project’s progression and ultimately my hard work on display in the house. Since then, I’ve leaned into the grandma hobby trend, adding other popular grandmacore activities like embroidery and mahjong to my lineup.
If you’re up for channeling your inner grandma, here are some recommendations for “old lady” hobbies to do at home. Plus, beginner supplies for each analog activity.
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Mahjong
I’ve fallen hard for mahjong, a four-person game played with small tiles that has been a staple amongst older women for almost a century in America. If you’ve seen Crazy Rich Asians, you got a quick glance at the game in the scene at the end where Rachel takes on her mother-in-law.
Players pick up and discard a tile every turn and win mahjong by matching their tiles to one of the possible combinations. This “grandma game” requires concentration and focus, but not so much that it prevents socializing. My neighborhood now plays two to three times a week. Mahjong officially got me out of my ‘watch TV for two hours after the kids go to bed’ slump and helped me build deeper relationships.
Learn the rules with a handy guide from Oh My Mahjong and start by playing with a beginner-friendly set of tiles like the ones from Amahj Line (they tell you exactly what you’re looking at!).
Reading
I’d say that reading is probably one of the coziest grandma hobbies. If you have a 2026/2027 goal to read more, try joining a book club (join The Everygirl Book Club every month!), cozying up with the latest page-turner, starting a reading challenge, or perusing your local library.
Embroidery
You’ve probably seen a baby in one of those cute sweaters with their name sewn onto it in loopy cursive—that’s a form of embroidery. Most embroidery options, though, use finer threads to create delicate-looking decorations on fabric, almost as if you’re using a needle and thread to draw instead of a ballpoint pen. It’s a fun way to add some pizzazz to anything from cocktail napkins to sweatshirt collars to pillowcases. Plus, they make for the perfect fall and winter craft that can double as gifts!
You’ll want to start by learning the most basic stitches with a beginner kit like the one below before moving on to cute embroidery kits.
Needlepoint
Needlepoint designs are typically painted or printed on a stiff canvas. Then you use a variety of stitches to bring the design to life. In the past, needlepoint had a grandma reputation due to the stodgy traditional designs. Now, though, the canvases are a lot more modern and fun.
For this at-home granny hobby, start with a beginner needlepoint canvas that only uses the basic tent stitch to learn, and then gradually add more stitch types to your repertoire. An online class from Needlepoint.com can help, too. Then, look for a beginner canvas like these cute and approachable designs for your first project.
Crocheting / Knitting
Crocheting and knitting are often considered cousins. They both involve looping yarn together to create a pattern, but while knitting uses two needles to do this, crocheting uses a single hook.
Crochet can be both a fairly portable and repetitive grandma hobby. You may have seen either a friend or a grandmother sitting on the sidelines with a ball of yarn and a crochet hook, watching the game while they repeat the same motion over and over again. It’s a great way to keep your hands occupied for a good TV binge sesh, too.
Kits like this beginner Wool and the Gang one will give you everything you need to make a beautiful scarf, or you can try your hand at making a little bunny with a kit from The Woobles.
Baking
If you didn’t hop onto the sourdough-making trend during the pandemic, there’s still ample room to get involved in this grandma hobby. Baking is more technical than savory cooking, as it requires more precision with ingredients, so you’ll get to flex your brain while doing something creative. Baking is also a great way to connect with your community, as it’s an excuse to drop off goodies for friends and family after you’re done.
Pick up a cute apron to protect yourself from any splatters and grab a recipe book to bake a homemade fall treat or holiday dessert from scratch.
Painting / Paint by Numbers
Painting is more of a solo activity, but still fits the MO of a grandma hobby. It’s creative (but doesn’t necessarily require you to be an accomplished artist to do), requires you to slow down and focus, and is relaxing. A friend of mine says she likes to do her paint-by-numbers while watching TV or a movie to unwind and loves how pretty the result is.
Puzzles
Puzzles can be a great solo way to relax while still using your brain, or they can be a great hobby to do at home with a partner or group of friends. They also come in a wide range of difficulties and range from a couple of hundred to thousands of pieces, so you can decide just how much of a challenging experience you want.
If you have kids around who might be inclined to grab pieces or don’t have a dedicated spot to puzzle, a roll-away mat from Uncommon Goods will make it easy to save any progress you make for the next time. There’s an endless range of puzzles to choose from, including this cute spring-inspired pick below.
Scrapbooking
We all have digital pictures, but actually printing them and turning them into albums and memory books is becoming rarer. Scrapbooking is an at-home analog hobby that allows you to relive your memories as you artfully arrange pictures, ticket stubs, menus, and other mementos from events and periods of time. It’s a way to be creative and to physically preserve memories.
You’ll need to pick an album to start with, and then the fun part about scrapbooking is that every page of your album can have a theme.
Gardening
My grandmother always had a garden and grew the juiciest, most delicious tomatoes each summer. While I did not inherit her green thumb, many women are turning to gardening as a grandma hobby. It’s a hands-on activity that many find calming, and like many grandmacore activities, it’s rewarding. You’ll definitely feel accomplished when you can see something blossom and grow that you planted.
Of course, not all of us live in a climate to garden year-round, so for a cozy indoor gardening hobby, start with herbs or microgreens you can tend on your countertop. Kickstart your gardening journey with the tools you’ll need to begin. Then, do a little research to learn the basics of bringing herbs, flowers, and vegetables to life.
Card Games
My grandmother taught me how to play the card game bridge when I was 9. She used to play regularly with her friends, and games like spades, rummy, and even Old Maid are part of the grandmacore trend. There’s no shortage of card games that you can play with friends or by yourself, and games can vary in difficulty depending on what you’re in the mood for.
This Ultimate Book of Card Games covers over 350 games, which means you could pick something new for almost an entire year, while this set of grandmacore-approved Garden Party cards from Rifle Paper Company makes playing fun and pretty.
Bird Watching
If you’re looking for a hobby that’s less tactile and requires you to be one with nature, you may be the bird-watching type. Or if you identified with the ‘Pigeon Lady’ in the movie Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, then bird-watching just might be your grandmacore hobby of choice. Sit back, relax, and learn about the prettiest birds right in your own backyard.
If you’ve never bird-watched before, pick up The Backyard Birdwatcher’s Bible and a pair of binoculars to start your bird-watching journey.
7 colors available
sizes S – 5X
Dollhouse Design
Remember the ancient Victorian dollhouse in your grandma’s basement? Or maybe your mom saved yours from childhood? It might be time to dust it off for a new at-home hobby your kids will love, too. People are creating beautiful dollhouses either for their children to play with—or for their own personal joy. According to Elle, the global dollhouse market is expected to more than double in the coming years, from $1.2 billion in 2025 to $2.5 billion by 2034, thanks in part to TikTok and Instagram creators showcasing their thrifted finds, DIY dollhouse hacks, and miniature renovations.
Minimal assembly required, simply start decorating the inside of this charming dollhouse.
For a more involved dollhouse project, this kit has the potential to become a family heirloom.
The 13-inch smaller-scale may be more approachable for beginners. And the handle makes it easily portable.
Look for 1:12 scale miniature furniture, like this farmhouse kitchen table set.
Bags and Totes for Your Cozy Hobbies
Whether you’re a mahjong girly or a book club fanatic, having all your cozy hobby supplies in one place is a must. Snag these cute tote bags to carry with you wherever you go!
FAQs
What are grandma hobbies?
Grandma hobbies—also called grandmacore, old lady hobbies, or analog hobbies—are traditional, often screen-free activities such as knitting, baking, needlepoint, reading, and gardening.
Why are grandma hobbies becoming popular again?
They provide a way to slow down, disconnect from screens, work with your hands, exercise creativity, and connect with other people.
Do you have to be a grandma to enjoy these hobbies?
No. Grandma hobbies are activities that anyone can enjoy, regardless of age or whether they are actually a grandmother.
What are the best grandma hobbies to try at home?
Try mahjong, reading, embroidery, needlepoint, crocheting or knitting, baking, painting or paint-by-numbers, puzzles, scrapbooking, gardening, card games, and bird watching.
Which grandma hobbies are good for beginners?
Several are particularly beginner-friendly, including paint-by-numbers, puzzles, gardening, beginner embroidery, crochet, and needlepoint.
What are some grandma hobbies you can do alone?
Grandma hobbies you can do alone at home include reading, embroidery, needlepoint, crocheting or knitting, baking, painting, puzzles, scrapbooking, gardening, and bird watching.
Elliott Harrell, Contributing Writer
Elliott is a mom of two little girls and is based in Raleigh, NC. She spends her days running a sales team and doing laundry and her nights writing about the things that she loves. She’s passionate about all things motherhood and women’s health. When she’s not working, writing or parenting you can find her trying a new restaurant in town or working on her latest needlepoint project.
Patty Schepel, Associate Editor
As the Associate Editor, Patty works with The Everymom’s team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, editing freelance articles, and more. With Patty’s passion for writing, experience as a mother of two, and expertise as a pediatric nurse, she brings a thoughtful and informative perspective to The Everymom.
