There was a time when hobbies like knitting, gardening, and birdwatching were considered a little, well… old-fashioned. Something your gran did while perched in her armchair with a cup of tea and a tabby cat curled up by her feet. Fast forward to now, and suddenly these so-called “Grandma hobbies” are everywhere — on TikTok, in trendy cafes, at wellness retreats, and even in the hands of Gen Z.
And honestly? I’m here for it.
As someone who once thought a Saturday morning needed to be packed with errands or gym classes to feel productive, I’ve found myself falling in love with the slow and simple joy of these gentle pastimes. There’s something incredibly grounding about doing something just for the pleasure of it — no screens, no pressure, no end goal apart from peace and presence.
Knitting: Still Not Quite Ready to Cast On
Now, knitting. I haven’t picked it up yet — and maybe it’s because in a previous life, I helped launch a knitting magazine and I’m still ever-so-slightly scarred by the experience. But I can see the appeal. I went on a willow weaving course a while ago, and there’s something in that same hands-on, repetitive, satisfying rhythm that’s very similar.
It’s not ruled out forever — I can definitely picture myself, one day, curled up with some soft yarn and a podcast, stitching away. But for now, I’m content to admire the knitters from a safe distance (and maybe gently prod them for scarves).
Gardening: From Pots to Plots
Gardening, on the other hand, is a hobby I’m definitely embracing. We moved from a little terrace to a house with a proper garden six years ago, and it’s been a game changer. I’ve gone from the odd herb pot to a full-on obsession — I even got a subscription to Gardeners’ World for my birthday this year, which feels like a real rite of passage (or that I am embracing my age… either way).
There’s such joy in seeing a garden evolve. It’s not always tidy (far from it), but there’s magic in watching things grow — especially when you’ve planted them yourself. And it’s taught me to slow down and appreciate the process. Nothing in a garden happens overnight, and that’s kind of the beauty of it.
Birdwatching: The Unexpected Joy of Just Looking Up
And let’s talk about birdwatching. Yes, really. I used to think it was just for people with binoculars and thermos flasks in muddy fields but my mum always loved watching the birds come and go so I think it’s in my genes. When we moved I started paying attention to the birds in our garden. The way robins hop about so confidently. (supported by that folklore ‘when robins appear, loved ones are near’. Hello mum!) The flash of red from a woodpecker in the trees. Even the cheeky starling gang squabbling over the feeder. It’s like having a front-row seat to a tiny wildlife show.
Birdwatching teaches patience and appreciation. It invites you to slow down and look — really look — at the world around you. And in doing so, it becomes a kind of mindfulness practice.
Why Grandma Hobbies Are Exactly What We Need
So, why are these hobbies having such a moment?
I think we’re craving simplicity. After years of fast everything — fast food, fast fashion, fast scrolling — there’s a yearning for something softer. Something slower. These hobbies bring us back to ourselves. They make space for calm, creativity, and care. They remind us that joy doesn’t always come from the big, flashy moments, but from the quiet, cosy ones.
Maybe our grandmas were onto something all along.
So go ahead — plant those seeds, pour a cup of tea (or coffee), watch the birds, and maybe even give knitting a go (if you’re not still recovering from a magazine launch!). Let yourself enjoy the gentle things. They might just be the medicine you didn’t know you needed.
Other Grandma Hobbies Worth Falling in Love With:
- Baking bread or cakes from scratch
- Embroidery or cross-stitch
- Jigsaw puzzles
- Jam making or preserving
- Crochet
- Flower arranging
- Sewing or mending clothes
- Pressing flowers
- Writing letters or keeping a journal
- Painting watercolours
- Listening to the radio while doing anything
- Foraging for blackberries
- Collecting teacups (or using the ones you already have!)
- Pottery or ceramics
- Classic card games like Bridge or Rummy
The best part? There are no rules. If it slows you down, brings you joy, and makes you feel a bit more present — you’re doing it right.
