Everyone should know about these hobbies that make money... because:

Finding a passion project that doubles as a source of income is the dream, right? But it's not always easy.

The key is to get started. It's that simple. The biggest hurdle for wantrepreneurs is simply the act of actually starting profitable hobbies.

Note: All information and resources found on Mantelligence.com are based on the opinions of the author unless otherwise noted. We therefore (and I hope this is obvious) do not guarantee that you'll make any money.  These are just some ideas, that I hope can help you get started.

This list of hobbies is the perfect starting point, but it's up to you to take that next step and follow through. Don't be afraid to fail, and remember that you can always try one of our other hobbies that make money if your first choice doesn't pan out.

Contents

Best Hobbies that Make Money

This profitable hobby list consists of the activities we feel are the picks of the litter. Some of them are awesome because they're so fun, and others are ideal because of the large potential to rake in those dollar bills. Many are both.

Read through this list, and keep an open mind. If something seems intriguing, look into it further. Sometimes stepping outside of your comfort bubble can be incredibly enriching. You may end up surprising yourself.

1. Gardening

Gardening is soothing and it gets you in touch with the planet. Plus, finding people to buy fresh, local food shouldn't be too difficult.

2. Professional Gaming

Getting paid to play video games sounds too good to be true, but it's possible. Look into starting a streaming channel on Twitch.

3. The Stock Market

The stock market can be surprisingly fascinating, and the profit potential is limitless. Don't invest any money until you're confident in your knowledge. Start by "investing" a certain amount, and then follow it. If you're going to do this hobby, do your homework and do it right.

4. Flip Garage Sale Finds

Going to garage and yard sales is a blast. Why not make some money off it? Pro tip: Bring a smartphone along so you can look up prices for similar items on eBay.

5. Drive Others Around

These days, Lyft and Uber have made it possible for anyone with a license to become a professional driver. Meet some new people and explore your local surroundings.

6. Painting

Painting is one of the most rewarding hobbies that make money -- in more ways than one. You may not be the next Picasso, but painting is a great way to unwind and express yourself, and you may even be able to sell your work.

7. Writing/Editing

These are two of the best hobbies because you can turn either of them into a full-time career relatively easily. Few other creative outlets have such high potential to be a source of income. Start with some creative writing, and then look into freelance writing and editing opportunities as you gain experience.

8. Coding

Coding can lead to high-paying job opportunities in many industries. You can also develop your own apps and websites.

9. Starting a YouTube Channel

This is a great supplementary addition to another hobby. Once you start a different hobby, start filming it. You never know when a niche might take off, and that ad money can be quite substantial.

10. Becoming a Stand-Up Comic

Few things feel as good as making a room full of people laugh. You may get paid in discounted drinks and appetizers at first, but once you find a following, the world is your oyster.

11. Catering

Do you love to cook? Plenty of people love to eat. Perfect your culinary creations, and start getting paid to hang out at fun events.

12. Making T-Shirts

Everyone wears t-shirts, right? Designing and printing your own shirts is fairly easy, and there's a huge market for them. Of course, the market is saturated, so figure out a way to make your shirts stand out from the herd.

Hobbies For Men That Help Earn More Cash

These are the hobbies that make money, that you'll probably end up either doing alone or with a buddy. Some of them require strength, and others might get you dirty. They're not exactly leisure activities.

These hobbies for men typically fall on the male end of the spectrum as far as interests go. Of course, that doesn't mean women should hesitate to give them a try.

13. Woodworking

There's something so relaxing and often hypnotic about working on wood. As men, it's ingrained in our DNA. Whether you're whittling figurines or building furniture, there are plenty of people who love owning handcrafted items.

14. Restoring Classic Cars

Being able to work on cars is a valuable life skill for all men. It's also super fun. This hobby takes some startup capital, but the eventual profits can be well-worth the investment (if you're willing to sell the finished creation, that is).

15. Home Brewing

Guys tend to love good beer, so why not make it yourself instead of spending half your paycheck on it? Home brewing is a great activity to do with your friends. We recommend making one batch for personal enjoyment, and another to sell.

16. Playing Poker

Playing poker can be a profitable, but it can also be a serious money pit. Only risk what you can afford. Start by playing with friends before you decide to graduate to casinos.

17. Fishing

There's something inherently manly about waking up early to go fishin'. It can also be quite lucrative if you develop relationships with local markets and restaurants.

18. Playing an Instrument

Learning a new instrument is surprisingly easy these days. There are endless tutorials online, or you could hire a private instructor. Once you're sounding nice, book some local gigs.

19. Becoming a Fitness Instructor

Hitting the gym on a regular basis is a great way to improve your health and appearance, but you can also make some cash. Once you're ripped, look into training other people.

20. Refereeing/Coaching

If you're knowledgeable about sports, becoming a referee or coach for a local sports league is a great way to have some fun while collecting a paycheck.

21. Traveling

You may need to spend money out of pocket at first, but you can make quite a bit of money blogging about your travel experiences. If you run a popular travel blog, you can get free stays at hotels, meals at restaurants, and entry to popular attractions in exchange for your coverage.

22. Being a Handyman

Providing handyman services is a great way to meet people in your community and make some extra cash on the side.

Hobbies That Are Perfect For Couples Looking For Financial Stability

If you're looking for something new and exciting to do with your significant other, these hobbies for couples should fit the bill.

They're great for improving your relationship, and you may even end up making some extra money for date nights.

Remember: while these are hobbies that make money... money is the second priority here. Your primary goal is to spend some quality time with her. You're not starting a new job together. Take it slow and easy, and let the money come naturally in time. Keep it pressure-free.

23. Baking

You don't need to own a bakery to make money baking. Sit down together and make a list of your favorite recipes, then perfect them. Eventually you can talk to local cafes about selling your delicious products.

24. Crafting

There's something romantic about spending a relaxing evening at home listening to music and crafting together. If you make something extra cool, put it on Etsy. You never know when someone might love your work.

25. Babysitting

Babysitting can be an eye-opening activity for couples. It can make you want kids, or it might make you think twice. Either way, it's a great way to make some extra cash.

26. Decorating Homes

Do either of you have an eye for home design? Put out an ad for interior design services. Decorating homes is a fun activity that lets both of you flex your creativity muscles while you brainstorm together.

27. Chocolate Making

This hobby is fantastic for couples because you can eat the mistakes together. There's a big market for artisan chocolates, and you and your sweetheart can make some sweet profits with sweets.

28. Reviewing Things

This hobby goes hand-in-hand with starting your own YouTube channel. Find the right niche, unbox and review some products, and you may be able to make a pretty penny as your fan base grows.

29. Pet Sitting

Getting paid to hang out with animals is a real treat. You may even decide that you want to adopt one together.

30. Photography

Going out to shoot pictures is a great excuse to explore some beautiful areas together. Plus, if you take high-quality pictures, you may be able to sell them to individuals, businesses, or stock photo websites.

31. Dancing

Learning to dance together can be a wonderfully bonding experience. Once you're confident in your moves, you can monetize your skills by offering dance lessons.

32. Starting a Webstore

Whether you're selling on a major platform like eBay, Amazon, or Etsy, or selling on your own webstore, running a business together can be fun as well as profitable. You can look into drop shipping, selling homemade products, or buying and reselling.

Hobbies Every Retiree Can Explore To Earn Money

Retiring gives you plenty of free time. For many, it's a blessing and curse.

Finding new ways to fill the time can be a struggle. These profitable hobbies are perfect because they give you a feeling of accomplishment that doesn't require you to punch a time clock every day. Plus, the extra income doesn't hurt either.

You'll find that many of these hobbies that make money can be done alone or with a partner. Many of them would make excellent bonding activities with family members, friends, or members of your community. 

33. Beekeeping

Keeping bees is a unique hobby that's not for everyone. It gives you an excuse to go outdoors regularly, plus you get plenty of honey at the end of the season. Everyone loves local honey, especially for allergies.

34. Food Preservation (Pickling, Canning)

These days, there's a big market for locally-made artisan pickles. Pickling and canning foods is a great way to stock up food for a rainy day, and you can also make some money selling to the community. It's a great hobby for retirees because it gets you moving, but it's not too labor-intensive to wear you out.

35. Bonsai Trees

The ancient Japanese art of Bonsai is one of the most relaxing hobbies out there. A well-designed and maintained Bonsai tree can fetch a hefty price if you find the right buyer. of course, the true reward is zen.

36. Woodburning

Woodburning is a great activity because you can do it from the comfort of your living room. It combines drawing and woodworking, and the finished product may be able to be sold.

37. Becoming a Local Guide

If you've lived in the area for a while, why not spread your knowledge? You can start a tour on your own, or talk to local historical organizations about joining their team.

38. Art Collecting

Art collecting is a fantastic way to get in touch with your local community. Eventually, if you get more serious, you can start buying art from all over the world. As an added benefit, your home decor is going to look amazing.

39. Selling Used Books

Many book owners aren't aware of the treasure they possess. Many used books are quite valuable, plus the world needs more literature. Discover a world of forgotten novels, and put them back in circulation where they belong.

7 Hobbies You Can Do Indoors That'll Help You Save Money

Some of us aren't in a position to take up indoor hobbies just to pass the time. Whether it's high rent or just the need to save for a vacation, we need a hobby that can also make us some cash. No need to worry. These hobbies can be done inside and can all make you that extra scratch when you need it.

40. Growing herbs

Love to do a bit of gardening? Grow herbs and sell what you don't need.

41. Designing and Printing Invitations

Indulge your artistic side, then charge for your services.

42. Organizing Parties

Get out and be social, then help others socialize as well.

43. Designing a Planner/Journal

Some of the best journals on the market came from hobbies.

44. Designing Phone Cases

It's fun for you and potentially very lucrative once you get good at it.

45. Crafting Snow Globes

Charming on your shelf...and on the shelves of your customers.

46. Shoe-making

Never buy another pair of Nikes, then make your fortune becoming the new Nike.

7 Fun Things To Do While Earning A Steady Flow of Income

The whole point of hobbies—whether they're making money or not—is that they're fun. If your hobby is making you cash but it isn't fun, then it isn't a hobby, it's work. Luckily, we've got tons of fun hobbies that also bring in the bank. Just pick one of the hobbies below and start having a blast and making cash.

47. Couponing

Your mom used to do it. Now you can save cash like they did in the old days.

48. Restoring Furniture

It's tough, fulfilling work that can bring in a lot of money.

49. Sewing

It's relaxing, creative, and people will pay a lot for a good pattern.

50. Teaching music

Wish you could do something with your years learning trumpet? Pass on your knowledge.

51. Becoming a makeup artist

Turn a love of makeup into a part-time hobby/job.

52. Podcasting

Can't stop talking about a certain topic? Let everyone else listen too.

53. Taking Surveys

They're often surprisingly fun, and surprisingly lucrative.

7 Cool Hobbies That Will Eliminate Your Financial Stress

Sure, lots of hobbies make money, but some of them can feel a little dorky. That's not for you. You're too cool for quilting and coupons. Hey, no problem. There are actually a ton of cool hobbies that also bring in the lucre. All of these hobbies are profitable and help polish your image with your peers.

54. Creating stock photos

Being a photographer is always cool.

55. DJ events

A great, cool hobby for those with awesome music taste.

56. Working as a Personal Trainer

Share your secrets to getting ripped and make a lot of cash along the way.

57. Writing ebooks

Become the Hemingway of the ebook market.

58. Creating video courses

What could be better than getting paid to help others beat your favorite games?

59. Designing a room and renting it out

Become the next big flipper for HGTV.

60. Starting a band

This has always been the coolest hobby out there.

7 Unique Hobbies That Will Help You If You're Struggling Financially

Everyone has different tastes in hobbies. Just because you don't like the traditionally popular hobbies doesn't mean there aren't unique hobbies out there for you that can still generate some extra income. Monetize these slightly-off-the-beaten-road hobbies to are just weird enough to fit your tastes.

61. Flying

Drone videos are becoming really popular, and flying drones is super fun.

62. Work as a clown or customed character at events

Don't be afraid to show the world you actually like clowns.

63. Voice acting

Use your amusing voices to make some cash for commercials.

64. Offer translation services

Great for bilinguals with nothing else to do with their second language.

65. Proofreading

A lucrative way to indulge your deep love of grammar Nazism.

66. Participate in a Mock Trial

You can pretend you're on Law & Order for a nice daily stipend.

67. Shoveling driveways

It's a good workout and a nice time out in the wintry weather.

5 Profitable Hobbies Every Woman Should Not Miss Out

Sometimes, hobbies—particularly hobbies that make money—can seem a little guy focused and guy heavy. Not to worry, though, there are plenty of hobbies for women that also bring in the cash. All of these hobbies are popular with the ladies and still really pay.

68. Working with antiques

If you've always loved old stuff, you can make a fortune off of your love.

69. Playing instruments in events

Find gigs to shred your guitar or play that sweet oboe.

70. 3D Printing

It's art, design, and futuristic technology all in one.

71. Event Organizing

Turn your talent for throwing a big bash into hard cash.

72. Be a Yoga Instructor

For those who have been holding stretches for your own fitness for ages.

6 Money-making Hobbies You Can Take Advantage Of As An Artist

For a lot of people, hobbies aren't just a chance to pass the time or even to make a buck, they're a chance to get in touch with their creative side. The great news is, creative hobbies can be some of the most fulfilling and the best paying, if you want to monetize your talents.

73. Artwork investing

If you've got an eye for a good piece of art, you can start small and end up a millionaire.

74. Knitting

It's relaxing, creative, and can lead to a final product so good people will pay top dollar for it.

75. Acting

You could start off at the community theater for kicks and end up a Hollywood star.

76. Building Dollhouses

This may seem a little odd, but lots of people will pay quite a bit for a handmade, artistic dollhouse.

77. Designing Hats

Design hats for yourself, and then, design them for customers.

78. Making Cosplay costumes

Not every Cosplay lover is talented enough to make their own costumes.

6 Hobbies That Are Worth The Investment Despite Being Expensive

Sometimes you have to spend money to make money, and that's true with these expensive hobbies.  It helps to do some research before embarking on one of these adventures, as you don't want to waste valuable resources (including your time and hard-earned cash!)

The great thing is, these have the potential to make a lot of money, so where there is great risk, there is often also great reward!

79. Cooking

You can turn your kitchen finesse into a restaurant job, or start a supper-club right out of your home!

80. Bartending

Pretty skilled at making mixed drinks? High-end bartenders make some great tips, and have a good time doing it!

81. Collect, Trade and Sell Rare Games

Video games, board games - there are many niche markets for these products.

82. Brand Ambassador

Are you insta-famous? You can be! Build up a following with quality content showcasing different brands, and soon you'll be on your way to sponsored posts.

83. Art

Channel your inner savant and make some unique art!

84. Graphic Design

The business-minded are not always artistic, and they need help making their product marketable.

5 Interesting Hobbies That Can Be Monetized

They say love what you do and you'll never work a day in your life! These interesting hobbies are a great way to make money doing something you love and feel passionate about.

These hobbies are also super easy to get rolling - in fact, you're probably already doing them! Many of the side projects you do can be monetized to bring in some side income, and can often become a full time gig, if you're into it!

85. Be a Life Coach

Are you street smart? Market yourself as a guru in the realms that you are knowledgeable.

86. Clean Houses

Love to tidy? Housekeepers make big money while needing little to know formal education.

87. Grocery Shopping

If you have odd pockets of free time, use it to shop and deliver groceries! You can make even more money, and skip traffic, if you work odd hours.

88. Auto Mechanics

NOt only can you make money with this gig, you'll save money as you learn to take care of your own vehicle repairs.

89. Blogging

Know a lot about a lot? Condense it down and share your wisdom with the masses.

4 Cheap Hobbies That Will Help You Make Extra Income

Not every money making idea takes capital. There are a lot of ways to make extra income without having to spend much at all.

These cheap hobbies may cost a little time, but not much cash. Use your skills to not only line your pocketbook, but serve the people around you with your talents!

90. Social Media Virtual Assistant

If you know your way around Insta or TikTok, now's your time to shine! Find a rising influencer and become their right -hand man, costing you nothing but some gumption.

91. Tutoring Kids

Whether it's online, in a local teaching pod, or one-on-one, there is money to be made in helping parents teach their kids "new" math.

92. Fixing Things

If you're handy, there is good money to be made being a handyman or installer.

93. Comedy

If you have thick skin and a good sense of humor, you can have fun and make money at the same time while doing stand-up.

Downloadable and Printable list of Hobbies That Make Money

Here is a downloadable and printable jpg/pdf list of hobbies that make money (right-click the image and select Save Image As…):

In Conclusion

The beauty of hobbies, and especially hobbies that make money, is that you can try out more than one. If you don't like the first one, move along.

If you're not sure how to get started, read through our list of hobbies, then reach out to your community. There are plenty of friendly people out there who would be happy to show you the ropes. The internet is a powerful resource for hobbyists looking to transition their passions into careers. Spend some time seeing how other people are profiting off their favorite activities, and then put your own unique spin on it.

They say that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert. It's time for you to get started.