via: Unsplash / Malcolm Lightbody
Have you ever wondered what strange and unique hobbies are out there? Ever asked yourself what are cool hobbies that are also unique? For many of us, hobbies aren't just a way to fill time, they're a passion - activities that make it seem like time stands still every time we lose ourselves in them.
If you're tired of the same old activities and are looking for something new, check out our list of hobbies for ideas for awesome unique hobbies. Maybe you'll find your new passion...
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12 Best Unique Hobbies
via: Pexels / Heorhii Heorhiichuk
There are good activity ideas and then there are amazing ideas - these are the top unique hobbies that we recommend you check out first.
1. Stand up comedy
Who doesn't love to make people laugh? Trying your hand at 'stand up' is a super fun activity.
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2. Foraging
Foraging for wild food is a fun outdoor activity that also helps you branch out with cooking.
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3. Grilling
Perfecting your grilling technique means you can make delicious meals and impress your friends.
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4. Building rockets
Fancy trying your hand at being a rocket scientist? You can in your own backyard.
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5. Knife Making
It takes a bit of time and dedication, but making your own knife is very satisfying.
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6. Puppetry
The unique hobby of puppetry is great for guys that love performance theatre.
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7. Fantasy Sports
Get involved with fantasy football, baseball, basketball, hockey, cricket... there are loads of sports to choose from.
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8. Parkour
You've seen those videos of guys running and jumping around their city, why not try it yourself?
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9. Art of Garnishing
Sharpen up your knife skills and create beautiful edible fruit and vegetable sculptures.
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10. Coding
Coding, programming, or scripting can be really rewarding hobbies that encourage you to study.
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11. Mentoring
Volunteering as a mentor allows you to pass on skills and advice. It's a very fulfilling hobby.
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12. Cosplay
Create a fun detailed costume and then roleplay as your favourite fictional character.
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13. Stone Sculpting
Using tools, you can create awesome sculptures from natural stone by chipping and carving.
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14. Ghost hunting
Learn to use an ouija board or grab some dowsing rods and spend a night in a haunted house.
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15. Re-Selling
Flipping furniture, homeware items, clothing or collectibles can be a lucrative hobby.
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16. Learning a Foreign Language
This hobby can help when traveling but can also keep your brain sharp.
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17. Toastmasters
Toastmasters groups can help you improve your public speaking and leadership skills. Fun and useful.
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18. Silver-making
Attending silver-making workshops as a couple is a fantastic opportunity to learn how to make things like jewelry.
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19. Square Dancing
Learning this traditional European dance will have you both smiling in no time.
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20. Make Your Own Wine
If you're both wine lovers, you'll really enjoy the process of making your own wine.
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21. Web Design
Taking a web design course or spending time practicing can mean that you can charge for your services.
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22. Write and sell ebooks
If you're an expert on a particular topic, why not write short ebooks about it?
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23. Powerwashing
Cars, driveways, patios, decks - there are lots of things that can be power washed for money.
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24. App Development
If you're an awesome app development hobbyist, you can charge for your services.
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25. Blogging
Are you good with words? Blogging is a great way to share your thoughts and knowledge with the world. It's a great hobby that can also be profitable if you keep at it.
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26. Start a Podcast
The podcast scene is hot, this means you can make a splash if you get in soon.
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27. Stock Market
It's something that most see as profitable but intimidating. However, it's not that hard to learn. There are all kinds of guides that you can find online. You can even find people who are willing to teach you one-on-one.
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28. Knitting
Knitting is not only inexpensive, but it's also a useful hobby! It's one of the creative hobbies where you can create different things. You can even create to sell if you're feeling up to it.
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29. Yoga
Yoga helps give you physical and mental balance and wellness. It helps fight stress, too! Many may not think it a fun hobby, but it's a great way to stay strong and fit without spending a lot! One YouTube channel search can already show you a wide variety of helpful videos about yoga.
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30. Meditation
You don't have to spend anything to start meditating! It's all about giving effort and time to be aware of yourself and everything around you. You can begin by having a social media detox and taking a few minutes off your day just to meditate and get away.
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31. Rapping
If you like both poetry and music, why not try out this fun creative hobby?
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32. Hand Lettering
Hand lettering and calligraphy are both super impressive hobbies.
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33. Origami
You can make all sorts of impressive objects and animals with the art of paper folding.
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34. Photography
This is a really easy creative hobby to try. You can start by using the camera on your smartphone.
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35. Illustrating
It might seem like some people are more gifted at illustrating than others, but remember that a hobby is something that you should enjoy. Watch a YouTube video or two about illustrating and use it as a guide. Keep practicing until you become great.
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36. Astral projection
Astral projection is the ability to leave your body and explore the world around you. With training, you can go anywhere you want.
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37. Neuro-linguistic programming
Neuro-linguistic programming is a technique used by many politicians. When you speak in a certain way, you can influence the minds of others.
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38. Lockpicking
Lockpicking is one of those awesome hobbies that very few people learn. Who knows when it might come in handy?
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39. Raising Animals
Keeping pets, whether cats and dogs or something less commonplace, can be a really enjoyable activity as you spend time with the animal and bond with each other.
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40. Recreational Piloting
This is a truly exciting and unusual hobby, the ultimate activity for people that like flying.
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41. Model Railways
Creating model railway scenes can be an intricate task which makes this hobby very absorbing.
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42. Ping Pong
Ping Pong practise can last for hours and is a very entertaining way to pass time.
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43. Collecting sneakers
Sneakers can be very pricey, but it's a hobby that has a unique appeal. Become a so-called "sneakerhead," and you'll enter a complex and interesting community.
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44. World traveling
Simply traveling around the world can get very expensive, but it's arguably one of the richest experiences you can hope for.
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45. Flying a plane
Learning how to fly a plane is also an expensive hobby, but it'll allow you to float through the clouds - and that's a priceless feeling.
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46. Travelling
Travelling to exotic or little-known places allows you to create unique memories.
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47. Make Your Own Fireworks
You can't get much more unique than this, but remember to follow all safety rules closely.
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48. Dragon Boat
Dragon boat rowing and racing is one of the unique but cool hobbies that you can do as part of a group.
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49. Restaurant Food Challenge
Having a go at food challenges is an awesome reason to visit new restaurants or even new cities.
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50. Trivia Gaming
Are you great at trivia questions? Entering bar trivia quizzes could be the cool new hobby you're looking for.
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51. Shuffleboard
Playing shuffleboard is an unusual activity but a great one if you like games such as air hockey.
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52. Geocaching
Geocaching is fulfilling because you get to find all sorts of items. It's an outdoor activity that will really get you up and looking at all kinds of places.
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53. Toy Voyaging
Toy voyaging is a unique hobby that may not be for everyone. It's where you send your favorite toys on holidays and see how far they can get around the world. It's a very interesting hobby!
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54. Windsurfing
If you live near a waterway, this vacation sport could become a daily habit!
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55. Equestrianism
Always wanted to ride horses? Now is your chance, there are stables almost everywhere. Find one that offers adult lessons.
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56. Wine Collecting
Pricy, but enjoyable. Winemaking is an amazing blend of science and art, and you can start an appreciative journey through the work of millions of vineyards.
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57. Landscaping
If you love maintaining an aesthetically-pleasing garden, landscaping is a creative hobby for you. The great thing about it is that it can be as simple or as complex as you want. You can come up with whatever you want and incorporate it into your garden.
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58. Motorcycling
There's a different kind of adrenaline that motorcycling makes you feel. It's an active hobby that can also be addicting once you really get into it. Yes, it's cool, but it's also a way of life for most.
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59. 3D printing
Buying a 3D printer might be a large investment, but you can earn that money back by starting a small business using your new device.
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60. Digital real estate investing
Otherwise known as "buying and flipping websites," digital real estate can be an awesome hobby if you want to make money.
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61. Graphic designing
Graphic design is another excellent idea if you want to earn some extra cash while doing something creative.
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62. Topiary
If you have a green thumb, take it a step further by learning to carve your favorite plants into shape.
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63. Collecting insects
Enjoy our tiniest creatures? Start a collection of the best specimens nature has to offer.
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64. Flower Arranging
Start with wildflowers and branches and see what you can dream up. The ladies in your life will appreciate your efforts.
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65. Paper Making
Paper can be made from almost anything. Watch some videos and try your hand at making custom sheets.
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66. Frisbee
Play with your dog in a park, or join a frolf team for some intramural fun!
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67. Bodybuilding
Join a gym, or build one at home! There are tons of free resources available online.
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68. Bread Making
Baking ingredients are cheap! Let yourself experiment with all sorts of different cuisines.
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69. Jigsaw Puzzles
These can be found literally everywhere - my BuyNothing group always has tons of them!
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70. Stone skipping
If you love lakes, calm seas and open water, this is the best hobby for you.
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Ultimate List of Unique Hobbies
Hobby Categories
Unique Hobbies for Men
via: Pexels / RUN 4 FFWPU
Challenging yourself and trying new things are essential ways to live life to the full and grow as a person. If you're looking for unusual hobbies for men, you'll find loads of exciting new activities to check out below.
- Metal Detecting
- Chainsaw carving
- Whittling
- Live-Action Role Playing
- Muay Thai
- Survivalist Prepping
- Flying Drones
- Spoken Poetry
Unique Hobbies for Women
via: Pexels / Vladislav Vasnetsov
If you're tired of your usual downtime activities you're probably interested in learning fantastic new skills by giving something new a go. We have loads of brilliant suggestions for cool and unexpected hobbies for women.
- Digital Illustration
- Competitive dog shows
- Competitive duck herding
- Beatboxing
- Tai Chi
- Leather Tooling
- Cheesemaking
- Sand art
Unique Hobbies for Couples
via: Pexels / Pixabay
Starting a new hobby as a couple can help the two of you to bond, share exciting new experiences and learn new skills. But run-of-the-mill hobbies are boring. Instead, take a look at the surprising hobbies for couples below to see which ones you and your partner would love to try.
- Dumpster Diving
- Dog Sitting
- Clay Pigeon Shooting
- Parasailing
- Paintball
- Wild Camping
- Theatre Group
- Line Dancing
Unique Hobbies that Make Money
via: Pexels / Daria Shevtsova
If you'd love to spend your spare time learning something new that you could make into a job or career, you'll definitely want to spend a bit of time looking into cool hobbies that make money.
- Refereeing
Unique Indoor Hobbies
via: Pexels / Dominika Roseclay
Whether you prefer staying indoors or the weather is just really awful, these unusual indoor hobbies make staying in the new going out.
- Lego Collecting
- Leaf Collecting And Pressing
- Pickling
- Woodwork
- Learn How To Juggle
- D&D
- Genealogy
Unique yet Creative Hobbies
via: Pexels / cottonbro
Creative people often really value time spent working on new projects. This is why having a few creative hobbies that challenge you can be fulfilling, particularly when they aren't an everyday type of activity.
- Bonsai Sculpture
- Soap Sculpture
- Quilting
Unique yet Fun Hobbies
via: Pexels / Spencer Gurley
Of course, when you're trying out a new hobby you'll want to make sure that it is fun above anything else. If you're looking for the most enjoyable activities, you'll want to take a glance at these fun hobbies.
- Canoeing
- Volunteering at an Animal Shelter
- Archery
Unique but Cool Hobbies
via: Pexels / Porapak Apichodilok
Obviously, hobbies should be based on your interests, but you might be looking to try something completely new. In that case, a list of cool hobbies that are both enjoyable and unusual is the perfect place to start.
- Cliff Diving
- Surfing
Unique Expensive Hobbies
via: Pexels / Costas Antwnakakis
Want to do something extraordinary? Then you'll love these unique hobbies that are over the top!
These expensive hobbies cost a little more than a more traditional pastime, but they are worth every penny in fun factor and individuality.
- Robotics
Unique Interesting Hobbies
via: Pexels / Kyle Killam
Try something out of the box with these unique, interesting hobbies. These might be just outside of your comfort zone, or something you just never thought to try! Either way, these will add some major dimension to your life.
- Host board game nights
- Base Jumping
Unique Cheap Hobbies
via: Unsplash / Mayir Ramirez
Looking for something to set you apart that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? I have some cheap hobbies that will make great ideas for you.
These unique hobbies cost very little (sometimes, nothing!) but will add hours of fun, creative hours to your life. And you probably have everything you need to get started!
- Cartography
- Playing the drums
- Stone skipping
Unique Hobbies Infographic
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Downloadable and Printable List of Unique Hobbies
Here is a downloadable and printable list of unique hobbies (right click the Image and select Save Image As...):
via: Mantelligence
Frequently Asked Questions
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Still unsure about hobbies in general? Or you're just not familiar with it? That's completely fine because we're here to answer your questions.
How to pick the best fun hobby?
If you're struggling to pick the best hobby, follow the steps below and you'll find it easy to choose a fun activity to try.
- Consider Activities You Already Enjoy. If there are activities you already enjoy or interests that you already have, these can influence the type of hobbies you'll enjoy. For example, if you love painting, you might enjoy other creative hobbies.
- Ask Yourself How Much Free Time You Have. Decide how much free time you can spare each week or month to enjoy your new fun hobby. There are some activities that you can jump into straightaway and others require lessons or preparation.
- Decide on a Budget. You might be able to spend money on equipment or lessons for your new hobby, or you might prefer to find something which won't cost much at all.
Why are hobbies important?
Hobbies are important because it helps us destress. It also enriches our lives and makes them more meaningful. Through hobbies, we're able to explore the world around us.
How can I benefit from my hobby?
Depending on your hobby, there are many ways you can benefit. Some hobbies can give you profit, while others provide you with peace of mind. Others sharpen your mind and creativity. However, what's common between all hobbies is that they make us happy.
How do hobbies reduce stress?
Hobbies give us a sense of fun and control, which may not be happening all the time with our "real" life. By spending time doing something we love, we can give more positive thoughts to ourselves.
How do hobbies influence your identity?
Hobbies and skills develop as you do. The more you spend time doing something, the more it affects how you think and work. Everything you spend time on will influence who you are.
How can I make time for new hobbies?
Start by setting aside a few minutes of your day to work on a new hobby. You don't have to force yourself to make a lot of time for it if you can't right away. The more you make it a habit, the more you can make time for it without realizing it.
More Awesome Activities
If you haven't had enough of hobby ideas and you're looking for more suggestions for activities to try out, these great articles can help.
- If you love to cook, you can try out grilling even in the winter or without a back yard thanks to these indoor grills.
- Want more ideas for things to do as a couple? Check out these sweet things to do with your girlfriend.
- It can be hard to think of activities to enjoy with new friends or people you don't know, but these ice breaker games can really help.
In Conclusion
If you want to get into something new, it's useful to have some ideas for awesome activities at your disposal. A list of hobbies that you think you'll enjoy is a brilliant place to start. Why not grab your partner or a friend and set a date to try out some of these unique hobbies?
