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All of these live on a screen: video games, digital illustration, making videos, coding side projects, beat-making, blogging, 3D printing, DJing. They are indoor, year-round and mostly done alone, and there is plenty to learn, because the software is half the hobby. Maybe not if you already spend the working day at a keyboard and want the evening somewhere else.
43 hobbies. Each has what it costs to start, how much time it takes and a first session to try.
2D animationDrawing a picture for every frame so characters move, usually on a tablet.
3D printingPrint plastic objects layer by layer from downloaded models or your own designs.
AstrophotographyPhotograph the moon, planets, stars and galaxies with a camera or telescope.
Beat-makingProgram drums, basslines and samples in a music app, then arrange them into tracks.
Blogging & newslettersWriting and publishing regular posts on your own blog or email newsletter.
CNC & laser cuttingCut and engrave wood, acrylic and more with computer-controlled lasers and routers.
Coding side projectsCode your own apps, websites, bots and AI tools, often to automate everyday chores.
Competitive gamingPlay video games in ranked matches, leagues and tournaments, working to improve.
Creative codingWrite short programs that draw moving patterns, generative art and web toys.
Cricut & vinyl craftingCutting designs from vinyl on a cutting machine for decals, stickers and T-shirts.
Data visualisationTurn real-world data into clear charts and maps that tell a story.
Digital illustrationDrawing and painting on a tablet with layers, from characters to full scenes.
DJingMix recorded tracks together live, matching beats so the music never stops.
Drone flyingFly camera drones outdoors, practising smooth control and filming from the air.
Electronics & ArduinoWire up circuits, sensors and lights, programmed with an Arduino or Raspberry Pi.
Fan fictionWriting new stories set in the worlds of books, films and shows you love.
Film & game scoringComposing music to fit scenes in films and games, timed to the action on screen.
Film appreciationWatch films closely, working through directors and eras, then talk them over.
FilmmakingPlanning, shooting and editing short films and documentaries, often with a crew.
Flight simulationFly lifelike planes on a computer, from light Cessnas to jets, often with a joystick.
FPV dronesBuilding and flying small drones first-person, seeing through video goggles.
GenealogyTrace your family tree back through census records, archives and DNA tests.
GeocachingUsing GPS on your phone to track down hidden containers left by other players.
Hacking challengesSolve legal capture-the-flag puzzles by finding and exploiting security flaws.
Home automationConnect lights, plugs and sensors so your home does things on its own.
Home recordingRecord real instruments and vocals at home, then layer and mix them into a track.
InvestingResearch companies and markets, trying ideas in a practice portfolio first.
Making video gamesDesign and program your own video games, or mod the games you already play.
Making videosFilming, editing and posting videos for YouTube or short-form apps.
Music visualisationTurn sound into moving pictures, from oscilloscope drawings to live visuals.
PC buildingChoose compatible parts and assemble or upgrade your own desktop computer.
Pixel artPlacing pixels one at a time to make retro game-style sprites and scenes.
PodcastingRecording and editing spoken episodes, solo or with guests, for others to hear.
Puzzle huntsTeam up to crack chains of linked puzzles, roaming a city or hunting clues online.
Retro computingRestore and run old computers and consoles, from repairs to loading 1980s software.
Retro gamingPlay and collect old consoles and cartridges, from the 8-bit era to the 90s.
RoboticsBuild and program machines that sense their surroundings and move on their own.
Sim racingRace lifelike cars on a computer with a wheel and pedals, chasing clean, fast laps.
Sound designRecording everyday and outdoor sounds, then reshaping them into new effects.
SpeedrunningBeat a video game as fast as you can, learning routes and tricks to shave seconds.
VexillologyStudying flags and their history, and designing your own from simple rules.
Video gamesPlay story, cosy, co-op and VR games on a console, PC or headset.
Voice actingPerform character voices into a home mic, for auditions, fan projects and games.