If you’re searching for hobbies for moms, you’re probably a bit like me. When I first became a mom, I had a few different hobbies that I loved. Even with a baby, I could still find the time and energy to swim during nap time. I could run with my baby in the jogging stroller and could even find that last little bit of energy to do some basic crafting.
I scoffed at the idea that I would ever have to deliberately scour through a list of hobbies for moms.
After baby number two, my time dwindled down and I no longer had the time to run or swim or craft. Quite honestly, I had no desire to do much of anything, besides take care of my kids and fall into bed each night.
As my kids got older, I realized that I felt empty. I was missing something and I couldn’t figure out what it was.
Does that sound familiar?
Then, I realized that I needed a mom hobby. Something that I could be passionate about. Something that I could do while I stayed at home with my kids, and maybe even something I could do independently.
This post is part of the series “31 Days to Household Happiness”. If you would like to join in on the rest of the series, you can CLICK HERE.
Table of Contents
Why is it important to have a hobby as a mom?
When you become a mom, it is exciting and overwhelming! You pour your heart and soul into taking care of your little human beings, and that’s how it should be.
But, eventually, there comes a time when you long for an activity you can call your own.
Something to bust boredom and keep you fired up.
Hobbies for moms are important because:
1 | Hobbies stimulate your brain and some even raise your IQ.
I’m not saying that raising kids doesn’t stimulate your brain. There is a lot to think about and orchestrate when you are a mom!
But, mom hobbies are activities that can really get you thinking and creating.
Maybe you’re learning to play an instrument, or maybe you are creating a quilt.
This article from Countryliving.com takes a look at specific hobbies that, according to research, raise your IQ. Some they include are: gardening, knitting and reading.
Whatever your hobby is, use it to get your brain juices flowing!
2 | Hobbies give you an identity beyond mom.
It’s totally normal and expected to lose a bit of your identity when you become a mom. And it’s not a bad thing. It’s just part of the deal.
Having a hobby can help you feel more like an individual and that in itself can be a huge help to acing the mom life!
While being a mom is an amazing journey, you still need to have things that you can call your own. Everyone, including moms, need hobbies that they can enjoy.
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3 | Hobbies can help teach your kids something.
Your kids can learn from your mom hobbies also! When I was little, my mom was a singer and taught me how to sing also. I still love singing to this day, and have passed down this love to my daughter and son!
You can pass down your expertise to your own kids. Maybe you kayak with your 5-year-old, or read on the couch with your 12-year-old.
Gardening is another amazing hobby to learn with kids.
Not only are you bonding with them, but teaching them the ropes as you go!
Whatever your hobby is, you can inspire your kids to learn what you are doing, or find a love of their own!
4 | Hobbies can help you fill your cup.
I find that when I have done something for myself, I am a better mom. I know that sound selfish, but moms, hear me out.
It is not selfish to have a hobby that you enjoy. Yes, kids are an amazing gift and I am the first to admit that I obsess over all.things.kids. That is how we are wired as moms.
But when that is what I do, day-in and day-out, and I spend zero time on something that I enjoy (besides my kids–’cause I enjoy them too!), I get burned out. I get burned out FAST.
Fill your cup with your mom hobbies (or hobby). Do something that you enjoy so you can trickle down your happiness to your kids. I promise, it’s worth it!
5 | Hobbies can bring in a side income.
A lot of times a hobby can become something that makes money! When you are passionate about something, you can certainly bring in a side income by selling what you make, giving lessons to other peoplem, and/or flipping what you buy.
It does take some time and thought to turn a hobby into a side hustle, but it can be a good amount, if you are willing to work at it!
Problems and Solutions When Considering a Hobby
We are moms and we are busy. There will always be a reason why you can’t have a mom hobby.
But, you are here because you feel a nagging in your heart and mind to find something that can bring you a little extra joy.
Here are some pretty common roadblocks to getting after a mom hobby and solutions to help you get going anyway.
Problem 1 | You don’t have time for a hobby.
You will make time for what matters to you. And self-care (AKA doing something for yourself, AKA a mom hobby) should matter to you.
Don’t let that mom guilt set in when you *know* that if you devote some time to yourself, you will actually return to your kids as a much better mom.
Solutions:
>> Have family or another trusted person watch your kids while you pursue your hobby.
>> Pursue your hobby when your spouse is at home and he can take care of the kids.
>> If your kids are a little older and independent, pursue your hobby while they have their screen time or other independent playtime.
>> Drop other obligations that don’t fill your cup. Seriously. If you don’t have time for yourself, and you’re running ragged for other people, re-evaluate what you’re spending your time on and see if you can trim anything back.
Problem 2 | You don’t have money for a hobby.
Finances can be tough, especially in one-income households.
However, there are so many ways around having to spend a bunch of money on a hobby for yourself.
Solutions:
>> Buy used goods for your hobby. Look on buy/sell groups, eBay, or in thrift stores for materials and supplies you’ll need for your hobby.
>> Borrow from a friend or family member who has the same hobby. If you are learning something new, like crocheting, see if you can use crocheting needles from another fellow crocheter.
>> Go a little at a time. Don’t buy up every single thing you see. Build your inventory slowly and start small.
>> Use free internet sources for lessons. Youtube has thousands of videos that can be used to learn new things. Don’t pay for lessons when you can learn online for free.
Problem 3 | Nothing sounds fun.
I.have.been.there.
When nothing sounds fun, you may need to take a look at stay-at-home-mom depression symptoms.
As moms, we are understandbly tired, but if all joy is lost, then depression might be the issue.
Solutions:
>> Make sure you are taking care of your physical needs: sleeping, eating well, drinking water, moving around/exercising. Nothing will make you feel worse than ignoring your body’s needs.
>> Talk to a therapist. Sometimes it helps to talk to someone to help you get out of your funk and back to enjoying life.
Here is a list of over one hundred hobbies for moms that I have compiled with the help of some of my mom friends!
Writing Hobbies for Moms
Writing short stories
Journaling to your kids (Use a childhood history journal like one of these from Promptly Journals)
Writing poetry
Journaling
Bullet Journaling
Artistic Hobbies for Moms
Creating with a Cricut machine (you can sell what you make!)
Scrapbooking
Crafts
Painting
Drawing
Lettering (Get started with this beautiful lettering workbook)
Calligraphy
Coloring
Chalk Pastel Painting
Pottery
DIY Hobbies for Moms
Chalk painting furniture
Woodworking
Knitting
Crocheting
Felt Needling
Sewing
Quilting
Decorating
Soap making (Grab a beginner’s kit here)
Candle making
Exercise and Movement Hobbies for Moms
Yoga
Pilates
Hip Hop Dancing
Ballroom Dancing
Country Dancing
Running
Training for a marathon or other race
Trail Running
Weight Lifting
Boxing
Jiu Jitsu
Salsa Dancing
Bicycling
Aerobics
Outdoor Hobbies for Moms
Exploring your city
Geocaching
Rock climbing
Camping
Birding
Kayaking
Gardening
Composting
Hiking
Swimming
Sand Sculpting
Scuba diving
Fishing
Horseback riding
Homesteading
Backyard Chickens
Outdoor Winter Hobbies for Moms
Snowshoeing
Ice Skating
Skiing
Cross-Country Skiing
Ice Fishing
Snow Sculpting
Sledding
Snowboarding
Snowmobiling
Money Making Hobbies for Moms
Buying/Selling items (Flipping)
Sellling on eBay
Selling on Etsy
Money investments
Day trading
Thrifting
Music Hobbies for Moms
Singing on Youtube
Join a choir
Songwriting
Playing an instrument
Learning a new instrument
Listening to live music
Kitchen Hobbies for Moms
Trying Pinterest recipes
Cake artistry
Baking
Canning
Food blogging
Food photography
Mental Exercise Hobbies for Moms
Meditation
Reading
Learning a new language
Soduku
Crossword Puzzles
Word searches
Tech Hobbies for Moms
Graphic design
Blogging
Digi Scrapbooking
Genealogy
Photography
Final thoughts on hobbies for moms:
The hobbies you can have as a mom are endless! Of course, your hobbies will change and morph as you have more kids, and as your kids grow older.
Take some time to reflect and figure out what is doable as a mom. Think about what hobbies you loved before becoming a mom, and how you can implement them now that you have kids. Moms, banish the guilt and go for it!
Do you have a mom hobby? What is it? Share in the comments below!
