Summer is a wonderful time to pick up a new hobby, so we thought we’d dig through two resources – an MSN.com post titled 30 Fun, Cheap Hobbies That Are Perfect For Summer and an article in TheOdysseyOnline.com titled 5 Fun Outdoor Summer Hobbies – and then list four intriguing finds from them to transform your free time into fun time.
Whittling
“Whittling is the process of removing the unnecessary and leaving the essential, a rural art form that teaches craftsmen to envision and then seek the beauty or utility deep within.” —Michael Bowe, Skyscraper of a Man
This activity isn’t usually included on lists of hobbies for older adults, so we thought we’d list it first! You don’t need much to whittle; just a “front porch with a rocking chair, a knife and some soft wood.” Never whittled before? Here is a beginner’s guide to the activity; although it is written with men in mind, this hobby is just as accessible to women. Also schedule a road trip to Dover, Ohio to see The Warther Museum, home of the World’s Master Carver.
Kite Building
“You need to grab your dream out of the sky like it's a kite and pinch the string through your fingers until you reach the spool.” —Augusten Burroughs
If you have memories of flying kites when you were younger, then this nostalgic activity might appeal to you. If you remember how to create a kite, then consider teaching your grandchildren or other people who are interested in the process. You can buy kite kits pretty cheaply, too, and then take the kites for a flight at the park, beach or backyard. Plus, mark your calendars for the
Cleveland International Kite Festival, held this year on August 24.
Sidewalk Chalk Art
Take a look at incredible pieces of sidewalk chalk art and then begin creating your own masterpieces. You can find sidewalk chalk at multiple price points and there is no way to do this creative activity wrong. Here’s more good news: amazing chalk walk events are held in Ohio each year. First, there is the Oberlin Chalk Walk, to be held this year on June 22 in downtown Oberlin. This event is open to people of all ages and skill levels.
Then there is the chalk walk held at the Cleveland Museum of Art, described as a “modern expression of a Renaissance tradition from 16th-century Italy in which beggars copied paintings of the Madonna by Raphael and his contemporaries, using chalk on the plazas outside cathedrals.” In 2019, this event will be held on September 14-15.
Columbus features its Chalk the Block event on October 5. Get inspired by watching over 30 artists create amazing works of art. And the Cincinnati community of Middletown features its Chalk it Up event on First Friday in June.
Ice Cream Making
“I love dessert. All kinds. But there’s something about ice cream that makes me happy. I am drawn to its simplicity. I am perplexed by the endless supply of constantly growing flavor options. And I am always in the mood for sprinkles and a sugar cone.” —Rachel Nichols
According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, plenty of famous people have enjoyed ice cream, including “Marco Polo (a devoted sherbet fan), Catherine de Medici, Richard the Lion-hearted and our own George Washington, who was rumored to have run up some rather astounding ice cream bills during the hot summer months.”
That’s not surprising since, when weather warms up, nothing refreshes as well as old-fashioned ice cream. If you’ve got plenty of free time, you can make your own (with hand crank instructions found at The Old Farmer’s Almanac link)—and here’s a more modern Ziploc bag method. Or you can purchase an ice cream maker. However you make it, be sure to enjoy eating it!
See how hobbies can improve your health and much more in this free guide >>
You can look through the MSN.com article and TheOdysseyOnline.com article for even more entertaining hobbies for older adults.
