You may have grandchildren who say, “I’m bored! There’s nothing to do!” In reality, the world is filled with so many fascinating activities that there isn’t enough time to try all of them that intrigue you. But it’s always possible to get into a rut, so here are a few hobbies that you might not have considered from a list of 100 hobbies at FreeInTenYears.com:
- Learn a new language: Humana shares research that learning a new language may keep your brain functioning longer and improve its function. Since 2007, scientists have known that being bilingual can help delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease by as much as 4.5 years; recently, though, studies indicate that learning a new language may delay other types of dementia, too, strengthening the parts of the brain that “handle executive functions and attention tasks.”
- Become a Wikipedia editor: You’ve learned plenty so far in your lifetime and you can share what you know with others (and keep absorbing new information) by editing Wiki pages. Here is the Wikipedia editing policy.
- Watch documentaries: And if you’re ready to really stimulate your brain, watch entire college courses available from The Great Courses. Your library very well might have the one that captures your attention. Topics include science, history, mathematics, fine arts, music, religion, philosophy & intellectual history, literature and language, economics and finance, and better living.
- Guerrilla gardening: Who is organizing a community garden in your area? “The idea is to plant vegetables in public spaces in your community so that people can see how easy and fun it is to become less reliant on the supermarket.” Here is a Google map of community gardens in the Cleveland area. Or talk to city officials about starting one closer to your home.
- Host a quiz night: If you love trivia, why not plan a trivia-based get-together with friends? It can be as simple as a game of Trivial Pursuit (look at all of these Trivial Pursuit choices) and a few snacks—or a full-course meal with a game that you design yourself, based on your interests, and that of friends. If you’re feeling extra ambitious, you could turn it into a fundraiser event for a special cause
- Scrapbooking: If you’ve got plenty of pictures and always plan to organize them, why not go one step further and make them into beautiful scrapbooks? There are online classes to help you get started, and stores that sell the supplies often have in-person workshops.
See how hobbies can improve your health and much more in this free guide >>
Looking for more ideas?
Consider doing a daily jigsaw puzzle online with one of these themes: scenery, animals, places, buildings, nature, art, transportation and more.
Need something more active? Try bowling. A retired tailor and beautician decided to enjoy a bit of bowling—and ended up competing in a Wednesday night league until he was 105 years old. If you start bowling at a later age—or are returning after many years off the lanes—here are some tips:
- Make sure you wear good-fitting bowling shoes, along with loose-fitting clothes, preferably short-sleeved on top.
- Choose the best ball weight, knowing that you might need a lighter ball now.
- Consider wearing wrist support—and, if needed, back and/or knee support.
- Stretch your muscles before bowling.
The bottom line
Choose the best combination of hobbies that bring you enjoyment and keep you physically and mentally engaged. And have fun!
