As you reach your fifties, you realize that you’ve finally become comfortable in your own skin. You have the true confidence only experience can bring, but because of the stress of everyday responsibilities, you can get stuck in a rut.
Just because you’re fully mature doesn’t mean that you should stop developing as a person. It’s important to set aside free time for your own enrichment and well-being to fully enjoy your life.
By choosing fun and rewarding hobbies, you’ll nurture your soul and take care of your health. Hobbies for women in their 50s are based around things that interest you and what can fit into your lifestyle.
You can choose different kinds of exercise, skill learning, socializing, or add a creative hobby to express yourself. You’ll find examples of all of those in the list of hobbies below.
What Are Some Hobbies For Women Over 50?
The purpose of having hobbies for women in their 50s is to find balance in life. Are you busy, stressed, and never have time for yourself? Or is every day the same boring, uninspiring routine?
It’s important that you make time for your own well-being to challenge and motivate yourself and relieve stress. Depending on your interests, try one or more from this list of popular hobbies to improve your mental and physical health and have fun.
• Arts & crafts
Explore your creative side by picking up something you haven’t done in a while or an entirely new skill or art form. You can try some of the following hobby ideas on your own, while some are best done by taking a class.
Classes have the added benefit of expanding your social circle. Connecting with people through shared interests is one of the best ways to make new friends in adulthood. Having a full life is one of the keys to happiness.
Additionally, since you create something while doing most of these hobbies, you can use your works as unique gifts for your loved ones.
Don’t worry about whether or not you have a talent for something – with effort and practice, you can become good at anything.
1. Writing
Writing can be a powerful experience: you can write about something you know a lot about or use the process to learn. You can write a children’s book, poetry, a novel, or even a non-fiction book about something you want to tell others about.
Whatever you choose, make sure you don’t hide it, but share it with others.
2. Drawing
Drawing is a fun and accessible hobby that makes you stick with it because it’s easy to make progress, which motivates you more. It’s especially enjoyable to draw from nature, so pick a favorite sketchpad and a pencil and go outside to work on your art.
3. Painting
You can learn to paint by using online tutorials or taking a class. You can create oil paintings or have fun with adult coloring books.
There are no rules when it comes to creativity – do whatever feels right to you, as long as you enjoy yourself. Being able to express your feelings in a meaningful way is one of the steps toward attaining true happiness.
4. Pottery
Lots of people find pottery to be unlike any other form of artistic expression: there’s something very primal about molding clay with your hands and creating something that can be admired or used. There are endless shapes that can be created from a lump of clay – you only have to find them.
5. Calligraphy
Calligraphy is a good hobby if you’re stressed and need to feel grounded. Creating art is healing because you focus on the process instead of things running around your head. Everything else disappears as you give your attention to the beautiful letters you’re creating.
6. Photography
You can try artistic photography or capture everyday moments that draw your attention. You can start by taking candid pictures of your loved ones, capturing the nature around you, or looking for interesting moments to share on social media.
7. Music
Playing an instrument takes practice. If you’ve always wanted to learn guitar, this is a good time to indulge your wishes.
You can dedicate time to music even if you don’t intend to make it – try listening to something new and finding new genres, musicians, and songs to enjoy.
8. Acting
If you want to try acting, go to your local community theater. It’s an amazing opportunity to meet people and have fun as you prepare for a play.
If you’ve never performed before, be prepared for an experience unlike any other. If you have, you know you want to answer the call of the spotlight once again.
9. Choir
Singing makes you happier, and singing with other people also makes you feel like you belong. Joining a choir is a way to live your life out loud while pursuing something that makes you happy.
The audition process might be a challenge in more professional choirs and a bit more relaxed in choirs whose members are in it as a hobby.
10. Scrapbooking
Creating a scrapbook is similar to telling a story: you arrange photographs and souvenirs to keep your memories of the little things that make you happy in one place.
Before you start, you’ll need some supplies, such as decorations and an album. You can get them at a craft store or online.
11. Interior design
You can try interior decorating if you have a good sense of proportion, utility, and aesthetic. It doesn’t have to be expensive: you can change small details and accents to achieve a completely different atmosphere in a space. It can be an incredibly fun hobby, and you can even turn it into a business.
12. Cooking
If you’re already a good cook, try experimenting with dishes you don’t prepare often or at all, such as new cuisines or rare ingredients. If you aren’t at home in the kitchen, learning to cook can give you complete control over your nutrition – you’ll be able to choose exactly what you eat and how it’s prepared.
13. Baking
Baking is comforting and fun, regardless if you’re making bread or cookies. When the smell of freshly baked goods spreads around the house, no one is able to stay away. If you want to get fancy, try cake decorating. You can find some amazing ideas online.
14. Gardening
You can grow your own vegetables, which is priceless if you’re a cook. Freshly picked produce radically changes dishes, especially if it results from your own labor.
If flowers are more your thing, you can try planning the flower garden of your dreams. Either way, spending time growing things is incredibly rewarding and satisfying.
15. Flower arrangement
Bouquets or wreaths, using floral foam or vases, simple or complex, flower arrangement is only limited by what you can imagine.
You can use your arrangements to decorate your home, or if you want to use it as a gift, you can customize it according to the taste of the person it’s intended for.
16. Origami
There are plenty of origami diagrams online if you’re interested in this Japanese art of paper folding. If you want to keep with the tradition, start with the best-known model there is: the crane. This classic is not hard to make, and it can be given as a gift as a representation of hope.
17. Candle making
If you’re a fan of scented candles, you know the good ones can be really expensive. To make one, you only need wax, a wick, a container, and fragrance oils. The whole process isn’t difficult, and you’ll be saving a lot of money and be able to pick your perfect scent combinations.
18. Jewelry making
You’ll need to learn a few basic skills to start making jewelry (check out beginner’s guides on YouTube), but mostly, you’ll learn as you go along. Start by deciding what kind of jewelry you want to make, then get the supplies you need.
19. Thrifting
Check out flea markets, garage sales, and thrift stores for cool items that you might not be able to buy anywhere else. You can find items that were well-loved and maintained or virtually unused things, all of it for a negligible price compared to their new counterparts.
20. Upcycling
Upcycling and thrifting go together well – sometimes you’ll find something that you like even though it isn’t usable anymore or something whose purpose you can envision changing.
Every trip to the flea market can be the start of a DIY project that results in something unique and special.
21. Sewing
If you invest in a sewing machine and some time to figure out how to sew, your fashion game will never be the same. Most of us are too lazy to get our clothes tailored, and a perfect fit makes all the difference. After you’ve mastered alterations, you can even start making your own clothes from scratch.
22. Knitting
When you get good at knitting, you won’t even have to look while you do it, which means you’ll be able to have engaging conversations or watch TV while you do it. It’s also incredibly calming.
Making winter accessories for yourself and your loved ones and de-stressing at the same time, what’s not to like?
23. Needlecrafts
Start by looking up tutorials and ideas on YouTube when you start crocheting, embroidery, or cross-stitch. There are plenty of techniques that are much easier to quickly figure out when you see how it’s done than by looking at a picture.
These crafts can be used to improve the details on your clothes or customize your home décor, among other things.
24. Quilting
When you’re still a beginner at quilting, it’s best to start small until you’ve learned the basics, such as making a baby quilt.
Choose a pattern before you collect all the materials needed to know what exactly you need, and watch tutorials before you cut anything. It might take a bit of a learning curve, but the end result is worth it.
• Healthy body & mind
If you come home from work, eat dinner, and watch TV until you go to bed, your days might start blurring into each other. One of the best ways to gain energy and improve your quality of life is exercise.
Choose something you think you’ll enjoy without worrying whether it’s too hard – as long as you pick an activity that’s fun and interesting, you’ll stick with it and improve your fitness level quickly. Maintaining your health is an important aspect of happiness.
Keep your mind active and your spirit engaged by nurturing them regularly. Finding time for self-care is essential, especially if you have others you take care of. You won’t be able to help anyone if you yourself aren’t in top form.
Try one of the many fun hobbies that will bring excitement and well-being into your days.
25. Walking
Walking is an essential physical activity that everyone should do. Even if you do other kinds of exercise, you should still aim to get in a certain number of steps every day.
The recommended number is usually around 7–8,000 steps, which is easily achieved by going on an evening walk or choosing to forgo your car when you have time.
26. Running
If you’re a beginner, start slowly by following a program that combines walking and running until you’re capable of just running for a certain amount of time. This way, you’ll painlessly get into the habit of going for a run and grow to like it instead of giving up because it’s too hard.
27. Yoga
Practicing yoga is a holistic approach to good mental health and physical health. Its health benefits include helping your posture, strengthening your muscles, and reducing stress, among other things. You can follow a YouTube video if you want to do it at home, and you can take a class if you want a teacher to guide you.
28. Pilates
Whereas in yoga, you assume and hold a pose or flow into another one, in Pilates, you move your limbs as you exercise. It strengthens your core, improves your flexibility, and works on overall functionality. While it can be done at home, it’s best to find an instructor if you’re a beginner.
See also: 55 Empowering Hobbies For Women In Their 20s
29. Zumba
If you always thought aerobics was boring, Zumba is fun and effective cardio that won’t ever make you wonder when the class is going to end. You’ll have so much fun that you’ll be surprised and disappointed it’s over.
Zumba is perfect for people who love dancing, and you can also be sure that you’ll make friends at your Zumba class.
30. Hiking
Hiking is both relaxing and invigorating. Walking in nature is best when done with a friend, and you can take breaks to enjoy the scenery, relax, or do some bird watching.
Some necessary equipment is shoes that can handle the terrain, but if you get into it, you might need some other things.
31. Weightlifting
Weightlifting increases your muscle mass and makes you stronger. If you’ve never tried it before, it can change your life with the quick results that it provides.
In a short amount of time, you’ll notice improvements in your quality of life and the ease with which you do things that might have been a challenge, such as climbing a lot of stairs, for example.
32. Biking
Biking is the perfect combination of pure fun and exercise. Pick a regular bike over the stationary version if you can, because the environment plays a huge part in making biking fun. Riding your bike in nature is an experience that can’t be replaced by doing it indoors.
33. Swimming
Find the nearest pool and enjoy this fun and useful activity. Swimming helps build endurance and strength while you enjoy the water.
It’s a low-impact workout, which means that lots of people who can’t exercise because of injuries, for example, can swim without danger to their health.
34. Fishing
Fishing as a hobby is rarely about catching fish – it’s about relaxing and spending time in nature bonding with your friends, and it’s a good way to practice patience.
After a long day of hanging out, If you do succeed in catching something, it’s a bonus and an ingredient for a tasty dinner.
35. Martial arts
You can practice martial arts for recreation or to learn self-defense. Either way, you’ll feel more empowered and self-confident as you progress and gain skills and strength. You can try disciplines such as boxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, or Krav Maga.
36. Horseback riding
Bonding with a horse and enjoying nature are the main draws of horseback riding as a hobby. It’s relaxing and exciting at the same time, and if you like animals and the outdoors, this hobby might be for you.
37. Dancing
Dancing is one of the most enjoyable ways to keep in shape and meet people. If you like dancing, finding a class to join should be your first step.
You can try group dancing or partner dancing, depending on whether you want to take the class alone or with your significant other or a friend.
38. Bowling
Bowling is a great way to hang out with a group of friends while you do something physical. It consists mostly of waiting your turn, which gives you plenty of time to socialize and enjoy each other’s company. If you’re competitive, make sure to join a tournament with your team.
39. Meditation
Meditation sounds more difficult than it is: you don’t have to clear your mind completely or think about the meaning of life.
The goal is to let thoughts go if they come while focusing on your breath and trying to stay as relaxed as possible. When you start doing it regularly, you’ll notice your stress levels go down significantly.
40. Journaling
Journaling is a very versatile hobby. It can be a part of your everyday routine, help you guide your thoughts, help you spot problems you’re not aware of, or give you ideas. Try bullet journaling to help you reach your goals, or use journal prompts to help guide you.
41. New languages
Take the language course you’ve always been talking about and finally start learning the languages you’re interested in.
You can choose a language spoken by many people, which will be the most useful, or pick something that sounds beautiful to you. You can also start learning the language of a place you want to visit.
42. Volunteering
There are as many ways to volunteer as there are those who need help. You can help out or donate to an animal shelter. You can help a school by services or collecting items they need, do the shopping for your neighbors who can’t do it on their own, or help with dog walking.
Any little thing is worth it, and helping others will teach you not to take life for granted.
43. Games
All kinds of games improve your thinking and coordination, increase your problem-solving skills, and a lot of them can be done both on your own and with others. Try things like single-player or multiplayer video games, board games, jigsaw puzzles, card games, and crosswords.
44. Social media
You can try blogging on the subject of something you know well or start a podcast or a YouTube channel. If you’re passionate about something, using social media to share it can be a great hobby.
For example, if you’re passionate about fashion, you can become a style influencer on Instagram or create a YouTube channel where you talk about style.
45. Book club
If there are no book clubs in your local area, you can always create one. Find an interesting book and invite some friends over for a session of chat and snacks. Make sure to pick a book that everyone will like.
46. Karaoke
Singing karaoke is a fun way to de-stress. You can go to a karaoke bar or do it at home. You don’t need a karaoke machine because there are all kinds of songs in karaoke form available on YouTube.
And when you gain some confidence from singing at home, you can debut your new skill at a karaoke bar.
47. Wine tasting
You can visit a vineyard, a local wine tasting event, or host one yourself. It’s a fun social activity that can introduce you to features of wine you might not have been aware of. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t actually drink all the wine you’re tasting, just a sip here and there.
48. Collecting
Becoming a collector can be a more demanding hobby than it seems. Once you decide you’re interested in something enough to make space for, you’ll be paying attention to where you’re able to find it all the time. You can collect anything from figurines to antiques, as long as you enjoy the process.
49. Get a pet
For a sense of purpose and faithful companionship, rescue a pet and take care of it. Dogs and cats need a lot of love and attention, so keep that in mind before you decide to take this huge step. Your pet requires a lot of care and responsibility, but they give you back unconditional love.
50. Travel
Travel is the perfect hobby for everyone who has a little more time and wants to see what else is out there. You can travel for a small price if you book everything in time.
Where to go? Start with the places you’ve always wanted to see, then watch some travel documentaries to see what else strikes your fancy. Or pick a random place and just go.
See also: 66 Interesting And Fun Hobbies For Women In Their 30s
What Are The Best Hobbies For You?
Finding a new hobby can make your life more exciting. When you like to do something and spend time doing it, you have something to look forward to that’s just your own. Dedicating time and effort to self-care is a way to love yourself.
Your emotional, mental, and physical well-being is going to benefit from getting out of your comfort zone and doing something that challenges and motivates you.
This list of hobbies for women over 50 includes plenty of ideas to inspire you and get you to start something new and fun to enrich your everyday life.