25 Hobbies for Stay at Home Moms You Need to Try

Do you feel like all you do is, be a mother and take care of your kids and home? It’s easy to lose yourself when you stay home with your kids, and that’s why I suggest you try some hobbies for stay-at-home moms.

Ladies, we are more than mothers; we’re individuals with interests and a creative side as well. We love our kids, but they aren’t our only passions. It’s not good to spend all day focusing on your kids and forgetting about yourself.

Hobbies are the answer.

But, the issue is figuring out hobbies that you can practically do with kids at home. Some hobbies are way too hard with little kids nearby. They need to be something you can set down and stop whenever your kids need the next snack or another drink. Also, you want a hobby that doesn’t depend on you having a babysitter every time.

That doesn’t work for all hobbies.

So, I put together a list of hobbies for stay-at-home moms that you can do with your kids. Invest in yourself and let your kids see that; it’s good for everyone!

25 Hobbies for Stay at Home Moms

1. Plant a Garden

If you aren’t sure what hobby you’d like, try planting a garden. Garden is a productive, relaxing, and fulfilling hobby. You wouldn’t believe how awesome it feels to plant some seeds or seedlings and watch them grow, especially vegetable plants that produce food for your family to enjoy.

It’s incredibly satisfying, and that’s one of the reasons why I always have a small garden.

Another awesome thing about gardening is that you can do it with or without your kids. I love finding time to go out without my kids, but I still spend time outside in my garden with them. It doesn’t bother me, and it teaches them the value of gardening. I hope it’s a skill they love when they’re older too.

2. Listen to Podcasts

I’m a podcast junkie, and the cool thing about listening to podcasts is that you find new interests.

I started by listening to a few gardening podcasts to get advice about plants that I wanted to grow. Then, I asked for recommendations, and I ended up listening to true crime podcasts, paranormal podcasts, and historical podcasts. Sometimes, I even listen to current new event podcasts to keep up with what’s happening around the world.

No matter what you’re interested in, I’m sure there is a podcast for it!

It’s easy to put on headphones and listen while cleaning the kitchen or sweeping the living room.

3. Take Up Photography

Here’s another hobby that’s easy for stay-at-home moms – photography.

Yes, really!

Take your camera with you as you go places with your kids and capture pictures of things other than your kids. For example, while they play on the slides and swings, take pictures of the local flora and wildlife. You can even turn this into a side hustle; lots of websites pay for stock photos!

4. Start Exercising

I love to exercise. I attend a local gym and participate in classes regularly; I’ve made it a goal to exercise as much as possible.

Exercising can also be one of the best hobbies for stay-at-home moms. We know that SAHMs suffer from depression, and exercise decreases the risk of depression and anxiety. In addition, it helps you feel better, sleep better, and improves your mood.

That’s a great reason to start exercising. Attend a local yoga class or try pilates. Take a spinning class or invest in a Peloton at home.

5. Rehab Furniture

My aunt rehabs furniture and sells some of what she creates, but I’m always in awe of how she takes rundown furniture that she finds at yard sales and thrift shops and turns them into beautiful pieces.

If you are creative and crafty, this could be a hobby you love and helps you decorate your home on a budget.

6. Start Journaling

Journaling is a productive, creative hobby that gives you a healthy way to release your feelings and thoughts. Some people turn journaling into a form of creative writing.

One of my favorite things about journaling as a hobby for stay-at-home moms is that it’s easy to do with kids around you. While the kids play, grab your journal and write. Put the pen down when they need help, and pick it up when they give you a few moments of peace.

7. Crochet or Knit

Many of my friends know how to crochet, knit, or both, and all of them have kids. It’s a useful, creative hobby that gives you a way to make gifts or things for yourself, friends, and family.

I have a blanket my grandma crocheted for me decades ago; it’s something I’ll cherish forever!

From what my friends tell me, once you know to knit or crochet, it’s easy to do that with kids around or while watching Netflix. It’s on my list of things to learn how to do one of these days!

8. Calligraphy

Have you ever seen the awesome videos of calligraphy on TikTok? I watch all sorts of calligraphy videos, and I think it looks awesome. Many art studios offer calligraphy classes to learn how to get started.

9. Take Up Painting

I know you think I’m crazy, but I’m serious – painting is fun. You don’t have to get huge canvases and try making a masterpiece. Instead, start simple with a set of nice watercolor paints and watercolor paper. Try painting things that you see outside or objects in your house.

Grab some cheap watercolor paint and let your kids join you. It keeps them entertained while allowing you to explore your creative side.

If you feel nervous, don’t be ashamed to try some paint-by-number projects! Those are fun for all ages.

10. Read Books and Set a Goal

Reading is an awesome hobby, and if you have a Kindle e-Reader, you have access to all sorts of books. I love paperback books, but since I often need to read a few pages here and there, an e-Reader fits right into my purse.

Set a goal for the year with how many books you want to read that year, and audiobooks count! Sometimes, I go through spurts and listen to several audiobooks in a month. No matter what anyone says, audiobooks count as reading too.

11. Learn Piano

Adults often assume that learning piano or any musical instrument is for kids only, but that’s far from the truth. Anyone can learn to play piano, and I see free pianos on the FaceBook marketplace all the time.

Grab a piano and ask for a teacher to come to your house; they typically cost only a few dollars more per hour than lessons at a studio.

12. Soap Making

Making soap is something that everyone can do at home, and if you don’t feel comfortable working with lye, many soak-making companies sell melt and pour bases. All you have to do is melt the base, add the scent you want, and let it cure and dry for several weeks.

It’s never been easier to make soap, and you get to try your hand at all sorts of different scents and colors.

13. Flower Arranging

Who doesn’t love a beautiful flower arrangement?

Whether you grow cut flowers in your garden or buy fresh-cut flowers from a local florist, making your own arrangements is so fun, and they make beautiful gifts. I love having an arrangement on my kitchen table, and whenever our flowers are in bloom outside, I make sure to bring dozens inside and place them throughout my home.

14. Basket Weaving

Here’s another creative yet useful hobby – basket weaving. I found a book at the store about basketry; I never realized that people still make baskets at home. However, the projects were marketed for kids and adults, so it might be something that you can enjoy with your kids!

15. Candle Making

If soap making doesn’t spark your interest, candle making might. Making candles isn’t a complex process; some people do it in their slow cookers! Homemade candles make awesome gifts, and they make your house smell good.

Since you don’t need to have hot pots around you, this hobby works for stay-at-home moms with little kids underfoot. Of course, you also could wait until they go to bed, but if you’re like me, that’s when I need to veg out and do absolutely nothing.

16. Baking & Cooking

Do you like spending time in the kitchen? Baking and cooking are two of the best hobbies for stay-at-home moms! You’ll find endless recipes to try, from different cakes and cookies to cultural dishes from around the world.

Your kids will appreciate this hobby and getting to taste test all of your new recipes.

17. Start Fishing

Too many lists of hobbies for moms include crafts but don’t include outdoor activities. Not all mothers want to be crafty, so why not take up fishing if that sounds like you?

Fishing is one of those hobbies that anyone can do, no matter where they live. Everyone can find places to fish nearby, and once you have the gear, it’s not an expensive hobby at all. In addition, you can grow in your skills, starting with catching bluegill and advancing to different fish in your region.

Another great reason to try fishing is that it’s a wonderful family activity. Kids of all ages love to fish so that it can be a hobby for your entire family, not just you.

18. Go Hiking

Hiking with kids is totally possible, especially if you pick easy, family-friendly trails. Some trails are perfect for strollers as well. If you don’t want to hike with your kids, find a friend or two to hike with; it’s always best to hike with a partner.

Getting in touch with nature and hiking is an awesome hobby. It’s one that you also can take with you as you travel because so many places have amazing hiking trails like Asheville, NC!

19. Try Your Hand at Homesteading

Once you start gardening, you’ll decide that you need to raise a few chickens for fresh eggs; we have chickens, and our kids love them. They’re fun to watch and easy to raise.

The next thing you know, you might figure out that your new hobby is homesteading.

Homesteading can be a hobby, and it involves a lot of skill development and time. You learn how to grow food and how to preserve food at home. You’ll get better at gardening, and you’ll find ways to be more self-sufficient.

Channel your inner Laura Ingalls Wilder!

20. Biking with Your Family or Alone

Bicycling is such a fun hobby, and it’s easy to do with kids. Most areas have biking trails that you can follow, letting you explore your city differently. Plus, riding a bike is a great form of exercise that gets your blood pumping.

Skip the gym and grab a bike!

21. Playing Chess

Something I’ve always wanted to do is learn how to play chess. It seems so complicated, but the people I know who play chess regularly say it’s not as complicated as some think.

The cool thing is that there are tons of chess clubs you can join, and kids can also learn how to play chess. It’s a logic and strategy game that works your brain and forces you to problem-solve.

22. Put Together Puzzles

I love puzzles! I keep puzzles in a roll-up puzzle mat so my kids don’t mess up the pieces. Grab a cup of hot tea and a puzzle on a rainy day; I could spend all day like that.

Puzzles are challenging yet relaxing. It’s a hobby that you can enjoy with your kids and spouse. My husband and I stayed up late one evening, working on my puzzle for hours. Of course, we might have drunk a bit too much wine and had a lot of laughs as well.

23. Trace Your History with Genealogy

Tracing your genealogy has never been easier now that companies like Ancestry let you use your DNA to link up with family members. I learned so much about my ancestry, and each time I learn something new, I want to keep digging.

Every time I find out something about an ancestor, it’s like I learn something else about myself. Uncovering my history is really interesting. If you want to dive into genealogy, Ancestry has monthly subscription plans that give you access to all kinds of information and data.

24. Couponing

I don’t care what anyone says; couponing is totally a hobby. Some of my friends save hundreds of dollars each month.

Learning how to coupon takes time, but once you get the hang of it, you can score all kinds of amazing deals and save money for other things like budgeting for family travel! I would rather spend money traveling than on groceries, so cut those coupons!

25. Learn a New Langugage

Think you can’t learn a new language?

Think again! Nowadays, anyone can learn a new language with things like Duolingo, Babel, and Rosetta Stone. It’s right at our fingertips all the time, and programs like Duolingo have accountability alerts that remind you to practice every day.

Kids learn foreign languages much easier than adults, so share the new words with your kids as you learn. They retain it much faster than adults, and growing up with a foreign language knowledge helps advance their future education.

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Don’t let your entire life become all about your kids. Remember, you’re an individual with other interests besides your kids, and it’s good to pursue different hobbies for stay-at-home moms. Being creative and finding passions is good for everyone!