Hobbies for Moms: The 30 Best Sanity Saving Ideas
When you become a mom it can be all-consuming. It’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day tasks of motherhood and forget who you were before you spent all your free time raising tiny humans. Today I am sharing 30 worthwhile hobbies for moms to help maintain your sense of self.
The Importance of Hobbies for Moms
I remember that day like it was yesterday.
I sat in yet another doctor’s office (well, technically this office belonged to a naturopath) explaining that I didn’t feel well, and hadn’t really felt myself for quite some time.
But this doctor did something that none of the others had done.
She talked to me for well over an hour and asked me all sorts of questions.
But there was one I couldn’t answer.
“What do you do for fun?” she asked.
I sat there silently.
Fun….Fun? I thought to myself.
There wasn’t any time for fun.
I had
- kids to raise
- meals to cook
- a house to clean
- and a job that kept me busy most of the day
I could remember things that I used to do for fun….before becoming a working mom….but that was a long time ago.
My silence was the answer to her question.
Related Post: 10 Simple Ways to Make Life Easier as a Working Mom
At that, she suggested that I try to find a hobby which, according to science is a good idea.
The many benefits of hobbies for moms are well documented.
In fact, mothers who spend time doing activities that they enjoy report improved levels of mental health and overall wellbeing.
Having a hobby can also make you feel more happy and relaxed – something that all moms need more of.
But what sort of hobby should you try when you’re already stressed and short on time?
Below I am sharing 30 of the best hobbies for busy moms.
The Best Hobbies for Busy Moms
1) Meditation
Meditation is the perfect hobby for moms who are short on time. You can listen to a guided meditation on an app like Calm, or just sit quietly in your car and take a few deep breaths before you walk into work. Meditation can be done in as short as three minutes and helps improve your overall mood.
2) Try new recipes
Most likely if you are a mom, you are going to be cooking. Why not make it fun for yourself and try to learn new recipes. Learning how to cook sheet pan meals, or instant-pot recipes can be fun and save you a ton of time.
3) Start a journal
Journaling is a great hobby for moms. It doesn’t take up much time or space or cost a lot. Plus, getting into the habit of journaling is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety and improve your sleep. All things that moms need anyway.
4) Make photo books
Every mom has a ton of pictures on their phone. Why not get those memories off your phone by creating photobooks. It’s the digital equivalent of scrapbooking that so many moms got into in the 90’s.
5) Declutter
This is my hobby. I have so much fun going through our house and finding things to donate or sale. The bonus for moms is that this also reduces the housework you must do. Win-Win!
Related Post: Clutter Free Home: 10 Tips That Make A Huge Difference
6) Meal Plan
Meal planning is the perfect hobby for busy moms who need to free up time in their evenings. Once you get into the habit of meal planning it is super easy and only takes a few minutes. There are a ton of Facebook groups and Instagram communities to help you get inspired and to share tips and tricks with each other.
Related Post: A Huge List of Quick and Easy Meal Ideas
7) Plant flowers
Gardening is a popular hobby, but can be a bit time-consuming for busy moms. Instead, planting flowers can be a quick and easy alternative. Caring for flowers is relatively easy, they are beautiful and make lovely gifts for friends.
8) Listen to Audiobooks
As a busy mom, I don’t have time to sit down and read a novel but I do love audiobooks. They are easy to listen to in the car or during a workout.
9) Create Vision Boards
We all have dreams about what our lives, homes and families will become. A vision board helps you to clarify what your goals and priorities in those areas are. To create a vision board collect images and quotes that inspire and motivate you to create a life you love.
10) Learn How to Crochet
If you have always wanted to be crafty, but don’t have a lot of time crocheting is the perfect hobby for you. It’s easy to pick up and put down at a moments notice and you can be successful in your first session.
11) Card Making
Another hobby for you crafty moms out there. Making cards is a great hobby that is useful and thoughtful.
Related Post: Enjoying Motherhood [How to Love Being a Mom When it’s Hard]
12) Podcasts
So many moms I know are into listening to podcasts these days. From health to parenting to murder mysteries, there is something for everyone.
13) Tabata
Tabata is the perfect hobby for moms who are into fitness. It’s a quick workout routine that only takes 20-30 minutes to complete and gives you great results. Perfect for working moms who are short on time.
Related Post: 20 Minute Tabata Workouts for Moms
14) Yoga
The fitness and stress-reducing benefits of yoga make it a top pick as a mom hobby.
15) Spin
Love to ride a bike, but don’t have access to trails near your home? Try spinning or indoor cycling. It’s a fun way to get fit and let off steam. Most gyms have classes, but you can also purchase one for home use.
16) High-Intensity Interval Training
Another great fitness hobby for moms is HIIT. Quick 20-second bursts of high-intensity exercises followed by 10 seconds of rest, HIIT allows you to get a full workout in less than 30 minutes.
Related Post: Family Fitness Challenge Ideas: How to Have Fun and Get Fit!
17) Genealogy
DNA kits like 23 and me are making genealogy a fun new hobby, but you don’t need to get all sci-fi to trace your family tree. Many great websites, like Ancestry.com, can help you learn more about your family history.
18) Learn a new language
Been daydreaming about traveling to another country? Why not learn the language. Apps like Duolingo, make language acquisition easy and affordable.
19) Photography
As a mom, you are definitely taking pictures – why not step up your game. There are a ton of photography classes that you can take online. Heck, you can even turn your photography hobby into a side-hustle and start making some money.
20) Hand Lettering
Hand lettering is a fun creative outlet that allows moms to be artistic and expressive. It only requires a few supplies and can turn into a side-hustle by making custom projects for others.
21) Cricut Crafts
Cricut projects are so addictive! You can get a ton of ideas on Pinterest for mugs, wall art and other gift ideas to make or sell.
22) Meditative Coloring
Need a hobby to help you chill? Grab a meditative coloring book and a nice set of colored pencils or markers and get started.
23) Thrifting
Are you a frugal mom who loves finding a good deal? Thrifting is a fun hobby to do with friends or on your own. You can also flip or refurbish your finds to make more money to maintain your hobby.
24) Freezer Meals
Prepping freezer meals is a fun hobby for busy moms. Many women create clubs or groups with friends who prep freezer meals in bulk and then swap them with each other ending up a freezer full of quick and easy weeknight dinners.
25) Start a Side Hustle
Maybe you already have a talent or skill. Why not turn it into a side-hustle to bring in more money. Market your skills on social media and start earning money.
26) Create a Facebook Group
What are you interested in? Raising goats, growing succulents or maybe homesteading? Start a Facebook group and find others that share your passions. Facebook groups can be a fun hobby to inspire, collaborate and connect with others who have similar interest. I would love to have your join my “Motherhood Made Easy” group where we share tips and ideas to simplify mom life.
27) Volunteer
Use your free time to help others and fill a need in your community.
28) Make your own bath and body products
So many of us are on a mission to use less toxic and more natural ingredients. Why not make your own beauty products and be in control of what you put on your skin.
Related Post: How To Make Your House Smell Like Fall Without Toxic Chemicals
29) Garage Sales
Shopping garage sales is a perfect weekend hobby to get moms out of the house and searching for amazing finds.
30) Cookie Decorating
Decorating cookies is a new and growing hobby among moms who love to back. There are a ton of tutorials available online to give you the inspiration and the know-how to get started.
Final Thoughts on Hobbies for Moms
When you become a mom, it’s easy to lose your sense of self amongst your family’s daily to-do lists and needs.
And while you may feel like you have no time to devote to anything else, a little outlet may be exactly what you need to maintain your identity and refill your own bucket so that you have the positive energy and attitude to be the best mom you can be.
Hobbies don’t have to be expensive or time-consuming either. Even just a few minutes a day or even once a week can make a huge difference and help you to remember who you were before becoming a mom.
