Creative, Engaging, Plus Loads of Fun: 12 Unusual Hobbies For Children

Too much screen time never did anyone, especially children, any good. And excessive dependence on phones and tablets will only serve to stunt children’s curiosity. According to new research published in JAMA Pediatrics, children exposed to screen time for an average of two hours a day performed worse on attention and executive functions by age 9. As children are by nature full of curiosity and wonder about the world around them, why not introduce them to unusual hobbies that will stimulate their minds and keep them away from screens for some time?

Before we explore some exciting activities, let’s look at the benefits of hobbies for children:

• Help reduce stress
• Nurture creativity
• Improve cognitive skills
• Boost physical and mental health
• Build social skills
• Teach time management
• Expand knowledge
• More importantly, banish BOREDOM

Here are a few hobbies to spark your little one’s creativity and keep them engaged for hours on end.

Plane spotting:
Plane spotting is an unusual hobby that kids can pick up and enjoy. Now, why on earth would anyone waste time spotting planes? Well, the obvious answer is, it’s not just about watching planes take off and land. It also involves tracking the movement of different aircraft and taking pictures or recording videos of the same. Plane spotters (yes, people who have this hobby are called that) also record information regarding the different planes, the make and build, airline routes, and more. With time, experienced plane spotters may be able to make note of more features such as the distinctive noise coming from the engine of a particular aircraft and the size and number of an aircraft.

Toy voyaging:
Probably the most unusual hobby in this list, toy voyaging is one where your child’s toy goes on an adventure. Confused? Well, your child has to send their toy on a vacation, across the country or even the world, to another child who is into toy voyaging. Once the toy reaches the destination, the host will take the toy to popular tourist spots and click pictures, and even include it in activities as a spectator. The host will also jot down journals for your child to read about. In a similar manner, your child can become a toy voyager for some other child’s toy.

Entomology:
Most people are quite afraid of bugs. But if your little one finds the world of insects fascinating, you can guide them toward entomology—the study of insects. You can help your child learn about the different species of insects, such as ants, bees, beetles, and butterflies, and their many unique features. Instead of overwhelming your child with information and resources, make a simple start. For instance, you can help them take pictures of different insects they come across in the house or outside and compile them into one album.

Astronomy: 
What better way for kids to spend a clear night than by gazing up toward the sky and seeing countless stars? Getting kids interested in astronomy is a great way for them to invest their time in a wonderful hobby. You can begin by taking your child to the local planetarium, buying them a budget telescope, and guiding them as they learn about planets, comets, stars, and galaxies.

Meme painting:
Today, it’s impossible to escape from the world of gadgets completely! So here’s a hobby that best suits tweens and teens, who enjoy sharing memes. Check with your tween/teen, and they’ll tell you about their favorite memes. Ask them if they would like to paint a meme that never fails to make them smile. What’s more, there is always money to be earned by painting memes!

Manga collecting:
If your child has an awe-inspiring collection of comics, such as Tinkle, Tintin, and Asterix, and wants new comics to collect, introduce them to manga. Manga refers to Japanese comic books and graphic novels. Your child can start collecting a particular series or explore multiple series at once. They may soon start collecting the works of their favorite mangakas (manga artists). Apart from the thrill of getting their hands on some limited-edition comics, your child can improve their reading and vocabulary on the side.

Note: Help your child pick age-appropriate manga, as some of them may contain inappropriate content.

Flower pressing:

Boost your child’s sense of wonder by introducing them to this wonderful hobby. Flower pressing is one hobby that teaches children about the different changes occurring in nature. A relatively inexpensive hobby, all your child requires is a flower pressing kit. They can even use a heavy book to dry flowers or leaves inside the pages. With these pressed flowers, your child can make framed pictures, create cards, or decorate bookmarks and gift wrapping paper.

Soap carving: This is not only an unusual hobby for kids but a rather creative and beautiful one, too! Soap carving does not take time, and the amount of gratification children can derive from looking at the finished product is immense. Soap carving involves making carvings or markings on bar soaps. However, some special tools are required for this hobby, which means you may have to shell out some money.

Knitting:
Although knitting is seen as a hobby or activity for adults, it has many benefits for children! It can foster creativity in kids, calm them down, build focus and concentration, and can be done either as an individual or in a group. What’s more, knitting can help build self-esteem in children when they finish knitting and feel a sense of accomplishment. You can guide your child on this hobby, which can be done by hand or by machine.

Tapestry:
A form of textile art, tapestry involves weaving by hand on a loom. In simple terms, a tapestry is any picture that is woven onto a cloth. It can be a great hobby for kids to express their creative side by making hangings for walls, banners, or mats, as tapestry involves the use of colors in different ways. Besides, tapestry involves a wide range of design possibilities and gives kids the chance to grow at their own pace.

Wood carving/Woodworking:
Wood carving is all about creating figures or designs on wood, while woodworking involves making items out of wood—bowls, tables, and cabinets. These activities can help your child start to value nature and its products and teach them how to safely handle sharp tools. More importantly, working on wood fosters your child’s imagination and creativity. While engaged in this activity, your child will also learn about the different types of wood.

Note: Wood carving/Woodworking should be done under parental supervision, especially for little children.

Creating comic book characters: 
What could be more exciting for kids than creating comic book characters? And this unusual hobby will prove to be a great one to tap into your child’s imagination. Every comic needs a character to make it popular. Think Tintin, Asterix, or Chhota Bheem. Your child can start by brainstorming, or maybe get inspired by their favorite characters. Then, they can decide on the type of comics and the tone—funny, adventurous, serious, etc.

Next, they can do some light sketches of the character they have in mind, select a setting for the story to take place, create an interesting plot that readers may like, and voilà! All good to go!

From the above-mentioned list of unusual hobbies, we are sure your child will pick one or even two and spend hours involved in polishing the hobby. Go ahead and let them start today.