Being a parent is rewarding, but finding time for yourself can be hard. This list of family hobbies is built for busy moms and dads: most you can share with your kids, and a few are just for you once bedtime comes around.
They’re grouped by type, so you can jump straight to outdoor adventures, active hobbies, creative projects or things to do at home. Looking for ideas aimed at the kids themselves? See our best hobbies for kids.
Each hobby includes a rough age guide. Every child is different, so use it as a starting point, not a rule.
Outdoor hobbies to share with your kids
1. Hiking
Hiking lets the whole family explore the outdoors and get exercise without it feeling like a workout. Pick trails that suit your children’s age and fitness, and build up distance as they grow.
Ages: all ages (use a carrier for babies)
2. Nature walks
Nature walks are hiking’s slower, easier cousin. Wander a local park or nature preserve and stop to look at plants, insects and animal tracks along the way. They’re ideal with toddlers.
Ages: all ages
3. Camping
Camping lets you unplug and spend real time together. Setting up a tent, cooking outdoors and telling stories around the campfire teach kids self-sufficiency and create memories that last.
Ages: all ages for campground camping; save backcountry trips for older kids
4. Geocaching
Geocaching is a real-world treasure hunt. Use the free Geocaching app to find hidden containers (“caches”) near your home or while traveling. It mixes outdoor exploring with problem-solving, and kids love the thrill of the find.
Ages: 4+
5. Birdwatching
All you need is a backyard feeder or a local park and a pair of binoculars. Learning to identify birds by sight and sound sharpens children’s observation skills and builds a love of wildlife. Start with our guide to bird watching for beginners.
Ages: 4+
6. Astronomy
Stargazing turns an ordinary evening into an adventure. Learn the constellations together, spot planets with binoculars, and later invest in a telescope. Our guide to the best Dobsonian telescopes is a good place to start.
Ages: 5+
7. Fishing
Fishing at a local lake or river is relaxing and adventurous at the same time. Kids learn patience and about different fish species, and you get quiet time away from screens.
Ages: 4+
8. Gardening
Gardening teaches kids where food comes from and how to care for living things. Give each child a small plot or a few pots, so they can watch their own plants grow.
Ages: 3+
9. Beekeeping
A backyard hive teaches children why bees matter to the ecosystem and how honey is made. Families can check the hive together and share the reward at harvest time, with proper protective gear for everyone.
Ages: older kids (around 10+), with protective gear and supervision
10. Surfing
Surfing suits families with older children who are confident swimmers. Start with lessons from a surf school, then plan family trips to beginner-friendly beaches.
Ages: older kids who are strong swimmers
11. Diving
Diving isn’t only for adults. Many dive centers run family-friendly courses, and junior scuba certifications are available for older children. It’s an unforgettable way to explore the underwater world together.
Ages: 10+ for junior scuba courses; younger kids can start with snorkeling
Active hobbies for the whole family
12. Running
Running suits parents with older kids. Train together for a local fun run, set goals and celebrate finishing. It builds fitness, discipline and a real sense of accomplishment.
Ages: 5+ for kids’ fun runs; longer races for teens
13. Playing a sport
Tennis, soccer, swimming and other sports give families regular practice sessions and friendly matches. Teamwork and a little friendly competition strengthen the parent-child bond.
Ages: 4+, depending on the sport
14. Martial arts
Many studios offer family classes, so parents and kids can train side by side. Martial arts build fitness, confidence and self-discipline.
Ages: 5+
15. Fitness and home workouts
Jogging, cycling or a quick home workout keeps you in shape and shows kids that being active is part of everyday life. Let them join in or count your reps.
Ages: all ages
16. Yoga
Yoga improves flexibility and helps you unwind, and it needs nothing but floor space. Try kids’ yoga videos to practice together as a family.
Ages: 3+
17. Dancing
Dance classes or a living-room dance party get everyone moving. It’s exercise that doesn’t feel like exercise, for parents and children of any age.
Ages: all ages
Creative and hands-on hobbies
18. Painting
Set up an art corner with paints and brushes where everyone can create together. Display the results proudly at home.
Ages: 2+
19. Sketching
Sketching needs only a sketchbook and a pencil, so it’s easy to bring on walks or trips. Drawing the same scene side by side is a fun way to practice together.
Ages: 4+
20. Photography
Photography lets you capture your family’s adventures and preserve memories. Give your kids a camera of their own and see the world through their eyes. Our guide to bird photography for beginners pairs well with birdwatching.
Ages: 5+
21. Pottery
Working with clay is hands-on and calming. Visit a family pottery class or paint-your-own studio, or set up a small station at home with air-dry clay.
Ages: 5+ (paint-your-own pottery works for younger kids)
22. Jewelry making
Beading, wire wrapping and metal stamping let parents and kids make personalized pieces together. Beading kits are a good, low-mess start.
Ages: 5+ with large beads; small beads are a choking hazard for little ones
23. Sewing
Sewing lets you make personalized items for yourself and your kids. Teach basic stitches, or let children pick the fabric for their own projects.
Ages: 7+ for hand sewing; older kids for a machine
24. Cross-stitching
Cross-stitch is a calm, relaxing craft. Beginner kits with large-hole fabric are perfect for introducing kids to needlework.
Ages: 7+
25. Calligraphy
Calligraphy turns handwriting into art. Start with brush pens and practice sheets, then make cards, labels and signs together.
Ages: 8+
26. Scrapbooking
Scrapbooking preserves family memories in a book you’ll treasure. Collect photos and mementos, then let kids help design each page.
Ages: 4+
27. Woodworking
Woodworking teaches patience and problem-solving while you build functional or decorative pieces. Start with simple kits like birdhouses, and supervise tool use.
Ages: 6+ with close supervision
28. Model building
Model cars, planes and buildings teach kids to follow instructions, handle small parts and customize their creations. Choose kits by age rating.
Ages: 8+ (check the kit’s age rating)
29. DIY projects
Building, crafting and upcycling household items together is cheap, creative and teaches practical skills. Pick projects that suit your kids’ ages.
Ages: 3+, depending on the project
30. Playing an instrument
Learn an instrument alongside your kids, or encourage them to take lessons while you pick one up too. Family jam sessions are a fun way to share music.
Ages: 5+
Hobbies to do at home together
31. Reading
Reading lets you escape into new worlds without leaving the house. Read aloud together, start a family book club, or set a regular quiet reading time.
Ages: all ages
32. Cooking
Involve kids in meal planning, grocery shopping and cooking. It’s family time and a life skill in one.
Ages: 3+ for simple tasks like washing and stirring
33. Baking
Baking is cooking’s sweeter side. Teach basic techniques, experiment with recipes and decorate your creations together.
Ages: 3+
34. Board games
A family game night builds strategy, critical thinking and plenty of laughter. Browse our cozy board games for a relaxing evening for ideas.
Ages: 3+, depending on the game
35. Collecting
Stamps, coins, rocks, seashells or sports cards: collecting can follow any family interest and teaches history and organization. Coins are an easy start, since they’re already in your pocket. Read is coin collecting a good hobby?
Ages: 5+
36. Microscopy
A beginner microscope turns your kitchen table into a science lab. Look at pond water, leaves, salt crystals and onion cells together. Try these fun microscope activities for kids.
Ages: 6+
37. Film appreciation
Turn movie night into a regular tradition and talk about the story, characters and messages afterward. Kids learn to think critically about what they watch.
Ages: all ages (choose age-appropriate films)
38. Genealogy
Trace your family history together: search historical records, interview grandparents and build a family tree. FamilySearch is a free place to start. It gives kids a sense of where they come from.
Ages: 8+
39. Organizing
Decluttering and organizing can be satisfying, and kids can help. Tackling one space at a time teaches responsibility and time management.
Ages: 3+
40. Stand-up comedy
Write jokes, practice your delivery and put on a family comedy night. It builds confidence and creativity, and guarantees laughs.
Ages: 5+
41. Volunteering
Family-friendly volunteering, like food drives, park cleanups and animal shelters, teaches kids empathy and the value of giving back.
Ages: varies by organization; many welcome kids with a parent
Hobbies just for parents
42. Writing
Writing gives you a private space to express your thoughts, whether that’s journaling, stories or a family blog. Encourage your kids to keep journals too.
Ages: parents; kids can keep journals from about 6+
43. Wine tasting and vineyard trips
For a grown-up night in, explore different wine varieties and try food pairings. Many vineyards also welcome families, with outdoor space for kids and non-alcoholic options like grape juice.
Ages: adults only
44. Home brewing and winemaking
Home brewing combines science and creativity. Learn the fermentation process, experiment with ingredients, and share your homemade beer or wine with adult friends and family.
Ages: adults only
Family hobbies FAQ
What are good hobbies for moms? Pick hobbies that fit into short windows of time: reading, yoga, writing, sketching, photography and gardening all work in 15–30 minutes. Add one you can share with your kids, like baking or nature walks.
What hobbies can stay-at-home moms do? Hobbies that work around naps and kids at home are best: baking, gardening, cross-stitching, sketching, birdwatching from a window, and scrapbooking. Many of them, like gardening and baking, the kids can join.
What are good hobbies for dads? Woodworking, fishing, camping, model building, astronomy and home brewing are popular picks, and most of them (all but home brewing) are easy to share with kids.
What are cheap family hobbies? Nature walks, hiking, reading with a library card, birdwatching, geocaching with the free app, volunteering, and playing board games you already own all cost little or nothing.
How do busy parents find time for hobbies? Choose hobbies the kids can join, keep sessions short, and trade off with a partner so each of you gets a regular hour to yourself.
Find your family’s next hobby
The best family hobby is the one everyone looks forward to. Try two or three from different sections and see what sticks. For more ideas, browse our full list of hobby ideas or our science hobbies anyone can do at home.
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