I tend to talk a lot about how important it is for people to have hobbies, especially creative ones. Research has shown that hobbies can improve our mental wellbeing and, anecdotally, I’ve noticed a big improvement in my mental health since I started crocheting consistently.
But it can get expensive quickly to try out new hobbies if you’re not lucky enough to find something you enjoy right away. Buying materials for your latest experiment can almost make you feel like you have to stick to a certain hobby because of the financial investment you’ve put into it.
Want to know what a great way is to ruin a hobby quickly? Forcing yourself to try to like something that you just… don’t.
I thought I’d share a few ideas on ways you can try out new hobbies without having to pay a bunch of money just to find out you don’t enjoy something as much as you thought you would. The first two options on the list will cost some money, but the latter two can get you started with absolutely no money needed!
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Get a Subscription Box or Craft Kit
One method you can use to try out new hobbies is to sign up for a subscription box or purchase a craft kit. There are tons and tons of options out there.
Several years ago, I signed up for KiwiCo Studio for a bit (though I think it was called something like KiwiCo Maker Crate at the time). This is a subscription box that sends a different craft kit each month. I got kits for things like punch needle, embroidery, and making gilded journals. I liked the surprise of not knowing what activity I’d get for the month and found some of them were really unique ideas that I wouldn’t have thought to try on my own. And no, I’m not getting paid to say any of that!
If you like a bit more predictability, you could forgo the mystery subscription and opt to buy a craft kit instead. I’d highly recommend going on Etsy to see what you can find. There are tons of small businesses on there that sell high quality kits that come with everything you need for a specific project.
Sign Up for a Local Class
Another great option if you’re looking to try out new hobbies is signing up for a local class (or two). A lot of community centers, art studios, and other creative businesses will host classes to help introduce people to creative hobbies. You can also look to see if your town has a parks and recreation department that hosts classes – lots of them do, at least here in the US!
Perhaps the most common type of class is the “paint and sip” class that combines a guided painting with some wine, but I’ve also seen quite a few others in my area like glass blowing, candle-making, and pottery to name a few. Take a look around, you might be surprised by what you find!
Check Out the Library
I mention checking out your local library often, but it’s because libraries are awesome! Your local library (assuming you have one) can be a fantastic resource if you’re looking to try out new hobbies. A lot of libraries, mine included, actually have kits that you can borrow that come with the necessary materials and tools for you to give the hobby a try. Often they’ll also have instructional books in the kit or available to borrow as well.
Another way libraries can be helpful with trying something new is by providing access to expensive machines that you may not be able to afford or may not want to buy until you’re sure you’ll actually use them. Libraries can often have things like Cricuts, 3D printers, laser cutters, and more that you can try out.
Some libraries may require you to pay a small few for materials, but others may not require anything except for you to take a short instructional class (so they can make sure you know how to use the machine without breaking it!).
Use Community Groups
One last tip for those of you looking to try out new hobbies without breaking the bank is to check out local community groups on places like Facebook. There are groups like Buy Nothing where people will gladly give you stuff they aren’t using anymore and that can include supplies needed for hobbies. I’ve gotten yarn several times from these kinds of groups and actually got my first handful of knitting needles from one as well.
You can also look to see if there are any local groups specific to the hobby you’re interested in trying out. Often you’ll be able to find people who have a lot of extra supplies and are looking to get rid of some of them for cheap or even free. They may also have some suggestions on local places to look into.
Just make sure if you go this route and find someone willing to give you some things, be safe and try to meet up in a public place!
While I obviously can’t guarantee you’ll be able to find what you’re looking for with some of these, these four options are a great place to start when looking for ways to try out new hobbies without spending an arm and a leg to get what you need to get started. Give them a try – you may be surprised what you’re able to find!
Not sure what hobbies you may be interested in? Check out my post on finding new hobbies and if you’re still stuck, sign up for the Emko Misc. newsletter and you’ll get a guide with suggestions for 25 creative hobbies that are worth checking out and don’t have huge startup costs.
