Everyone’s got something they love to do in their free time — whether it’s diving into a great book, tending to a garden, crafting a masterpiece, or exploring the outdoors. To find out what sparks your creativity and keeps you inspired, we asked NCP panel members to share their thoughts in our Let’s Talk Hobbies Survey.
So, grab your knitting needles, paintbrushes, or hiking boots — and let’s dive into the results to see how hobbies are shaping our days, our goals, and maybe even our futures!
Hobby Habits & Preferences
A closer look at what keeps us busy (and happy!).
Do most people have hobbies they enjoy?
85% Yes
15% No
Which types of hobbies are people most interested in?
23% Creative (painting, writing, music, etc.)
15% Skill-based (cooking, coding, woodworking, etc.)
15% Nature & Outdoor Leisure (Gardening, bird watching, fishing, etc.)
14% Travel & Exploration (Road trips, cultural experiences, exploring new places, etc.)
12% Active (sports, fitness, hiking, dancing, etc.)
10% Entertainment & Tech (Video games, board games, virtual reality, etc.)
6% Social & Community (Volunteering, community clubs, etc.)
5% Collecting (stamps, coins, vintage items, etc.)
Do people prefer solo or group hobbies?
75% Solo hobbies I do on my own
14% Social hobbies that are more about connecting with others
11% Group hobbies with a shared activity (like classes or clubs)
What are the most popular hobbies? (Top 10)
Reading
Crafting
Cooking or baking
Gardening or plant care
Sewing, knitting, crocheting, etc.
Video gaming
Travel
Puzzles or brain games
Fitness (personal training, classes, etc.)
Outdoor activities (hiking, biking, running, etc.)
How much time do people spend on hobbies each week?
36% 1 – 3 hours
31% 4 – 6 hours
27% 7 or more hours
6% Less than one hour
Spending & Shopping Habits
From craft stores to online carts – here’s how hobbyists shop.
Where do people shop for hobby supplies?
36% Amazon or other online marketplaces
19% Other unique stores
19% Mass merchandise retailers (Target, Walmart, etc.)
18% Craft/specialty stores
8% Thrift stores/secondhand shops
How often do hobbyists shop for supplies?
37% Occasionally, when starting something new
23% A few times a month
19% Rarely, I use what I already have
12% Only replace worn-out items
9% Stock up weekly
How much do people spend on hobbies each year?
40% $100 – $499
35% Less than $100
12% $500 – $999
7% $1,000 – $2,499
6% $2,500 or more
How do people discover new hobbies?
35% Stick to what they know
26% Friends/family recommendations
18% Online searches
16% Use social media
5% Classes or workshops
Goals & Aspirations
Why hobbies inspire us and where we want to go next.
Why do people start new hobbies?
42% Learn something new
41% Relax and reduce stress
10% Achieve a personal goal or milestone
7% Meet people with similar interests
Do people want to turn their hobbies into careers?
36% Would love to
34% Maybe someday
28% Prefer keeping hobbies separate
2% Already have
Which new hobbies are people most interested in trying? (asked only of those who currently don’t have a hobby)
28% Travel & Exploration
16% Nature & Outdoor Leisure
13% Skill-based hobbies
11% Creative hobbies
10% Social & Community activities
8% Entertainment & Tech
8% Active hobbies (sports, fitness, hiking, etc.)
6% Collecting (stamps, coins, vintage items, etc.)
That’s it for this edition of In The Know! What do you think of the survey results from our panel members? I’d love to hear about any hobbies you have!
Regards,
Taylor
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I like crafting with my grandson and playing games and watching movies.
I am a gourd artist and like to turn various shaped gourds into creatures, I use clay for arms, legs, teeth to make them more realistic. Just a fun hobby that makes for fun gifts or to sit around the house welcoming guests. I also like woodworking and have built things like a cedar chest for my daughter that sits at the end of her bed and wine racks and bird houses, etc. I also like steampunk stuff, so I have a big collections of different sizes of pipes and other odd ball stuff that can become a steampunk work of art. The wife and I love to travel and have been fortunate enough to see lots of the world, like England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Netherlands, Germany, France, Norway, Finland, Tahitian Islands, Puerto Rico, and most of the US. We are fans of Mickey Mouse and like to visit Walt Disney World a couple times each year. As a retired almost 80 year-old, I have plenty of time to do fun stuff and not worry about having to earn a paycheck any more.
I have a couple of hobbies. I like to bake cookies and royal ice them. Takes patience and time but fun. I’ll get to the professional look someday. I also love to bake yeast breads and Cinnamon Rolls. I’ve been told I give Cinnabon a run for their money.
My hobbies include gardening, painting, & crafting.
I love playing different games I play games off and on all day long 10 to 15 hours and more aday
I love to create with paper and make greeting cards scrapbooks junk journals abstract art I also like to recycle things to create art with such as containers or ticket stubs junk mail etc. but I also sew and crochet and needle felt I also paint.
I have had the hobby of gardening about 20 years. I have a green thumb
And I forget about everything when I am growing or watering my plants