Oncey you retire, you might discover you have more time on your hands. Now is a great time to start exploring new hobbies and activities! But many activities associated with retirement — like golfing, traveling, and fishing — aren’t geared towards creative types who would rather make something at home than go out.
Luckily, there are plenty of hobbies that don’t need much time, money, or physical capability — and can take place in your own living room. Retirement offers a perfect opportunity to learn new skills, so take a look at these seven different retirement hobbies that are perfect for creative types.
1. Painting and Drawing
Creating artwork like paintings and drawings is an activity that has almost no limitations on what can be created. From watercolors to acrylics to oils to charcoals, there are countless mediums of art, so you can find the perfect one that works best for you.
Local community centers typically have plenty of art classes that are great for beginners. These also provide seniors with a new way to get out of the house and socialize with others. Whether you go big with canvases and materials or keep it simple with a few pencils and paper, painting and drawing can help you feel relaxed and calm while helping you build your artistic skills.
Read more ways to keep your brain sharp at any age.
2. Crafting
Crafting is another example of a creative activity that doesn't require a lot of mobility or physical effort, and it includes all kinds of hobbies such as:
- Jewelry making
- Needlework
- Beadwork
- Scrapbooking
- Knitting
- Soap and candle making
- Crocheting
- Creating home decor items
Crafting can also be a way to make a little extra money after retirement. Going to craft shows or selling your items online can be a fun way to earn some extra cash while exploring a new activity and meeting plenty of new people.
Check out these modern craft activities for seniors.
3. Cooking
There are almost an unlimited number of ways to learn new cooking skills, from looking at old family recipes to watching cooking shows to swapping ideas with friends. There’s so many recipes out there that everyone from the most basic beginner to seasoned experts can find something new to work with.
Cooking also provides seniors with a way to take control of their health, explore different cuisines, and share meals with others. Whether you’re gaining a few basic cooking skills or perfecting your talents, retirement is a perfect time to explore new cooking opportunities. Looking for some great beginner recipes to get started with? Click the link below to try some healthy options!
4. Pottery
Pottery is an often overlooked but incredibly satisfying hobby. It typically requires a significant amount of time, which makes it a perfect creative outlet for retired seniors who can now afford to dedicate the necessary hours to create ceramics.
Pottery is also a great workout! While not intense, pottery activates the whole body, especially in wheel-throwing pottery. This is a great hobby to keep up your strength and range of motion in your hands and arms, but also your core.
Like many other crafting opportunities, pottery gives seniors a chance to earn some additional income by selling their wares either online or at festivals and craft shows. Pottery can create useful items like bowls, plates, and vases, or fun home decor items and abstract art pieces.
5. Woodworking
If you like a hands-on approach to retirement hobbies and want to try something a little out of the box, then woodworking might be an excellent option. While getting the right tools can be an expensive up-front cost, woodworking is a wonderful creative outlet that your friends and family might not have seen before.
6. Gardening
If you think that all gardening involves kneeling down in the dirt and having to perform back-breaking labor, then you would be wrong! Gardening can take place out of doors in flower beds, but it can also be adapted to meet a senior’s needs, especially if getting up and down is difficult.
Container gardening is a great way to get enjoyment out of planting and growing your own flowers or vegetables without having to perform as much physical labor. Raised containers like planters, baskets, and pots can help you protect your back health, and can take place both indoors and outdoors.
7. Writing
If you've ever wanted to write a book, retirement is a great time to start! As you age, you might discover that there are many things you want to record and preserve for posterity. Or you might have some creative ideas that you want to explore through writing. Either way, there’s never a better time to start than today!
Writing can include everything from novels to poems to short stories, as well as everything in between. If you are looking for a good place to start, then consider reminiscence writing as a way to help you connect to past events while providing helpful therapeutic results.
While writing can be purely for yourself, remember that many great writers got their start later in life, like Mark Twain, Toni Morrison, and J.R.R. Tolkien. It's never too late to try something new and flex your creative muscles!
If you are looking for a community in which you can grow in after retirement, consider a luxury assisted living community like Vista Springs. With activity groups, catered living, and plenty of socialization opportunities, there’s many ways to explore new hobbies! Tour one of our communities today!
This article was originally published on November 27, 2019, and was last updated on April 4, 2023.
