Rediscovering “Grandma Hobbies” Among Young Adults

Young people are starting to embrace activities traditionally associated with older generations, like knitting, gardening, and various arts and crafts.

Many Millennials and Gen Z individuals are taking an interest in what some call “grandma hobbies.” They seem to be realizing that nonstop screen time is, well, not great for their mental or physical health. It’s interesting, really.

From girls opting for dumb phones to taking up knitting and crocheting, exploring arts, and honing homemaking skills, there’s a trend toward the cozy and tactile. It feels like a step back towards something simpler.

Whether it’s knitting, gardening, or needlepoint, along with other hands-on pursuits like pottery and origami, younger generations are setting aside their phones. They’re looking for ways to unwind and fill their time. One person mentioned it feels a bit like playing a video game, only this time, it’s in the real world.

Interestingly, I’ve also been thinking about how older adults might have unknowingly had a grip on something good for their well-being. It’s something I’ve even touched on in my recent writing about the importance of older traditions, like teaching cursive in schools; I think this applies to younger adults as well.

Imagine my surprise if a young man took up knitting, but there are plenty of hobbies that don’t revolve around screens. There are countless options—golfing, coin-collecting, reading, running, fishing. The list really goes on.

Engaging in these activities clearly supports mental health and physical well-being. Various studies suggest that using your hands and maintaining grip strength could actually enhance longevity and stave off certain diseases.

Who would have guessed that grandparents, who spent their weekends weeding, planting, fishing, or tinkering, were actually onto something? They were living engaging, wise, and healthy lives all at once.