HOBBIES FOR KIDS

1.GARDENING.

Aside from the obvious appeal of a hobby that allows kids to get their hands dirty, gardening is also an excellent activity for mindfulness, so it will calm your kid down while providing a physical workout to boot. Bonus: You don’t even need to have an outdoor space of your own for your child to put their green thumb to work, because time spent at a community garden can be equally rewarding.

2.CHESS.

This classic game of strategy provides a stimulating challenge at every level of play. The critical thinking involved in chess also has major brain-boosting benefited kids can join chess clubs and compete in tournaments for some friendly competition as their skill-level increases.

3.YOGA.

Yoga is a well-known and widely practiced activity that strengthens muscles, improves physical fitness and calms the mind—and it’s not just for grown-ups. Yoga classes for kids are an excellent option for young people who want a hobby that involves physical activity, without the competitive component of most other sports.

4.PUZZLES.

Spatial task performance, hand-eye coordination and abstract thinking all get a major boost from this classic, boredom-busting activity. As a hobby, puzzles are an ideal way to get kids to kick their after school screen time habit in favor of something more stimulating...and it’s hard to beat the sense of the satisfaction that comes when a jigsaw is complete.

5.BREADMAKING.

Breadmaking is both an art and a science; it’s also a great way to keep your kid busy with a rewarding, hands-on activity. There are a variety of beginner-friendly bread recipes, as well as more skilled recipes for kids to tackle once they’ve learned the basics. Best of all, the breadmaking process leaves plenty of room for creativity and the end result pairs well with a few of our favorite things (i.e., butter, cheese and wine).

6.CALLIGRAPHY.

Considered to be a high art form in China, calligraphy is basically fancy and beautiful handwriting, done with a special brush or pen. This hobby will improve handwriting, motor skills and concentration—but don’t worry, it’s actually a lot more fun for kids than a lesson with the stodgy cursive teacher at school. In fact, calligraphy is an excellent creative outlet that encourages mindfulness and builds confidence in kids.

7.COIN COLLECTING.

Young history buffs will have a blast searching for and collecting rare coins to commemorate the past, while expanding their knowledge of politics and geography in the process. Needless to say, a good find is rewarding, as is seeing the entire collection come together over time. (Psst: This hobby also happens to be an excellent opportunity to improve organizational skills.)

8.MAGIC.

Any hobby that involves entertaining and bringing joy to others is sure to boost confidence in kids, and magic fits the bill. Other than the benefits to self-esteem, learning magic also helps develop critical thinking skills...and it’s just plain fun for children of all ages.

9.BOWLING.

Bowling provides a physical challenge that improves hand-eye coordination, strength and balance. This entertaining sport is also a great social opportunity for kids, since the game typically features more laid-back competition and time to chat with new friends in between turns. One last neat thing about bowling: It can even help with math and counting skills (i.e., as your kid keeps a running tally of their score).

10.ORIGAMI.

Origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, is a unique and creative hobby for kids that helps hone both fine motor and critical thinking skills. It’s also particularly budget-friendly since there is a wealth of free tutorials and resources available online, which kids can use to teach themselves the craft.