Fun and Easy Hobbies for Older Women

One of the biggest benefits of aging is the amount of free time we have. This means we can now fill our free time doing things we are passionate about or want to learn more about. Finding a hobby you love is important because it can keep your mind and body healthy, happy and active. But I’ve heard from many of my readers that they have no idea where to start to find something new. Many of us spend our time working or taking care of others, so prioritizing ourselves is a foreign concept. I recently started knitting again after sharing this.I decided to see what other hobbies you have for us. If you’re looking for something fun to try in your spare time, I’ve compiled a list of some fun and easy hobbies older women can try.

Hobbies for Women Over 50 and 60

pickle ball

Pickleball is a combination of tennis, badminton and table tennis that can be played in pairs or singles. It is very popular because it is easy to learn and the equipment list is very short as you only need a racket and a plastic ball with holes. This game is slower paced than tennis, the short-handled racket is easier to use, and there is less room to cover on the court, making it easier for beginners to learn and perhaps advance quickly! It’s a great exercise for your body and brain, as it gets your feet moving, is sociable, and works your hand-eye coordination. We took a few pickle classes when we first moved here and it was so much fun, so I might look back on it this spring.

Horticulture

Whether you’re just aiming to beautify your landscape or grow your own food, the best thing about gardening is that it can be anything you want it to be. ..if you don’t have a black thumb like me. Gardening encourages you to spend time in nature, which can be a great stress reliever! Plus, a busy day in the garden is as tiring as a good workout session, and the creative side of designing your pots, beds, and window boxes is a great mental stimulation. Please don’t forget your sunscreen and hat to protect your skin from harmful UV rays! If you’re looking for more social interaction, join your local garden club, which usually meets once a month or fortnight.

Golf

Spending a few hours playing golf outside with some female friends is a great way to combine a social and physical activity into a fun-filled hobby! Golf requires mental focus and critical thinking while allowing you to reduce stress. If you’re new to golf, I recommend starting with a few lessons at your local golf course or golf club to help you learn the basics like which clubs to use when and how to swing your clubs. Or if your husband plays, this could be a great bonding opportunity! Most courses have a putting green and a driving range so you can take your skills for a test drive before taking them for an actual round on the course.

needle point

If you decide to try this crafty hobby, you may become addicted to it. All of our holidays I would buy canvases to sew as souvenirs. Needlework is a great way to get creative and a hobby you can do when you’re watching your favorite show, on a long car trip, or when you’re stuck at home during the cold winter months. I like to have mine stapled to a frame which helps keep it stretched and straight. Here are a few starter kits to get you started.

To exercise

While I don’t know if I’d consider it a hobby or not, I think it’s important to fill your time with some form of exercise. While it may be just a 30-minute walk each day, you can get your body moving with an exercise class. Weight management is great for lowering your blood pressure and lowering your risk of disease while improving your heart health. You can choose from yoga, pilates, barre, water aerobics, line dancing and many more that are great for older women. Of course, you can do these activities alone, but doing them in a classroom setting allows you to get out of the house, stay accountable, and make new friends. I suggest checking your local community center, YMCA or gym. I also found some great tutorials you can take online.

Read

Whether you like to read nonfiction to learn more about a topic or transport yourself to an imaginary world through a juicy fiction novel, reading is very beneficial for your brain. I usually like to read when I have a real book, but also Kindle Paper White very nice to fit in my bag for travel. Or if you prefer to listen to audiobooks, I suggest you join audible (Amazon’s Audiobook Store and Subscription)! Still, I’d love to hear what some of your favorite books are that you’ve read in the comments below.

Puzzles, Crosswords and Sudoku

Protect your brain function and memory skills by spending some of your free time doing crosswords, crosswords or sudoku. They also help develop concentration and thinking skills. It’s easy to spend our free time in the waiting room at the doctor’s office or wait for our coffee to scroll through our phone, but what if we found a crossword or sudoku book instead?

Card and Dice Games/Bridge

Get socially engaged and mentally challenged by participating in a game of bridge. If you don’t have a local friend for you, invite a few friends to learn the game with you. If you’re not a fan of bridge, you can try buncos, spades or even poker! We are avid card players in our family. Even my aunt travels with cards in her bag :).

volunteering

If you’re looking for a hobby to support personal growth and enrich your life, look no further than volunteering. Donating your time, energy, and resources to others is very satisfying and rewarding.

Start shopping for your new hobby:

What are your favorite hobbies that you started? Let me know in the comments!