17 Minimalist Hobbies to Try That Don't Require a Lot of Supplies

Have you given up Netflix for Lent?  Or maybe you plan to stay off Facebook or Instagram for now.  Or you might be staying home from restaurants, bars, or the casino.  If you're giving up one of your usual entertainment options, you may suddenly have a lot of free time and not much idea of what to do with it.

Trying a new hobby is a great idea, but if you're the type who usually goes all in, that can get complicated and expensive very quickly.  You could buy a guitar and sign up for lessons, only to let it sit and collect dust after watching one YouTube tutorial.  You could purchase a tennis racket and a cute court-approved outfit, but discover that you don't have the speed or hand-eye coordination to play the game.

So you don't want an activity that requires an investment in a lot of expensive new supplies.  Minimalist hobbies are the answer since they're low-budget, easy to abandon if they're not the right fit, and don't require lots of shopping to get started.

Whether you're looking for a new way to be creative, a way to get some exercise, or a way to get mindful and calm, these minimal-gear hobbies let you start right away without the pressure of a big commitment.

Fun minimalist hobbies

1.  Get back into reading.

I used to be an avid reader, averaging 40-50 books a year.  A few years ago, I noticed that I spent much less time reading books and a lot more time skimming articles and following clickbait online.  How did I make reading a regular habit again?  I went back to my public library!

Instead of spending $10 and up on each paperback or e-book, I get most of my reading for free.  (Yes, I still occasionally buy a book.)  As a bonus, if I wind up not liking a library book, I just return it the next time I'm there.  There are thousands and thousands of books, so I don't feel guilty about not finishing one.

I most recently enjoyed Heft by Liz Moore, Erica Bauermeister's No Two Persons, and Once Upon a River* by Diane Setterfield.

* This blog is reader-supported, with NO ADS.  If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission.

2.  Start a journal.

You probably have a notebook somewhere in the back of a closet or desk drawer.  Now's the time to use it!  You can start by noting just one thing that happened (or that you heard or saw) each day.  Alternatively, keep track of things you're grateful for, jot down favorite quotes, or write out your prayers like Aibileen in The Help.  Whatever you decide, recording your thoughts lets you be mindful and reflective.

3.  Get your steps in.

There's a reason why walking is such a popular workout.  It's as easy as going out the front door, and it keeps you strong and flexible.  Take along your playlist or a podcast and you can listen or learn while you do it, but if you have the chance to walk in a park or someplace a bit wilder, consider going device-free so you can really observe the world around you.

4.  Write a letter.

Yes, this is old school.  We can easily keep in touch via phone calls, texts, email, and social media.  But there is something very special about slowing down and writing an actual letter to a friend.  Don't you miss the days when snail mail could mean something fun and personal, instead of a pile of bills and junk?  All it takes is a card or some paper, an envelope, a stamp, and some time.  I guarantee you'll make someone's day.

5.  Do yoga at home.

You don't need to sign up for expensive yoga sessions or buy any equipment except a mat (chair yoga doesn't even require that).  There are tons of tutorials online, and you can get a satisfying workout in complete privacy.

6.  Try a new recipe.

Save money, eat healthier, and be more self-sufficient by experimenting with some of those recipes you've been meaning to try.  Cooking together is a fun at-home date night activity with your significant other, too.

7.  Take up watercoloring.

Watercolors require paper, inexpensive paint, and water.  You can't get much simpler than that!  It doesn't take much space, and it doesn't make much of a mess.  Plus, it's easy to get some decent results right away.

8.  Assemble a photo album.

In the age of digital photos and nearly unlimited cloud storage space, there's something special about preserving memories in a physical album.  Take time to print out and catalog your favorite snapshots, from big events like weddings, birthdays, and graduations, to the little everyday moments.  Your photo book can even double as a coffee table book, adding a personal touch and a conversation starter to your living room.

9.  Do a home project.

If you've been thinking about a little home refresh, now's the time to make it happen.  Whether you want to revamp an old or thrifted furniture piece, try out a new wall color, sew up some throw pillow covers, hang a new light fixture, or pull together a cozy reading nook, you'll spend some enjoyable hours making your home a little happier.  Be sure to look at what you already have that can be swapped or tweaked, then check out thrift shops or Facebook Marketplace for budget-friendly items.

10.  Go retro with table games.

There are a lot of exciting and inventive video games out there, but there's something special about gathering friends or family around a vintage board game like Clue, Monopoly, or Scrabble.  Remind yourself why these games have been favorites for generations.  You probably have one or more of these in a closet somewhere, or you might find lightly used sets in a thrift store.  Another option is to grab a deck of cards and play one of dozens of possible games.

11.  Grow something.

Yes, you can spend a fortune getting into gardening.  But why not start with just a couple of tomato plants, or even a windowsill herb garden?  Or pick up a miniature rose from the garden department in your grocery store, and get ready to enjoy beautiful little blooms all summer.

12.  Look for the birds.

Lots of people think birding is boring, but it can be very relaxing, and it's a great way to get out of the house and into nature.  There's a lot to learn about different species of birds, their characteristics, behaviors, and songs, so start with an app that can help you identify the birds you see or hear.  Then take your binoculars to the back yard, park, or nature preserve.

13.  Cross stitch.

Counted cross stitch can have a lot of detail and color shading, yet it's very easy to follow a pattern and create a little work of art.  The supplies are basic, and you only need to learn one easy stitch to get started.  Begin with an inexpensive kit to see if you enjoy this relaxing craft.

14.  Play pickleball.

If you've ever played tennis, badminton, or ping pong, but either don't want to invest in expensive equipment or don't have the energy for a strenuous sport, pickleball might be for you.  You don't even have to play a formal game to have some fun and get a little exercise.  You do need a partner, and you need the rackets and balls, which are easy to store and transport.  You can start by hitting the ball back and forth as many times as possible without keeping score.

15.  Create with crochet.

Crochet is affordable, portable, giftable, endlessly versatile, provides quick results, and is rhythmic, mindful, and soothing.  That's a lot of amazing benefits from an activity that requires only a ball of yarn and a hook.  Get a book with clear instructions and simple patterns, or check out some YouTube videos, and start hooking.

16.  Whittle like Grandpa.

Do you have a Swiss army knife?  (If not, let my husband Jon explain why you need one.)  Do you have access to twigs and small branches from trees in your yard or a park?  Do you have this indispensable book?  Then you're ready to use your hands to create all kinds of nifty tools, toys, and decorative items for basically zero cost.  My grandfather could always delight us with something he'd whittle in about five minutes which we'd then play with for an hour.

17.  Sing.

Does your church have a choir, or is there a community chorus in your town?  If you can carry a tune and make a weekly commitment, singing in a choir is energizing, social, cultural, and has the added joy of entertaining and inspiring an audience.  You might have to buy your own music (and maybe concert attire), but the only other costs are your time and talent.  If you can read music, that's a plus, but many groups like this will nurture you until you learn the basic skills.

The joy of hobbies

Everyone benefits from a hobby or two.  Hobbies

• reduce stress by letting you spend time on something you enjoy
• provide scope for creativity and imagination
• make you more knowledgeable and interesting
• help you develop patience and skills
• improve your sense of accomplishment and self-esteem
• promote mindfulness and concentration
• can create a social life and let you bond with others who share your interests
• allow you to stay active and physically and emotionally healthy

Which hobbies mean the most to you?

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