Hobbies Through the Decades
Hobbies come and go, reflecting the trends, technology, and culture of each era. What people do for fun says a lot about the times they live in.
In the 1950s, collecting stamps, model building, and ballroom dancing were all the rage. Families gathered around the radio or television, and
do-it-yourself projects were big, with many people learning how to knit or sew.
The 1960s brought a more adventurous spirit—folk music, photography, and surfing gained popularity. The rise of the space race also inspired a surge in
amateur astronomy.
By the 1970s, roller skating was everywhere, macramé wall hangings filled homes, and disco dancing was the go-to activity. CB radio culture also had its moment, with people chatting on the airwaves just for
fun.
In the 1980s, video games entered the scene in a big way, with arcades packed full of kids and home consoles like the NES bringing gaming into living rooms. Aerobics became a must-do fitness hobby, and collecting trading cards—baseball, Garbage Pail Kids, and beyond—was a favorite pastime.
The 1990s saw a tech shift with computer programming and internet browsing becoming hobbies. Scrapbooking was everywhere, and DIY beaded jewelry was a trend. Meanwhile, skateboarding and inline skating soared in popularity.
In the 2000s, social media changed everything—blogging, YouTube, and online forums turned digital spaces into hobby hubs. Sudoku puzzles took over, geocaching (a real-world treasure hunt using GPS) became a thing, and reality TV-inspired people to try cooking and home makeovers.
The 2010s brought a return to analog hobbies like knitting, baking, and bullet journaling, while esports and streaming video games became full-blown careers for some. Escape rooms and board game cafés made social gaming more popular than ever.
And now in the 2020s, hobbies continue
to evolve—DIY home projects, plant parenting, and mindfulness activities like yoga and meditation are huge. Thanks to social media, niche hobbies like resin art, digital drawing, and even roller skating have made a comeback.
One thing’s for sure—no matter the decade, finding a hobby you love is always in
style.
Enjoying my newsletter? Please REPLY and let me know!
