25 Low Cost Hobbies You Haven’t Thought to Try

Games

When it comes to unique hobbies, a lot of gaming applies. There are a few different types of games you can get into, such as card, board, and electronic. Depending on the game, this hobby is great for either one person or multiple.

Video and other digital games can get expensive but many companies offer discounts or give them away for free because there are advertisements and in-game purchases that can help them make a profit. Alternatively, a pack of cards is only a dollar or two and you can find card game tutorials free online or find books to check out at the library. Mastering Solitaire is also a fun challenge.

Board games can get expensive but there are several ways to make this a free or cheap hobby for yourself. You can make games yourself using paper materials, such as notecards. Think about Pictionary. All you need is ideas written on scraps of paper and some sort of paper or large sketch pad and pen to draw.

Garage sales and thrift stores are also fantastic resources for inexpensive games. Just be sure to check that everything is there. However, many used websites also sell stray pieces so it may still be cheap to complete a set.

Low End Cost Estimate: Free

High End Cost Estimate: $25-50

Join a club

Clubs or organizations are fun and allow you to meet new people and learn new things, especially if you are an individual or a couple looking to expand your social group.

Look in the newspaper or use a search engine to find local clubs that are looking for new members. It’s important to look for clubs that allow people to try it out before committing. That way, if you don’t like it, you don’t have to pay. Some clubs are free and some have dues or annual membership fees. It depends on the type of club.

Low End Cost Estimate: Free

High End Cost Estimate: $10-100 per year

Learn a Language

Apps like Google’s DuoLingo and Busuu let you learn languages for free. This is one of those fun interesting hobbies that also benefits you in the long run. Learning a language is not only important on a cultural level but it keeps your brain sharp.

You can also buy or rent language books for more intense study. Again, your budget and level of interest is a factor for this hobby idea.This is a solo activity, though, it’s a big push to continue if you have a buddy to practice with.

Low End Cost Estimate: Free

High End Cost Estimate: $50

Learn an Instrument

This is a broad category because there are so many musical instruments, all at different price points for type and also brand. Also, space can be an issue for a larger instrument.

Most music shops feature used and refurbished instruments and the employees can also provide suggestions if you can’t decide what to choose. The internet also has many sites that offer discounted instruments. Start learning on your own, take lessons, and perhaps join a band when you’re ready!

Low End Cost Estimate: $10-25

High End Cost Estimate: $100-500

Learn Crochet

Because this hobby is so popular, there are thousands of free tutorials and patterns for beginners on the internet, such as a resource like AllFreeCrochet. Your local library should also have a few books on crochet to check out. At the least, you need a hook and yarn but a beginner kit with several more supplies can be purchased for as little as $10.

Start small and work your way up. Buying a lot of yarn can be expensive, so don’t jump to an afghan before you’ve mastered all the techniques and stitches you need. Shop sales and only buy what you need for the project you’re working on.

Low End Cost Estimate: $5-10

High End Cost Estimate: $50