11 Old-Fashioned Hobbies to Try If You’re in Your Granny Era

Once the territory of grandmas and great-aunts, fiber arts have found a whole new generation of fans. Making your own scarves, blankets, or quirky hats is equal parts creative and meditative. (Bonus: It gives you something to do with your hands while binge-watching The Great British Bake Off!)

Mahjong isn’t just a game — it’s a whole vibe. The classic Chinese tile game, often played by grandmothers around card tables with snacks and chitchat, is having a serious resurgence. Whether you learn the traditional rules or start with a simpler version, it’s a fun, brain-boosting hobby that’s even better with friends. Bonus points if you break out a vintage set.

Bring back game night with a nostalgic twist. Dust off classics like Rummikub, Canasta, or Cribbage, or challenge friends to a marathon Monopoly session. It’s a simple joy that brings people together — and doesn’t require a Wi-Fi password.

Texting is fine. But a handwritten letter? That’s magic. Grab some pretty stationery, a nice pen, and write a note to a friend, your future self, or someone you admire. It’s the perfect way to slow down and reconnect — with others, and with yourself, too.

Digging in the dirt is good for the soul (not to mention your salad). Whether you're tending a backyard vegetable patch or growing basil in a mason jar on the windowsill gardening connects you to nature and delivers the kind of satisfaction only nurturing something can bring.

Measuring flour, cutting butter into dough, listening to a pie bubble in the oven... baking is science and nostalgia rolled into one. Try a beloved family recipe or tackle a vintage cookbook. Just be warned: Your kitchen may start to smell like your grandma’s — in the best way!

It’s the original upcycling project (long before that was even a word). Take old T-shirts, baby clothes, or fabric scraps and turn them into something both sentimental and gorgeous. (Quilting circles are optional... but community is definitely part of the fun!)

Yes, there's a time and place for audiobooks and e-readers. But in your granny era, you don’t just read — you savor. Bonus points if you join a book club, frequent the library, or spend an afternoon curled up with a well-worn novel and a bookmark you made yourself.

There’s no better rainy-weekend activity than laying out a jigsaw puzzle and slowly watching it come together. It’s a peaceful way to pass time — solo or with friends — and a great excuse to make a pot of tea and put on some soothing music for a much-needed screentime break.

Needlework is the original mindfulness practice. Modern patterns can feel cool and cheeky (think: “Home Sweet Home” — but with a twist), or you can go full cottagecore with delicate florals and monograms. Either way, you’ll end up with something frame-worthy or perfectly giftable.

If you’ve ever wanted to turn summer berries into homemade jam or pickle your own cucumbers... why wait? Canning feels old-school in the best way — and gives you a pantry full of beautiful, useful, delicious results.