This summer, why not try something new? Whether it’s a board game, an outdoor adventure or a creative hobby, stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to a fun new obsession. From classic game nights to addictive crafts, here’s where to start:
Board and card games turn a regular catch-up with your friends into something everyone looks forward to. If your group loves questionable humor, Cards Against Humanity never disappoints. Deck-building games like Magic: The Gathering and Disney Lorcana have a habit of becoming full-fledged hobbies, complete with rare card hunts and “just one more booster pack” purchases.
(© Days of Wonder)
And strategy games like Catan and Ticket to Ride can easily stretch a game night far past midnight. The hobby doesn't stop at game night, either. There are always new expansions, specialty decks, and limited releases to discover through U.S. retailers like Target.
Prefer to be outside? Pickleball is a favorite with Americans because it’s easy to learn and hard to quit. What starts as one match often turns into a weekly reservation.
Of course, pickleball isn’t the only option. Snorkeling gives childhood memories an upgrade, fishing becomes a weekend ritual, and hiking starts with a casual walk turning into sunrise trail adventures. There is a world of possibilities, such as kayaking, paddleboarding, birdwatching, and photography.
Every outdoor activity seems to come with its own collection of gear, and Bass Pro Shops is a go-to store in America for beginners. Soon you’ll be planning holidays around the hobby you started for fun!
Not everyone wants to spend summer sweating outdoors, though.
Crocheting has made a huge comeback, and your grandma would be proud. You learn a few basic stitches, finish a small project, and suddenly you’re watching tutorials before bed and wondering if you have room for more yarn.
And once the internet rediscovered crochet, it quickly rediscovered everything else.
Remember bedazzlers?
They’re back, and they’re coming for water bottles, skincare containers, gaming controllers, tote bags, and just about anything else that stays still long enough. A handful of flat-back rhinestones and a free afternoon can transform an ordinary item into something uniquely yours.
If sparkle isn’t your thing, junk journaling might be. Part scrapbook and part creative free-for-all, it’s all about giving concert tickets, postcards, photos, receipts, and other small keepsakes a second life.
The best part about creative hobbies is that there are no rules. Whether you're drawn to yarn, rhinestones, journaling or something else entirely, Michaels craft store has the supplies to help bring your ideas to life.
At the end of the day, hobbies aren’t about being the best at something. They’re about exploring new interests, having fun and finding activities that make free time more enjoyable.
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