Many women over 50 have retired or are soon to retire, have left their 25+ year marriage, moved out of their country, or completely reinvented their lives in some way, shape, or form, yet they still find themselves kind of bored and have nothing to do.
There are often times when I’m sitting alone after dinner, bored out of my tree, wishing I had something fun to do and fun people to do it with. Today, I want to share 15 fun hobbies for women over 50 so that you don’t die of boredom.
15 fun hobbies for women over 50
I think it’s important, as we age, to keep our bodies moving, but keeping our minds active is especially important. That’s the organ you want to keep moving and exercising all the time. When we stop staying active, that’s when we grow old.
Aging is inevitable, but we can certainly have fun doing it and grow old healthily. This second chapter of our lives is the best and most important. We think and feel differently but we also love life a whole lot more.
And these hobbies for women over 50 will help you love your life even more!
You might really like this article on brain exercises to keep your mind sharp!
Exploring New Recipes
There are times we simply get tired of the same food over and over again. Exploring new recipes with friends or having a cooking afternoon/recipe exchange get-together would be fun.
Maybe you’re on a low-carb diet, or your friends are trying the latest paleo recipe. Whatever the case may be, call up your girlie friends and get cooking together!
Photography
Photography is still alive and well, even in this digital AI age, and you don’t need fancy equipment to take killer pictures of that sunset, either. Grab your phone and go.
Not sure what to do with all these photos? Upload them to your computer and make a collage or even a wall hanging that you can print off and admire yourself.
Yarn Crafts
Knitting, crocheting, and weaving are popular hobbies that are relaxing and meditative. Yarn craft hobbies are portable and can be done anywhere, which can easily be pursued while traveling with a good book.
You can make scarves, cardigans, or vests for your family members and friends and knit a blanket for your house. There are many things you can do with yarn.
Gardening
Nature has a therapeutic effect, and gardening is a perfect hobby for women over 50. It requires patience, perseverance, and dedication.
Gardening also improves mental and physical health, along with the satisfaction of seeing something blossom from a tiny seed. You can plant your own vegetables and herbs and have fresh things to cook with.
Don’t have a yard? Why not try indoor gardening and grow some herbs and little veggies?
Painting
Painting is an excellent way to spend your free time. It’s a fun and therapeutic hobby for women who can work with watercolors, acrylics, or pastels. There are also fun painting and wine get-togethers that you can attend with some friends.
I’ve never been much of an artist, but I did attend a super fun blind painting party that brought out the inner Picasso in me and also released some pretty deep emotions I had trapped.
Learn how to play an instrument
Learning to play an instrument is not only fun but also a great way to keep your brain sharp and your mind active and busy! Always wanted to play piano? Sign up for lessons.
Or maybe that might be too big of a challenge for you, but you love music. Go have fun at karaoke night with some friends! When was the last time you did that?
Writing
Writing is extremely therapeutic and helps process emotions and memories. You can write in a journal every day, write truth letters to release some pent-up anger from your past or forgiveness letters to people who hurt you (don’t send them!).
Or maybe you have a book inside of you! Your life story. Bet it’s a good one. Whatever it is, grab a pen and notepad or open up Google docs on your computer and start writing. You may even whip up a best seller!
You might really like this article on journaling for your mental health.
Volunteering
Volunteering is a wonderful way to give back to the community. Why not make a difference in someone’s life while learning about different perspectives and challenges?
Volunteering opened a whole new door for me and completely changed my life. You can learn more about that here.
Check for volunteering options in your local area. Choose an organization that speaks to your heart.
Traveling
Traveling is an excellent way to explore new countries, cultures, and cuisines. You can travel solo, with family or join a group to discover the world’s hidden treasures.
Traveling to a different country means exploring new cultures and new ideas that can drastically shift your way of thinking and interacting with the world. But if world travel isn’t in the budget, a fun road trip can be equally as fun.
Here is a great list of places to visit with a tour group (or on your own)
Yoga
Yoga is a popular exercise that strengthens the body and mind, but joining a yoga class is also a great way to make new friends, too!. Not into group classes? You can practice at home.
And let’s not forget about all the great health benefits of yoga, too. Yoga can help prevent the onset of osteoporosis, which causes bones to become brittle or weak.
Bird Watching
Bird-watching is an exciting hobby that helps you connect with nature and learn to ‘be here now. ‘ It’s a peaceful and relaxing hobby that requires patience and an open mind.
Call a friend or form a group of like-minded people who want to go bird-watching. This is also a great way to meet new people.
You might really like this article on how to make new friends in your 50s.
Swimming
Swimming is a low-impact exercise that is fun and refreshing. You can enjoy swimming at the community pool, ocean, or nearby lakes. Most community pools also offer water aerobics so you can get in even more exercise.
This is a great way to get in some good cardio, strengthen and tone that body and meet new people. You don’t have to be a world-class swimmer or even know how to swim for that matter to enjoy the benefits of a pool or a body of water.
Why not take swimming lessons?
Dancing
Dancing is a fun way to stay fit, improve flexibility, and make new friends. Why not join dance classes such as ballroom, salsa, or even Zumba? Don’t want to go out to dance? Have a dance party at your house!
Call up all your girlie peeps, get your 80s playlist ready and dance the night away. You’ll have so much, you may even turn this into a Friday night ritual.
Jewelry Making
Jewelry-making is a creative hobby that will help you express yourself and create unique pieces of art. It’s a fun pastime that can be enjoyed alone or with friends.
Making bead bracelets and necklaces is a great activity to practice and enhance motor skills. Remember, it’s important to keep that brain working.
If you get really good at this, you can even sell your jewellery at a flea market, on Facebook marketplace or even Etsy. Why not open an online store? The sky is the limit here.
Playing Boardgames
Playing board games is a great way to socialize with family and friends while keeping the mind active and sharp. Many people play games as a way to chill out, have fun and even make new friends.
Of course, many board games lead to bouts of laughter that stimulate endorphins. The simple act of having fun can help boost serotonin, relieve symptoms of anxiety, and increase joy in your life 1000%.
final thoughts on hobbies for women over 50
These fun hobbies for women over 50 are great ways to stay engaged, meet like-minded people, and explore new interests. If you are an introvert and prefer to do things alone, you most certainly can do most of these on your own.
Other things you can do to prevent boredom from setting in is to start a website, a YouTube channel or even an Etsy store (as I mentioned earlier). Take what skills you have and turn them into a tiny little business. Who knows how profitable it could be!
