Being a stay-at-home mom has its many blessings and challenges. One of those challenges is finding a hobby to keep you mentally stimulated. As SAHMs, it’s essential that we have something special we do outside of just being a mom. This helps establish our identities as individuals.
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Reasons why all SAHMs need a hobby
If you’re a new stay-at-home mom, it can be hard to find your footing. Between managing the household and raising the kids, you tend to get lost in the struggle. Having a hobby is a good way to pull yourself from your mommy role once in a while, and just be an individual.
A good hobby can also help you overcome stay-at-home mom depression. Yes, SAHM depression is a real thing. It happens due to loneliness and the loss of identity that SAHMs struggle with when they choose this lifestyle.
It’s not easy giving up the job that offered you income and stability, just to depend on your spouse to provide financially for the whole family. For most people, part of their self-esteem is tied to their jobs. Giving it up requires some adjustment, which leads to depression.
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Having a hobby, especially one that earns an income could be a good way to build back your self-esteem and give you something else to focus on each day.
According to Utah State University, having a hobby helps reduce stress, enhance your well-being and improve social connections. These are things that SAHMs definitely need.
Now let’s jump right in to learn about some hobbies you can start today as a stay-at-home mom.
28 hobby Ideas for Stay-at-Home Moms
1. Gardening
Gardening is a great hobby for those who have a green thumb. You can start a herb garden indoors or out. If you’re very good at it, you can plant flowers as well to beautify your front or backyard.
If you love flowers and want to take your skills to the next level, then consider a hobby in flower arranging. I know someone who has turned their flower arranging hobby into a lucrative business from home. This online florist certification course from IAP career college is a great place to start learning all about different types of flower arrangements. They teach you everything you need to know about starting a florist business and how to get clients.
2. Painting
I picked this hobby before I became a mom. Painting is very soothing to the mind. You don’t have to be Picasso. The art you create can be for your eyes only. If you feel brave enough, you can sell your art on Etsy.
Alternatively, you can make painting a group activity by taking a painting class online. There are also paint and sip events you can attend. Just search google for some in your area.
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3. Sewing
Learning to sew has many benefits. You can make clothes for yourself and your kids. You can also make crafts such as stuffed animals to sell on Etsy.
I took a sewing class at my local community college and I learned to make a Jacket and a skirt. I have even made myself a pair of pants using the skills I learned.
There is this awesome book a friend got me called One Yard Wonders that come with patterns, a piece of fabric, and step-by-step instructions for creating things like dresses, pillowcases, and stuffed toys, all using 1 yard.
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4. Crafting
Crafting has become one of the most popular hobbies in recent years. You could get the popular Cricut machine which helps you create beautiful designs on clothing, glass, vinyl, and more. You can create an Etsy store to sell your designs.
If you want a craft you can do with your kids, then I recommend the family crafting boxes made by Alltruists.
This fantastic company makes craft kits designed to teach your children compassion and care for other human beings. What parent doesn’t want that for their kids?
Each product your family create is actually sent to the charity that helps these people or animals.
Some of my favorite kits include Welcome a Ukrainian Refugee Child, Show shelter pets love, Support an Unhoused Family, and Give solar light to a family without electricity.
I also recommend Green Kid Crafts if you want a science-oriented crafting activity. Green Kid Crafts delivers science activity crafting kits like this one to your kids every month. They have science activities designed for kids ages 3 through 12 years old.
5. Reading
Reading is a great way to relax. It can be a little hard to do if your kids are still young, but not impossible. What I try to do is spend 30 minutes every morning reading while I eat breakfast. I also read when the kids are napping. These are the only “me time” I get in a day.
One tip I have for those starting out with reading as a hobby is to only read things you’re interested in. It doesn’t have to be a novel or a book. You can read a magazine or newspaper as well.
6. Writing
If you’re good at telling stories or writing, you can turn that passion into a children’s book. You can even write fiction and non-fiction books as well.
Nowadays, you don’t need a publisher to write a book. You can self-publish a book written in a word document on Amazon kindle. Plenty of people are doing kindle self-publishing (KDP) and making a good living on it. Check out this website for more info.
7. Blogging/Vlogging
If you have a talent for helping others, then vlogging or blogging might be for you. This website is a blog I started to provide helpful resources to stay-at-home moms like myself. When I just started my job as a SAHM, I couldn’t find a site like mine on the internet with helpful resources, so I decided to start my own.
If you don’t like to write like me, you can start a YouTube channel. You don’t have to focus your content on helping others if you don’t want to. You can blog/vlog about your life, your passion, or even your frustrations. You’re in control.
8. Baking
I know many people who took up baking during the COVID pandemic. The beauty of this hobby is that you don’t have to be good at it to start. Look online for recipes and see how well you can follow them.
Take it further and bake with your kids. This could be a sweet family tradition to start with them.
I recommend getting a subscription baking box from Baketivity.
You get a box with pre-measured ingredients, delicious recipes, easy-to-follow instructions, and exciting lessons and activities to help baking time fly by.
You could also get one-time kits like this spring bundle if you don’t want to subscribe just yet. Check out Baketivity here
9. Soapmaking
Soap making is a fun hobby that has many benefits. The finished product can be used in your household. You never have to buy soap again. You can also give your soap as gifts to family and friends.
I have a family member who makes soaps, body scrubs, and body butter to sell on Etsy and local fairs. She makes a great living from it as a stay-at-home mom.
10. Working out
If you want a hobby that helps you look good, working out is a good one. As moms, one of the hardest things to do is find time to work out. There is an awesome program called stroller strides, run by the organization Fit4Moms. You get to work out with a group of other moms with your baby in the stroller.
11. Wooden Toy Making
Wooden toys are all the rage now with the rise of Montessori education. Parents are moving away from noisy, bright, and flashy plastic toys that teach nothing.
Parents like myself are always looking for homemade wooden Montessori toys on Etsy, and they’re willing to pay a pretty penny for them.
With this knowledge, why not start a hobby making wooden Montessori toys? Click here to learn all about the Montessori style of play, and the toys involved by age group.
12. Chalk lettering
Every time I walk into a restaurant, the first thing that catches my eye is the bold chalkboard and the beautifully designed words on them. Restaurants and other shops are known for using chalkboards to advertise their menus. They also use chalk lettering to design their aesthetics.
Learning to do chalk lettering could be a lucrative gig for you. Sell your design on Etsy. To learn how to do chalk lettering, click here
13. Laser Engraving
I love ordering personalized items online. I always wondered how it was done.
After doing some research, I discovered that a laser engraving machine like this one is what creates beautiful images and quotes on coffee mugs, tile, metal, wood, etc.
Why not get one and start your own online shop creating personalized items for sale?
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14. Crochet or Knitting
Crocheting or knitting is a hobby as old as time. There are tons of Youtube tutorials that will teach you how to crochet or knit anything you want. So, pick up some yarn and crochet/knitting pins and begin today.
15. Party planning
Do you like planning events for your kids? If so, then this hobby is for you. Offer to help your friends and family plan their events next time.
Make sure to take lots of pictures of your work to put in your portfolio. Post flyers on social media and around your neighborhood for party planning services. This could easily turn into a good side business.
If you need in-depth training on starting and running a party planning business, then this online party planning certificate course from IAP career college will be right for you.
16. Candlemaking
One of my favorite things after a hard day of caring for the kids is to soak in the tub with candles all around me. People are willing to spend good money on delicious-smelling candles.
If you just want to do it for fun, your family will still benefit from it. You can give them as gifts or use them at home.
17. Jewelry making
What woman doesn’t like jewelry? Making pieces of jewelry is a fun and relaxing experience. You get to express yourself in a unique art form.
You can make beaded jewelry for everyday wear, or you could make specialty products for moms. Some especially products include teething necklaces for kids, breastmilk jewelry for moms, morning/motion sickness bands, etc.
You could even make crystals for those who practice crystal healing.
The online retailer Beebee Crafts has everything you need to start making DIY jewelry. They carry all types of beads and jewelry parts. You can’t go wrong with them.
18. Makeup
If you’re good at doing makeup, there are so many ways to monetize it. You could make video tutorials on Youtube. Youtube will pay you when you reach a thousand subscribers.
I highly recommend this makeup artist diploma course from Edusity if you need to learn how to do makeup. They teach you every single thing you need to know. You learn how to groom brows, apply false lashes, and apply makeup for different occasions, etc.
You could do friends and family makeup for a small fee to gain more experience as you take the course. When you have enough experience, you can open your own beauty bar.
Remember that there are many aspects to doing makeup. You could focus on only doing eyelash extensions, eyebrow threading/waxing, drawing eyebrows for special occasions, or applying full makeup.
19. Nails
Adding to the makeup idea, nails can also be a fun hobby to consider. I got tired of paying $60 every time for just gel nails, so I set out to learn how to do it myself.
I bought this gel nail kit with UV light from amazon and practiced until I got it right. I have now been doing my own gel nails ever since.
Sometimes, friends ask me to do their nails and I am always happy to oblige. If I wanted, I could charge a small fee and earn some side income that way.
20. Coloring
Coloring is a relaxing thing to do. There is no pressure like painting because it’s just a piece of paper. Get an adult coloring book and use it when you feel stressed out in your daily life.
21. Art class
Stay-at-home mom life can be very lonely. Doing something that gets you out of the house each week is a great idea. You get to interact with other adults, and you can even make some new mom friends.
If you already have mommy friends, this could be a great group activity. You can take a pottery, painting, or sculpting class.
I’ve taken many art classes in my day, and I plan to take more. If you can’t do an in-person class, then consider taking an art class online on Udemy.
22. Learn to play an instrument
Learning to play an instrument is a great way to spark creativity. You might even inspire your kids to want to learn too. Support a local teacher by taking music lessons near you or teach yourself using Youtube videos.
23. Learn a new language
Speaking a second language is a valuable skill to have nowadays. It can be hard to learn if you do it on your own because there’s no one to speak to.
Why not make it a family affair and learn with your spouse and kids? My family and I have started learning Spanish. Speaking it to one another helps with our understanding.
You could even motivate everyone to stay on track by planning a family vacation to a country that speaks that language.
24. Photography
All you need to do this hobby is a smartphone with a camera. Learn all you can about angles and lighting. This will help you take better photos. If you want to do this as a side gig, post your profile on TaskRabbit as a gig photographer. I’ve used of few photographers on TaskRabbit myself in the past. An online professional photographer certificate course from IAP career college will teach you the skills required to succeed in the business.
25. Listen to podcasts
I look forward to my daily stroller walks with my kids where I can listen to podcasts on the way. There are so many different types of podcasts you can listen to for entertainment. I personally like self-help, fiction, documentary, and religious and business podcasts. Check out Wondery, iheart radio, or Apple podcast for some cool shows.
26. Join the choir
If you love singing, joining the choir is a great hobby to get you out of the house. There are choirs you can join that sing circular music if you’re not religious. Just do a quick google search for them. You can also join the choir at your church.
27. Volunteer
Volunteering is a good way to give back to your community. Find a cause that speaks to you and give them a few hours of your time whenever you can. Volunteering is a good thing to teach your kids as well. If you’re up for it, you can take them along.
28. Learn to dance
Take a dance class at your local studio. Don’t want to go alone, then bring a friend along. You could also take your significant other and make it a scheduled date for the both of you. It’s good to have time away from the kids.
29. Join a church group
Find out about the groups run by your church. See which one would fit your personality and goals. A church group is a great place to meet like-minded people and find connections. You could also make some mom friends there.
Conclusion
To wrap things up, I want to remind you that it doesn’t matter what hobby you choose, as long as you have one. It’s good to do something for yourself as a stay-at-home mom. We spend so much time taking care of others. Let’s not forget to care for ourselves as well.
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