It’s easy to assume that Baby Boomers and Gen Zers have nothing in common; after all, they grew up in completely different worlds and economies. The generations are more than 60 years apart, and so much has literally changed in that time.
Still, it seems young people are taking a page out of the older generation’s playbook, as an increasing number of Boomer hobbies are making a comeback with Gen-Z. This Hobbies of “Grandma”.as people call them, historically popular among baby boomers, embrace slow living, improve mental health, promote creativity and encourage young people to spend some much-needed time away from their screens.
Young people are finding these hobbies that Boomers loved as kids cool again: t
1. Crochet
This hobby is growing rapidly among young people. According to Edin Yarn Festthere was a 75% increase in sales of crochet items between 2020 and 2022, with significant interest coming from people aged 18 to 34.
By trendy temperature blankets to sweaters and cuddly toys: the possibilities you can create by crocheting are truly endless. The hobby is easy to start and only requires yarn, crochet hooks and scissors.
2. Scrapbooks
Grab some scissors and get started! This therapeutic and relaxing hobby allows you to relax while creating a tangible book of memories. In a similar vein, many Gen-Zers have adopted this “junk news.” Instead of just using photos, they process all the ‘junk’ they come across, from concert wristbands, receipts and ticket slips to dried flowers and postcards.
“Think of it as a less polished and structured scrapbook with much less pressure for perfection,” Fashion contributor Sammi Tapper explained. “You can be as messy as you want, and organize the so-called clutter the way you want. It’s a way to organize the clutter while keeping your souvenirs of both the big and small moments.”
3. Bird watching
A 2022 study conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found that 96 million people in the US engage in birdwatching, also known as birdwatching. That’s 3 in 10 Americans! While some younger people travel to do so, a vast majority of people watch birds from the comfort of their own backyard. So grab some binoculars and see if you can spot the elusive California Condor – it is an endangered species!
4. Bake bread
Monika Grabkowska / Unsplash+
Baking bread, especially sourdough, has become a popular hobby for Gen-Zers – even Taylor Swift takes action! TikTok is full of young people who treat their sourdough starters like beloved children: they name them, feed them and love them.
This hobby actually has that also health benefits: Baking your own bread allows you to control the ingredients, avoid additives and limit the amount of sugar, not to mention it’s cheaper and tastier.
5. Write letters
While letter writing isn’t as necessary as it was during Baby Boomers’ pre-cell phone adolescence, Gen-Zers are bringing back snail mail. According to research conducted by Stamps48% of Gen-Z report sending letters or packages once or twice a month.
While many do this for the personal touch it provides, generational expert Bryan Driscoll highlighted another Gen-Z-specific reason. “It’s a subtle act of rebellion against their digital upbringing (and now their work life) that continually exploits their attention and data,” he said Newsweek. “This generation craves authenticity, and the postal service provides that in abundance.”
6. Jigsaw puzzles
A quintessential grandma hobby, jigsaw puzzles allow both Gen-Z and Boomers to disconnect from technology and focus solely on putting their puzzle pieces together. Regardless of your age, puzzles have numerous benefitsfrom improving your analytical skills and attention to detail to reducing stress and improving your memory.
7. Collecting vinyl records
While most people use Spotify or Apple Music to listen to their favorite songs every day, collecting vinyl records is a popular hobby among young people, so much so that it’s actually fueling a vinyl revival.
A report from Vinyl Alliance found that 80% of Gen-Z respondents own a record player, and 76% of Gen-Z vinyl fans buy a record at least once a month. Whether they’re buying the special vinyl of their current favorite artist or searching the bins at a record store for hidden treasures, this hobby is a favorite among cool, young music lovers.
8. Gardening
Jonathan Kemper / Unsplash
A recent one Draper Tools survey reported by Bira found that 83% of young people describe gardening as ‘cool’. “The appeal is rooted in mindfulness,” they wrote, “with a desire to make their homes and gardens a more enjoyable place to be, to improve mental health and create a space to escape to.”
You don’t need an expansive backyard to take part in this hobby, either. Even a Gen-Zer who lives in a shoebox apartment can start a small herb garden on his windowsill.
9. Reading and book clubs
We can say thank you #BookTok for this one. Of course, reading has never really gone out of fashion. But like many baby boomers before them, Gen-Zers are starting book clubs to create communities from the often lonely hobby. CNN Business reported According to Eventbrite, Book Club events grew 24% in 2023 compared to the previous year.
10. Embroidery
While baby boomers embraced embroidery, this craft was popular long before they were born. In fact it may be so can be traced back to 30,000 BC.
The BBC reported this that the resurgence among Gen-Z “is due in large part to the need to confront the fashion industry’s damaging impact on everything from carbon emissions to planetary boundaries, from animal rights to racial justice.” Since Gen-Z takes climate change into account Since this is one of the most pressing problems in the world, embracing this once outdated hobby makes perfect sense.
11. Antiques
Many Gen-Zers have decorated their homes and apartments with unique, vintage pieces. As mentioned above, Gen-Z cares deeply about the environment, and shopping secondhand reflects that value. Like the poorest generationAntiques also allow young people to purchase high-quality and luxury items at a more affordable price.
Audrey Jaber is a writer and associate editor with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
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