These Are 12 Boomer Hobbies Gen Z Can’t Get Enough Of

Something surprising is happening across generations.

Young people are ditching their screens and picking up hobbies their grandparents loved decades ago.

From knitting needles to vinyl records, Gen Z is rediscovering the joy of slower, more meaningful pastimes that boomers have cherished for years.

1. Crocheting and Knitting

Yarn crafts have made an incredible comeback among young creators.

Social media platforms overflow with tutorials showing how to make everything from bucket hats to cozy blankets.

What started as a pandemic hobby has turned into a full-blown movement.

Many young people find the repetitive motions calming and meditative.

Creating something tangible with your hands feels refreshing in our digital world.

Plus, handmade sweaters and scarves make thoughtful gifts that friends actually treasure.

The craft also saves money while letting you express personal style.

You can customize colors, patterns, and designs to match your aesthetic perfectly.

Best of all, you end up with unique pieces nobody else owns.

2. Scrapbooking and Junk Journaling

Preserving memories has gotten a creative makeover.

Junk journaling transforms ordinary notebooks into artistic masterpieces filled with ticket stubs, polaroids, and random paper scraps.

Each page tells a story through layers of textures and colors.

This hobby appeals to young people tired of digital photo albums that never get viewed.

Physical journals you can touch and flip through feel more real and permanent.

They become treasured keepsakes that capture moments in a personal way.

The process itself is therapeutic and screen-free.

You can spend hours arranging layouts, experimenting with different materials, and documenting your life.

Many find it helps them slow down and appreciate everyday experiences more deeply.

3. Bird-Watching

Who knew spotting feathered friends could be so addictive?

Bird-watching has exploded among younger generations seeking peaceful outdoor activities.

Armed with binoculars and identification apps, they spend hours tracking different species in local parks.

This hobby gets you outside breathing fresh air instead of staring at screens.

Patience and observation skills naturally develop as you learn bird calls and behaviors.

Many young enthusiasts say it helps reduce anxiety and connects them with nature.

Communities of bird-watchers share sightings online and organize group outings.

The thrill of spotting a rare species creates genuine excitement. It’s a hobby that costs little but offers endless opportunities for discovery and adventure.

4. Baking and Bread-Making

Kitchens everywhere smell like fresh sourdough these days.

Young bakers have embraced traditional bread-making and classic recipes their grandmothers used.

Kneading dough and waiting for it to rise teaches patience in our instant-gratification culture.

Homemade treats taste infinitely better than store-bought versions.

You control every ingredient, avoiding preservatives and artificial additives.

Sharing warm cookies or crusty bread with friends creates connections that online interactions never could.

The science behind baking fascinates many young minds too.

Understanding how yeast works or why certain ingredients react together adds an educational element.

Plus, your home smells absolutely amazing when something delicious is in the oven.

5. Vinyl Record Collecting

Record stores are bustling again thanks to young music lovers.

Vinyl records offer a listening experience streaming services cannot match.

The warm, rich sound quality and tangible album art create a deeper connection to music.

Hunting for rare pressings at thrift stores has become a weekend adventure.

Building a collection feels more meaningful than adding songs to a digital playlist.

Each record represents a deliberate choice and investment in artists you genuinely love.

Playing vinyl requires intention and focus.

You cannot skip tracks easily, so you listen to entire albums as artists intended.

The ritual of carefully placing the needle and flipping sides makes music feel special again.

6. Gardening and Herb-Growing

Green thumbs are sprouting everywhere among younger generations.

Growing herbs on windowsills or tending vegetable patches provides a satisfying sense of accomplishment.

Watching seeds transform into thriving plants feels almost magical.

Gardening teaches responsibility and patience as you care for living things daily.

Fresh basil or homegrown tomatoes taste incredible compared to supermarket versions.

Many young gardeners appreciate knowing exactly where their food comes from.

Even small apartment dwellers can participate with container gardens.

The hobby reduces stress and improves air quality in your living space.

Plus, nurturing plants gives you a break from technology while staying productive and creative.

7. Handwriting and Letter-Writing

Pens are mightier than keyboards for many young writers today.

Sending handwritten letters feels incredibly personal in our text-message world.

Recipients treasure physical notes they can save and reread for years.

Practicing calligraphy or improving penmanship becomes a form of artistic expression.

Many young people keep journals filled with thoughts written by hand.

The physical act of writing helps process emotions and memories differently than typing.

Stationery stores report increased sales of quality paper and fancy pens.

Choosing special ink colors or decorative stamps makes correspondence feel special.

This old-fashioned communication method strengthens relationships in ways emojis never could.

8. Jigsaw Puzzles

Puzzle mania has gripped younger generations seeking screen-free entertainment.

Completing a thousand-piece puzzle requires focus and determination that feels rewarding.

Unlike video games, puzzles offer a tangible finished product you can frame.

Working on puzzles provides a perfect excuse to unplug for hours.

The activity calms racing minds and reduces stress naturally.

Many families and roommates bond over collaborative puzzle sessions.

Exchanging completed puzzles with friends extends the hobby affordably.

Thrift stores stock endless varieties at bargain prices.

Some young enthusiasts even glue finished puzzles to hang as unique wall art in their homes.

9. Film Photography

Click, wind, wait—film photography demands patience modern digital cameras eliminated.

Young photographers embrace the uncertainty and anticipation of waiting for film development.

Each shot matters when you only have 36 frames per roll.

The aesthetic quality of film produces unique colors and grain digital filters cannot replicate.

Mistakes and light leaks create happy accidents that add character.

Learning manual settings and exposure teaches fundamental photography skills.

Thrift stores overflow with affordable vintage cameras waiting for new owners.

Developing film yourself adds another creative dimension to explore.

The entire process feels intentional and artistic compared to snapping endless smartphone photos.

10. Book Reading and Book Clubs

Physical books are making a powerful comeback among young readers.

Turning actual pages and smelling book scent creates an immersive experience e-readers miss.

Building personal libraries brings pride and displays your interests visually.

Book clubs offer social connections centered on meaningful discussions.

Meeting friends to analyze characters and themes beats mindless scrolling any day.

Many young people crave these deeper conversations about ideas and stories.

Reading before bed improves sleep quality compared to screen time.

Annotating favorite passages and collecting editions becomes a cherished hobby.

Libraries and used bookstores provide endless affordable options for every interest imaginable.

11. Handmade Crafts and Pottery

Clay-covered hands and homemade pottery fill social media feeds nowadays.

Creating functional art like mugs or bowls satisfies both creative and practical needs.

Pottery classes are booking up fast as young people discover this ancient craft.

Making things by hand counters our disposable consumer culture.

Each imperfect handmade bowl carries more meaning than mass-produced dishware.

Friends genuinely appreciate receiving one-of-a-kind handcrafted gifts.

Other crafts like quilting and needlework are experiencing similar revivals.

The meditative nature of repetitive handwork calms anxious minds.

Plus, you develop skills that produce beautiful, useful items while supporting sustainable living practices.

12. Slow-Living and Grandma-Core Lifestyle

Embracing grandma energy has become a lifestyle movement.

Young people are intentionally slowing down and rejecting hustle culture.

They combine multiple traditional hobbies—baking, gardening, crafting—into a cohesive peaceful existence.

This approach prioritizes quality time over productivity and consumption.

Afternoons spent crocheting while bread rises represent revolutionary acts against digital overload.

Simple pleasures like homemade jam or hand-sewn quilts bring genuine satisfaction.

The aesthetic celebrates comfort, tradition, and mindfulness.

Younger generations realize their grandparents understood something important about balanced living.

Adopting these timeless hobbies helps them disconnect, recharge, and find meaning beyond screens and social media validation.