A friend of mine picked up watercolor painting at 54. She'd never touched a brush before. Three years later, she sells her work at local markets and says it's the happiest she's been since her kids left home. That's the thing about hobbies after 50. They're not just "things to do." They become part of who you are in this next chapter.
Whether you're freshly retired, cutting back on work, or just tired of the same routine, here are some hobbies worth considering. None of them require previous experience.
Creative Pursuits That Keep Your Mind Sharp
Painting or drawing. You don't need talent. You need willingness. Watercolors, acrylics, pencil sketching, whatever appeals to you. The act of creating something visual engages different brain pathways than reading or watching television, and the learning curve keeps you mentally stimulated.
Writing. Memoir, poetry, short fiction, a family history project. Writing forces you to organize thoughts and reflect on experiences. Plenty of people have started blogs or self-published books in their 50s and 60s with zero prior writing experience.
Music. Learning an instrument at this age isn't just possible, it's one of the best things you can do for cognitive health. Piano, ukulele, and guitar are popular starting points. Even 20 minutes of daily practice builds new neural connections.
Physical Hobbies That Don't Wreck Your Joints
Hiking and walking groups. There's a difference between walking for exercise and walking as a hobby. Join a hiking group, explore new trails, set a goal to visit every state park in your area. The combination of physical activity, nature, and social connection is hard to beat.
Swimming. Easy on joints, excellent for cardiovascular health, and available year-round if you have access to an indoor pool. Many community centers offer adult swim classes and water aerobics specifically designed for older adults.
Gardening. Don't underestimate this one. Gardening involves bending, lifting, carrying, and sustained attention. Growing your own vegetables or creating a flower garden gives you tangible results you can see (and eat). Raised beds make it easier on your back and knees.
Yoga or tai chi. Both improve flexibility, balance, and strength without high-impact movements. Tai chi in particular has strong research backing for fall prevention in older adults. Many classes are specifically geared toward beginners over 50. Our guide to staying active after 60 covers more options.
Social Hobbies That Build Connection
Volunteering. This counts as a hobby, and a deeply satisfying one. Animal shelters, food banks, literacy programs, hospital visiting. Volunteering gives structure to your week and connects you with people who share your values. It also turns out to have measurable health benefits including lower rates of depression.
Book clubs or discussion groups. These give you something to look forward to each month and push you to read things you wouldn't choose on your own. The social element matters as much as the reading itself.
Cooking or baking classes. Learning a new cuisine, taking a bread-making workshop, or joining a supper club combines creativity, practical skills, and socializing around a table. Hard to go wrong with that combination.
How to Actually Stick With It
The biggest mistake people make is treating hobbies like commitments. You don't have to master anything. You don't even have to be consistent. Try something for a month. If it doesn't grab you, try something else. The goal isn't discipline. It's finding what lights you up.
A few practical tips that help:
- Schedule it like an appointment, at least at first
- Find a buddy or group to do it with
- Keep the barrier to entry low (don't buy expensive equipment before you know you enjoy it)
- Give yourself permission to be bad at it for a while
If you're also rethinking your direction more broadly, our guide on what to do with your life after 50 might resonate. And if you're searching for deeper purpose, a hobby can sometimes be the doorway to finding it.
Your fifties, sixties, and beyond can hold some of the most creatively fulfilling years of your life. You just have to give yourself permission to begin.