Knitting is a great way to destress and keep the brain active! Graphic by Anna Gritzenbach.

TESSA HAMILTON | OPINION COLUMNIST | tehamilton@butler.edu 

When someone hears you enjoy knitting or playing Sudoku, they may tease you about having a “grandma hobby.” But even so, what’s wrong with having a grandma hobby? Many of the hobbies most commonly associated with the elderly are great for the mind and soul.

Knitting, crocheting and embroidery

Knitting is a great way to keep your hands busy! You can work on a sweater, hat or blanket while watching TV, YouTube, or listening to an  audiobook or music. Not only does it give you something to do, but it gives you an end result to be proud of and show off. 

Crocheting — similar to knitting — keeps your hands active while participating in other activities. There are hundreds of beginner crochet kits, with Woobles being the most popular. You can make stuffed animals, decor, sweaters and many more unique items. If you want, you can even sign up for a market to sell your crocheted items!

Embroidery, just as the first two, is a great way to have something to fidget with while enjoying something else. There are so many different beginner kits to choose from; it’s a great way to make gifts for others.

Sophomore theatre major Molly McCleerey shared her thoughts on why she enjoys her hobbies of knitting, crocheting, sewing, embroidery and cross-stitch.

“I always like to keep my hands busy,” McCleerey said. “It makes me feel better. I don’t like just sitting around.”

Puzzles

Puzzles are a great way to keep your brain and hands active while exercising your critical thinking. Whether you make one alone or with friends, online or in-person, it is relaxing to put the pieces together to create a beautiful image.

Board games

Board games are one of the best activities to bond with your friends, while often encouraging critical thinking at the same time. With so many games available to borrow at the library, there’s no limit to the types of games you can enjoy with friends. There are also solo games to play if you’re not able to get a group together, and your brain will thank you for playing these instead of spending time doomscrolling. Good games to start with include Ticket to Ride and Settlers of Catan.

Junior English major Lindsay Umlauf shared insight on why they enjoy playing board games.

“It’s fun to get off your phone and just communicate with other people,” Umlauf said. “If something makes you happy, you should be just able to do it without judgment.”

Sudoku

Sudoku is a great mind exercise for those looking for something to do while waiting for a coffee at Starbucks or at an appointment. Balancing the numbers from one to nine can be done online or on paper, with plenty of difficulty levels available. 

Scrapbooking

Scrapbooking is a wonderful way to keep memories and save photos and experiences. Keeping a ticket from an adventure, a few photos and adding some page decor is so much better than simply having the photos sit on your phone. Plus, once you’re done with the scrapbook, you have a craft to show off to others. 

Baking

Baking is a relaxing, methodical process that can be helpful to quiet your mind, or you can do it while listening to music or an audiobook. If you’re willing to share, your friends and family will thank you for the end result. Baking is one of the most sugar-sweet hobbies to participate in.

Gardening

If you have the opportunity where you’re living, keeping a few plants to water and watch grow can be soothing. They also add a great decoration to your dorm room atmosphere.

Junior history major Bianca Meima shared why she enjoyed some “grandma hobbies.”

“I find them very relaxing.” Meima said, “They’re great at destressing. Most of my hobbies are on the creative side, so I enjoy feeling proud to see a creation.”

Overall, grandma hobbies are a great way to keep your mind and your body busy, oftentimes while multitasking with something else. We all should enjoy an elderly hobby or two to keep us engaged!