Hands On Hobbies That Can Earn You Money On The Side
If you’re looking for a way to turn your hobbies into money, look no further. Below, I’ve compiled a list of hands-on hobbies that will help you make money.
Hands-on hobbies that make money…you’re either shaking your head, thinking this is a scam, or thinking there’s some catch.
Well, guess what, they really do make you money and there isn’t any catch. My friends and I all have different hobbies that we do in our spare time, but all of those hobbies can earn us extra money on the side.
If you enjoy coming up with creative solutions to fix, repair, or improve something then I suggest you take some time and check the following list of hands-on hobbies that make money.
List Of Hands-On Hobbies That Make Money
If you have a garage hobby you’re interested in getting paid for, you should look into monetizing it. After all, why not turn something you love to do into actual cash?
Hobbies are a great opportunity to make money and if you do it right you may be able to quit your day job. To help you get started, here’s a list of hands-on hobbies that can make money.
Sewing / Sell Your Unique Textile Online
Create anything from pillows and blankets to headbands and scarves. If you have an eye for design, this is a great way to show off your creativity while making some extra cash.
You can sell your handmade items on Etsy or other online marketplaces, or you can use social media influencers and other marketing techniques to promote your work.
You can also make money by teaching others how to sew or sell their own unique textiles online.
Woodworking / Sell Wooden Products
Woodworking is fun and relaxing, you can make your own wooden products like furniture, clocks, and more. But did you know that you can actually make money with this hobby?
If you have the right tools and a workshop, you can make wooden furniture, kitchenware, toys, or anything else you can think of.
Candle Making / Sell Candles Online
There are many different types of candles you can make including scented candles, soy candles, beeswax candles, melt-and-pour soap-making kits, and much more.
You can sell your candles online, at flea markets and craft fairs, or even in local stores.
Modeling / Model Building / Model Railroading / Model Airplane Building
If you’re good at building things, you can start selling your creations online. One of the most popular ways to do this is through Etsy, but there are other options available, too.
If you love trains and have some extra space in your yard or basement, consider setting up a model train set that you can sell to others.
Maybe you’ll love model airplane building. There are all kinds of ways you can make money with this hands-on hobby, from selling kits online or at fairs or flea markets, to turning it into a business and building airplanes full-time.
Cake Making / Sell Your Cakes
You could start by setting up a table at your local farmer’s market and selling homemade baked goods.
Another option is to find a local business that needs cakes for their events (like weddings) and offer them at an affordable rate.
If you’d rather use baking as a side hustle, consider making custom cakes for birthdays and other special occasions. This could include making birthday cakes for kids or adults, wedding cakes, anniversary cakes, graduation cakes… anything.
You can also set up a website where people can purchase your creations online!
Jewelry Making / Sell DIY Jewelry Online
You can sell your DIY jewelry on Etsy or through your own website. The process is simple: buy a bunch of supplies and get started! You’ll need beads, string, wire, and other materials to make your pieces.
If you want to start with something simple, try making friendship bracelets or necklaces out of string.
Once you’ve made some pieces, take pictures of them and post them online! Be sure to include your contact information so people can reach out if they’re interested in buying any of your work.
Photography / Sell Photos Online
Photography is an amazing hands-on hobby that can be very profitable. You just need to find a way to sell your photos online.
There are several ways you can do this:
- Sell prints or digital copies of your photos.
- Sell stock photography (that means you’re giving someone else the right to use your image in their work).
- Sell photos as part of a photo package (for example, if you’re taking wedding photos, this would be a great opportunity for you to offer your clients some extra images).
Pottery / Sell Homemade Pots
If you’re looking to make some money with your hands, pottery may be the way to go. It’s a fun hobby that can also turn into a money-making hobby.
You can sell your homemade pots at craft fairs and festivals. You can even start selling them online through sites like Etsy or Amazon.
Pottery is popular because people love being able to personalize their things with it. It’s easy to make customized pottery in any shape or size you want!
Gardening and Plants / Sell Herbs
Plants are one of nature’s best gifts. They provide us with oxygen, food, medicine, and beauty. There are so many different types of plants to choose from, it’s hard not to find something that suits your personality.
If you love being outside and working with your hands, this is the perfect hobby for you. It doesn’t take much time or money to get started either!
All you need is some seeds (or cuttings), soil, water, and sunlight, that’s it! If you don’t have enough space in your backyard then try growing plants indoors on a windowsill or balcony instead, they won’t mind at all.
Doll Making / Sell Homemade Dolls
You can make your own dolls and sell them on Etsy, or you can buy supplies from craft stores and make custom dolls for your loved ones.
The supplies are fairly inexpensive, and the process is simple enough that you don’t need any special skills to start making DIY dolls.
You can also add a personal touch by writing messages on the inside of an empty doll’s head before stuffing it with fiberfill.
Wood Carving / Sell Wood Carvings
Wood carving is a fun hands-on hobby that can also be a great source of income. If you have a knack for whittling, sculpting, or carving, you might be able to turn it into a side hustle.
Here’s how you can start making money with your wood carving:
- Sell your finished products on Etsy or another online marketplace
- Set up an account on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist and sell the items there
- Go door-to-door in your neighborhood and sell them in person
You can sell anything from wooden bowls and spoons to decorative signs and wall art. Just make sure to create pieces that people will want (and pay for) in the first place.
Soap Making / Sell Soap
Soap making is a fun and inexpensive hobby. It can also be a great way to make money!
You’ll need an oven or microwave for melting the oils and waxes, a pot for boiling water and mixing ingredients together, measuring cups, and spoons.
You’ll also need a spatula for stirring the mixture once it’s in the pot and something to put your finished product into (like molds or cookie sheets).
Are you interested? Look up recipes online. There are tons of recipes online for different kinds of soaps. Just type “soap recipe” into Google and see what comes up.
Make Puzzles
If you’re interested in making puzzles, there are many different options available:
- You can make them by hand, using a variety of different materials like cardboard, fabric and wood.
- You can buy premade puzzles, then paint them or glue on new pieces of paper to create a new look.
- You can make custom jigsaw puzzles from your own photographs or drawings (this requires more time).
You can make puzzles, sell them online, and make some money doing what you love.
Repair Things
If you’re good with your hands, you can make money by repairing things. You don’t need any special skills or training to repair things, just a willingness to learn and the patience to get through some trial and error.
You can fix almost anything: from small appliances like blenders and microwaves all the way up to cars and even houses (if you have the time).
Quilting / Sell Quilts
Quilting is one of those hobbies that has a lot of potential as a side hustle. You can take something you love to do, and make some extra money in the process.
Choose a pattern that you love, or even better, one that other people love! If you’re good at following instructions and creating something that looks good to others, then this is an easy way to make some cash on the side.
If you want to learn more about quilting, there are plenty of resources available online that can help you get started and keep going as you build your skills up!
Cooking Foods
Cooking is a great hobby to have, but it can also be a way to make money. There are many ways to cook food and sell it. You can sell your food at the farmers market or on your own website.
You don’t have to be a professional chef or restaurant owner, you just need to be able to cook one or two really good meals.
Make Beer / Sell Craft Beer
For many people, brewing beer is a hobby that has become their living.
It’s not for everyone, you need patience, dedication, and a little bit of know-how. You can start by brewing small batches at home and selling them at local farmers’ markets or craft fairs.
Antiques / Selling Antiques Online
If you have an old antique in your closet or garage, chances are someone else might want to buy it.
You can sell your antiques online through sites like eBay or Etsy (or even Craigslist).
If you don’t know how much to charge, just do some research on the item’s value and use that as a starting point for your price.
Bee Keeping / Selling bee Products
Everyone loves honey, right? And bees are a great way to start an apiary. You can create your own products and sell them at local farmers’ markets, or even on Etsy!
You can make money selling honey, royal jelly, pollen, beeswax, and other bee-made products.
Raising Chickens / Selling Eggs
Raising chickens is a great way to earn extra money and get some fresh eggs at the same time.
You can sell your eggs at your local farmers market or online through platforms like Craigslist, Relayrides, and Etsy.
You could also find an egg buyer to buy large quantities of eggs from you on a weekly basis.
Blacksmithing / Sell Horseshoes
If you’ve ever wanted to make your own horseshoes or other metal objects, blacksmithing is a great way to learn how to do it.
It’s an art form that’s been around since the dawn of time. You can make jewelry, tools, and other metal objects.
You’ll need to do some research before diving into this hobby, but it’s worth it if you love working with metal.
Fish Farming
Fish Farming is a great hobby if you love animals and want to get your hands dirty. You’ll be able to take care of fish and sell them for profit.
To start, you’ll need to buy some fish from a local pet store or online. Afterward, you’ll need to set up a tank for them to live in.
Next, you’ll want to make sure that your fish have plenty of space and food so they can grow fast enough for you to sell them at the market at the end of each week.
T-shirt Printing
If you have a good eye for design, try to make money by selling t-shirts with your designs on them.
You’ll need certain equipment, but once you’ve bought it all up front (which won’t cost too much), you’ll be able to print as many shirts as you want.
Refinishing Furniture
Restoring old pieces of furniture so they look like new again! This will not only improve their appearance but also increase their value when selling them later on down the road!
This hobby is perfect if you like working with your hands but don’t want anything too complicated or expensive (because let’s face it, we all know how expensive furniture can be).
Upcycling / Sell Your Unique Products
Turning old, unwanted items into something new and useful is a fun way to make money from your hobby.
If you don’t have any upcycled products yet, see if there are any local thrift stores where you can get some cheap materials to start experimenting with.
You can sell your creations online or at local events.
What If None of These Hands-On Hobbies Interests You?
The best way to find a hobby is to ask yourself what kind of activities interest you. Do you enjoy reading? Do you like being outdoors? Do you love taking care of animals?
Whatever it is, there are probably plenty of people who share that interest and could give good advice on how to get started.
Once you’ve identified an area or activity that interests you, see if there’s an existing club or organization that supports it. If not, consider starting one yourself.