Indoor Hobbies that don't involve screens

Indoor Hobbies that don’t involve screens

Do you spend a lot of time on screens? Do you feel like you don’t have a lot to do that isn’t playing games, surfing the internet, or watching TV? Well, in this post I will introduce some hobbies that don’t involve screens.

It’s okay to spend some time on the computer or TV, though, we just don’t want to make it a habit. There are so many other beneficial activities to do that don’t involve screens.

With the next hobby suggestions, I would like to give you some inspiration. So, here are indoor 20 hobbies that don’t involve screens waiting for you on this page.

Indoor hobbies that don’t involve screens

Jigsaw puzzles

To solve a jigsaw puzzle, the mind must recognize that a problem exists, propose a solution, test the solution, adjust if the solution does not work, and persist until the solution is found. Puzzles provide an opportunity for children to learn these skills in a fun way without spending time behind the screens.

Assembling puzzles will help you built short term memory and development of concentration and patience, It will also develop eye-hand coordination and dexterity.

By assembling the geographic related jigsaw puzzle, you can learn geography by having to figure out where various countries are located and how they fit together.

This is not only a rewarding hobby but encourages cooperation and teamwork. Large jigsaw puzzles are perfect as a group or family activity where everyone participates together and works toward a common goal.

Working on, and solving,  puzzles are rewarding. In fact, the brain knows that this is rewarding which is why it produces dopamine, when working on, and completing, a puzzle.

Modern puzzles range in difficulty from easy to difficult. Some are assigned to work on the edges while others work on portions of the picture.

Board games

Board games are known to be good for kids’ mental growth. The side effect of board game playing is laughter, and it is one of the vital ingredients for creativity and an enjoyable learning experience. Also, laughing and having a good time, in general, helps to decrease stress.

Board games playing is the perfect way to spend time in a nice company and strengthen bonds with your friends. It teaches how to set goals and be patient. They enhance creativity and self-confidence.

This activity is a wonderful exercise for the brain. Because playing stimulates brain areas that are responsible for complex thought and memory.

One of the most amazing benefits of board games playing is that such traditional plays pull people away from the screens.

Playing cards

Playing cards can really help develop concentration skills and patience. Not only solitaire or cribbage, but there are also many other card games out there you can play.

Playing cards require interaction with others, so it increases socialization and can help with things like memory loss issues.

Many card games rely on a group setting that requires the participants to take turns, and often focus on what other players are doing in order to play the most effective cards and win the game.

Also, losing is difficult, however, it’s an exercise we need to learn. Individuals who play cards lose constantly, regardless of how great they are.

The benefits of these games can range from improved math skills to an increased sense of self-esteem as a person improves in games that require skill and know-how instead of just games of chance.

Knitting & Crocheting

Another hobby that doesn’t involve screens is knitting and crocheting. For many, the practice of knitting is meditative. A number of small, precise movements, often executed rapidly. This repeated exercise is actually great for keeping the finger joints flexible and the muscles in the hands toned and steady.

Knitting and crocheting are all about counting, multiplying, measuring, and patterning, which are all math skills. When you knit, you do most of that stuff subconsciously and you gain stronger mathematical skills.

It is about creating handmade gifts for friends and family or creating necessities like scarves and mittens. When you’ve finished something, you have a physical thing that you can hold up. You get a cool craft when you’re done. And the best part is that there’s no other one like it in the world.

Knitting and crocheting might seem like crafts of the past, but they’re not at all. Both are methods of looping yarn together, just in different styles. Knitting uses a pair of long needles to form the loops, moving a set of loops from one needle to another. Crochet uses a single hook, to hook the loops together directly on the piece.

Knitting and crocheting really help people to relax, which is healthy and reduces stress. Crafts like this help the brain create and maintain the neural pathways that keep the mind and memory sharp.

Yoga & meditation

Yoga is another activity that you can do instead of being on a computer. Incorporating it into your routine can help enhance your health, increase strength and flexibility, and reduce symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety.

Finding the time to practice yoga just a few times per week may be enough to make a noticeable difference when it comes to your health. Yoga is grounded in spirituality and have benefits on the mind and the body.

Grow bonsai

If you choose a bonsai growing hobby, it’s definitely a hobby that can and will last a lifetime. Plants are living creatures just like us. They can even live longer than we do.

There’s something uniquely gentle about caring for bonsai plants. As you go about your daily routine in watering and taking care of bonsai plants, you’ll find your stress gradually leaking away from your body.

You can purchase full grown bonsai that are usually 3-5 years old. This is the easiest and fastest way to get started. You can also grow your own bonsai from seed.

Cooking and baking

Repetitive and simple activities are often the ones which give you the most calming feelings. Many clinical psychologists have expressed that cooking can be a great stress reviler.

When you’re baking or cooking you know what you’re going to do next. You can concentrate completely on what you’re doing and it ends up acting as a form of meditation.

You can invite significant others and children to help you cook. It is a wonderful way to bond on a different level. It doesn`t matter if you are preparing a simple or demanding meal, together you are creating lasting memories. Cooking is a great hobby that dont involve screens.

Reading literature

You can decide yourself what you want to read, you can choose books, comic books, newspaper, magazines, whatever, as long you actually enjoy reading.

Reading comics is an intense hobby. It can take your imagination way beyond. Nothing beats the thrill of reading manga. It has everything, from great quality drawings to a superb storyline. Maybe for you, this hobby could become a lifestyle.

While reading, you will forget everything around you (work, school, all the bad news around the world ), you will definitely feel more relaxed afterward. You can experience deeper sleep and wake up feeling more energized. In addition, you will feel more satisfied as you have used your time productively.

Listening to music

Listening to music is a hobby that you can do in the dark, you don’t need any screen to listen to your favorite tune, music really has no boundaries.

Music is something that is capable of lifting your mood, developing the mind, and lessening stress levels. It can heal your body as well as your soul.

Learning an instrument and creating music

If you are looking for a new hobby that relates to music, then this should be on top of your list. Learning to play an instrument stimulates the brain, improving functions like memory and abstract reasoning skills, which are essential for maths and science.

Practicing and perfecting a piece of music does wonders for the creative side of your brain. Choose the instrument you enjoy most and explore the wonderful world of music.

Singing

Singing can be a fun hobby that doesn’t involve screens. We have all tried to sing at one point (In the shower, the car, mostly when no one is listening). In essence, singing is using the human voice as a very flexible musical instrument.

Singing is something we love to do, something that we are interested in, something that makes us happy doing. It’s the only form of music where there are words to give specific meaning, augmented by the melodies, tones, and rhythms used by other instruments.

Painting, coloring, and drawing

For many people, painting or drawing is how they express themselves and portray their emotions in producing abstract art. Learning how to paint has all the benefits of good entertainment because you always learn something new and feel motivated to finish what you started, appreciate nature, and feel passion for something good.

Aside from improving mental and emotional capabilities, you may improve your sensory and motor skills through constant painting and drawing. Many therapists include these activities in the schedules of their patients.

Learn to make origami

Origami is the most known of all papercrafts. It is the Japanese art of turning a piece of paper into something useful with no scissors or glue. It is fascinating, that one square of paper can be turned into so many things.

It can be learned at any age, It develops eye-hand coordination, sequencing skills, maths reasoning, spatial skills, memory, patience, and attention skills. All of this combined stimulates the brain especially when both hands are being used at the same time.

Art craft (handcraft)

Arts and crafts can bring your entire family together and bring out the best in your child and provide an activity that doesn’t involve screen. There are various handcraft ideas that will boost your imagination and your creative side: Candle making, soap making, jewelry making, macrame…

There are many benefits of arts and crafts that go beyond simply allowing people to express themselves in a more creative way. It can improve your coordination and fine motor skills. Help you to express yourself creatively, to become more productive, and think critically.

Calligraphy

Calligraphy or ‘kallos’ is handwriting enhancing and especially in the case of students, it is a very constructive leisure activity. Learning the art of writing is not expensive and it is one of the rare hobbies that give you a lifetime of praises for a little initiative. The only requirements are calligraphy pens and paper.

Mastering this skill is very fulfilling and experimental since you can invent styles of your own too. The virtues you need to pursue this hobby are patience, a willingness to learn, attention to detail, and a love for the art.

What do you need to know about spending time on screens?

How much time are we spending on screens?

According to Nielsen Total Audience Report, American adults spend over 11 hours per day interacting with media, more than 9 hours of this time is reported to be screen time. What about kids? If you visit Michigan Medicine, you will find that children ages up to 5 spend 4,5 hours per day on screen.

How much screen time is too much?

Depending upon what metric we are using ( depression, anxiety, stress, happiness, sleep quality/quantity, grades ) for positive or negative outcomes, we would find different answers for how much screen time is too much.

According to Mike Brooks Ph.D. from PsychologyToday, for kids and teens, 1-2 hours on school days and 3-4 hours of recreational screen time on weekends and holidays is a reasonable amount.

Did I miss something?

These are just some words about indoor hobbies that don’t involve screens. I am sure there are more hobbies like these, share your hobbies and suggestions. Check more hobbies for teenagers.