A hobby is a personal activity that people engage in outside of work or school that brings them pleasure and satisfaction. Hobbies may be creative and artistic in nature or more active such as participating in a sport or other leisure activity. People choose their hobbies based on their interests and often develop them into skills that can be used in the workplace.
There are many types of hobbies that can be enjoyable, from the classics such as reading and cooking to more modern ones like dancing and painting. There are also a number of more unusual and less traditional hobbies that can be rewarding, such as improv which requires witty quick-thinking and teamwork or cosplay which lets people dress up in their favorite characters from movies, TV shows and books.
The benefits of having a hobby are numerous and can help with mental health and wellbeing. For children, embracing their interests and letting them pursue these as a regular activity can be good for their confidence, sense of achievement and self-esteem. Hobbies can also help children develop important social skills, such as being able to interact with other adults and younger children in structured activities.
Getting started on a new hobby can be daunting, especially for children. It is often best to start with a low cost or no-cost option and build from there, particularly for children whose attention spans and interest are notoriously short. For example, if they want to try rollerskating, it is best to rent the equipment rather than buy expensive skates and clothing.