Hobbies to do with children.
Things a child can genuinely take part in, with an adult beside them. Sorted by what it costs to start.
Shed hunting
Deer drop their antlers every winter. Finding them is a free spring treasure hunt.
Decorative knots
A length of rope and a diagram. The cheapest craft to start, and oddly hard to put down.
Succulents and cacti
Small, sculptural and forgiving. A collection that fits on one windowsill.
Gyotaku
The Japanese art of printing a fish with ink and rice paper. Strange, old and beautiful.
Papermaking
Pulp, a wooden frame and a sponge. Scrap paper and garden plants become new sheets.
Dried flower wreaths
Grow or gather, hang to dry, wire into a ring. Color on the door all winter.
Terrariums
A whole mossy landscape in a jar that mostly waters itself.
Birdwatching
Binoculars, a notebook and a reason to look up. Works from a park bench.
Traditional archery
A wooden bow, a handful of arrows and the most satisfying thunk in sport.
Backyard chickens
Three hens, a small coop and breakfast that walks up to greet you.