Old-Fashioned ‘Grandma’ Hobbies Are Boosting Teen Mental Health—Here’s How

Reviewed by Charissa Chamorro, PhD

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It’s debatable whether the popularity of “grandma” hobbies is just a passing trend, or if we’re seeing a true shift toward more authentic offline activities. Either way, these hobbies can have some tangible benefits for teens and young adults. Here’s what the experts say.

What Are ‘Grandma’ Hobbies?

“Grandma” or “granny” hobbies refer to activities that have historically been popular among older generations. They might include the following:

• Crafty pastimes like quilting, crochet, knitting, needlepoint, and scrapbooking
• Culinary pursuits like canning and baking
• board games
• Outdoor activities like gardening and bird-watching

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The Grandmacore Aesthetic

Old-fashioned hobbies might fall within the “grandmacore” aesthetic, which takes inspiration from the typical grandmother. It embraces slow living, nostalgia, coziness, and simplicity. Grandmacore can influence everything from fashion to home decor to hobbies.

Why Teens Are Embracing Grandma Hobbies

If you spend any time on social media, you’ve probably noticed that old-fashioned hobbies and the “grandmacore” aesthetic are having a moment. Many popular influencers have been filming themselves tending flower gardens, canning pickles, and baking bread—usually to promote slower living and the benefits that come with it.

But why are people interested in these activities right now? There might be a few explanations.

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• With the internet, people can easily access the tools they need to get started. For example, you can find hundreds of online tutorials for cross-stitching, baking bread, making jewelry, or any other hobby that interests you.
• , says Fleming, and young adults are seeking screen-free entertainment.
• Teens and young adults are looking for creative outlets to relieve stress.

surveyed nearly 1,500 American teenagers (ages 13 to 17) in 2023. The majority of respondents (69%) claim that smartphones make it “a little or a lot easier” to pursue hobbies. Around 65% claim that smartphones make it easier to be creative.

Benefits of ‘Grandma’ Hobbies for Young Adults

. So it should come as no surprise that slower hobbies have been widely considered beneficial. Here are some of the advantages.

They might improve mental health

such as anxiety, depression, and loneliness.

“These ‘grandma’ hobbies can work wonders on our adolescents’ mental health,” says Fleming. “Many studies have shown that people who have hobbies have fewer negative emotions and are less stressed.” Hobbies have also been associated with greater life satisfaction.

They offer connection

. “For kids who are lonely or may not fit in, it offers a way to connect with like-minded peers or another opportunity to join a group outside of school, such as knitting clubs or baking classes,” says Fleming.

They foster stress-free productivity and creativity

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It’s not always easy for teens to allow themselves to relax. But “we have some research showing that people who consider downtime to be wasteful or unproductive are better able to pursue and enjoy it if they feel that they are gaining something by doing it,” says Damour.

In other words, the act of creating something—knitting a scarf, growing a tomato, painting a picture—can be deeply satisfying for teens.

They offer immediate gratification

, but they can’t always see the results of what they’ve been working on. “The beauty of ‘grandma’ hobbies is that the stakes are low, the outcomes are easily controlled, and the results are immediate. Teens need and deserve that kind of gratification,” says Damour.

They can teach life lessons

“Grandma” hobbies teach young people that they don’t need to earn an achievement to have fun. “You don’t even have to be good at it,” says Fleming. “‘Grandma’ hobbies offer an opportunity to have fun simply from the act of doing it, and in today’s chaotic world, that’s a gift that keeps on giving.”

If your teen expresses interest in a “grandma” hobby, encourage them to try it. These screen-free hobbies are linked to plenty of benefits, including connection with peers, greater life satisfaction, stress reduction, and more. And who knows—they might find a passion that sticks with them through life!