10 Fun & Cheap Hobbies to Get Into

If you’re looking for a new hobby, you may find that they all seem to be expensive, but there are so many fun and cheap hobbies to get into that don’t break the bank. In this article, we’ll recommend a mix of relaxing, creative and active hobbies that fit your budget.

1. Play Solitaire Online

For a relaxing, budget-friendly hobby that’s easy to access online, you should try Solitaire. Great sites like 247 Solitaire offer a free platform with multiple variations including Spider Solitaire and Scorpion Solitaire and stats tracking features so you can see how you become better at the game in real time. And make sure to try all the different seasonal and holiday decks to add festive cheer to your game time.

Card games aren’t only a fun way to pass time, but they have also been proven to improve concentration and reduce stress for people. When you play a game like Solitaire, you need to concentrate on the game, learn rules, make connections, and your mood improves when you solve problems.

2. Walking or Hiking

If you like being outdoors, walking and hiking are free (or extremely low-cost) hobbies that provide you with major mental and physical benefits. All you need to do is find a local park or a free trail, and you’re on your way to making walking one of your hobbies.

Plus, spending time outdoors has been proven to improve your mood and effectively manage stress, emotions, and your daily cognitive function.

3. Journaling or Creative Writing

Journaling or creative writing can be the right hobby for those who want to write about their thoughts or feelings on the day. You only need a notebook and pen, or a free digital app to start journaling. By articulating your emotions on paper, you’re making an outlet for your creativity and taking the time to know yourself better.

And it’s been shown that journaling can help regulate your emotions, build self-awareness, and reduce your anxiety.

4. Learn to Cook or Bake

For a hobby that will pay dividends with more practice, you could learn to cook or bake. You may need to buy groceries, but there are many affordable ways to get started, like free recipes on YouTube or cheap starter kits for baking. Baking or cooking might not be something you immediately grasp, but start with something simple, like baking bread or cooking pasta dishes. That way, you won’t have to multitask as much.

5. Drawing or Sketching

Drawing is a smart, low-cost hobby that offers real value, especially if you want something creative, calming, and mentally engaging.

All you need to get started is a pencil and paper. There’s no expensive gear, no need for a large workspace, and no pressure to “get it right." You can draw at your own pace, in your own style, with endless free resources online to guide you, like beginner tutorials, sketchbook prompts, and YouTube classes.

The benefits go beyond just filling time. Drawing activates parts of the brain that support focus, memory, and problem-solving. It helps train your eyes to see detail and teaches your brain to translate what you see into action. Studies have also linked creative practices like drawing to reduced stress and improved mood by promoting mindfulness and boosting dopamine levels.

It's also incredibly flexible—you can pick it up for five minutes or dive in for an hour. Unlike some hobbies, it doesn’t require physical strength or mobility, making it a great option for anyone recovering from illness or looking for a soothing indoor activity.

6. Gardening

For those who want an affordable hobby that centers a different kind of growth, consider gardening. To get started, try picking up some seeds and plant herb gardens or small indoor plants. Gardening can be very therapeutic with its hypnotic routine and being able to see tangible progress. It’s guaranteed to improve your mood and put you in a more positive, peaceful frame of mind.

7. Play Free Online Games

Another easy and budget-friendly way to stay entertained is by playing free online games—no downloads, no payments, just instant fun. 24/7 Solitaire doesn’t just offer solitaire variations. It also hosts a full library of relaxing, brain-boosting games that cover a wide range of interests.

In addition to Classic, Spider and, FreeCell , you can explore:

• Sudoku – Perfect for number lovers who enjoy logic challenges
• Mahjong – Great for pattern-matching and visual memory
• Checkers – A quick-thinking classic with simple rules
• Word Search – For anyone who loves language puzzles
• Minesweeper – A retro logic game that sharpens problem-solving

These games are free to play, accessible directly in your browser, and designed to keep your mind engaged without being overwhelming. They're especially helpful when you’re stuck inside, feeling low-energy, or just need a calm, focused activity to pass the time.

8. DIY Projects or Upcycling

For another cheap and rewarding hobby, try DIY projects using used or recycled materials. Upcycling old furniture, repurposing jars, or turning scrap fabric into something functional not only saves money but also cuts down on waste. You can find free tutorials and endless inspiration on platforms like Pinterest, YouTube, and Instructables.

DIY upcycling gives new life to items that might otherwise end up in a landfill. Instead of buying new products made with raw materials, you reuse what already exists, reducing demand for manufacturing, packaging, and shipping. That means fewer resources are consumed and less pollution is released into the environment.

This hobby also helps you think creatively and build practical skills like painting, sewing, or basic woodworking—all while minimizing your carbon footprint. Whenever you turn an old shelf into a planter or remake a torn t-shirt into a reusable bag, you contribute to a more sustainable way of living.

9. Practice Meditation or Yoga at Home

For those seeking a quieter, more restorative hobby, meditation or yoga at home can offer a powerful reset. Even a few minutes daily can help clear your mind, reduce tension, and create a greater sense of balance. These practices require minimal equipment and space—just a quiet spot and some intention.

Meditation, in particular, has been shown to improve mental and emotional health in measurable ways. Studies link regular meditation to reduced levels of stress hormones like cortisol, lower blood pressure, and better sleep quality. It also helps train your brain to focus, process emotions more clearly, and break patterns of overthinking. Over time, daily meditation can increase your awareness of how your body and mind react to stress, helping you manage those responses in healthier ways.

You don’t need to pay for expensive classes, either. Free apps like Insight Timer offer guided meditations, calming music, and breathing exercises. For gentle movement, YouTube offers free and accessible yoga flows that you can repeat as often as you like.

10. Learn Basic Photography

Photography might not sound like the cheapest hobby, but you don’t need an expensive DSLR camera to become a photographer - many beginners can start with a smartphone. And there are many videos out there that can teach you the ins and outs of how to understand photography.

There are even scavenger hunt challenges where you need to take photos that match the prompts. Plus, photography encourages creativity and mindfulness as you think about how to best frame an image that takes into account the world around you and how the photo will look.

Wrapping Up: Finding the Right Cheap Hobby



You might not find the right hobby immediately, but pick one or two from this list to try this week and see if they fit in with your interests and lifestyle.

Staying entertained, creatively engaged, and active is always possible even if you’re low on funds. And as a fun and free place to start, play a few rounds of Solitaire at 247 Solitaire for a relaxing and affordable hobby.

DISCLAIMER: The games on this website are using PLAY (fake) money. No payouts will be awarded, there are no "winnings", as all games represented by 247 Games LLC are free to play. Play strictly for fun.