If you’ve ever felt like your interests are a little out of the ordinary, don’t worry–you’re not alone. Many people find joy in hobbies that might seem unusual to others. Here are 19 such unusual hobbies that are surprisingly popular.
Geocaching
Imagine a treasure hunt guided by GPS coordinates – that’s geocaching. Participants hide containers, known as caches, for others to find all around the world. This exciting blend of technology and exploration encourages geocachers to discover new places, uncover hidden treasures, and connect with a global community. It’s become so popular that Cotswold reports there to be a staggering 300,000 caches in the UK alone.
Soap Carving
Believe it or not, crafting intricate designs from bars of soap, otherwise known as soap carving, is a popular hobby that is supposed to be very calming. Enthusiasts enjoy transforming a simple bar into a work of art, sharing their creations online, and participating in friendly competitions through dedicated communities.
Trainspotting
Here in the UK, trainspotting was once immensely popular, although it still has a strong community. Hobbyists track and document various trains, often traveling to unique locations. Equipped with cameras and notebooks, they capture rare train models and routes, compiling detailed records that reflect their passion for the railway system.
Mushroom Hunting
These days, foraging for wild mushrooms isn’t just about survival, but it’s a hobby that combines nature exploration with culinary discovery. Mushroom hunters must learn to identify edible varieties while avoiding toxic ones. It not only gets people outdoors but also rewards them with unique and sometimes gourmet ingredients for their kitchens.
Urban Exploration
Urbex, short for urban exploration, involves investigating abandoned buildings and structures. Explorers document these hidden and often decaying spaces through photography and video. The hobby offers a glimpse into forgotten places, merging history, adventure, and a touch of the eerie. Be very careful if you want to give it a try, though, because it can be very dangerous.
Sandcastle Building
Taking a childhood activity to an artistic level, sandcastle building is more than just playing in the sand. Enthusiasts use specialized tools to create elaborate and detailed structures. Competitions and festivals celebrate these sandy masterpieces, bringing together talented builders from around the world.
Extreme Ironing
Perhaps the most unusual hobby on this list is extreme ironing, which combines the mundane with the adventurous. It involves ironing clothes in unconventional and often extreme locations. For example, practitioners of this quirky hobby have been known to iron atop mountains, underwater, or while skydiving, turning a chore into a thrilling challenge.
Collecting Action Figures
More than just toys, collecting action figures is a serious hobby for many. Collectors hunt for rare and valuable pieces, often displaying them in elaborate setups. This hobby can be very nostalgic, connecting enthusiasts with their favorite characters and stories from childhood and beyond.
Competitive Dog Grooming
If you’ve ever watched Crufts, you’ll know all about how competitive dog grooming transforms pets into living works of art. Groomers spend hours trimming and styling dogs’ fur into creative and often whimsical designs. These competitions showcase the incredible skill and creativity of groomers, highlighting a unique intersection of art and animal care.
Quidditch
Inspired by the fictional sport from the Harry Potter series, real-life quidditch has gained a significant following in recent years. Players mount broomsticks and follow modified rules to play this high-energy, mixed-gender sport. It’s a blend of rugby, dodgeball, and tag, although sadly, flying isn’t involved.
Soap Making
The second soap-related hobby on this list is soap making, where people create handmade soaps by experimenting with scents, colors, and ingredients. This craft not only results in unique and personalized soap bars but also emphasizes natural and often eco-friendly products. To be fair, we must say this is a fairly normal hobby, at least in comparison to soap carving.
Kite Fighting
Nowadays, simply flying a kite isn’t enough for hobbyists; they’ve taken things up a notch with kite fighting, a traditional sport in many cultures where participants try to cut their opponent’s kite string using their own kite. This competitive and skillful hobby requires precision and strategy, offering a thrilling twist on the simple act of flying a kite.
Letterboxing
Similar to Geocaching, letterboxing combines elements of orienteering, art, and puzzle-solving. Participants follow clues to find hidden containers, which hold a logbook and a unique stamp. Hobbyists collect these stamps in personal logbooks, enjoying the blend of outdoor adventure and creative expression.
Beekeeping
Recently, beekeeping has become very trendy among middle-aged men, offering them a rewarding connection to nature and a source of delicious honey. Hobbyists manage hives, care for bees and harvest honey. This practice doesn’t just support local ecosystems through pollination, but it also provides insights into the fascinating world of bees.
Cosplaying
Another unusual hobby that has developed a lot of traction lately is cosplaying, which involves dressing up as characters from anime and manga series, movies, games, books, and more. Cosplayers often create their own costumes, paying meticulous attention to detail. Conventions and social media provide platforms for showcasing these creations, allowing enthusiasts to express their passion for their favorite characters.
Astrophotography
There aren’t many hobbies more relaxing than astrophotography, the act of capturing the beauty of the night sky. Enthusiasts use specialized equipment to photograph celestial objects like stars, planets, and galaxies. This hobby combines a love for astronomy with photography, resulting in stunning images that reveal the wonders of the universe.
Sword Swallowing
Arguably, the most dangerous hobby on this list is sword swallowing, a daring performance art that dates back centuries. Practitioners train to safely swallow swords and other objects, captivating audiences with their bravery and skill. Upon seeing this, most onlookers assume it’s fake, but concerningly, it’s totally legit.
Fishkeeping
If bees aren’t your thing, consider fishkeeping, a hobby involving the creation and maintenance of intricate aquariums to house various fish species. Enthusiasts design elaborate aquatic environments, paying careful attention to the needs of their fish. This hobby offers a tranquil and visually pleasing way to connect with aquatic life.
Taxidermy
While it might not be to everyone’s taste, taxidermy is the art of preserving and mounting animals for display, and it’s immensely popular in some parts of the world. Hobbyists might work with birds, mammals, or even insects, focusing on creating lifelike representations. This meticulous craft requires knowledge of anatomy, art, and preservation techniques, resulting in unique and often educational displays.