A lot of my favorite hobbies have something to do with being outdoors. During the spring, summer and fall months, that is fine. As it gets colder and colder, though, finding some winter hobbies that I can do in the warmth of my home becomes pretty important to me. Here are a few of my favorite winter hobby ideas.
Bring Photography Indoors for the Winter by Setting Up a Studio
A lot of photographers shoot outside, either as they pursue wildlife shots or because they prefer natural light photography. Instead of letting your camera get dusty and neglected until spring returns, why not turn photography into a winter hobby by setting up a temporary studio? You can learn about indoor lighting without spending a ton of money.
I used shop lights when I first started out. I just put natural daylight bulbs in them, strapped them sideways to the backs of a few chairs and put them a lot closer to my models than I would position "real" studio lights. I also used a makeshift backdrop. You can, too. Just tack a white sheet to a wall for your backdrop or buy a few yards of fabric that seems like it would be fun to photograph. It was a lot of fun to play with and I learned quite a bit about lighting. In total, I spent under $50 on lighting and was able to enjoy photography year round.
Needlework is a Great Winter Hobby
There are many different types of needlework and some of them require tremendous skill and dexterity. People who fall in love with needlework can happily spend hours creating family heirlooms or little gifts for family and friends during the cold winter months.
For beginners, cross stitch is a fairly forgiving and easy form of needlework. At first, you will probably want to buy basic cross stitch kits, but, as you become adept at making even crosses and learn to look at the world through the eyes of a cross stitcher, you will probably want to begin making your own designs.
Whittling is a Popular Year Round Hobby
If you can handle a knife and woodworking tools without cutting yourself to ribbons, you may enjoy taking up whittling as a winter hobby. People have whittled everything from walking sticks to chess pieces. Several whittlers in my area make and sell small wooden sculptures through local art galleries. For people who see bowls instead of owls in a block of wood, turning wood may be the right hobby.
Make Ice Sculptures and Snow Sculptures as a Winter Hobby
You aren't going to be able to play in the snow during the summer. If you don't mind the cold, why not embrace what it brings and learn to make snow or ice sculptures? While the creations you design have a very short life, they can bring you and the people that see them a lot of enjoyment.
Finding a winter hobby can help you stay creative and active throughout the cold and chilly months til spring. Whether you embrace outdoor hobbies like skiing or look for indoor pursuits like sewing or painting, the key is to keep learning and enjoying life year round.
Katelyn Thomas - If you can't find me in the spring, I'm out hiking through the wood with a few pounds of photography gear strapped to my back. In the ...
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