Hobbies are activities people pursue outside of their regular work or family duties, usually for their enjoyment rather than for financial gain. Examples include collecting themed items and objects, engaging in creative or artistic pursuits, tinkering and fixing, sports, adult education and other leisure time pursuits. People often have multiple hobbies at one time, changing them based on their interests, fashions and attention spans. Hobbies may be casual where they are infrequent and short-lived or serious, where they involve consistent practice and the aim of acquiring substantial skill or knowledge for their own personal satisfaction.
Hobbies can help to relieve stress by diverting your mind away from the stresses of day to day life and providing a sense of achievement. They can also develop your motor skills and provide a sense of fun. Children are often encouraged to have hobbies that are creative, as this can help them express themselves, build their confidence and imagination. It is important that hobbies are chosen based on genuine interest, as children can have short attention spans and lose interest in things quickly. Many hobbies are inexpensive and do not require expensive equipment, membership fees or classes, and can be undertaken at home to suit people’s budgets.
If you earn income from your hobby it can be tax deductible, provided you are not engaged in a business for profit, and you maintain detailed records and books of all expenses, purchases and income. Some hobbies result in an end product, from woodworking, software projects and jewellery making, creating models out of card stock or paper – called papercraft up to more complex activities like building or restoring cars or computers from scratch.