With summer here and the days feeling longer than ever, it feels like the perfect time to pick up a new hobby. However, although I have so much time on my hands, I get caught in that hobby FOMO. There are so many options and I get paralyzed with choice. I can already feel my summer wasting away thanks to my indecisiveness, leading me to rinse and repeat each day. Summer 2026 should not be about planning every moment of every day. You should be able to relax, have fun, and not be afraid to do something on a whim.
And speaking of whims…
It seems that whimsy is the word of the year for 2026, and for good reason! Instead of focusing on the bad, stressful, and minimalist life, people are trying to embrace the joy and playfulness of every day, even if it’s just for a moment. Personally, I love the whimsical movement, as I can literally see the color come back to everybody’s faces. So, why not embrace a whimsical hobby this summer?
Regardless of whether you’re working full time, or have full stretches of your days to kill, a whimsicaly hobby is a great way to utilize your time. So, if you’re looking for ways to put some whimsy in your life this summer, these hobbies are a great place to start.
Bedazzling
I hope I’m not the only one that feels this way, but I think bedazzling is the epitome of a whimsical hobby. Badazzling simply involves taking an object and covering it in rhinestones or jewels. The great thing about bedazzling is that you can bedazzle anything: cups, makeup, clothing, books — you name it.
Embroidery
Embroidery is a great hobby that can easily add some whimsy into your everyday life. You can customize clothing such as denim shorts and canvas shoes, or you can create your own decor by using an embroidery hoop. There are countless patterns and tutorials online to get started.
Drink customization
News flash: Everyone loves a fun drink! In fact, I get envious when I come across a cool cocktail or a gorgeous coffee online because I want one too! It isn’t difficult to start making fun drinks so long as you try. Something as simple as adding sprinkles to a coffee would immediately boost my dopamine levels. Coffees, teas, sodas, cocktails, mocktails, juices, and more can all be zhuzhed up with a bit of inspiration and a few ingredients.
Pottery
Having unique, one-of-a-kind pottery pieces can easily make a space more whimsical. Pottery is an excellent hobby because you can make it as easy or as complex as you’d like it to be. You can decide to paint pottery, create items using air-dry clay, or create a complex dish using a wheel at a pottery studio. Not to mention, you can create a piece or two, or decide to replace all of your dishes — your mind’s the limit!
Coloring
Coloring has been receiving its flowers over the last couple of years thanks to ColorTok. There is something so simple, yet whimsical, about coloring a picture with marker, crayons, or whatever your heart desires, just like as a child. Thanks to the popularity of the hobby there are so many amazing coloring book options and styles to choose from.
Gardening
Picture this: It’s a warm sunny day, you’re sitting outside enjoying the fresh air while your backyard is a haven to bees, butterflies, and other creatures. With gardening, specifically wildflower gardening, your yard can quickly become a sanctuary of nature. Planting wildflowers, native plants, and lush greenery can be a great start to a new hobby.
Playlist curation
I must admit, this is one of my go-to hobbies, especially for the summer. It feels amazing to have a playlist for any occasion, and my friends appreciate it as well. There is something so hypnotic about selecting the perfect songs, coming up with a title, finding a cover image , and getting into the groove. You can create playlists based on anything from a past event, to trying to conjure up what songs a patch of sunflowers would listen to. The possibilities are endless!
Stargazing
How cool could it be to take a look at the sky in the middle of the night, only to know exactly what you’re looking at? Summer is an excellent time to get into stargazing. The weather is nicer and this can be done almost any night (so long as there aren’t any clouds in the sky). There are books, apps, and videos that can help you get started. If this becomes a go-to hobby, you can always continue it throughout the year as different constellations can only be seen during certain months.
Jewelry making
This hobby goes right back to summer camp and I am here for it! Jewelry making is an awesome way to spend your time and make anything you want with any material you’d like : beads, wire, string, metal, rubber bands, and so much more. Starter kits can be found at pretty much any craft store or dollar store.
Learning an instrument
How neat and would it be to hang out with friends, and randomly start to play an instrument? Imagine spending the evening at a bonfire and suddenly breaking into a tune. Playing an instrument such as a harmonica or ocarina could be a great opportunity to learn a new skill and impress those around you, or if you want a bigger commitment, try a brass instrument!
Junk journaling
Junk journaling has been exploding in popularity in the best way possible! With just a book to write in, junk (of course), and optionally a writing utensil, you can start right away. I love to browse Pinterest, Reddit, and TikTok for journal spread inspiration, but there are no rules when it comes to junk journals. You can fill in the pages by color, by day, or however you’d like! If you like what you’re creating, then you’re doing it right.
Starting a collection
Although starting a collection isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when I think of hobbies, having a collection of something feels interesting and whimsical. Anything can be collected: rocks, marbles, license plates, spoons, coins — the list goes on! If space is an issue, a collection doesn’t have to be tangible. You can take photos of items and create a digital collection. For example, I recently took a trip to the East coast and created an album of every covered bridge I spotted. Collecting something also encourages outings and activities such as visiting antique shops and going to garage sales, potentially leading you to discovering another hobby!