Four obscure hobbies to dabble in this summer
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The holidays are long if you don’t have anything to do. There’s only long you can spend on Youtube and social media before your brain starts to fall out, and Netflix can only get you so far. Here are four hobbies to have a go at. The worst case scenario is that you’ll gain the world’s best conversation starter at parties. At best, you might discover a lifelong love. Why not work your way through all four and see which is best for you?
1) Circus tricks
https://www.flickr.com/photos/thomasrousing/6171574227/
Check Gumtree, Ebay or Freecycle for equipment such as a unicycle or juggling balls, then just start Googling tutorials. It goes without saying that learning anything is good for your brain and your mental health, but circus tricks also have the added benefit of really improving your coordination (both gross and fine motor skills), and, in the case of unicycling, your core body strength too. Extra useful for those considering a career in performing arts.
2) Gardening.
Whilst gardening is a normal hobby, the number of young people who do it for pleasure is very few! If you, your friend or a family member has a garden, why not endear yourself to the garden’s owner by brushing up on your weeds, flowers and trees. Mowing the lawn is a great way to get fit and do something useful, and you can find out how to make your garden a useful habitat for birds and other wildlife in the UK. It’s also a great way to earn a bit of extra money in your spare time if you get good at it, and will probably come in useful in the future!
3)Making your own clothes
https://www.flickr.com/photos/winemegup/3191845123/in/photolist-5S43mt-665TAA-4bHbXN-9jNX7m-4qaUCp-4sNSFm-2W2WDo-b8swhV-b8sw3k-4qDXsV-auWj9b-oaoCw9-auuPJz-an34Lz-9eA5fv-b8svMk-aFcBDM-aFgqGG-aFgqyq-aFgqqo-aFcAXx-aFgpYy-eeiTdP-aFgqPb-edSSNA-6PQLid-4ZM2NB-cwiYAq-b8suXX-aFgq6W-5KkQM4-co447Q-9Ajoho-7JxEtR-edCMJz-cjdJfJ-a6kmuU-9gX64p-p92aSP-2hNuD8-e7w7rd-6qKkwo-5G9tqc-co42Qf-bb8U8c-4ZMfNM-nXcvK9-8xHAxg-5TQrYz-7jNQNy/
If you’re crafty, why not turn your hand to learning to knit or sew your own clothes? Your local library will have lots of beginners’ guides to both topics, and very little is as satisfying as looking at an object that has both purpose and beauty that you created yourself. Learning the basics of knitting is easy, and creating simple shapes like scarves can be undertaken in no time. You’ll never have to rely on shops again!
4) Family History
Again, another hobby traditionally enjoyed by the retired, as a young person, you’ve got a big advantage – more of your ancestors are still alive! If you want to really learn about your family’s place in the world, get talking to your aunts and uncles, parents, grandparents and every older person you’re related to. Make sure you find out names, dates of birth, jobs and dates of death, as well as all of the really interesting social history stuff. And don’t forget to record it in some way – why not start a blog? Your family members will love hearing from you, and you’ll make treasured memories with them that might last for generations.
Whatever you choose, with six weeks of putting your mind to it, you will make leaps and bounds of progress and will start the new school year a better person because of it. The best of luck with your new hobbies!