Hobbies can be very expensive to start. Especially hobbies that require specialized equipment, but that shouldn’t stop you from finding something you love to do. Hobbies are a great way to build a community through mutual interests, relax after a stressful day at work, or create something you can be proud of. These experiences should be available to everyone, no matter your budget. That’s why I’ve found 5 hobbies that cost less than $20 to start today.
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1. Puzzles & Brain Games
A jigsaw puzzle is a great way to stimulate your brain without causing stress, but you might also consider a book of puzzles and brain games. If you’ve even played a game on your phone, try buying a puzzle book to avoid adding screen time. Crosswords, Word Searches, and Sudoku are games you might have played growing up, but these games are low-cost hobbies to enjoy anywhere. You can buy many puzzle books for $10 and have hours of activities.
If you are a true crime fan, try this Murdle Puzzle Book, and use deductive reasoning to solve mysteries.
2. Herb Gardening
Among the top 5 hobbies, gardening can quickly become expensive depending on the variety of produce you choose to plant and take care of. A great way to start smaller while still getting a chance to garden is with herbs. A basil plant can cost as little as $5, and then all you need is a container you already have to repot it and some potting soil . Better yet, if you have a friend with herbs, you can always propagate them for free!
3. Watercolor Painting
Watercoloring is one of the 5 hobbies you need to add to your creative rotation. Painting can be expensive, but watercolors are the perfect place to start. You can pick up a watercolor palette for under $7, and then all you need is a surface to paint on. Watercolor paper does not have to be expensive either; you can pick up a cute watercolor notebook to paint art to frame, make cards, or use it as a creative journal.
4. Baking
Among these 5 hobbies, baking gets very expensive quickly, and it mostly depends on your recipes and the price of the ingredients. You have to remember that most of the time, baking at home is much cheaper than buying the same item in the grocery store. Not only do you have a new hobby, but you’re also making food for yourself and your family.
You also might be surprised at the number of ingredients you already have in your pantry. If you have the basics like flour, sugar, butter, and eggs, most of the time you only need a few more items to learn how to make your favorite dessert. If you have a limited amount of ingredients to start with, you can always use recipes that only require a few ingredients. There are plenty of recipes online based on what you have to work with.
As for baking equipment, thrift stores have a ton of great tools that you can buy second-hand and clean up.
5. Coloring
Coloring is a relaxing hobby to do after work, in the morning, or right before bed to wind down. Similar to watercolors, you can get a good set of markers, colored pencils, or even crayons, and then you have everything you need to start coloring. You could also buy an adult coloring book if you prefer to color existing pictures.
Final Thoughts
Finding a fulfilling hobby doesn’t have to cost a ton of money. Whether you’re completing a puzzle, tending to fresh herbs, experimenting with watercolors, baking something sweet, or unwinding with a coloring book, each of these activities proves that joy and creativity can come at a low cost. These are truly 5 hobbies you need if you’re looking for affordable ways to relax, spark creativity, and bring more balance into your daily life. Start small, stay consistent, and you might be surprised at how much these simple hobbies enrich your routine.
If you like these affordable hobbies, check out more hobby recommendations for the cozier seasons!
