10 Grandma-Approved Hobbies to Pick Up This Fall
Trade doomscrolling for one of these cozy activities.
This fall, instead of doomscrolling your way through the season, pick up a cozy new hobby. More specifically, a grandma-approved hobby. Twenty twenty-six has been the year of #grandmacore, but more than a trending hashtag, it speaks to people’s longing for familiar comforts, a slower pace, and meaningful lives. Plus, since many of us spend our days staring at screens, old-school activities that don’t involve screens suddenly sound strangely appealing.
My grandmothers’ pantries never lacked jars of pickled goodness and their refrigerators always held an assortment of homemade jams and preserves. Childhood celebrations were synonymous with decorated made-from-scratch cakes, and some of my most vivid memories include my grandmother embroidering under the soft glow of lamplight. The original #grandmacore.
Whether you’re craving a little bit of nostalgic warmth, want to learn a new skill, or you’re looking for an activity to try—on your own or with your friend group—these grandma-approved hobbies are just the thing to pick up this fall.
Try Needlepoint and Embroidery
Needlepoint and embroidery are seeing a huge resurgence in popularity. If the sound of a cross stitch or chain stitch sounds intimidating, it’s actually not as hard as it sounds. To make things easy, get yourself a beginner’s embroidery kit that includes all the essentials—an embroidery hoop, fabrics with pattern templates, thread, and needles.
Get Creative With Watercolor Painting
Rather than spending fall weekends on your phone, put paintbrush to paper and capture the beauty of the changing leaves through watercolor. Pick up a set of paints, a few brushes, a watercolor paper pad, and you’re all set. If you’d prefer a little guidance, try a paintable watercolor guidebook.
Pickle Veggies
If there’s a culinary technique that’s synonymous with grandma energy, it’s gotta be pickling. This fall, try your hand at a classic dill pickle recipe. Not only is it fun to learn a new kitchen skill, there’s something deeply satisfying about displaying freshly pickled jars on your pantry shelves.
Scrapbook Favorite Memories
We all have thousands of photos on our phones but few actually get printed. This season, make it a point to preserve all the best of ‘26 in a good ‘ol scrapbook. We’re not talking digital scrapbooks—go old-school with printed photos, fun washi tape, and lots of stickers! Your future self will thank you.
Send Handwritten Cards
At a time when everything is digital, bring back the art of the handwritten card. Go to a greeting card store, pick out cards with friends or family in mind, and handwrite a “just because” note. With Thanksgiving around the corner, it’s a thoughtful way to send a little love and gratitude.
Make Jam
Turn your farmer’s market haul into homemade jams, jellies, and preserves perfect for spreading on toast or gifting. This grandma-approved hobby is the perfect way to fill your kitchen with a delightful aroma of homemade goodness. Take the traditional canning route or make a batch of no-cook refrigerator jam.
Bake Bread
There’s something inherently nostalgic and deeply soothing about the ritual of making bread. Between the kneading, rising, and actual baking, the process encourages slowing down. If you haven’t jumped on the sourdough bandwagon and aren’t sure where to start, try a classic challah or have fun with a flavored pull-apart bread.
Play Mahjong
If your friend group is looking for a new activity to got into this fall, give mahjong a try. Besides being fun to play, the rummy-style game is a great way to bring people together and build community. Prepare your favorite fall snacks, mix up a cozy beverage, and let the games begin!
Whip Up a Nostalgic Recipe
Fall calls for decadent comfort food and familiar favorites just like grandma used to make. If you’re lucky enough to have your grandmother’s recipes, make your way through the collection this autumn. Or, browse through the newly released iconic Good Housekeeping Illustrated Cookbook, which is filled with vintage recipes.
Learn the Art of Cake Decorating
Cake decorating is as much of a skill as it is an art. It’s something you take your time with and savor—both the process and the finished product! What better time to pick up this grandma-approved hobby than fall—with all the approaching holidays, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to enjoy it.
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