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We talk here about ways to improve your business and ways to spend time with your children. We also try to stress the importance of making time for yourself so that you do not get burned out. We have spent very little time talking about what you can do for yourself though.

I’m guessing that most of you, like me, have very little opportunity to get away from your children on a daily basis. Today we are going to talk about 10 easy hobbies that you can do at home with your children around.

1)Scrapbooking. This is a super popular hobby right now. Every craft supply store has aisles devoted to it and there are whole stores specializing in selling the supplies. In my area alone there are three really great scrapbooking stores. To get started you really just need some specialty paper, pictures, adhesive and scissors and/or a paper trimmer. You can set everything up on your kitchen table to “crop” while your children are playing. Check out Scrapbook.com or About.com for ideas.

2)Knitting. This may conjure up visions of old women knitting little baby booties, but knitting as a hobby has definitely undergone a resurgence in popularity. Doctors and lawyers are knitting for stress relief. Montessori and Waldorf schools teach children how to knit as a regular part of their curriculum. Knitting is a great hobby because you can knit just about anywhere, but you only need to bring your yarn, needles and pattern with you. I am a huge fan of knitting socks myself and my daughter loves to play with yarn scraps while I knit. Knittinghelp.com, Knitty.com, and Ravelry.com are all wonderful places to learn more.

3)Reading. This can be one of the most inexpensive hobbies to have, especially if you utilize your community’s library. My daughter and I often go to story time at the library and while there we will check out some books. I always make sure that I get one for myself, everything from chick lit to books on parenting. I may not have more than 15 minutes here or there to read, but I always like to make time for it. The best moments for reading are in a nice hot bath after a long day.

4)Gardening. Some may call this a hobby and others may say it is a chore, but this can be a very relaxing activity with a nice reward if you enjoy it. Tending to your plants in the garden and inside can easily be accomplished while your children play. They may even want to help you out. Watching your flowers, trees, and vegetables flourish can be very fulfilling.

5)Sewing. This one brings back memories of home ec class. This can be a great way to save money on clothes, plus make custom outfits that will fit you and your family perfectly. I know that I have the hardest time finding pants that will fit my daughter and this skill would be a great one to have. My local craft store offers a beginner’s class and I am guessing that yours probably does too.

6)Jewelry Making. This is another hobby that you are sure to find supplies for at your local craft store. Beads, string or wire, and some simple tools are all that you need. You will be able to create great pieces to accessorize your outfits with, plus make beautiful gifts for family and friends. About.com has a very comprehensive site on how to get started.

7)Painting. Who says you have to be an expert in order to use a brush and paint? My daughter is quite the fan of water colors and so am I. We have a great time together creating works of art to hang on our fridge. Maybe someday we will move up to canvas and oil paints. My local community college offers a very low cost course for beginners.

8)Playing an instrument. The possibilities are pretty limitless here. You can learn how to play everything from a guitar, to a piano, to a tuba. Check out your local music store for classes or look for ones online. My husband is teaching himself to play guitar in the evenings after my daughter has gone to bed with the help of lessons at GuitarTricks.com. Utimate-guitar.com is also one that he highly recommends.

9)Genealogy. With the help of Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org, filling in the missing pieces of your family tree can be very easy. I have even found some local cousins that I didn’t even know that I had by researching my family tree.

10)Drawing. This is another hobby that you can rifle through your children’s art box for. A pad of nice sketch paper and some pencils will get you started. Start out by drawing the things around you. Practice makes perfect, but the point is not to create a perfect piece of artwork. It is to have fun and to express your creative side. Drawspace.com is a great starting point.

The best part about taking up a hobby is that you never know if it may translate into a work at home business. Many people have successfully taken something that they love and created a successful business. You just never know.

What are some of your favorite hobbies? How long have you been doing them? Remember that you are never limited to just one hobby either. Feel free to experiment to find one that works for you.

Warmly,
Mia