15 Awesome Hobbies For Gamers You Can Start Right Now!

Though gaming is a hobby in itself, it’s important for gamers to take some time trying out some other hobbies, especially ones that are creative or in the outdoors!

In this list, I have found some of the best hobbies for gamers that you can start with very minimal equipment or tools, and most of them need very little skill level to begin.

The best part? Many of these hobbies will also enhance your focus, problem-solving skills, and strategy for your gaming! Let’s get started!

15 Hobbies For Gamers You Can Start Right Now In 2024

1. Reading

As a hobby, reading is a great way for gamers to be able to still explore mysterious, otherworldly fantasy worlds like in their favorite games, in a more relaxed and less active way.

Reading is a hobby that anyone can do at any time and in any place. Suited to the kind of person who loves to be on their own and get lost for hours in stories and ideas.

Some people prefer to read about topics they’re interested in, whether that is non-fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, romance, crime, action, or mystery fiction novels. Check out Amazon for the latest new releases and bestselling books on every topic.

2. Drawing

Drawing is a fantastic hobby where you can refine your skill of illustrating whilst having fun and expressing your creativity. There are many types of drawing that you could do, like life portraits, landscapes, fine detail patterns, or abstract drawings. 

Anyone can start drawing, as long as you have a pen, paper, and some patience. To explore other tools for drawing, you can use specialty drawing pads and pencils, or even charcoal.

To get started, there are fantastic drawing tutorials online on either YouTube or specific websites dedicated to teaching drawing techniques.

3. Board Games

The beauty of getting into board games, especially for gamers, is that it’s still focused on having a strategy, story, challenge, and a goal to reach, like any great game.

There are countless board games for different ages, interests, and skill levels. You could even find a board game that is based on your favorite game or movie. This isn’t a solo hobby, like reading and drawing, however, so you’ll need to at least have another person or a group of friends to join you in this hobby.

We all know the classics – Monopoly, Pictionary, Chess – but there’s also so many more that are also fun, quirky, and challenging. Check out this article about the most recommended board games!

4. Card Games

Similar to board games, playing card games is one of the other great hobbies for gamers that involves the kind of strategy and goal-orientation that you’ll be used to.

Though there are some solo card games, like memory or solitaire, generally, people will need to play with another person or multiple people, in order to take part. As long as you read the rules and have some patience to learn the game, you don’t need any particular skill or talent to play cards.

Card games can be played online and in person. For virtual card games, you can play against other people around the world, and even place real bets like in online poker, or you can play against computer bots, without needing others there. For some online card games, check out this site!

5. Origami

Origami is the art of folding paper together to create simple or complex objects of different sizes. It’s a simple but beautiful craft that anyone can start.

If you’re good at working with your hands and have patience and attention to detail, then origami is a great hobby, as all you need is paper and your hands!

To get started, you can get a beginner’s origami book and start out with simple designs, like the ones featured here.

6. Puzzles

Puzzles are games that require critical thinking, logic, patience, and problem-solving. They’re all about mentally challenging the player, and they can be played in one sitting or over a long period of time.

Some puzzles will require more skill and time to learn, like solving a Rubik’s Cube, and others can be started right away. Gamers are great at using their hands and working through complex problems, so puzzles are a logical choice for gamers.

If this sounds like that hobby for you, you can try a range of puzzles, like Sudoku, so check out this list of other puzzles for beginners.

7. Lego

Even as an adult, I still love playing with Lego! In the past, I have undertaken very complex and very rewarding Lego projects like the Millennium Falcon and the Saturn V rocket.

To start with this hobby, try out a few simple sets with instructions, and if you enjoy the process of making the objects, then work your way up to more challenging creations. The Official Lego Shop is a good place to find lego instructions and sets online.

8. Comic Collecting

Collecting and trading comics is another one of our hobbies for gamers that seems to go hand-in-hand with gaming. Comic collecting is a hobby where people treat comic books and related items (like cards and action figures) as precious collectible artworks that are preserved (rather than taken out of their package and read).

For newbies starting out, you can choose a writer, artist, or character to begin your journey, so that you have a focus to start collecting all the related comics that feature what you are focused on. You’d then go onto marketplaces or in-person comic book swaps to find the comics you need.

It can be a little costly to start out, especially since comic book collecting has been a very long-standing tradition, so comic books have continued to go up in value, though as you learn more about how to collect them in a more budget-friendly way, you’ll find it easier. Here’s a site dedicated to beginners just starting out to collect comic books.

9. Darts

Darts is a hobby and sport where two or more players will throw small darts at a target (dartboard), getting different points according to where the dart hits within the target’s circles. 

Though some hand-eye coordination is used, you don’t need to be particularly active for this kind of hobby, as it’s mostly about how accurate your throw is. There’s some practice required to get skilled at darts, but the beauty is that you can practice on your own so long as you have a dartboard in your home.

Spend time each day on your own working on your throw, and then play against other beginners. Once you get very good at the game, you can start playing people in public competitions at local sports bars, for example. Check out these tips for throwing darts.

10. Anime

Since there is a range of ways to enjoy anime as a hobby, you don’t need any skill to begin. Start with finding a series that seems interesting, and watch a few episodes to see if you like it. If you do, maybe you decide to get more into character collecting, or drawing.

There are definitely many hard-core anime enthusiasts out there, and staring out may seem daunting. This is a helpful article for people who don’t yet know much about anime.

11. Coding

Since gamers are already tech-savvy, coding is a great way to branch out of gaming and try your hand at even making your own games.

You definitely need to be good with computers to start, and preferably have a good memory, strong focus, and have patience with working with complex systems.

To start, you’ll need to study the languages of coding, so instruction by an expert is vital. You can have a look at these coding for beginners online courses on Udemy.

12. Astronomy 

This is the study of the night sky, looking at the constellations, learning the names of the planets and patterns, and tracking the movements in the sky.

Anyone can start with astronomy, though you need the tools and the time to work on it. Firstly, a good telescope is necessary to see into the stars, and they don’t generally come cheap. Additionally, a planisphere will show the constellations that you’re looking for.

We suggest beginning with reading a book about astronomy, or a few articles explaining what it’s all about before you invest in the materials you need. Read about astronomy here.

13. Magic

Magic is the practiced art of performing tricks and illusions that leaves the audience feeling that what you performed was ‘magical,’ without being able to rationalize what happened.

Magic can be learned from a very young age, and is accessible for anyone who has the patience to practice a lot! You can get kits and buy tricks to up your performance as you progress.

First, start with finding a trick that looks accessible – beginner tricks. Then practice, and rehearse with someone close to you, like family or friends, and finally present the trick in an exciting way. If you enjoyed the experience, then magic might be your next new hobby. You can see my list here of the top online magic classes!

14. Dancing

Even though we are naturally all dancers, to make it a fun hobby, you can start a new style of dance, take in-person or online classes, learn routines, and more.

This is one of the more ‘active’ hobbies for gamers, which allows you to break a sweat without even realizing it when you are having fun and also concentrating on the moves. All you need is an open mind, and it will help if you are fit and also have some rhythm.

To begin, try out some online dance classes, which is great if you’re not so comfortable yet dancing in public. You can learn some basic moves, work on your rhythm, and feel confident to maybe go to a studio and make some new friends too. Check out my list of some awesome online dance lessons.

15. Running

Running is an easy, free, and fun way to stretch your legs and get out in the fresh air, which is a nice break for gamers to take if they’re staring at their screen for hours a day. 

All you need to start running is the willingness to get out there and work on your fitness! It may not be easy to start if you’re not used to cardio exercises, but it doesn’t take long to build your fitness.

There are some great programs to help new runners start-up and work towards milestones, like the C25K Running Program.