2026's Trending Hobbies Have a Theme: Slow Down and Make Something

Everyone seems to be trading screen time for something a little more hands-on. Pinterest's 2026 Hobbies Trend Report breaks down these tactile hobbies into nine categories.

According to a recent report on the trending hobbies of 2026, people are veering away from their screens and going back to basics: creating with their hands.

The 2026 Hobbies Trend Report, released by Pinterest and based on research conducted over a year, reveals a growing interest in creative activities that encourage slowing down and making something with one’s bare hands.

These hobbies were classified by Pinterest using nine categories, namely, Kitchen Witch, Cosmic Reset, Home Café Engineering, Backyard Botanist, Weekend Equestrian, Secondhand Sidequest, Handmade Hacker, Curated Clutter, and Casual Crafter.

According to Sydney Stanback, Pinterest's global trends and insights lead, these hobbies serve a different goal. Instead of mastering a skill, people are “looking for approachable ways to slow down, get offline, and make something with their hands.”

One of the categories that stood out, Kitchen Witch, is about turning cooking into a creative ritual, from baking to fermenting to blending herbal infusions and making candles. According to the report, Pinterest searches for “herbal apothecary” spiked by 595%.

Instead of spending money in coffee shops, many are experimenting with homemade coffee and creating their own coffee stations at home, which is what Home Cafe Engineering is all about. People are turning into their own baristas, recreating coffee-shop drinks and using specific or unique flavor combinations.

Another category, Cosmic Reset, highlights the growing interest in astrology, crystals, and other related activities, such as learning to read birth charts and other spiritual rituals. Search phrases like “learn astrology,” “crystals and meanings,” and “tarot cards for beginners” are very popular.

Other categories focus on tactile pastimes. The Backyard Botanist may learn about pressing flowers and sketching nature scenes, while those classified under Secondhand Sidequest frequent thrift stores, hunting for vintage clothing for alterations or repurposing.

The category devoted to collectors, Curated Clutter, reflects an interest in displaying personal collections of trinkets and memorabilia, from vinyl to photocards to dolls, keychains, and fragrances.

The horse-girl style is what dominates searches under the category Weekend Equestrian. Think rubber riding boots, delicate horse tattoos, breeches-inspired pants, and barn jackets.

The Handmade Hacker category is for people who like to design their own personal media, such as journals and custom layouts. This ties in with the growing interest in customizing tech, including personalized gadgets and accessories.

Finally, the Casual Crafter enjoys creating low-commitment yet creative and personal, giftable crafts without requiring specialized equipment or space. Searches like “hand embroidery art” and “beaded bag charms” are popular in this category.

The Pinterest data lines up with a broader trend among the younger generation, particularly Gen Z, who, according to Cosmopolitan, consider having a hobby as a factor contributing to their overall happiness. This is not to say this generation has given up the screens completely, but they use the internet to discover and learn about their interests, and then take it to the physical world.