Forever Old
Grandma Hobbies Are the Latest Celeb Trend — Here’s What You Need to Get Started
From knitting and crochet to sourdough starters, these classic “grandma hobbies” have everyone suddenly obsessed
Alexis Mikulski Ruiz
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January 27, 2026
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Pop culture has never shut up about the fantasy of eternal youth. There’s “Young, Wild & Free” by Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa, Alphaville’s “Forever Young,” and “We Are Young” by fun. — all soundtracking a life of late nights, questionable decisions, and knees that still work. But some of us have moved on from “Teenage Dreams” and are now deeply invested in Grandma naps (well, more specifically, Grandma hobbies).
To be clear: this isn’t about aching backs or ominous body cracks. It’s about choosing, very deliberately, to spend this season embracing activities traditionally reserved for people eligible for a senior discount, like knitting, crocheting, or gardening.
And if you’ve been feeling the pull toward hobbies that skew a few decades older than your actual age, you’re far from alone. “Grandma hobbies” have quietly taken over the internet, with creators proudly announcing their new passions for puzzles, bread-making, and yarn-required arts.
Even celebrities have clocked the shift. Just weeks ago, Taylor Swift was photographed leaving a restaurant with her crew, each of them reportedly carrying homemade sourdough loaves allegedly baked by the superstar herself.
BACKGRID/VOGUE
While “grandma hobbies” is a loose term, the appeal is clear: slower, calmer, and oddly satisfying pursuits. To help you out, we’ve rounded up the best places to start — from beginner crochet kits to the best kettles money can buy, plus a chic puzzle or two that won’t ruin your coffee table aesthetic.
Put on your comfiest clothes. Take a load off. Maybe pop an Advil for fun. And relax, there’s nothing wrong with getting older, or at least cosplaying it for the winter. Shop the best Grandma hobbies below.
Verve Thai Mahjong Set
$150.00
Mahjong is suddenly the game everyone’s talking about, even if you’ve never played it or assumed it only existed in your grandparents’ retirement community. The ancient Chinese tile game is social, low-pressure, and once you start, you may never want to stop.
The Woobles Crochet Kit for Beginners
$36.95
Crochet is having a moment. Your mom is into it, your friends are into it, and yes, someone on your commute is probably working on a project right now. It’s slightly more complex than knitting, but this beginner kit walks you through the basics as you make a cute, small animal.
Michaels Punch Needle Kits
$5.00+
If you want something even more straightforward, a needlepoint punch kit might be the move. The concept is simple: punch yarn through the fabric using the included tools. It’s simple, soothing, and doesn’t require watching a single tutorial video at 2 a.m.
Puzzle Mania!: Wordle, Connections, Spelling Bee, Minis and More!
$38.00
If crafts aren’t your thing, try a mental puzzle instead, like this hardcover crossword book from The New York Times — the makers of the digital games you already play when you’re pretending not to be on your phone.
Verbier Vacation 1000 Piece Puzzle
$40.00
Jigsaw puzzles are another low-barrier entry into grandma hobbies. This 1,000-piece set from Revolve looks good enough to leave out on your coffee table or frame once you’re done. No floral cottages, no paisley patterns here.
Aeelike Knitting Kit for Beginners
$19.00 $21.11 10% off
The easiest way to learn knitting is by starting small. This kit includes yarn and needles designed for practicing simple squares. Best-case scenario: those squares eventually turn into something wearable. Worst case: you have a stack of oddly shaped coasters.
Gardyn Studio 2
$549.00
For those drawn to the gardening fantasy but lacking outdoor space (or patience), Gardyn offers a high-tech workaround. The system lets you grow produce and flowers indoors with help from an app. It sounds futuristic, but it’s actually easier than remembering to water anything.
Vera Bradley Hathaway Tote Bag
$50.00 $100.00 50% off
Vera Bradley has amped up its image in recent years, but there’s still something appealing about a slightly throwback print. This craft organizer looks like it could’ve held sewing supplies in 1987 and now exists to keep your current projects from taking over your house.
MacKenzie-Childs Wildflowers Tea Kettle
$169.95
Every good hobby needs a beverage. This elegant kettle makes brewing tea feel like the main event.
Sur La Table Bread Making Kit
$59.95
For all the Swiftie grandmas: make your own sourdough at home like the legend herself with this easy-to-use kit from Sur La Table. You might not be able to belt it out like the Grammy Award winner, but at least you can bake bread like her.
Michaels Finger Knitting Kit
$29.99
One of the simplest grandma hobbies is one that doesn’t require fancy tools, like this beginner knitting kit. All you need is this product, your own two hands, and a relaxing vinyl spinning in the background to set the vibe.
Crochet Starter Kit for Granny Squares & Instructions
$82.99
If you’ve watched countless TikToks on crochet but still can’t figure out a foundation chain, this all-in-one kit from Michaels teaches you the basics without turning learning into a full-time job.
Cozy Earth Long Sleeve Pajama Set
$148.00
And of course, the best way to do grandma hobbies is in your comfiest pajamas, like these from Cozy Earth. If you’re going to commit, you might as well go all the way.
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