Finding New Hobbies for Adults and Teens

Start the new year by trying a new hobby! We've collected great new books highlighting new crafts and activities you can try in 2026.

Updated January 5, 2026
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Whittling for beginners : step-by-step projects to carve from wood
Rigby, Emilie
Paper Book
The go-to guide for getting started with whittling! Do you know someone who'd be thrilled by the thought of hand carving wood into rugged, rustic pieces to decorate their space or give as gifts? Then you've come to the right place. Whittling for Beginners walks newcomers through the tools,...
Bird Watching for Dummies
Vaughan, Jessica
Paper Book
Birds are everywhere. Why not start really watching them? Sometimes, all it takes is a "spark bird" to open the door. A bird, seen well, so unexpectedly beautiful and interesting that it cracks you wide open. Bird Watching For Dummies is a spark book, teaching you...
DIY resin crafting projects : a beginner's guide to making clear resin jewelry, paperweights, coasters, and other keepsakes
Petkova, Teodora
Paper Book
Keep and craft memories made by nature, whether it's a four-leaf clover, a bird's feather, beautiful blooms from a wedding bouquet, or something your child found for you! This complete guide includes 20 fun and beginner-friendly projects that are perfect for anyone who is looking to make gorgeous...
Felt flowers
Lochhead, Jo
Paper Book
Embrace the Beauty of Felt Flowers: Create 20 of your favorite flowers in felt, for stunning floral arrangements that bring joy year-round! "A great collection of projects for crochet or animal lovers that would make excellent gifts or decorations." LIBRARY JOURNAL
No Needles Knitting: Easy Techniques and Projects for Making Quick and Cozy Modern Knits by Hand
Howell, Vickie
Paper Book
Discover the ease and fun of knitting without needles! No Needles Knitting by craft influencer Vickie Howell revolutionizes yarn crafting with techniques that require no knitting needles. Using just your hands and chunky yarns, you can create stunning pieces for both...
Punch-needle craft : learn to punch needle with 30 contemporary step-by-step projects
Youngs, Clare
Paper Book
30 super-easy projects for beautiful and colourful homewares, accessories and gifts. Punch-needle embroidery is the perfect creative and mindful hobby, and involves punching threads into fabric to form a design. Ideal for beginners, it requires just a punch-needle pen and a...
Handmade Renaissance Faire fashion : 20+ patterns for crafting faire-ready capes, cloaks, and crowns--the authentic way!
Vicario, Mara A.
Paper Book
Enter a Magical Realm of Handcrafted Fantasy Costumes, Accessories, Bags and More! Whether you're attending a Renaissance faire, anime convention, LARP event or costume party, dressing up is half the fun. Now it's easier than ever to make your own unique, one-of-a-kind outfit....
Modern papermaking : techniques in handmade paper, 13 projects
Pike, Kelsey
Paper Book
The ultimate guide to papermaking Making your own paper is a mesmerizing and versatile craft. Let Modern Papermaking show you how to create countless paper sheets with a few tools and practice. Among many other things, the paper you make can be a foundation for...
Quilling art
Runa, Sena
Paper Book
Quilling--the art of rolling and shaping strips of paper into intricate decorative designs--has been popular for hundreds of years. In Quilling Art, Turkish paper artist Sena Runa gives this time-honored craft a stylish and contemporary update sure to appeal to the 21st century artist. The...
Stained glass making basics : all the skills and tools you need to get started
Haunstein, Lynn
Paper Book
All the essential information and instruction the beginner needs to know to create stunning stained glass projects. The author has based the book on the highly successful hands-on approach that she has perfected teaching thousands of students in her stained glass classes. The projects--starting with...
Step-by-step pyrography for beginners : learn woodburning with 16 projects
Carver, Aney
Paper Book
Fire up your creativity with the gorgeous pyrography projects for beginners in this woodburning book Pyrography-or the art of wood-burning-engages your senses like few other creative activities, from the aroma of sizzling wood to the sound of crackling as an image or design takes shape....
Welcome to woodworking : 20 simple & stylish projects for your home & garden
Ott, Moa Brännström
Paper Book
A beginner-friendly guide to getting started in making simple, yet stylish, furniture for home and garden without the need for large power tools. Learn the basic carpentry skills needed to furnish your home and garden with beautiful and practical wood items. Twenty accessible, step-by...
Making practical backyard projects in wood : beautiful things to make in a weekend, including ready-to-use plans & patterns
Paper Book
Never run out of backyard DIY woodworking projects when you have a copy of Making Practical Backyard Projects in Wood: Plans and Patterns for Better Outdoor Living! Featuring contributions from a veritable all-star team of DIY experts from Alan and Gill Bridgewater to woodworking teacher Bill...
CNC woodworking for the absolute beginner : winning tips, techniques & 5 skill-building projects
Bagnall, Ralph
Paper Book
Learn all about using a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) router while woodworking. Written for the absolute beginner, the author, Ralph Bagnall, provides an introduction to CNC, how the machines work, and 5 CNC projects to get started and find success. Full color photos enhance the readers'...
Making pottery without a kiln : happy little projects to make for your home
Schmidt-Kohl, Daniela
Paper Book
You don't need a kiln and an expensive at-home pottery rig to start crafting amazing pots and jars! In Making Pottery Without a Kiln: Happy Little Projects to Make for Your Home , author Daniela Schmidt-Kohl will teach you how. You'll discover a start-to-finish approach for beautifully...

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