When was the last time you did something just for you? If you’re a 40-something mom, you may have trouble remembering that because, SAME.
Our days often spin on the crazy carousel of kids, work, and managing a home. There’s a lot to do and not enough time. But in between the tiring life, finding your moment to unwind is a must-have. We all have those days when the only downtime seems to be those five extra minutes spent in the bathroom.
That’s why taking time out for a hobby is important because it takes your brain away from the usual chaos. With my list of productive hobbies for moms in their 40s in your hand, you can find that power hour to get a mental break.
Whether it’s crafting, gardening, or even picking up that guitar gathering dust, the list of creative hobby ideas knows no limit.
If you’re seeking positive brain food, let’s get to my 155+ hobbies for moms in their 40s.
Indoor Hobbies for Moms in Their 40s
Sometimes, the most relaxing place to be is right at home. Between the hustle of family life and responsibilities, stepping out for a hobby isn’t always in the cards. Or maybe you just love the cozy comfort of your space. Whatever the reason might be, indoor hobbies for moms in their 40s just make sense because they let us give the due time to other commitments too.
If you want to do something for yourself while staying indoors, here’s a list of indoor hobbies for moms in their 40s:
- Bead weaving
- Home brewing (beer or kombucha)
- Dance lessons
- Scented oil blending
- Indoor herb gardening
- Wine tasting & appreciation
- Collecting vintage books
- Furniture restoration
- Papermaking
- Clay sculpting
- Felting
- Stained glass crafting
- Mosaic art
- Puppet making
- Voice acting or podcasting
- Home décor designing
- Computer programming
- Aromatherapy
- Mixology
- DIY cosmetics
- Graphology (handwriting analysis)
- Nail art
- Animation
- Virtual reality gaming
- Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging)
- Cheesemaking
- Model building
- Leather crafting
- VR fitness classes
- Mindfulness coloring
Outdoor Hobbies for Moms in Their 40s
Facing boredom in your 40s is real because routine life gives us little chance to experience new things. But I’d say take this as a chance for moms in their 40s to pursue outdoor hobbies because that means you’ll be out and about more and have fun. Those target runs are not it. Most outdoor hobbies on my list are flexible and can fit into even the busiest schedules.
Here’s a super cool list of outdoor hobbies for moms in their 40s:
- Jogging
- Outdoor photography
- Stand-up paddleboarding
- Urban sketching
- Geocaching
- Archery
- Rock climbing
- Outdoor yoga
- Horseback riding
- Sailing
- Kayaking
- Road cycling
- Adventure hiking
- Rollerblading
- Foraging for wild edibles
- Outdoor sculpture making
- Kite flying
- Star gazing
- Orienteering
- Drone piloting
- Gardening for biodiversity
- Beachcombing
- Snowshoeing
- Ice skating
- Nature conservation volunteering
- Outdoor pottery
- Sand sculpting
- Fly fishing
- Outdoor meditation retreats
- Wilderness survival skills
Also Read: Fashion for Moms in Their 30s and Beyond
Craft Hobbies for Moms in Their 40s
Life at 40 for women is usually perceived to be dull and dry because you’re stuck in a never-ending parenting loop. But, if the creative in you needs an outlet, you can adjust a spot for her amidst that jam-packed schedule too.
Craft hobbies for moms in their 40s help my fellow mamas run their creative juices and make things they’re proud of. And you don’t have to be an artist to enjoy crafting, it only takes some passion, and many of these crafts can fit into small pockets of time throughout your day.
On that note, here are some craft hobbies for women over 40:
- Resin art
- Glass etching
- Eco-printing on fabric
- Bookbinding
- Macramé
- Shibori dyeing (Japanese tie-dye)
- Lapidary (gem cutting)
- Basket weaving
- Wood burning (pyrography)
- Metal stamping jewelry
- Marbling (on paper or fabric)
- Encaustic painting (wax art)
- Polymer clay modeling
- Handmade paper crafts
- Silk painting
- Wire sculpting
- Gourd crafting
- Batik (wax resist dyeing)
- Felting advanced sculptures
- Chainmaille jewelry
- Ceramic hand building
- Leather tooling
- Plaster casting
- Steampunk accessories crafting
- Millinery (hat making)
- Lampshade making
- Weaving on a loom
- Mosaic tile art
- Dollhouse miniatures
- Stained glass window-making
Also Read: Stay-at-Home Mom Capsule Wardrobe
Hobbies for Moms in Their 40s at Home
Being a stay-at-home mom doesn’t mean you can’t have hobbies that excite you. In fact, home is the perfect place to explore activities that bring joy and relaxation. Some of these options also make fun hobbies for couples that’ll help you two de-stress and bond well. For example, you can try gourmet cooking with your husband and make this chore more delightful and less tiring.
Once your kids have a routine, you can take an hour or two for your me time and do a hobby that speaks to you.
Speaking of a SAHM routine, have a look at the Simple Stay at Home Mom Schedule that frees up plenty of ‘Me’ time.
Let’s now get to female dominated hobbies for ladies in their 40s:
- Home decorating
- Cake decorating
- Creative writing
- Zumba or dance fitness
- Herbalism and home remedies
- Abstract painting
- Video blogging
- DIY home improvements
- Digital scrapbooking
- Antique furniture restoration
- Chalkboard art
- Gourmet cooking
- Specialty gardening (like bonsai or orchids)
- Costume design
- Pilates
- Writing children’s books
- Home photography studio
- Soap opera analysis (blogging or podcasting)
- Vintage clothing customization
- Tea blending and tasting
- Meal prepping and planning
- Makeup artistry
- Home mixology
- Yoga instruction (online classes)
- Subscription box curation
- Astronomy
- Comic book collecting
- Event planning
- Learning magic tricks
- Feng Shui consulting
Also Read: 3 Top Fashion Trends for Moms
Healing Hobbies for Moms in Their 40s
If life has given you plenty of lemons, the hobbies in your 40s should revolve around healing and coming out of the mental blockages. Healing hobbies help you take care of yourself on a deeper level, which means they eventually help reduce stress and improve mood.
If you don’t want to pour from an empty cup, here are some healing hobbies for moms in their 40s to try:
- Aromatherapy
- Tai Chi
- Guided meditation
- Qigong
- Sound bath sessions
- Journaling for self-discovery
- Forest bathing
- Reiki
- Crystal healing
- Ayurvedic cooking
- Kundalini yoga
- Mandalas coloring or drawing
- Spiritual retreat planning
- Chakra balancing
- Holistic health blogging
- Essential oil blending
- Acupressure
- Herbal tea crafting
- Watercolor painting for relaxation
- Restorative yoga
- Guided visualization
- Kintsugi (the art of repairing pottery with gold)
- Mindful walking
- Ecotherapy (engaging with nature)
- Zen gardening
- Hatha yoga
- Somatic dancing
- Breathwork workshops
- Therapeutic storytelling
- Sacred geometry art
Hobbies for Empty Nester Moms in Their 40s
Watching the kids grow up and leave home is a big and emotional milestone. After that, as an empty nester mom in your 40s, you have more free time and the opportunity to focus on yourself. Here are some hobbies for you in your 40s if you are an empty nest mom:
- Art Collecting
- Winemaking
- Adventure travel planning
- Vintage book collecting
- Playwriting
- Independent filmmaking
- Specialty coffee tasting
- Creative nonfiction writing
- Advanced yoga (like Iyengar or Ashtanga)
- Philanthropy (starting a charity or volunteer group)
Empty nester moms need some extra support to get through this phase and come out stronger. That’s why I have jotted down an entire post on the list of hobby ideas for moms whose kids have flown out. Read it here: List of 199 Exciting Hobbies for Empty Nest Moms.
Find What Brings You Joy and Do it as a Favor to Yourself
Life’s busy, I get it. But make time for what makes you smile, and you’ll feel fulfilled. It could mean getting crafty, feeling the fresh air, chilling with a book, or something totally different. The goal is to have hobbies to connect with yourself better and enjoy your company. I see hobbies for middle-aged women as mini-breaks from the daily grind. Pick something that sparks a bit of joy, and go for it. You deserve that happy boost.
What’s your favorite hobby as a mom? Share with me in the comments below!
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FAQs
How to find a hobby as a mum?
Start by thinking about what used to make you smile or something new you’ve wanted to try. Maybe it’s 15 minutes of sketching or a quick dance workout. The goal is to make it easy and flexible. Then check out online tutorials or local classes that fit into your hectic schedule. You might be surprised how a little time for yourself can pop up.
Why have I lost interest in hobbies?
Feeling meh about your old hobbies can happen when you’re juggling a lot, and sometimes your interests take a backseat. It could be you’re just overloaded, or what you used to love doesn’t fit your life right now. It’s okay to switch things up. Your hobbies should be your escape, not a chore.
How do I start liking my hobbies again?
Start small—give yourself a hobby hour each week, no stress, just play. Maybe shuffle things around; what worked before might need a tweak. And if it’s not clicking, try something different. Hobbies are your downtime, so keep it light and fun.
