Check out our list of the best backyard hobbies. Make the most of your free time in your backyard doing the things you love.
These backyard hobby ideas will get you active and out in the fresh air in no time!
Archery
Archery can make a great backyard hobby as it’s a challenging and rewarding activity that requires focus, patience, and practice to master.
It’s a great way to get some fresh air and exercise while enjoying the outdoors. Additionally, you can set up a target and practice in your own backyard, eliminating the need to travel to an archery range.
Furthermore, archery is also a very meditative hobby, that can help people to focus on their mind, breathing and concentration.
Check out our article of archery quotes for inspiration to get started with an archery hobby!
Barbecue
Barbecuing is a popular backyard hobby because it allows people to cook and enjoy food outside with friends and family.
It also provides an opportunity for socialization and relaxation while enjoying home cooked food and delicious meats.
Many people enjoy the challenge and creativity of experimenting with different types of meats, marinades, and seasonings to create delicious and unique flavors.
Interested in getting into backyard barbecuing? We recommend checking out the very popular Traeger Wood Pellet Grills for a unique cooking experience and flavor!
Beekeeping
Beekeeping can be a fun and rewarding backyard hobby as it allows individuals to learn about and interact with an important and fascinating species that plays a critical role in pollination and food production.
Additionally, beekeeping can provide honey and other bee products like beeswax and propolis right from your own backyard!
Beekeeping can also be a meditative and peaceful hobby, as observing the bees in their hives can be quite calming.
Check out our full article on beekeeping to learn the basics and best-practices to get started!
Birdwatching
Birdwatching is a great backyard hobby as it allows individuals to connect with nature and observe the beauty and diversity of birds in their own backyard or local area.
Additionally, it can be a fun and educational activity for families and children, as well as a way to learn about different bird species, their behaviors, and habitats.
Furthermore, birdwatching can also be a way to contribute to the conservation of birds, by keeping track of the bird population and reporting it to the local bird watching club or organization.
Check out our full article on birdwatching for tips, resources and gear recommendations to get started.
Bocce
Bocce ball is a fun backyard hobby for several reasons. It is a social and interactive game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels, making it a great way to spend time with family and friends.
It’s also relatively low-impact and easy-to-learn, making it accessible to all. It’s a fun way to enjoy the outdoors and can be played on any surface, grass, sand or even concrete.
Additionally, bocce ball is a great way to get some exercise while having fun outdoors.
Check out our full post on bocce ball to learn the basic rules, playing styles and gear recommendations.
Bonfires
There are so many reasons to enjoy bonfires as a backyard hobby and activity year round. Building bonfires creates a sense of warmth and community, making it a perfect activity to do with family and friends.
It can be a fun and relaxing way to spend time together, whether it’s roasting marshmallows, telling stories, or simply enjoying each other’s company.
Additionally, bonfires can be used as a way to cook food, whether it’s hot dogs, s’mores, or other delicious treats.
It can also be a way to enjoy the outdoors, especially during the colder seasons, and it creates an ambiance for outdoor activities like stargazing, listening to music and many more.
Build a Treehouse
Building a treehouse can be a great backyard hobby for many reasons. One reason being that it provides an opportunity for creativity and self-expression, as individuals can design and build their treehouse to their own specifications and needs.
It can also be a fun and rewarding bonding project to undertake with friends or family, as it requires teamwork and collaboration.
Additionally, a treehouse can serve as a unique and cozy retreat, providing a special place to relax and enjoy the outdoors and make lasting memories.
Building a treehouse can also be a fun and educational activity for children and families, teaching them about carpentry, engineering and design.
Looking for more great hobbies to work with your hands and build things? Check out our list of hobbies to build things and get some more hobby ideas.
Chicken Keeping
Chicken keeping can be a great backyard hobby for many reasons including that it provides a source of fresh eggs for consumption, which can be healthier and more flavorful than store-bought eggs.
Additionally, keeping chickens can be a fun and educational experience for families and children, as it allows them to learn about the care and behavior of these fun critters.
Chicken keeping can also be a way to connect with nature and learn about the food cycle, from feeding the chickens to collecting eggs.
Chickens can also be great pets; they are friendly and easy to care for and can be quite entertaining to watch. It can also be a way to reduce food waste by using kitchen scraps to feed the chickens. Chicken keeping can also be a way to contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle by reducing the need to buy eggs from industrial farming.
Check out Raising Chickens 101: How to Get Started from Almanac.com for great info on getting started.
Looking for more great animal hobbies? Check out our list of animal hobbies for more great hobby ideas for animal lovers!
Gardening
Gardening is a great backyard hobby as it allows individuals to connect with nature and experience the beauty and satisfaction of growing their own plants and vegetables.
Additionally, gardening can be a great source of fresh and healthy food, as well as a way to save money by not having to buy as much produce from the store.
Gardening can also be a fun and rewarding activity for families and children, as it allows them to learn about the growth cycle of plants, and the importance of taking care of living things.
Growing your own garden can also be a way to beautify your backyard, by adding color, fragrance and different textures to the space.
Check out our full article on gardening to learn the basics, best practices and check out gear recommendations.
Hammocking
One reason that hammocking is a great backyard hobby is that it a perfect way to relax and enjoy the outdoors in a comfortable and peaceful way.
It can be a great way to unwind and de-stress after a long day, and can be a great way to get some fresh air and sunshine.
Additionally, hammocking can be a great way to spend time with friends and family, whether it’s settling down to read a book or enjoying a conversation.
Furthermore, hammocking can also be a way to enjoy nature and the surrounding environment, whether it’s listening to the birds, enjoying the sunset or just taking in the beauty of the surrounding trees.
Pick up an Eno Double-Nest Hammock from Backcountry.com to get started!
Horseshoes
Horseshoes a classic backyard game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels, making it a great way to spend time with family and friends.
Additionally, it is a relatively easy game to set up and play, as all that is needed is a set of horseshoes and a stake or a pit, making it a great option for a backyard activity.
It can also be a fun and competitive pastime that can be enjoyed year-round, whether it’s on a sunny day or on a cool evening.
Furthermore, it can also be a great way to get some exercise, as it requires some physical activity and coordination. Additionally, horseshoes can be a great way to have fun while practicing hand-eye coordination.
Check out this Champion Sports Steel Horseshoe Set available from Dicks.com to get started.
Landscaping
One reason is that landscaping is a great backyard hobby is that it allows you to express your creativity and personal style by designing and shaping your outdoor space.
Additionally, landscaping can be a way to make a home more beautiful and enjoyable, by adding color, texture, and interest to your yard.
It can also be a way to create different zones or areas in the yard for different activities, such as a seating area for entertaining, a vegetable garden for fresh produce, or a play area for children.
Outdoor Movies
Outdoor movies can be a fun backyard hobby for creating lasting memories and spending time outdoors with friends and family.
It can also be a way to enjoy the outdoors, especially during the warmer seasons, and it can be a fun and unique way to entertain guests.
Additionally, it can also be a way to enjoy movies that you might not have access to otherwise, like older movies or movies that are no longer in the theaters.
Pick up this Native 1080P 5G WiFi Bluetooth Outdoor Movie Projector available from Amazon Prime and host an outdoor movie night in your backyard!
Sauna & Hot Tubs
Having a sauna or hot tub in the backyard can also create a unique and cozy retreat, providing a special place to unwind and relax.
One reason is that they provide an opportunity for relaxation and stress relief in the comfort of one’s own home.
Saunas, in particular, can help to improve circulation, relieve muscle pain and tension, and promote overall wellness.
Hot tubs, on the other hand, can provide the same relaxing benefits as well as the added benefit of hydrotherapy which can help to alleviate sore muscles and joints.
Additionally, both saunas and hot tubs can be a way to bond with family and friends, as they are social activities that can be enjoyed together.
Check out our full post on saunas to learn everything you need to know about the benefits and gear you need to get started!
Sports
Spending time in the backyard playing various sports with your family is a great hobby for your free time.
Whether you are playing soccer, frisbee, football or lacrosse, learning and improving your sports skills is a great leisure activity.
Help your children practice a new sport, improve their softball pitch or build lasting memories from the comfort of your own backyard.
Check out our sports and games pages for more hobby ideas to get the most out of your backyard.
Stargazing
Whether you are into astronomy, shooting stars or constellations, stargazing is a great backyard hobby for those clear nights.
Stargazing can also be a social activity, as you can invite friends and family to join you in observing the night sky.
You can also take photos or make sketches of what you see, or even use telescopes or binoculars to get a closer look.
Overall, stargazing is a fascinating and enjoyable hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and levels of expertise.
Check out AMSmeteors.org to see when the next meteor shower is coming and how you can watch it from your area!
Sunbathing
Sunbathing can be a fun backyard hobby because it allows you to enjoy the warm weather and vitamin D from the sun, while also relaxing and unwinding.
Additionally, you can also use it as an opportunity to get a tan, read a book, or listen to music while enjoying the outdoors.
Sunbathing can also be a way to take a break from the screens and technology and to enjoy the simple things like nature and the feeling of the sun on your skin.
Trampoline
Trampolines are a fun backyard hobby because they provide a unique form of exercise and entertainment.
Jumping on a trampoline can be a fun way to burn off energy, improve balance and coordination, and increase cardiovascular fitness.
Additionally, performing tricks and flips on a trampoline can be exciting and challenging, providing a sense of accomplishment and adventure.
The outdoor nature of trampolining allows for fresh air and sunshine, making it a fun way to enjoy the outdoors.
Check out this Skywalker Trampolines 13′ Square Trampoline with Lighted Spring Pad as a unique shaped trampoline to get set-up in your backyard.
Weight Lifting
Weightlifting and kettlebells can be a fun backyard hobby as they provide a sense of accomplishment, challenge, and can be tailored to individual goals.
Utilizing your backyard as a workout space is a great way to improve strength, endurance, and overall fitness while enjoying the fresh air and sunshine.
With the right equipment, weightlifting and kettlebells can be a fun and effective way to stay in shape, and enjoy your backyard at the same time.
Check out our List of Hobbies for Fitness and Weight Loss for more great fitness hobby ideas.
Yard Games
Playing yard games with friends and family is classic backyard fun.
Whether you choose to play classic games like frisbee and football or unique games like Mölkky or Kubb you are sure to have a good time!
Most yard games are easy to setup, easy to learn and take time to master and get good at. Enjoy some friendly backyard competition while socializing and enjoying the great outdoors.
Check out our article of The 10 Best Backyard Games for Summer Fun for more great yard game ideas.
Yoga
Yoga is a great backyard hobby as it offers a combination of physical exercise with mental and spiritual well-being in the great outdoors.
Practicing yoga in nature can help to connect with nature, improve overall mood and energy levels, increase flexibility, strength and balance, reduce stress and anxiety, and promote relaxation.
It is adaptable to all levels of fitness and experience, and can be enjoyed alone or with friends. It’s also a great way to create a peaceful and relaxing outdoor space.
Check out this thorough online yoga class over at MasterClass. Renowned yoga instructor Donna Farhi teaches you the most essential physical and mental elements of creating a safe, sustainable practice.
Zen Garden
Creating a Zen rock garden can be a fun backyard hobby as it allows for creativity and imagination, it’s meditative and therapeutic, and the finished product can provide a peaceful and visually pleasing outdoor space.
It requires minimal maintenance and can be enjoyed all year round. It’s a great way to add a natural and minimalist element to your backyard and it can be a relaxing hobby.
