Hobbies to Build | 25 Hobby Ideas to Work with Your Hands

There are many engaging hobbies that involve building things, working with your hands and constructing things you can be proud of…

Check out our full list of hobby ideas to build things below:

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Woodworking

close up of tools

Woodworking can be a good hobby for people who enjoy building things and have an interest in craftsmanship and design. It allows you to create a wide variety of functional and decorative objects using wood, tools, and other materials.

It’s important to note that woodworking can be potentially dangerous if you are not familiar with the correct procedures or if you do not have the necessary tools and equipment. It’s always a good idea to be cautious and to follow all safety guidelines when working with wood and woodworking tools.

Check out our list of Woodworking & Carpentry Quotes to get inspired for your next project.

Model Building

model trains
photo: Markus Spiske

Model building involves creating scale models of buildings, vehicles, or other objects and can involve working with materials such as plastic, metal, or wood, and often requires the use of specialized tools and paints.

Model building is a hobby that involves creating small, detailed replicas of real or fictional objects, such as cars, airplanes, ships, buildings, and characters.

It can be a fun and rewarding hobby for people who enjoy building things, working with their hands, and using their creativity and problem-solving skills.

Model building allows you to express your ideas and produce beautiful and detailed models that can be displayed or played with. Many model builders also enjoy a similar hobby of 3d Puzzles….

Electronics

electronics hobby
photo: Nicolas Thomas

Electronics hobbyists often build their own electronic devices or modify existing ones. This can involve working with circuit boards, soldering components, and programming microcontrollers.

Electronics can be a good hobby for people who enjoy working with their hands and have an interest in technology.

It allows you to learn about how electronic devices work and to get hands-on experience with various components and systems.

Electronics can be a rewarding and practical hobby that allows you to customize and repair electronic devices, as well as to build your own projects from scratch. It can also be a creative hobby that allows you to express your ideas and produce unique and functional devices.

Robotics

robotics hobby; working with your hands
photo: Marília Castelli

Robotics involves building and programming robots for a variety of purposes, such as entertainment, education, or industrial applications.

A hobby of robotics can be a fun and rewarding way to learn about technology and engineering, work with your hands and to express your creativity and problem-solving skills.

Home Improvement

home improvement hands caulking window
photo: Erik Mclean

Home improvement projects, such as building a deck or adding a room to a house, can be a rewarding hobby for those who enjoy working with their hands and creating functional spaces.

Get started on that list and learn new skills while improving the quality of your home for you and your family! There is nothing that you can’t learn with the help of a few tutorials on Youtube.

Blacksmithing

sparks flying from person doing blacksmithing work
photo: Chris Ralston

Blacksmithing involves working with metal to create a variety of items, such as jewelry, decorative items, and tools.

Blacksmithing is an activity that can be extremely fulfilling for individuals who appreciate the process of handiwork and the creation of tangible objects.

It demands a high level of focus, precision, and manual labor, but the final product, be it a decorative or functional object, can be incredibly gratifying.

Sculpture

black man in hat sculpting a large bust indoors
photo: Ilia Zolas

Sculpture involves creating three-dimensional artwork using a variety of materials, such as clay, wood, or metal.

Sculpting is a great creative hobby for people who love to work with their hands and create beautiful things.

Taking a class or workshop can be a great way to learn the basics of sculpting and get some hands-on experience. You can find classes and workshops at local art centers, community colleges, and through private instructors in your community.

Legos

man doing legos; star wars lego set

Building with legos can be a great hobby for people who enjoy working with their hands and using their creativity and problem-solving skills.

Legos are a versatile building toy that can be used to create a wide variety of structures and models, ranging from simple to complex.

They can also be a great tool for developing fine motor skills, spatial reasoning, and creative thinking. Additionally, building with Legos can be a relaxing and enjoyable way to relax and reconnect with a childhood hobby!

Check out this unbelievable LEGO Star Wars Ultimate Millennium Falcon 75192 Expert Building Kit and Starship Model with over 7,000 pieces to really challenge yourself!

Metalworking

sparks flying from man doing metal work; metalworking hobby
photo: Josh Beech

Metalworking involves working with metal to create a variety of objects, such as jewelry, sculpture, and tools. This hobby can involve a range of techniques, including forging, casting, and welding.

A hobby with metalworking allows you to create a multitude of items including jewelry, candleholders, silverware, picture frames, bird feeders etc…

Furniture Building

saw dust blowing up as man works on leg of a table; woodworking hobby

Building your own furniture involves creating functional pieces of furniture, such as tables, chairs, and cabinets, using a variety of materials and techniques.

A hobby in furniture building or restoration is an excellent hobby for anyone looking to learn new skills, gain proficiency in a variety of tools and techniques and create lasting, functional pieces.

Carpentry

man measure wood in a toolshed; hobbies to work with your hands
photo: Ryno Marais

Carpentry involves creating structures or objects out of wood, such as buildings, furniture, or decorative items.

This hobby requires the use of a variety of tools, including saws, hammers, and chisels.

A hobby in carpentry can improve your skills in home improvement projects, repairs, crafting custom items and so much more!

Boat Building

view from a wooden boat on a still lake at sunset
photo: Jon Flobrant

Boat building involves creating watercraft, such as kayaks, canoes, or sailboats, using materials such as wood, fiberglass, or plastic.

Boat building can be a very enjoyable hobby for those who enjoy working with their hands, creating something from scratch, and being on the water. It can be rewarding to see a project through from start to finish, and the sense of accomplishment that comes from successfully building a boat can be quite satisfying.

That being said, boat building can also be challenging and time-consuming, and it may not be the right hobby for everyone. It requires patience, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn and make mistakes. If you are interested in giving it a try, it might be helpful to start with a smaller project, such as a canoe or kayak, before tackling something more complex.

If you enjoy working with wood, problem-solving, and the outdoors, it could be a great hobby for you.

Jewelry Making

close up of hands doing a jewelry making hobby
photo: eleonora

Jewelry making involves creating decorative items out of materials such as beads, stones, or metal. This hobby can involve a range of techniques, including wire wrapping, beading, and soldering.

Getting started with a hobby of jewelry making is a great way to work with your hands, improve your hand-eye coordination and create small, intricate, cherish-able works of art!

This jewelry making kit from Amazon has all the tools you need to get started with a jewelry making hobby right away!

Leathercrafting

man leathercrafting a belt; building hobby to work with hands
photo: devn

Leathercrafting involves creating items out of leather, such as belts, bags, or shoes. This hobby requires the use of specialized tools and techniques.

If you enjoy working with your hands, using tools, and creating functional or decorative items, leathercrafting could be a great hobby for you.

Check out r/leathercraft over on reddit to join a community of passionate and experienced leathercrafters and start learning the basics today.

Cake Decorating

view of a decorative cake with natural light coming from a window
photo: Lawrence Aritao

Cake decorating involves creating and decorating baked goods, such as cakes and cookies, using a variety of techniques and materials, such as frosting, fondant, and edible decorations.

Cake decorating can be a good hobby for people who enjoy baking and have an interest in art and design. It allows you to express your creativity and produce beautiful and delicious cakes and other baked goods.

Cake decorating can be a rewarding and practical hobby that allows you to impress your friends and family with your skills and to create special occasion cakes for birthdays, weddings, and other events.

Learn the basics of How to Frost Cakes & Cupcakes here to get started with your new hobby.

Papercraft

papercraft hobby; working with your hand
photo: Mary Ray

Papercraft can be a great hobby for people who like to work with their hands, use their creativity, and solve problems. It involves creating three-dimensional objects using paper or cardstock, often with the help of scissors, glue, and other tools.

It can be a relaxing and enjoyable way to unwind, as well as a way to express your ideas and create beautiful and unique objects. The level of difficulty can range from simple projects like cards and decorations to more complex models and dioramas.

There are many resources available for those interested in papercraft, including books, online tutorials, and community forums including r/papercraft.

Toy Making

model airplane; hobby to work with your hands
photo: Matias Luge

Toy making involves creating handmade toys, such as dolls, stuffed animals, or wooden figurines. This hobby can involve a variety of materials and techniques, including sewing, woodworking, and painting.

Many hobbyists might also enjoy working and painting miniatures as a fun hobby. Check out r/miniatures to learn more!

Landscaping

view of landscaping, flowers and a house; hobby to work with your hands
photo: Kier… in Sight

Landscaping involves creating and maintaining outdoor spaces, such as gardens, lawns, and patios.

This hobby can involve a range of tasks, including planting and maintaining plants, installing irrigation systems, and building outdoor structures.

Landscaping is a great hobby for spending time outdoors, utilizing hard work and creativity while building and working with your hands.

Check out these 18 Landscaping Bushes to Plant in Your Garden to get started!

Model Railroads

three men working on model trains indoors

Model railroading involves building and operating miniature railroads and intricate layouts.

This hobby can involve creating miniature landscapes and buildings, as well as designing and building tracks and trains.

If you have the space, passion and creativity it takes to start a hobby in model train building it can be very rewarding!

Auto Maintenance

black and white image of a man underneath a car working
photo: RyKing Uploads

Auto maintenance can be a rewarding hobby for people who enjoy working with their hands and have an interest in the ins -and-outs of vehicles.

It can be a rewarding and practical hobby that allows you to learn new skills, save money on car repairs, and keep your vehicle in good working condition.

Auto maintenance can range from simple tasks like changing the oil and replacing air filters to more complex tasks like replacing a timing belt or rebuilding an entire engine.

It’s important to note that auto maintenance can be potentially dangerous if you are not familiar with the correct procedures or if you do not have the necessary tools and equipment. It’s always a good idea to be cautious and to follow all safety guidelines when working on your vehicle.

Build an Instrument

young man in jean jacket putting together an electric guitar
photo: Marcus Hjelm

Building musical instruments can be a rewarding and challenging hobby for people who enjoy working with their hands and have an interest in music. It can be a great way to learn new skills, express your creativity, and create something unique and personal.

Depending on the type of instrument you want to build, you may need to learn about different materials, joinery techniques, and assembly methods.

Building a musical instrument can be a time-consuming process that requires patience, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills.

It can also be quite satisfying to see your hard work come to life in the form of a functional and beautiful instrument.

There are many resources available for those interested in building their own musical instruments, including books, online tutorials, and community forums.

It’s important to note that building an instrument can be a complex and challenging process, especially if you are new to woodworking or have limited experience with musical instruments.

deconstructed electric guitar; DIY guitar building kit

Check out TheFretWire.com for a ton of custom DIY guitar building kits to get started with your new instrument building hobby!

PC Building

PC building, close up of computer taken apart
photo: Nathan Anderson

Building a PC can be a good hobby for people who enjoy working with their hands and have an interest in computers.

It allows you to learn about how computers work and to get hands-on experience with various hardware components.

Building a PC can be a rewarding and practical hobby that allows you to customize your system to meet your specific needs and preferences.

It can also be a cost-effective way to get a high-quality computer that is tailored to your needs.

Building a PC can be a complex process that requires knowledge of computer hardware and the ability to follow detailed instructions.

It can also be a time-consuming hobby that requires patience and attention to detail.

There are many resources available for those interested in building their own PCs, including online tutorials, forums, and YouTube videos.

Check out r/buildapc and join a community of over 6-million PC building enthusiasts!

3D Printing

3D printer close up
photo: Osman Talha Dikyar

3D printing can be a good hobby for people who enjoy building things and have an interest in technology. It allows you to create a wide variety of physical objects using digital design software and a 3D printer.

3D printing can be a rewarding and creative hobby that allows you to express your ideas and produce functional and decorative objects. It can also be a practical hobby that allows you to produce items that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to manufacture using traditional methods.

Building and maintaining a 3D printer can be a complex process that requires knowledge of computer hardware, software, and 3D printing technology.

It can also be a time-consuming hobby that requires patience, attention to detail and lots of practice. There are many resources available for those interested in 3D printing, including online tutorials, forums, and YouTube videos.

Carving

carving hobby, close up of hands carving a spoon
photo: Gemma Evans

Wood carving can be a good hobby for people who enjoy working with their hands and have an interest in art and craftsmanship.

It allows you to create decorative and functional objects using a variety of tools and techniques.

Wood carving can be a rewarding and creative hobby that allows you to express your ideas and produce beautiful and unique objects.

It can also be a practical hobby that allows you to produce items that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to manufacture using other methods.

Wood carving can be a complex hobby that requires knowledge of different woods and how they behave, as well as the proper use of tools and techniques.

Check out this beautiful WINCKELSTEEL Wood Carving Tools Set of 12 Wood Chisels available from Amazon Prime here to get started…

Scrollsaw Crafting

close up of scrollsaw; building, crafting hobby

Scroll sawing can be a fun and rewarding hobby for people who enjoy building things and have an interest in woodworking.

A scroll saw is a power tool that is used to cut intricate shapes and patterns in wood, metal, plastic, and other materials.

It can be a great way to create decorative items, puzzles, and other small projects. Scroll sawing can be a creative hobby that allows you to express your ideas and produce unique and beautiful objects.

Check out r/scrollsaw to learn from a passionate group of scrollsaw enthusiasts.

In conclusion, building hobbies is a rewarding journey that enhances your skills, fosters creativity, and brings joy to your everyday life. Whether you choose woodworking, model building, or crafting, these hands-on activities allow you to express yourself and create something meaningful.

Embracing your passion for building not only offers a sense of accomplishment but also connects you with a vibrant community of fellow hobbyists.

Start your adventure today by exploring different building hobbies and discover the endless possibilities they offer. For more tips, project ideas, and resources on how to get started, be sure to explore our comprehensive guides. Happy building!

Looking for more creative hobbies and activities to work with your hands? Check out our list of Crafting Hobbies for more great ideas.