Disclaimer: Devoted Grandma is reader-supported. If you purchase anything through my site, I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you). Thank you.
As we age, it’s important to keep our minds and bodies active by trying new things and learning new skills.
This is especially true for grandmothers, who may have more free time and opportunities to explore new hobbies. Learning new skills can not only provide a fun and fulfilling activity, but it can also help improve cognitive function, reduce stress, and increase social interaction. Whether it’s cooking, gardening, painting, or whatever, we can benefit greatly from learning new skills and expanding our horizons. Below, I’ve come up with some helpful and exciting ideas you may not have thought of on your own.
And remember, old dogs can learn new tricks! 😛
1. Cooking
I know what you’re thinking; I already know how to cook, I’m a grandma! But cooking is a lifelong skill that can always be improved upon. Grandmothers can try out new recipes, learn new cooking techniques, and experiment with different ingredients…
Have you ever made a meal using a wok? A wok is a fast and efficient kitchen tool that can cook nearly anything you can think of! Here’s everything you need to know and why this particular person cooks 90% of their meals in one:
How about a new dessert recipe to surprise the family with? Try a Hazelnut Meringue Tower or Strawberry Glory! Those are just two ideas from Gordon Ramsey in the video below:
2. Planting Your Own Garden
With the way inflation is going, there’s never been a better time to get into growing your own fruits, veggies, and herbs. Think about the things you typically eat and use and go from there. This will ensure you allocate the right amount of space for your garden and help save money on groceries going forward!
Now check out this beginner’s video guide on Gardening 101 that’ll walk you through the entire process. It even talks about an app you can get to help pick the location in your yard with the right amount of sunlight!
3. Knitting and crocheting
Knitting and/or crocheting are also foundations of almost every grandmother, but did you know which is the best for certain situations? If you only know how to do one or the other, learn the differences in the video below and acquire the other as a new skill and apply it where it makes the most sense!
4. Painting
As a grandmother, I’m sure you’re pretty crafty. But have you ever thought about taking up painting? There are online courses and even some simple YouTube tutorials to help you get started!
Check out this easy way to create an acrylic painting of a beautiful morning lake scene here:
And here’s how you can paint a flowery cloud setting on canvas:
5. Dancing
It’s never too late to take up dancing as a hobby! Plus, Plus, a Harvard study showed that picking up new choreography and movements can help develop cognitive skills such as memory, decision making, and visual recognition! There are online classes you can partake in, or check out some beginner tutorials on YouTube like the one below:
6. Computer programming
“Computer programming? Are you crazy??” you must be asking me. Learning the basics can be done at any age and can teach you how programs and websites are created — or even help you create some of your own! CodeAcademy is a good place to get started, as they have free and paid versions, skill levels to choose from, and they even show you ahead of time how long each course might take. I’ve done some of these myself, and I must say they are enjoyable and worth your time even just for fun. In fact, the lessons helped me learn some basics to start this very website!
Take a look at this beginner’s guide on YouTube and see if it’s something that might interest you!
7. Photography
Photography is a simple hobby to get into, and nowadays everyone has a pretty good camera on them at all times. But it’s something you can get better at and learn to master over the years! Think about the types of photos you’d like to take and the style you want to present and brainstorm your ideas. One plus is, your grandchildren will love to gather around and see your photos no matter how amateurish you may think they are!
Before you go and spend money on a super nice camera, take advantage of that iPhone in your pocket with these tips and tricks:
8. Playing guitar
It may seem pretty overwhelming to take on learning a new instrument at an older age, but it is definitely an attainable goal! It’s also a great hobby you can pick up at any time you’re sitting at home to keep you busy and bring you immense happiness, and you can even get together with others to play. Today, there are so many resources out there it’s almost paralysis by analysis when searching for an option. I’ll point you in the direction of JustinGuitar for free courses and tutorials for beginners and more!
This video does a pretty good job of covering the basics for beginners:
9. Pottery
As crafty as you are, it’s about time you get into pottery! This is about as hands-on as you can get, and even a little messy at times. But it’s extremely satisfying when you finish that first piece and display it on the mantel for everyone to see! This will require some equipment, but if you’re looking for something a little more involved, this just might be the thing for you!
10. Beekeeping
Stay with me here for a minute… How about getting into beekeeping? It’s not as scary as it seems and it actually really accessible to anyone of any age as long as you’re willing to put in the time and effort. There’s always something going on in the hive to keep yourself entertained, and you can even become part of a beekeeping community! Of course, there’s the harvesting of not only honey but beeswax too. It’s definitely something worth looking into! There are even beekeeping starter kits with everything you need to begin.
Here’s a nice video I found to help you get started on your beekeeping journey:
11. DIY home improvement
Have you ever wished you were a little more handy so that you could make changes to your home and keep things fresh and interesting without having to pay someone else? Learning some basic home DIY skills is an instant return on your investment, and you’ll feel super proud of what you were able to accomplish on your own!
There are some very simple things that can be done that’ll totally change up your space, and most of it involves a little paint and creativity. Watch the video below for 10 inexpensive home improvements. Some of them are a little more involved than the others, but maybe that’s where the kids and grandkids can come lend a hand!
12. Learning a new language
Do you want to take on a new hobby that’ll exercise the brain and open your mind to other cultures? Learning a new language can be a fun and rewarding experience! And maybe your grandson or granddaughter is learning a new language in school, and you can go along with them on the ride and help each other out where needed. With the internet and all of the learning tools out there today, it’s easier than ever to get started… So what are you waiting for? 😛
Take a look at the secrets of learning a new language with Lýdia Machová on her informative and interesting TED Talk:
And there you have it… 12 new skills to learn to get into a new hobby with easy-to-follow tutorials to help you get started. And getting started is half the battle, as they say! Expand your mind, lifestyle, and lifetime by taking an interest in something new and dedicating yourself to becoming a better and smarter you!
