Summer has arrived, and it has brought warmer weather and longer days with it. This makes it the perfect time to encourage your elderly loved ones to pick up some new hobbies – and you can do it too. With plenty of opportunities for getting out of the house, as well as hot days where you want to stay inside, there’s no end to the hobbies you and your loved ones can try this summer.
How to Pick a Hobby
With so many hobbies to choose from, it’s important to know how to pick a hobby that appeals to you or your loved ones. Whilst in some ways we would encourage you to try everything once, it’s also important to focus on the things you enjoy.
Therefore, think about activities you or your loved one may have had on your bucket-list for some time. Are there any hobbies that could bring you a step closer to accomplishing these goals? Another thing to consider is your loved one’s health. Can they safely get involved in their chosen hobby? If not, perhaps an alternate hobby is the better option.
If you are looking for inspiration for hobbies to try this summer, we have compiled a list of possibilities.
Hobbies to Try This Summer
We recognise that not every hobby will appeal to everyone. As a result, we have endeavoured to find a mix of hobbies. Some are suitable for doing as a family; others are more solitary undertakings. We have also found a balance of hobbies that can be done in the comfort of home or out and about.
If you know of any summer hobbies we have not mentioned below, be sure to leave a comment and let us – and other readers – know about them.
1. Walking
You might wonder why something most of us do every day is listed as a hobby idea. Whilst it’s obvious that many of us walk around the house or out to the shops, how many of us truly go out walking? Often, walking is merely a by-product of other activities; however, walking as a hobby puts the focus on keeping fit.
There are several benefits to going walking beyond being healthy. Depending on where you go, you and your loved one could enjoy some spectacular sights. It is also a hobby for the summer that can have social elements. Consider joining a walking club to make some friends whilst exercising.
If you are worried about your loved one feeling unwell or having a fall whilst out and about, consider a Go Anywhere GPS Alarm.
2. Learn Origami
For those warmer days where you want to stay inside but need to keep your mind active, why not pick up a new arts and crafts activity? Something a little different from painting or knitting is to try your hand at origami. Origami is a traditional form of art from Japan that involves folding paper to create models.
As well as providing you with a time-consuming activity and crafts to display, origami can also support your hand-eye coordination. This could be especially important for your elderly loved ones.
You can start learning origami by watching videos on YouTube, downloading tutorial apps on your phone or tablet, or picking up an origami book.
3. Cycling
If walking is too sedate for you or your loved one this summer, consider cycling instead. A brisk bike ride is ideal for burning calories and improving muscle tone. It also gets you where you want to be faster than walking. Whilst it may be somewhat more taxing on the body, it is a great way to get out of the house.
It’s also perfect as a family activity. Gather the children, strap on your helmets, and head down to the local park. If you’re lucky enough to live near the coast, head down to the beach. You’ll burn plenty of energy and will be guaranteed a good night’s sleep afterwards. Just be mindful of any health conditions your elderly loved one may have.
4. Gardening
Your loved one doesn’t have to go far from their house to spend some time in the sun. Gardening is a great hobby to try in summer. In fact, this time of year is also perfect for planting certain flowers and vegetables. Meanwhile, other plants in the garden will need some TLC.
It’s an easy hobby to get started with. Just buy some seeds, fertiliser, and tools, add some soil and water, and you’ve already begun. If you’re worried about your loved one’s wellbeing whilst out in the garden, you can take solace knowing that Careline365’s personal alarms have a range starting at around 100m, offering coverage throughout the home and garden.
5. Learn a New Language
Whether they’re planning on going abroad in the future or not, learning a new language could be the hobby your loved ones have been looking for. Not only is knowing another language useful, but nowadays it can be fun, too. You no longer have to trawl through a textbook as thick as a shoe to learn; instead, simply download a language app like Duolingo and start learning.
Many language apps are completely free, teaching you the language through interactive games that help the words stick in your mind. Thanks to the internet, there are also a myriad of resources online that can make learning even easier. Furthermore, learning a language has cognitive benefits, such as improving memory and problem solving capabilities.
6. Fishing
Many people may dismiss fishing as a boring pastime, but you would be surprised how involved it can be. Even people who never thought they’d get into fishing have become avid anglers after giving it a try. Fishing is one of the hobbies to try in summer that will teach you to be patient, whilst also exposing you to the benefits of the outdoors.
One of the advantages of fishing is being close to the water. Research has shown that the sight and sound of water promotes a sense of relaxation. Therefore, fishing can be therapeutic. Plus, there is the sense of accomplishment that comes from reeling in a sizeable catch. Just be sure to fish responsibly.
7. Live the Festival Life
Summer is a time of music and dancing, with festivals popping up all over the country. If your loved ones haven’t indulged in the festival atmosphere yet – and they’re up for it – it’s something they should certainly try. Though it is important to be mindful of the crowds. If they really want to get into the spirit of things, they could even bring a tent along and camp onsite.
Even if they choose to hunker down in a hotel – or attend an event closer to home – the live music experience, surrounded by fellow music lovers, is sure to leave them buzzing.
This may not be one of the hobbies in summer that appeals to everyone, but if they do give it a go, it’s something you and your loved ones are unlikely to forget anytime soon.
8. Pick Up Some New Books
Whether you’ve been reading for years or barely bother to turn a page, summer is a great time to change up your reading habits. There’s nothing quite like sitting in the shade with a cold drink and a good book.
Do you have a favourite film? Find out if it was based on a book and read the original source material – most readers agree that the book is (almost) always better. Is there an author you’ve heard a lot about but haven’t read yet? Maybe now is the time to give them a chance, or pick up a genre you haven’t explored before.
And you don’t need to stick with the big publishers. In recent years, independent publishing (also known as self-publishing) has taken the world by storm. There are hundreds of hidden gems telling stories that you don’t want to miss out on. Scour the internet for blogs listing “indie fiction” and pick up some lesser known authors. Who knows, you might find a new favourite.
Just be sure to leave reviews for the indie books you read. It helps more people find them.
9. Start Birdwatching
Nature is a wonderful thing, and something many of us take for granted nowadays. Take some time to appreciate the world around you and take up birdwatching as one of your hobbies this summer. There are 628 species of bird in the UK ranging from tiny garden birds to stunning birds of prey.
What makes birdwatching ideal for everyone is that it can be done anywhere. You could sit at your window and look out into the garden, or head to a nature reserve and tuck yourself into a hide. You never know what you will see, either.
Start out by buying some binoculars and an identification guide. That’s all you need to get started. From there, it will be a simply matter or keeping quiet and being patient. You could even start photographing the birds you see. Birdwatching could also be an opportunity for making new friends.
10. Volunteering
If you or your loved one want to give a little something back to your community, you might want to consider volunteering. There are plenty of charity shops across the country that need extra helping hands over the summer. Alternatively, events might need people to help out. This could involve directing traffic or handling tickets.
There is a social element involved in volunteering that could combat loneliness. As well as working with other likeminded people, you also get to see new faces every day. Depending on what you are doing, there are also opportunities for learning. Overall, though, the real appeal of volunteering is knowing that you are providing assistance to people who need it.
Stay Safe in Summer
Whilst summer is a great time of year, it’s important to stay safe, whether you’re trying new hobbies at home or getting out of the house. Something everyone should do is be mindful of the weather. Summer is the season of heatwaves, after all. Fortunately, we have an article about staying safe during a heatwave.
For your older loved ones, health problems may be complicated by higher temperatures. And accidents can happen regardless of how sedate a hobby may seem. Therefore, it is important to take precautions. The Careline365 personal alarm service offers added peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
Help can be arranged at the press of a button. If you opt for a fall detector plan, an automatic alert can also be raised. Furthermore, the Go Anywhere GPS Alarm provides coverage even when away from home. To find out more about our alarm service, read our helpful guide.
If you have any questions, or to order a Careline365 alarm today, call us on 0800 030 8777 to talk to our friendly team.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on 13th July 2023 to reflect current information.
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