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Have you noticed that lots of teens are suddenly into knitting, baking sourdough bread, or maybe even gardening? You’re not alone! Grandmacore is a trend that has young people putting down their phones and picking up old-fashioned hobbies. And honestly? It might be one of the best things to happen for teen mental health in years.
What Exactly Are These “Grandma” Hobbies?
So what are we talking about when we say “grandma” hobbies? Think about activities your own grandmother might have enjoyed:
- Crafty stuff like quilting, crochet, knitting, or scrapbooking
- Kitchen adventures like baking from scratch or canning fresh produce
- Social activities like joining book clubs or playing board games, even doing jigsaw puzzles
- Outdoor pursuits like gardening or bird-watching
The common thread? None of these activities involve scrolling or swiping! They exist completely outside the digital world that our teens usually inhabit. And no, you definitely don’t need to be a grandparent to enjoy them!
The “Grandmacore” Vibe
You might have heard the term “grandmacore” floating around social media lately. It’s this whole aesthetic that celebrates slow living, nostalgia, coziness, and simplicity. It’s influencing everything from how teens dress to how they decorate their rooms, and yes—how they spend their free time.
Why Are Teens Suddenly Into These Old-School Activities?
It seems kind of contradictory, right? Teens discovering old-fashioned hobbies through… TikTok and Instagram? But there are actually some pretty interesting reasons behind this trend:
Social media influencers are championing slower lifestyles which is how many teens discover these ‘grandma’ hobbies. After seeing someone knitting or gardening on their feed, they’re inspired to pick up these traditional skills themselves.
The internet also makes it super easy to learn how to do pretty much anything. Want to learn to cross-stitch? There are hundreds of tutorials just a click away!
But perhaps most importantly, many teens are simply getting tired of constant screen time. A 2023 Pew Research survey found that most teens actually admit to being happier when they’re not on their phones. So while they might discover knitting or bread-making online, the actual appeal is in unplugging.
The Mental Health Boost of Grandma Hobbies
These seemingly simple hobbies pack a serious punch when it comes to teen wellbeing:
A Natural Stress-Buster
These ‘grandma’ hobbies are often wonderful for teens’ mental health. Taking up a relaxing hobby is a the perfect way to de-stress.
Think about it—focusing on the rhythmic motion of knitting needles or the sensory experience of kneading dough is almost like meditation. It gives the brain a break from the constant stimulation of social media.
Making Real Connections
In a world where teens often interact through screens, these hobbies create opportunities for face-to-face connection. Especially for teens who struggle to fit in or feel lonely, joining a book or knitting club or taking a cooking class connects them with others who share their interests, creating natural friendships around common interests.
The Joy of Creating Something Real
Another benefit? Old-fashioned hobbies give teens a respite from the “busyness” that is so much a part of all of our lives.
Many teens (and adults) admit to having a hard time just relaxing. But when they’re making something tangible—whether it’s a hand-knit scarf or homemade cookies—they feel productive while still giving their brains a much-needed break.
Instant Gratification (The Healthy Kind)
Unlike school and extracurriculars that often require waiting months or years to see results, these old-fashioned hobbies deliver immediate satisfaction. There’s no pressure to perform, teens can control the process themselves, and they get to enjoy the fruits of their labor right away–something that’s refreshingly rare in their achievement-oriented lives.
It’s always satisfying to see something you’ve created with your own hands, right before your eyes!
Learning That Fun Doesn’t Need to Be “Productive”
Perhaps one of the most valuable lessons these hobbies teach is that not everything needs to be about achievement.
Grandma hobbies don’t require you to be an “expert.” Instead, they’re an opportunity to enjoy the process. Unlike the performance-driven activities that fill most of a teen’s schedule, there’s no competition, no grades, and no pressure to excel.
It’s simply about the joy of creating something with your hands, making mistakes along the way, and finding satisfaction in the journey rather than just the destination. In a world where teens are constantly evaluated and ranked, discovering that pleasure can exist without perfection is an incredibly freeing experience.
Supporting Your Teen’s New Interests
If your teen shows interest in trying out knitting, baking, gardening, or any other “grandma” hobby, give them all the encouragement you can! These screen-free activities offer so many benefits—from stress reduction to greater life satisfaction to genuine connections with others.
Who knows? The hobby they discover now might become a lifelong passion that brings them joy for decades to come!
Also read:
How to Talk to Teens About Social Media: 7 Tips
29 Old-Fashioned Skills Kids Need to Know (Free Printable)
Try One of These 11 Stress-Relieving Hobbies (& Why You Should)
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