10 old-school hobbies boomers loved that are cool again in 2025

Everything old is new again.

Maybe it’s nostalgia. Maybe it’s burnout from our screen-heavy lives. Maybe it’s the quiet satisfaction that comes from actually making something with your hands.

Whatever the reason, there’s no denying it: a bunch of hobbies that once felt dusty and outdated have officially become cool again in 2025.

And guess who was into them first?

Let’s dive into a few of the retro pastimes that have made a modern comeback.

1. Vinyl collecting

It’s not just hipsters anymore.

More people are realizing that digital music—while convenient—feels kind of disposable. There’s something about holding an album, reading liner notes, and hearing the little crackle before the music starts.

Boomers never let go of vinyl, and now younger generations are catching on.

I recently spent a Saturday flipping through crates at a record fair in Echo Park, and the crowd was wildly diverse. Teens, twenty-somethings, retirees—it was standing room only. And everyone looked genuinely happy to be there.

2. Knitting and crocheting

This used to be something your grandma did in the corner chair while everyone else watched TV.

Now? It’s on TikTok.

I’ve seen friends in their 30s picking up needles for the first time and knocking out scarves like it’s nothing. There are entire cafes now where people bring their projects and stitch over oat lattes.

It’s not about perfection. It’s about slowing down. Focusing. Making something that isn’t mass-produced.

And let’s be honest—handmade gifts beat Amazon every time.

3. Birdwatching

This one surprised me.

Because birdwatching always felt like the most retiree-coded hobby imaginable.

But then I started noticing it in unexpected places—like people my age using bird identification apps or waking up early just to spot migratory species in city parks.

There’s even a growing “urban birding” scene. People using binoculars in alleyways, on rooftops, or during weekend hikes.

It’s peaceful. It’s cheap. And in a world that constantly wants your attention, it teaches you to actually look.

4. Roller skating

Rollerblading had its run, but quad skates are back with a vengeance.

Rinks are re-opening. People are skating through parks and parking lots with Bluetooth speakers and neon wheels. And social media is filled with slow-mo footage of graceful spins and retro outfits.

I went to a skating night at a warehouse pop-up last summer, and it felt like stepping into a time warp. Donna Summer blasting, disco balls spinning, everyone wobbling and laughing together.

If joy had a sound, that was it.

5. Woodworking

You’d think we’d be past this one.

But there’s something deeply satisfying about making a table, a cutting board, or even just sanding down a plank until it shines.

Some folks are getting into it as a form of therapy. Others are just tired of buying cheap furniture that falls apart.

And here’s the kicker—YouTube is packed with woodworking creators under 35. They're filming with DSLR cameras, using reclaimed wood, and treating it like an art form.

Boomers always knew the value of craftsmanship. Now the rest of us are finally catching up.

6. Jigsaw puzzles

Puzzles had a big comeback during the lockdown years—but the trend didn’t die out when the world opened up.

It evolved.

Now we’ve got design-forward puzzles that double as wall art. Puzzle clubs. Puzzles that are deliberately hard—like all black pieces or intricate optical illusions.

I keep one on my kitchen table and add a few pieces while I’m waiting for water to boil or my tea to steep. It’s a low-pressure way to stay off my phone and calm my brain.

7. Gardening

Raised beds. Balcony tomatoes. Propagating pothos in old mason jars.

It’s all back—and this time it’s dressed in vintage denim overalls and posted on Instagram.

Boomers always saw gardening as a practical thing. Growing your own food. Beautifying your yard. Now it’s being rediscovered as an act of sustainability and self-care.

A friend of mine in Brooklyn turned his fire escape into a mini herb farm. Not for content. Just because it made him feel grounded.

And honestly? That’s the kind of cool that doesn’t expire.

8. Sewing and mending

Fast fashion isn’t aging well. People are waking up to how wasteful and unethical it is.

So now there’s a slow fashion revival happening—and at the heart of it? Sewing machines.

Thrift flips, visible mending, even learning to tailor your own clothes—it’s practical, creative, and way more satisfying than adding to your cart at 2 a.m.

My aunt taught me how to fix a tear in a jacket instead of tossing it, and that little moment stuck with me. These are skills we shouldn’t have forgotten.

9. Fishing

You wouldn’t think fishing would appeal to people raised on WiFi and instant gratification.

But here we are.

Turns out, sitting by a lake for hours with no notifications and no rush to do anything is kind of... ideal.

Some do it for the catch. Others for the stillness. Either way, fishing is no longer just something your uncle does in camo pants. It’s become a reset button for overstimulated minds.

10. Writing letters

Emails are fast. Texts are practical. But letters? Letters mean something.

I’ve started sending the occasional handwritten note again—not because I’m anti-tech, but because there’s something powerful about slowing down to say something real.

Boomers did this without thinking twice. Now, it feels radical.

And people love it. They keep them. They reread them. They remember you.

Final thoughts

What’s interesting about all of this is that none of it feels like a trend grab.

These hobbies aren’t coming back because they’re flashy.

They’re coming back because they give people something we’re all craving right now—depth, focus, and a sense of being part of something bigger than ourselves.

The boomers were onto something.

And maybe, just maybe, we finally get it.