25 Side Quests & Hobbies

I love having fun and interesting things to do, especially in the summer. Here's my list of side quests (random one-time activities) and hobbies to try.

I’ve been trying to be on my phone less, have a more screenless summer. Do activities that are fun and enjoyable, unique and cute. Solo dates and dates with loved ones. Activities that are, for the most part, low cost and simple to do. The idea of “side quests” sounds so fun to me- like I’m a character in a book or movie completing random little missions and adventures. Hobbies are activities I like to do more frequently.

Here’s a list of side quests and hobbies I’ve either tried or want to try. I like to keep them as a checklist in the notes app on my phone and always try at least one new thing each month. It keeps life feeling exciting, spontaneous, and interesting.

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All pictures sourced from Pinterest. I added all the pictures to a Pinterest board, linked at the end!

1. Reading in public

Doing this makes me feel so intellectual and mysterious, for some reason. Maybe in a coffeeshop or on a park bench. Stay awhile. Take some breaks to people watch.

2. Make and decorate a cake

I love baking, and cakes are my favorite because I think they’re so cute and fancy and yummy. Try watching a video or following steps to make a multi-tiered cake, or fun decorations on top! Extra points if you invite over loved ones for a cake-and-coffee date. Below is my favorite carrot cake recipe!

3. Make a friendship bracelet

Throwback to summer camp. Craft store have packs of string that don’t cost much and have the prettiest colors. It’s pretty easy and quick to make a simple bracelet, and so nostalgically fun to wear or give to others.

4. Make a homemade card for someone

I love making cards for people. It makes me feel so warm and fuzzy. Birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, or just random sweet cards for someone you love! Deliver in person or send in the mail (& decorate the envelope) for a cute surprise.

5. Make stamp art with a rubber eraser

I remember doing this back when I was in the Girl Scouts and it was such a fun activity. I haven’t tried it yet but it’s next on my list. A rubber eraser, a carving tool, an ink pad. I also love that this is something you can reuse and stamp as many times as you want.

6. Add a ribbon bow on something to make it look cute

This was a trend on TikTok for awhile and I thought it was cute. Maybe on your headphones or a purse, your sneakers or hairbrush. Just a little easy way to customize something you use and add a cute detail.

7. Make wall art

Create something to hang up in your home! You can get a canvas at the dollar store or a craft store, or draw on a piece of paper to put in a frame. Paint, crayons, colored pencils, whatever you want. Or try out Canva and make some cool graphic art.

8. Explore a new neighborhood

My sister and I enjoy driving and walking around different neighborhoods. Looking at the houses and picking out our favorites, admiring the landscaping and flowers. Maybe get a coffee or other drink to walk around with, pretend you live there, say hi to the dogs you pass.

9. Browse a greenhouse/ garden center

I love plants and flowers, so I think it’s enjoyable to just browse around a garden center. Admire the beautiful flowers, maybe take some pictures. Extra points if you find a bee or butterfly.

10. Drink a beverage of choice and do a puzzle

Pour whatever drink you choose (wine, kombucha, iced tea) in a fancy glass, light a candle. Try a puzzle. Play some classical music if you really want to feel sophisticated.

11. Wear headphones and go to a local art museum

I think it’s fun wearing headphones and listening to music of your choosing while meandering around an art museum. It creates a vibe. Take your time to look at the details of the art.

12. Try a word/ number puzzle

Sudoku, crosswords. Wordle. That sorta thing. They sell activity books at the dollar store. Maybe use your favorite colored pen, a glitter pen if you really want to get crazy. Under a blanket for maximum cozy vibes.

13. Pottery wheel

Most studios offer one-time classes, or a multi-week course. It’s fun to get messy and creative, and you get something cool and homemade to keep in your home!

14. Get all dolled up to dance around your bedroom

Put on a good playlist, take your time to look your best. Then sing and dance your heart out in your bedroom. A solo dance party, an act of self love.

15. Make a fancy flower bouquet

Get a few types of flowers/ greenery from Trader Joes or even just from a walk outside. Try on your own or watch a video to create a beautiful arrangement. Display proudly!

16. Watch a TED talk on Youtube

I love TED talks. They always leave me with at least one idea to really think about or learn from. Get out a notebook and a pen, take notes. Pause the video to think about what you’re hearing.

17. Roller blading or ice skating

So fun! Try going at a time that might be less busy so you don’t have to run over hoards of small children in your way. And if you do run over a small child, so be it!

18. Listen to a podcast while walking

Choose a topic that interests you and listen while you walk. Most podcasts I listen to are about 40 minutes long so I can walk about 2 miles which I think is perfect. Some of my favorite podcasts are Mel Robbins, Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain, Prologues with Mary Skinner. Those are all lifestyle/ personal development podcasts, which I love to listen to while I walk.

19. Make a scrapbook or junk journal

Collect momentos- tickets from events you’ve been to, business cards of stores you like, menus, tea bags, anything! You could get cool paper or stickers, print pictures, or add in mini journal entries to really elevate if you want to.

20. Research and write an essay on a topic you’re interested in

I know I’m going to sound like a mega nerd but I miss writing essays. I’ve brainstormed a list of topics I want to know more about, and I’m going to choose one to research and write an essay about. Maybe I’ll even submit it to someone for grading, if someone’s willing to roleplay Massive Nerd with me.

21. Watercolor paints

I love watercolor paints because they’re just so relaxing and lovely. I’ve started learning how to actually use them properly but it’s also so fun to just experiment and play around. I like using watercolors and then drawing details on top with pens or markers. Tons of ideas on Pinterest to help you get started!

22. Make a bookmark

For each new book I read, I make a bookmark to go with it. It’s such a nice tradition with myself that I look forward to. I love getting creative and adding tassels, layers, and cool designs. It’s so lovely having a little collection of homemade bookmarks to choose from, and they could also make a good little gift for a bookworm you love.

23. Do yoga

Yoga is one of my favorite hobbies of all time. Most yoga studios offer one class passes for $20 or so, but there’s also really amazing teachers and classes on YouTube! You don’t even need a yoga mat and there’s all different types of yoga which are perfect for beginners. I love “Yoga with Kassandra” on Youtube. Below I linked a good video to start!

24. Color

Coloring is such a low-pressure and low-cost artsy activity. It’s nice to just sit and color to relax, or color while watching a show or listening music to keep my hands busy. It’s also fun to get creative and add elevated details, like plaid on a shirt or a scene in windows. There’s tons of free printable pages online, or there’s super cute books on Amazon or from other stores.

25. Watch movies and give them a rating

I have a list in my Notes app of movies I want to watch, sorted in very specific categories. I then have another list with my reviews- I do a rating out of 5 and provide a small summary of my thoughts. Maybe rewatch your favorite childhood movie or try a genre you don’t usually watch.

26. Jump rope

I loved jump roping as a kid. Ever since I watched that old Disney movie about jump roping, my sister and I would play Double Dutch and other games in the driveway. It’s fun and playful while also being a killer workout.

27. Roll down a hill

I think this one is so funny and random. But honestly I loved rolling down hills as a kid. It felt so carefree and exciting, so I want to do it again.

28. Have a picnic

Picnics are one of the most lovely activities of all time, in my opinion. A cute blanket, some yummy snacks or drinks, maybe even a sandwich. Card games or a book or even just laying down under the trees.

29. Plant something

Whether it be a seed, a plant, an herb, a vegetable. Just one small pot in your home or a garden in your backyard. It’s so satisfying to plant something yourself and watch it grow.

30. Walk or bike to a destination

It feels like you’re going on an adventure when you plan to actually go somewhere. Not just a walk/ bike around the block, but having a mission. Maybe it’s the library to get a new book, or the grocery store to get a snack, or the coffee shop to sit for a minute and get a drink, or the farmer’s market.

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I hope this list inspired you to try something new, or reminded you to do something you enjoy. Romanticize your life, do fun things. Use ideas from my list, or make your own list! If you have a good idea for me, please let me know. My list of side quests is forever growing and changing.

Love,

Rach