Funny how things come full circle.
We boomers grew up doing things that were once considered normal—knitting, bird-watching, working with our hands—only to watch the world swap it all for touchscreens and TikToks.
But lately? Something’s shifting.
Younger generations are rediscovering the joy in hobbies we once took for granted. And I’ll be the first to say: it’s about time.
Here are some classic hobbies we boomers grew up with that are making a serious comeback.
1. Vinyl record collecting
I still remember walking into the record store with a five-dollar bill and walking out with an album that got played until the grooves wore thin.
Then CDs came. Then downloads. Then streaming.
But now? Records are back.
Young folks are buying turntables. They’re flipping through crates at flea markets. And they’re paying real money for albums I picked up in 1972 for pocket change.
And I get it. There’s nothing quite like the sound of the needle hitting vinyl. It forces you to sit down and listen.
2. Gardening
Back in the day, nearly every household had a garden—whether it was a few tomato plants, rows of lettuce, or a wild patch of sunflowers.
It wasn’t a trend. It was just how we lived.
Now, people are calling it “urban homesteading” and posting pictures of their herbs on social media like they invented the stuff.
But hey, I’m not complaining. Growing something with your own two hands? Still one of the most rewarding feelings there is.
3. Handwritten journaling
Before smartphones, we had diaries.
Notebooks. Loose pages. Scribbled thoughts under our pillows or tucked in drawers.
I’ve got a stack of old journals in a box in the attic—pages full of teenage worries, young love, and big dreams.
And now, it seems like younger generations are rediscovering the power of writing things down by hand. They’re buying leather-bound journals and fancy pens. And they’re realizing what we always knew: sometimes the best therapy is a blank page.
4. Knitting and crocheting
My grandmother taught me how to knit when I was a boy. I wasn’t great at it, but I remember the calm it brought her—hands in motion, mind at peace.
For a while, it seemed like those kinds of crafts were dying out.
But these days, I’m seeing 20-somethings knitting scarves on park benches and trading patterns on Instagram.
It’s not just about making something cozy—it’s about slowing down, creating with your hands, and finding joy in repetition.
5. Fishing
When I was a teenager, Saturday mornings meant one thing: fishing. You grab your gear, pack a sandwich, and head to the lake before the sun was even up.
And for a while, I thought it was becoming a lost art.
But now I’m seeing younger folks casting lines—some for sport, some for peace and quiet, some for the photos.
Either way, it’s back. And you know what? Watching a bobber dance on the surface still beats doomscrolling any day.
6. Baking from scratch
My mom never measured anything. She used old coffee mugs and her hands. Yet somehow, her biscuits came out perfect every time.
We grew up on homemade bread, pies with real crust, and cakes that didn’t come from a box.
For years, it seemed like convenience was king.
Now, I see people grinding their own flour, fermenting sourdough starters, and proudly posting their lopsided banana bread loaves.
It’s not about perfection—it’s about reconnecting with something real.
7. Letter writing
Not email. Not texting. Actual letters.
On paper. With stamps. Sent through the mail.
There’s something timeless about getting a handwritten envelope. It feels personal. Intentional.
And believe it or not, letter writing is coming back.
Pen pal clubs. Calligraphy workshops. Even snail mail subscription boxes.
If you ask me, it’s a welcome return. A letter might take longer to arrive, but it lingers a whole lot longer in the heart.
8. Woodworking
My dad had a workbench in the garage. Smelled like sawdust, turpentine, and patience.
He built shelves, fixed chairs, and carved little toys for us when money was tight.
Now, woodworking is trending again. People are making cutting boards, building their own desks, and taking pride in learning joinery techniques that haven’t changed in a hundred years.
It’s not about being handy—it’s about building something that’ll outlast you.
A few winters back, I decided to fix up an old rocking chair that had belonged to my grandfather. It had sat in the corner of our garage for years, creaking like it was begging to be put out of its misery.
I spent a week sanding it down, re-gluing the joints, and replacing a couple of worn-out slats.
It wasn’t perfect. But when I sat in it again—wood warm from the afternoon sun, floor creaking just right—I felt something I hadn’t in a while.
Pride. Connection. A kind of quiet usefulness.
My grandson came over a few days later, sat in it, and said, “This is kinda cool.”
I just smiled.
That chair might wobble a bit, but it carries three generations of stories.
That’s the thing about woodworking. You don’t just build furniture. You build legacy.
9. Puzzles and board games
There was a time when family fun meant gathering around the table and opening a box of Monopoly, Clue, or Scrabble.
For a while, those got pushed aside by video games and streaming.
But recently, board games have made a major comeback—and not just the old ones. There are new strategy games, cooperative games, and massive puzzles being enjoyed by people of all ages.
Turns out, sitting around the table, face-to-face, still has magic in it.
10. Bird-watching
This one might surprise you, but birding is booming.
Apps, field guides, binocular sales—you name it.
People are slowing down, getting outside, and finding joy in spotting a blue jay or hearing the call of a chickadee.
I used to think bird-watching was just for retirees. But now I see kids with bird logs, teenagers with cameras, and young couples planning hikes around migration seasons.
Nature never stopped being interesting. We just forgot to look.
Final thought
They used to call these things “old-fashioned.”
But now? They’re being rediscovered as ways to unplug, slow down, and feel something real again.
And maybe that’s the point.
We boomers didn’t grow up with notifications, algorithms, or endless scrolling. We grew up with hobbies that grounded us. That passed the time with purpose.
And it’s a good feeling seeing the next generation circle back around to what we’ve always known:
Simple doesn’t mean boring.
Slow doesn’t mean irrelevant.
And sometimes, the best way forward—is back to where you started.