Long, lazy summer days are the best time to pick up new hobbies. While some are just a fun way to pass time, some could translate to lifelong passions. There is something for everyone, whether you love the great outdoors, or want a respite from the sun.
Here are just a few to choose from.
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Playing computer and video games are fun, sure, but have you ever thought of making your own? All you need is some code and some building blocks! In fact, coding can be almost like playing with virtual Legos. Hopscotch, Scratch, Kodable, Tynker, Code Monster, and Code.org are fun sites to do that. Make your visual stories and animations, program a drone or robot, or add your own touches to Minecraft. For something a little more advanced, check out Code Combat, or Codecademy, where you can make your own website with HTML and impress your friends.
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Swirls and hues
This one is an oldie but a goodie — a classic summer activity that requires only a set of colour pencils/markers/crayons, and either a colouring book, a sketch that you’ve drawn yourself or a pattern printed from an online resource. If a chilled out, laidback holiday hobby is what you’re looking for, then this is it. Over the last few years, this activity has become trendy (even among other age groups!). So if you want to get a little fancy, there are books with all sorts of themes — featuring your favourite movie, film, story-book characters, or gorgeous and intricate mandala s. If you want to ‘colour’ on the go, then you need even fewer supplies: a mobile device with one of the many colouring apps should suffice.
Eagle-eyed
If you’re the outdoor type, get your hands on a pair of binoculars. It’s double the fun because they serve a dual purpose: for bird and nature watching during the day, and for beginner’s astronomy during the night! You can do this in your own neighbourhood. Things you’ve been looking at day in and day out may seem new and exciting when you can make out the minute details of darting squirrels and gliding birds. Train your binoculars upwards on the starry sky (even in places with light pollution) and spot the craters of the moon, a passing comet if you’re lucky, or some of our neighbours (Hi, Mars!). If you really get into it, you can graduate to a pair specialised for astronomy.
As a bonus: with the help of an adult, look up geocaching, a perpetually ongoing, real-life treasure hunt, with millions of participants from around the world! There are hundreds of hidden ‘treasure’ locations across India too (look up some before your next vacation) and all you need is a GPS-enabled device with a geocaching app of your choice to find them and hide some new geocaches of your own. Take your binoculars along to help you spot hidden treasures on the trail.
A leafy friend
Want a puppy or a kitten as a pet? Try nurturing a houseplant first. You’d need to make sure it gets enough (but not too much!) water, the right kind of lighting, and enough fertilizer. You will also need a pot or container with drainage holes, so that the plant isn’t left standing in excess water; this could cause problems later. Visit your local nursery and get some tips on what are the best kind of plants for your particular weather conditions (humidity and temperature play roles too). You could take pictures periodically and make a scrapbook as you watch your plant grow!
Going a few steps further, maybe you’d want to try your hand at planting a roof-top or backyard garden. Decide on the type of garden you want — fragrant flowers, or your own home-grown produce, maybe? Put your green thumbs to the test!
While pursuing these hobbies it is advisable to have an adult with you to help you out, supervise and maybe carry a heavy bag too.