14 Winter Hobbies to Make Your Free Time Extra Cozy and Fun

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These winter hobbies are all you need to make your spare hours count during the cold months of the year.

As soon as the first chill of winter hits, I get super psyched to dive into all the comforting activities of the season.

Summer lovers would probably be aghast by this declaration, but hey, come on, winter isn’t a bad season at all.

If you have the right routine going for you, it can turn out to be a life-changing time of the year (no exaggerations, I promise).

Sure, the days might be shorter and the air frostier, but that just means there is more time to focus on yourself and your soul.

Now, you could either sulk throughout the season or fully embrace its restive and cozy vibes by picking up some winter hobbies.

Since you were interested enough to click on this post, I’m guessing you lie in the latter category, which is awesome! You’re going to love what I have to share.

Read on to discover 10 winter hobbies to add a little spark (or a lot!) to your winter routine.

14 Winter Hobbies To Pick Up This Season

1. Read Books Set In The Cold

I think we can all agree that reading is the ultimate winter hobby.

But you know how you can make winter reading more…well, wintery?

By picking books that match the season’s vibes!

From classic winter romances to heartwarming tales set in snow-covered towns, there’s no shortage of books that’ll give you the fuzzy feels.

Some of my favorite winter books are:

Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand
One Day In December by Josie Silver
Blood And Ash Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Wildest Dreams by Kristen Ashley

An ideal winter read would make you want to wrap yourself in a blanket and sip on hot cocoa, and the above books check all those boxes.

2. Make DIY Candles With Winter Scents

We all know that scented candles and winter form a dreamy combination.

But instead of buying candles at the store, why not make your own?

All you’ll need is a candle-making set, which you can find online.

You’ll get to choose all your favorite scents and decorate the jars yourself.

Every time you light one of your DIY candles, you’ll be setting the mood for the ultimate cozy night in.

You won’t ever want to buy candles after this.

3. Start A Seasonal Journal Or Scrapbook

If you’ve never worked on a seasonal scrapbook before, then do it this winter season.

This is your chance to get creative.

You can gather cute winter-themed stickers, dried flowers, and even press some leaves you’ve collected on a chilly walk.

Or…you can glue in polaroids, write down your favorite winter recipes, and make a list of your winter bucket list activities.

The best part about this? You’ll have a beautiful keepsake to look back on when the season is over.

Something you can actually touch and show around with fondness (very different from having pictures in your phone, trust me).

4. Set Up A Mini Hot Chocolate Bar

Now, this is one winter hobby that feels like a total treat (unless you’re not a chocolate lover, in which case, are you alright? Just kidding, hehe).

Gather up different types of hot chocolate like peppermint, salted caramel, and white chocolate, and set up a mini-tasting bar.

Get toppings like whipped cream, marshmallows, sprinkles, and crushed candy cans.

Whether you invite friends over or keep it just for yourself (we love a self-care moment), it’ll be a cute way to spend a chilly afternoon.

After your tasting, you can cozy up with a feel-good movie or a winter playlist. It’s basically a chocolaty hug for your soul, and who doesn’t need more of that?

5. Watch Cozy Cottagecore YouTube Channels

If you haven’t fallen down the rabbit hole of cottagecore yet, winter is the perfect time to do it.

These channels are pure cozy vibes.

They post videos baking bread in a dreamy countryside kitchen, sipping tea in the woods, or knitting by the fire.

Watching them feels like a breath of fresh air when the world outside is freezing.

Some of my favorites are ‘The Cottage Fairy’, ‘Fairyland Cottage’, and ‘Her 86m2’.

Pop in their videos while you’re sipping tea or working on your DIY crafts, and you’ll feel like you’re living in your own fairytale.

Best background you could ask for on a quiet winter day.

Don’t miss: How To Have The Perfect Self-Care Day

6. Make DIY Snow Globes

Snow globes are adorable, and they also make for the cutest room decor.

If you’re into crafting even a bit, you can create your own little snow globe world with mason jars, glitter, and mini figurines like animals, tiny trees, and little houses.

Add a bit of glycerin so the glitter falls slowly, and you’ll then have bottled up a piece of winter magic.

Every time you shake the glob, you’ll get the perfect snowfall vibe without even stepping outside.

You can also make one for a friend to make them feel special and unique, just like a snowflake.

7. Finish A Winter Picture Puzzle

While it’s freezing outside, work on a puzzle to exercise your mind and give yourself tiny boosts of accomplishment.

Choose a puzzle with cute fall or winter scene. Could be a cottage, a snow-covered town, or a warm little café.

It’s a peaceful and slow-paced hobby that will help you unwind, and give you the pleasure of seeing a beautiful picture come to life piece by piece.

And when you finally fit in that last piece? Total satisfaction!

8. Knit A Pair Of Fuzzy Socks Or Mittens

Okay, I know everyone talks about knitting scarves, but let’s switch it up this winter.

How about knitting yourself a pair of cozy mittens or some soft and fuzzy socks?

They will come so handy (literally) during the cold days.

Even if you’re new to knitting, there are plenty of beginner-friendly patterns on YouTube, and I promise you’ll get a hang of it within a week (speaking from experience here).

And you’ll be so proud when you can wear something you made with your own hands.

On the plus side, it’s one of those relaxing hobbies you can do while binge-watching your favorite winter movies.

So, two winter hobbies in one go? Check!

9. Create A Winter Mood Board

Whenever you find yourself free on an evening, sit down to make a winter-themed mood board.

Basically, you’re supposed to capture all your cold-weather dreams and crazy goals on it.

You can either go old-school with magazines and printouts or make a digital version using Pinterest.

Fill it with images that inspire you, whether it’s snowy landscapes, steaming mugs of cocoa, or outfit ideas for the winter season.

Every time you look at it, you’ll be reminded of all the things you love about this time of year.

10. Bake Cute Cookies

What’s cuter than baking cookies that match the season?

Make winter-themed cookies in shapes of snowflakes, mittens, woodland animals, and decorate them with royal icing.

This is a fun winter hobby for a lazy afternoon.

Your home will smell like pure happiness, and you’ll have adorable (and delicious) treats to enjoy with your winter beverages.

(My favorite? Tea and chocolate chip cookies, thank you for asking).

11. Send Out Handwritten Letters

In a world where everything is digital, sending out handwritten letters or cards is a really thoughtful and special act.

Winter is a wonderful time to start writing to friends and family.

It’s so easy to imagine you’re a student at Hogwarts writing to your Muggle parents back home.

While there won’t be a real own to deliver your mail, what you can do is pick up some cute stationery, light a candle, and take your time penning down sweet messages.

A very classic way to spread love and warmth, right?

You might like: 10 Beautiful New Year Habits For The New You

12. Decorate Your Room And House

If winter has you feeling a little ‘blah’ about your space, this is the perfect fix.

Whenever you have some spare time, spend it looking up affordable decor pieces for winter, and add them to your space one by one.

Take inspiration from Pinterest for some cozy ideas, if you must.

You can re-use the same decor the next season, so this hobby will definitely pay off long-term.

At the least, what you can do is grab some fairy lights (the warm-toned ones are the best) and hang them around your room.

Every time you come home, you’ll be greeted by that soft and twinkling glow, and it’ll make those dark winter evenings feel a lot more inviting.

13. Learn Embroidery

Embroidery is a soothing hobby that pairs perfectly with winter’s slower pace.

You can add embroidery to your handkerchiefs, scarfs, or your throw blankets.

Make patterns that scream ‘winter’ (like a Christmas tree, a cup of coffee, or even your initials written in bold red and green).

It’s a mindful activity that will give you something beautiful to show when you’re done.

Also, you get to stitch while snuggled up in your comfiest blankets. Perfect, right?

Bookmark now: 15 Hobbies That Make Money And Are Excellent For A Side Income

14. Explore Some Winter Playlists

Music can set the mood for…well, anything, granted you pick the right songs. Winter is no different.

This season, create a winter playlist that is full of songs that make you warm (and maybe even nostalgic?).

Mix in some soft indie tracks, acoustic covers, and mellow instrumentals.

Whenever you’re home doing something personal, hit play on your playlist and let the good vibes roll.

You can also look up ‘winter songs’ on Spotify and explore random playlists created by other people.

I love doing this on my chilly walks as my mind is more open to new thoughts and concepts during this time.

15. Journal Your Thoughts

Winter’s slower pace is a great time to build a habit of journaling.

The quiet of the days (and nights) make the words flow more easily.

My lengthy journal entries during winter are proof of that.

Also, this season can be isolating for some of us, so your journal can act as a companion while the cold lasts.

You can write whatever’s on your mind, create colorful bucket lists, or just vent during your hard days.

And doing it all with a hot cup of cocoa in hand? Absolute bliss.

Might help: 50 Amazing Bedtime Journal Prompts For A Quiet Reflection

Ready For A Fun Winter?

Alright, so that’s a wrap on winter hobbies from my end.

Pick your favorites from this list and try them out this season (you can’t go wrong with any of these, I assure you).

Have fun and enjoy the season, dear readers. Happy winter ahead!

Before you leave, suggest me some winter activity in the comment box, please. Book, song, and movie recommendations are welcome too.