The Ultimate List of Hobbies to Try This Vacation (Anywhere You Go!)

K. Martínez

 

Like most students, I count the days until vacation starts. But let’s be honest—once it arrives, we sometimes waste it just scrolling, binge-watching, or procrastinating. That’s why I decided to create the ultimate list of hobbies you can do anywhere—whether you’re off to the beach, skiing in the mountains, exploring a forest, stuck in the desert heat, or simply staying at home.

 

Reading

I know, I know—reading might sound boring, even tedious if you're not a fan. But trust me: once you open a book that truly grabs your attention, you won’t be able to put it down.

But how do I find a book I’ll actually enjoy?

Here are a few tips for my fellow anti-readers:

• Think of your favorite movies—many of them are based on books or have similar themes you can find in novels.

• Visit a library or bookstore and ask the staff for recommendations.

• Challenge a friend who also doesn’t like reading to pick a book with you and turn it into a friendly competition.

• Go with friends to browse books together—sometimes all it takes is flipping through the right one.

 

Find a new place in the city.

If you’re traveling this summer, exploring new places comes naturally. But even if you’re staying home, don’t underestimate your own city. Most of us don’t know it as well as we think!

Take Monterrey, for example. There are tons of things to do:

• Go hiking (a must for any regio!).

• Visit museums.

• Try a new restaurant or food truck.

• Watch the sunset from a new spot.

• Hang out in a local park or go swimming.

• Plan mini adventures with friends or family (you can even go to Santiago, Allende)

• Redo your style 

 

Get creative:

Summer is the perfect time to reconnect with your creative side. Whether it's painting, drawing, sculpting, or crafting, expressing yourself through art can be incredibly relaxing, especially after a stressful school year.

New to art? No problem:

• Follow beginner tutorials online.

• Take inspiration from Pinterest or your surroundings.

• Let your imagination run wild—who knows, maybe there's a hidden Da Vinci in you!

 

Volunteering

Giving back doesn’t always mean traveling across the world. You can make a huge impact right in your own neighborhood.

Here are a few simple ways:

• Offer free classes to kids (dance, English, math—whatever you’re good at).

• Volunteer at a local summer camp.

• Visit orphanages or retirement homes.

• Help out neighbors or join a community clean-up.

Changing the world starts small, and summer gives you the time to do it.

 

Try a new sport.

During the school year, it’s easy to push exercise aside. But vacations are the ideal time to discover a sport you actually enjoy.

Maybe you’re great at something you’ve never tried before. Here are a few ideas:

• Soccer, basketball, volleyball

• Skating, hiking, cycling

• Swimming, tennis, and paddle

• Yoga, pilates, boxing, gym workouts

Exercise isn’t just great for your body—it boosts your mood and helps relieve stress.

 

And remember that scrolling through TikTok doesn't mean you're doing something bad, but there is a world outside your phone you will be missing.