Cool Hobbies For Kids
Kids need stimulation. They crave it. Their little minds are working 24/7, absorbing the world around them and figuring out how the mechanics of this whole operation. Why do you think they pass out like a brick at the end of the day? They say the brain takes up nearly a quarter of the body’s energy. Between running, playing, and asking so many darn questions, it’s no wonder that they fall asleep like a log!
One thing that every parent needs to know, is that every kid needs a hobby. Not only is it a means to keep them off of electronic devices for a second, it teaches them that there are interests outside of school that are worth giving your attention to. Studies have shown that a child with a hobby is more likely to perform well in focus-oriented and difficult tasks, primarily due to the familiarization of skill acquisition. That means that being bad at something isn’t new and getting good at something through time and effort is rewarded. With that in mind, here are some of the coolest hobbies for kids to engage their brilliant little brains with.
Rockhounding
Remember going to the museum and taking a detour at the gift shop? They always have those cool smooth rocks and the displays with various labels on them. There’s pyrite, there’s rose quartz, and even turquoise. These rocks aren’t necessarily found deep in the Earth’s crust. Some of them can be found on a hike. Rockhounding is the collection and classification of various mineral combinations. You can find distinct ones depending on the area and what is most commonly found there. You can even get a kids metal detector to find iron-rich alloys. Experts at websites like Detectorlist have options for adults too, just in case you want to join in on the fun. From there, you can get rock tumblers and polishers to make beautiful mantelpieces with your kids so they can pass by it and be proud.
Skateboarding
Skateboarding came into popularity with Generation X. That means Millennials never really grew up with something like skating as a hobby that parents and adults understood. Skate culture had always been something of an underground favorite. Nowadays, Millennials have their own kids and skating is still cool. Getting a kid into skateboarding starts off with the initial investment of a board, a helmet, and maybe some pads (although they’ll probably ditch the pads). From there, it’s the open road. Not only is it a means to do trick and cool stunts, it’s a mode of transportation. There’s something missing in modern culture. The 80’s had kids with bikes. The 90’s had kids with boards. The 2000’s turned into kids with pads.
Microscopy
Microscopy is the crown jewel of lab nerdistry. It’s how many individuals got their start in science. All it takes is a plastic toy microscope. When you get a kid into microscopy, you’re instilling a centuries old tradition of questions the world around you. When you look at a pond, you just see water. Nobody questions what may be inside it; and if they do, it’s always on a macro level. Take an ounce of that water (preferably some mossy parts) and put a drop on the slide. Throw on a coverslip. If you can get the magnification to at least 100 (10x objective lense and and a 10x) you’re set to see some wild stuff. Amoebas and protozoan are the usual finds. Their movement and their existence in a drop of water is what the great Anton Van Leeuwenhoek invented the first practical microscopes centuries ago. Now, you can give that curiosity to a kid.
Music
Outside of all of the flowery words you can use to describe music, music is something that gives a child a sense of stillness and concentration. They’re still in one spot like they would be with a phone. They’re still engaging their brain in a similar way one would with a phone. The difference is, there’s an amazing outcome tagged on to continuous practice with a musical instrument. So what if it doesn’t sound great in the beginning. That’s for them to improve upon over time. Nowadays, you don’t even need to have a tutor. Just setup a YouTube channel teaching how to play a certain instrument. It may not be the same one on one detail, but the important aspects are all there.
Hobbies for kids are and always have been an integral part of growing up. We see it very rapidly dwindling due to a bunch of factors that may be out of our control. Kids are helicopter parents. Kids are given less and less responsibilities. Hobbies are a way to offset that enclosed and sheltered state with both curiosity and voluntary skill development.
