Below you'll find the top 50 activities & hobbies trends for 2026, spotted by Rising Trends's trend radar algorithm.
These topics were detected from online sources including TikTok, X (Twitter), Instagram, Reddit, news outlets, and Google Search data. Each trend has at least 1,000+ monthly searches and over 20% year-over-year growth.
All activities & hobbies trends with over 20% year-over-year growth, ranked by search volume.
| # | Topic | 5Y Trend | Search Vol. | Growth 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wordle Hint | 4,090,000 | +22% | |
| 2 | Needoh | 3,350,000 | 25X | |
| 3 | Snow Rider | 1,830,000 | 11X | |
| 4 | 3d Printer | 823,000 | +50% | |
| 5 | 15 Minute Timer | 673,000 | +174% | |
| 6 | Getting Outside | 450,000 | +99X | |
| 7 | Tai Chi Walking | 368,000 | +99X | |
| 8 | Imposter Game | 301,000 | 56X | |
| 9 | Spacebar Clicker | 301,000 | +123% | |
| 10 | Dumpling Squishy | 201,000 | +99X | |
| 11 | Tiny Fishing | 201,000 | +122% | |
| 12 | Santa Tracker | 201,000 | +232% | |
| 13 | Taba Squishy | 165,000 | +50% | |
| 14 | Decathlon | 135,000 | +82% | |
| 15 | Beatbox | 135,000 | +23% | |
| 16 | K2 | 135,000 | +23% | |
| 17 | Glitter Dumpling | 110,000 | 69X | |
| 18 | Ridge | 110,000 | +49% | |
| 19 | Cybersigilism | 110,000 | +49% | |
| 20 | 3d Print Files | 110,000 | +49% | |
| 21 | Sunday | 110,000 | +22% | |
| 22 | Padel | 90,500 | +22% | |
| 23 | Quilting Fabric | 90,500 | +308% | |
| 24 | Github Games | 90,500 | +511% | |
| 25 | Capybara Clicker | 74,000 | +83% | |
| 26 | Hobbies Horses | 74,000 | +99X | |
| 27 | Diamond Painting Kits | 74,000 | +173% | |
| 28 | Pottery Painting | 74,000 | +22% | |
| 29 | Puppy Yoga | 74,000 | +83% | |
| 30 | Affordable Electric Bike | 60,500 | +173% | |
| 31 | Film Camera | 60,500 | +22% | |
| 32 | Pellet Grill | 60,500 | +49% | |
| 33 | Callisthenics Exercise | 60,500 | +99X | |
| 34 | Needlepoint Kit | 49,500 | +234% | |
| 35 | 1000 Spirit | 49,500 | +99X | |
| 36 | Hyrox Workout | 49,500 | +22% | |
| 37 | Brooklyn Sundays | 49,500 | +99X | |
| 38 | Military Calisthenics | 49,500 | +99X | |
| 39 | Fccla | 49,500 | +83% | |
| 40 | Crochet Blanket Pattern | 49,500 | +50% | |
| 41 | Flow State | 40,500 | +124% | |
| 42 | Hammam | 40,500 | +82% | |
| 43 | Strands Unlimited | 40,500 | +49% | |
| 44 | Orb Weaver | 40,500 | +22% | |
| 45 | Random Group Generator | 40,500 | +235% | |
| 46 | Word Puzzle | 33,100 | +22% | |
| 47 | Xfollow App | 33,100 | +22% | |
| 48 | Smokeless Fire Pit | 33,100 | +22% | |
| 49 | Free Birth Chart Calculator | 33,100 | +124% | |
| 50 | Journaling | 27,100 | +22% |
Showing top 10 of 50 activities & hobbies trends
| Category | Market Size | Growth | Leaders |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fidget & Sensory Toys | ~$34B | ~12.3% CAGR | Nee Doh, Taba, Schylling |
| 3D Printing & Making | ~$21B | ~18.4% CAGR | Bambu Lab, Creality, Prusa |
| Craft & Textile Arts | ~$50B | ~5.6% CAGR | Joann, Michaels, Etsy sellers |
| Experience Entertainment | ~$12B | ~14.2% CAGR | Rage Ground, Bathhouse, AIRE |
| Word Games & Puzzles | ~$15B | ~8.7% CAGR | NYT Games, Hasbro, Mattel |
| E-Bikes & Outdoor Gear | ~$80B | ~10.3% CAGR | Rad Power, Lectric, REI |
CAGR = compound annual growth rate
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Sensory toys have gone from classroom distraction to mainstream obsession. "Needoh" has skyrocketed to 3,350,000 monthly searches with +2,381% year-over-year growth, while "dumpling squishy" captures 201,000 searches at a staggering +20,000%. "Taba squishy" shows 165,000 searches and "glitter dumpling" has surged to 110,000 searches at +6,775%.
What started as a niche product for neurodivergent individuals has become a cultural phenomenon spanning all age groups.
Sensory toys are exploding because:
The global fidget and sensory toy market is projected to reach $34 billion by 2028, growing at 12.3% annually.
Nee Doh (3,350,000 searches, +2,381% YoY) – Squeezable stress balls filled with a satisfying non-toxic compound. The brand has become a category name, like Kleenex for tissues. Schylling produces them.
Dumpling Squishy (201,000 searches, +20,000% YoY) – Soft silicone dumplings that can be squeezed, squished, and popped. The cute food shape makes them both a toy and a desk ornament.
Taba Squishy (165,000 searches) – A specific squishy brand known for ultra-satisfying textures and slow-rise foam. Collectors seek rare designs.
Glitter Dumpling (110,000 searches, +6,775% YoY) – The sparkly evolution of the dumpling squishy, combining visual appeal with tactile satisfaction. Trending heavily on TikTok.
Desktop manufacturing has become an accessible hobby. "3D printer" commands 823,000 monthly searches with +50% year-over-year growth, while "3D print files" captures 110,000 searches at +49%. The search for "free 3D print files" shows 27,100 searches at +50% as the maker community grows its shared library of printable designs.
3D printing has crossed the threshold from expensive nerd hobby to accessible creative tool that anyone can pick up for under $200.
Consumer 3D printing is booming because:
The consumer 3D printing market is projected to reach $21 billion by 2028, growing at 18.4% annually.
3D Printer (823,000 searches, +50% YoY) – The umbrella search term showing massive consumer interest. FDM (filament) printers dominate the hobby market, while resin printers attract miniature painters and jewelry makers.
3D Print Files (110,000 searches, +49% YoY) – Downloadable STL and 3MF files for printing. The ecosystem of free and paid designs is what makes 3D printing a true hobby rather than just owning hardware.
Desktop 3D Printer (27,100 searches, +5,546% YoY) – Specifically sized for home use, these compact printers fit on a desk and operate quietly enough for apartments.
3D Printed Toys (22,200 searches, +124% YoY) – Parents and hobbyists printing custom toys, action figures, and educational models. Articulated designs (print-in-place) are especially popular.
Free 3D Print Files (27,100 searches, +50% YoY) – Community-shared designs democratize the hobby, letting beginners print impressive objects from day one.
Handmade is making a massive comeback. "Quilting fabric" generates 90,500 monthly searches with +308% year-over-year growth, while "diamond painting kits" captures 74,000 searches at +173%. "Needlepoint kit" shows 49,500 searches at +234% and "crochet blanket pattern" maintains 49,500 searches as fiber arts find new audiences.
The pandemic's crafting boom didn't fade – it matured into a permanent lifestyle shift, with younger generations discovering the meditative joy of making things by hand.
Textile and craft arts are surging because:
The global arts and crafts market is valued at $50 billion and growing at 5.6% annually.
Quilting Fabric (90,500 searches, +308% YoY) – Modern quilting has shed its grandma image. Bold geometric patterns, art quilts, and improvisational piecing attract younger makers.
Diamond Painting Kits (74,000 searches, +173% YoY) – A hybrid of cross-stitch and paint-by-numbers using tiny resin rhinestones. Highly meditative and produces impressive wall art.
Needlepoint Kit (49,500 searches, +234% YoY) – Pre-designed canvas kits that make needlepoint accessible to beginners. Modern designs feature pop culture, bold patterns, and contemporary art.
Crochet Blanket Pattern (49,500 searches) – Crochet has become the craft of choice for Gen Z, with granny-square blankets and amigurumi (stuffed animals) leading interest.
Crochet Plushies (8,100 searches) – Amigurumi-style handmade stuffed animals. The combination of skill, creativity, and giftability drives this niche.
The daily puzzle habit is now embedded in millions of routines. "Wordle hint" dominates with 4,090,000 monthly searches, while "mini crossword" captures 550,000 searches and "word puzzle" shows 33,100 searches. "Strands unlimited" at 40,500 searches shows demand for unlimited versions of daily-limited games.
What began as a single viral word game has spawned an entire ecosystem of daily brain teasers that people treat as essential as their morning coffee.
Word games and puzzles are thriving because:
The puzzle and word game market is valued at $15 billion and growing at 8.7% annually.
Wordle Hint (4,090,000 searches) – Three years after going viral, Wordle remains a daily habit for millions. The "hint" search volume shows people want help but don't want to give up entirely.
Mini Crossword (550,000 searches) – The New York Times Mini takes under 2 minutes and has become a morning ritual. Competitive solvers track their times.
Strands Unlimited (40,500 searches) – NYT's newest word game has already generated demand for unlimited play beyond the daily limit.
Word Puzzle (33,100 searches) – General puzzle interest drives discovery of new games beyond Wordle, including Quordle, Octordle, and Waffle.
People are choosing experiences over things. "Rage room" commands 246,000 monthly searches as cathartic destruction entertainment, while "bathhouse" captures 110,000 searches as traditional bathing cultures go mainstream. "Indoor playground near me" generates 301,000 searches and "pottery painting" shows 74,000 searches at growing interest.
The experience economy has shifted from travel-centric to local, repeatable experiences that combine entertainment with wellness or creativity.
Experience-based entertainment is surging because:
The experiential entertainment market is growing at 14.2% annually, reaching $12 billion.
Indoor Playground Near Me (301,000 searches) – Adult-friendly indoor play spaces are expanding beyond children's venues to include ninja courses, trampolines, and climbing walls for all ages.
Rage Room (246,000 searches) – Facilities where you pay to smash TVs, dishes, and furniture with bats and sledgehammers. Therapeutic destruction as entertainment.
Bathhouse (110,000 searches) – Traditional Turkish, Korean, Russian, and Scandinavian bathing experiences. Urban bathhouses are opening in every major city with saunas, steam rooms, and cold plunges.
Pottery Painting (74,000 searches) – Paint-your-own pottery studios offer a creative, social experience. No wheel or skill required – just brushes and glazes.
Claw Machine Arcade (27,100 searches) – Retro arcade experiences are booming as nostalgic entertainment. Japanese-style crane game arcades are spreading globally.
Adventure Playground (22,200 searches) – Nature-based, risk-tolerant play spaces where kids build with real tools and materials. The anti-bubble-wrap parenting movement.
Getting outside has become a wellness priority. "Getting outside" generates 450,000 monthly searches, while "tai chi walking" has exploded to 368,000 searches with extraordinary growth. "Padel" captures 90,500 searches at +22% and "puppy yoga" shows 74,000 searches at +83% as social, joyful movement replaces grueling gym sessions.
The biggest shift in recreational activity is from performance-driven exercise to movement that prioritizes joy, nature, and social connection.
Mind-body outdoor activities are surging because:
The outdoor recreation market is growing at 6.2% annually as participation rates hit all-time highs.
Getting Outside (450,000 searches) – The broadest indicator that people are actively seeking outdoor activity. Nature exposure is now recognized as essential for mental health.
Tai Chi Walking (368,000 searches) – A meditative walking practice combining tai chi principles with locomotion. Particularly popular among adults seeking low-impact exercise with cognitive benefits.
Padel (90,500 searches, +22% YoY) – The world's fastest-growing racquet sport, a tennis-squash hybrid played in an enclosed court. Courts are opening rapidly in the US after dominating Europe and Latin America for years.
Puppy Yoga (74,000 searches, +83% YoY) – Yoga classes with adoptable puppies roaming the studio. Sessions sell out in minutes and combine animal therapy with gentle movement.
Hyrox Workout (49,500 searches) – A fitness race combining running with functional exercises. Think CrossFit meets obstacle course racing in a standardized, competitive format.
Film is back, and it's not just nostalgia. "Film camera" generates 60,500 monthly searches as Gen Z discovers the deliberate, tactile joy of analog photography. The parallel rise of "paper notebooks" at 27,100 searches and "journaling" at 27,100 searches points to a broader return to analog experiences.
In a world drowning in digital content, analog tools offer something digital can't: intentionality, imperfection, and physicality.
The analog revival is happening because:
The analog photography market is growing as film stocks expand and camera manufacturers launch new film bodies.
Film Camera (60,500 searches) – Point-and-shoot film cameras from the 1990s now sell for $200-500+. New cameras from Pentax and Kodak are entering the market.
Paper Notebooks (27,100 searches, +50% YoY) – Premium paper goods from brands like Moleskine, Leuchtturm1917, and Hobonichi are growing as bullet journaling and analog planning persist.
Journaling (27,100 searches) – Daily writing practice for mental clarity, gratitude, and self-reflection. Combines the analog trend with mental health awareness.
Handwritten (27,100 searches, +50% YoY) – Interest in handwriting, calligraphy, and fountain pens. A deliberate counter-movement to typing and digital communication.
Electric bikes are transforming outdoor recreation. "Affordable electric bike" generates 60,500 monthly searches with +173% year-over-year growth, while "electric mountain bike" captures 27,100 searches at +50%. Outdoor cooking with "pellet grill" maintains 60,500 searches as backyard hobbies remain strong.
E-bikes have removed the biggest barrier to cycling – fitness level – making biking accessible to everyone from commuters to mountain trail riders.
Electric bikes and outdoor gear are surging because:
The global e-bike market is projected to reach $80 billion by 2028, growing at 10.3% annually.
Affordable Electric Bike (60,500 searches, +173% YoY) – Budget e-bikes under $1,000 are the fastest-growing segment. Lectric and Rad Power dominate this price point.
Electric Mountain Bike (27,100 searches, +50% YoY) – Full-suspension e-MTBs that let riders climb steeper trails and ride longer distances. Specialized and Trek lead the premium segment.
Pellet Grill (60,500 searches, +49% YoY) – Wood pellet grills that combine the ease of gas with the flavor of wood smoke. Traeger and Camp Chef lead the category.
Smokeless Fire Pit (33,100 searches) – Engineered fire pits that burn clean with minimal smoke. Solo Stove created the category and it has become a backyard essential.
Physical collecting and model building are thriving in the digital age. "Gunpla model kits" generates 27,100 monthly searches at +50% growth, while "pop collectibles" shows 14,800 searches at +83%. Card game collecting is booming too, with booster box searches surging.
In an era of digital abundance, physical collectibles satisfy a primal desire to own, display, and curate tangible objects.
Physical collecting and model building are surging because:
The collectibles market is growing at 9.4% annually as both new and vintage items command premiums.
Gunpla Model Kits (27,100 searches, +50% YoY) – Gundam plastic model kits from Bandai that snap together without glue. Ranging from beginner to master-grade, they combine building satisfaction with display-worthy results.
Pop Collectibles (14,800 searches, +83% YoY) – Funko Pop figures and similar vinyl collectibles spanning every franchise. Limited editions create urgency and resale markets.
Blythe Doll Custom (14,800 searches, +410% YoY) – Customizing Blythe dolls with repaints, reroots, and clothing. A niche but passionate art community.
Flip 7 Card Game (12,100 searches) – Card games continue to drive collecting behavior. Trading card games (Pokemon, Magic, One Piece) dominate youth and adult collecting.
Hands-on creative activities are booming. "Cybersigilism" generates 110,000 monthly searches at +49% as digital-meets-tribal tattoo art goes viral. "Pottery painting" captures 74,000 searches with growing momentum, while "beatbox" shows 135,000 searches as vocal percussion becomes a mainstream performance art.
Creative expression is shifting from passive consumption (watching, scrolling) to active creation (making, performing, designing).
Hands-on art and expression are growing because:
The creative hobbies market encompasses billions across art supplies, studios, and digital design tools.
Beatbox (135,000 searches) – Vocal percussion has evolved from street performance to competitive art form. YouTube battles and tutorials make learning accessible.
Cybersigilism (110,000 searches, +49% YoY) – A tattoo style blending digital circuit-board aesthetics with ancient sigil and tribal design. Hugely popular with Gen Z.
Pottery Painting (74,000 searches) – Paint-your-own pottery studios offer no-skill-required creativity. Social events, date nights, and birthday parties drive foot traffic.
Tattoo Blackwork (9,900 searches) – Bold, all-black tattoo designs including geometric patterns, ornamental work, and illustrative blackwork. A counter-trend to colorful neo-traditional styles.
Urban Exploring (9,900 searches) – Exploring abandoned buildings, tunnels, and infrastructure. Combines photography, adventure, and history into a single hobby.
The activities and hobbies landscape of 2026 reveals a society craving tactile, analog, and social experiences as a counterbalance to digital saturation. Whether people are squishing Nee Doh balls (3.35M searches, +2,381%), printing custom designs on their 3D printer (823K, +50%), quilting modern patterns (+308%), solving the daily Wordle (4M searches), or discovering padel courts (+22%) – the common thread is active participation over passive consumption.
The winning approaches in hobbies share these characteristics:
For entrepreneurs and investors, the data points to several high-growth opportunities: sensory and fidget products with collectible appeal, affordable 3D printers and design marketplaces, experience-based entertainment venues, modern craft kits for younger audiences, and e-bike brands targeting new rider demographics.
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