Author: Kirsten Veldman

As your dad’s retirement is coming closer you might worry and wonder, what can my father do after retirement? Well, no need to worry anymore because I’ve got you covered! This article is filled with 25 fun activities your father can do after retirement. From the popular ones to the more unusual activities retirees like to do, so you can help your father enjoy a happy retirement.

1) Create A Bucket List

Creating a bucket list can be a great tool for your retired father to figure out what he wants most in retirement. Listing all the things he wants to do makes his dreams more visual and tangible. Then the next thing is to narrow it down to one or two things he likes to pursue first which gives him a goal to work towards. And it gives your dad a sense of direction and a clear vision of his priorities after retirement. You can help him by creating his bucket list together and ticking off a few items together too.

2) Follow Online Classes

Another amazing activity your dad can do after retirement is to follow classes. If your father ever said the words: “I’ve always wanted to learn…”. Then you know exactly which class he can apply for. He can go back to college and get a degree (seniors can follow free or discounted classes at a lot of local colleges and universities), follow a painting class nearby his home or you can give him access to amazing online classes from the world greatest with Masterclass.

Masterclass is an online video streaming platform with 100+ different classes from the world’s best. Just to name a few names: Gordon Ramsay, Samuel L. Jackson, Alicia Keys and so many more. He can have access to all classes and never have to be bored after retirement. Many retirees love Masterclass because they can learn at their own pace, time, and device from the comforts of their own home or anywhere else.

3) Do Volunteer Work

Many retirees love to do volunteer work. It gives them a sense of purpose. A new purpose after they’ve retired from their full-time job.

Perhaps your father can also do volunteer work if he likes to help other people in retirement and be of service. Helping others, makes you feel happier instantly, so that is an advantage too. If you want your father to have a happy retirement, finding him a volunteer job he loves is a great idea. It not only makes him happy, but it also gives him daily structure, routine and social interactions. Which are all things you lose once you retire. And replacing these things in a fulfilling way is the key to a happy and healthy retirement.

For more information about volunteer work, check out my article: Why Do Retirees Love Volunteering.

4) Explore A New Hobby

The best way to spend time in retirement is on a hobby you love. After retirement, it can be worthwhile for your father to find a new hobby if he doesn’t have one. A perfect way to explore hobbies is to try out new hobbies. And a great platform for that is Masterclass, as I mentioned earlier. Your father can explore all sorts of new hobbies on this platform while learning from the best in their field.

And if you need a little bit more help you can read my article: 8 Powerful Tips To Help A Retired Dad That Has No Hobbies

5) Find A Part-Time Job

Your retired father can also go back to work in retirement. Perhaps he always wished to work as a…., well maybe now in retirement is the time to pursue that job and earn a bit of salary too. Which is a plus. Some jobs even come with extra benefits too which is an extra bonus. Your father can decide to become a dog walker, a freelance consultant, or a coach.

The daily structure, routine and social interactions that come with having a part-time job are all beneficial to enjoying retirement in a happy and healthy way. And having a part-time job or a freelance job enables your father to control his own agenda, which is the reason why most people want to retire in the first place.

6) Take Up A (new) Sport

If your father likes to get more active in retirement he can consider taking up a (team)sport after retirement. This can be a sport that he loved while younger or take up a new sport. Because why not? For example, swimming, running, stand-up paddleboarding, golf, tennis, yoga, surfing, Tai Chi, etc.

7) Become A Better Chef

Many retirees love to take up cooking after retirement. During their career, there wasn’t enough time to spend hours in the kitchen preparing a gourmet meal. And now in retirement, they have the time and want to enjoy good food every day so retirees start learning how to cook or upgrade their skills as a chef. This can also be a great activity for your father after retirement.

Masterclass has over 20 different cooking classes from the world’s renowned chefs like Gordon Ramsay, Thomas Keller, Aaron Franklin, Gabriela Camara, and so many more Italian, French, Mexican, and Japanese chefs.

8) Babysit Grandchildren

Do you or your siblings have children? Perhaps your father can babysit them while you have to go to work. It can be a very fulfilling and fun activity for your retired dad, but it saves you money as well.

9) Travel

If you ask what most retirees want to do in retirement, they will say travel. And maybe your father has the same answer to this question too.

Depending on his retirement budget he can travel to Europe, Asia, or Australia, but he can also travel closer to home like visiting a nearby National Park, going on a road trip with friends, doing hikes on nearby (famous) trails, etc. The possibilities are endless. A great gift for your father is this book: 50 States 5000 Ideas from National Geographic.

10) Create A New Routine

Not many people are aware that retirement is a transition process. It takes time to adjust to this new way of life with endless free time, no structure, no obligations, and no direct purpose. Therefore it can be wise to motivate your father to create new routines after retirement. A healthy and positive morning routine sets the tone for the rest of the day and helps your father to stay positive, and productive and end the day with a satisfying and fulfilling feeling.

11) Be A Tutor, Coach, Or Mentor

Your retired dad can share his wisdom, life experience, and years of experience to help the next generation. This can be in any form for example a tutor for high school students, a life coach, a sports coach for grandchildren’s sports team, a career coach for his former coworkers, or a mentor for anyone who needs mentoring.

Many retirees don’t feel appreciated or are part of society once they retire. Being a coach, tutor or mentor is a win-win situation. Others get valuable help, advice, and expertise from an expert and your father feels valuable and worthy by sharing his skills and secrets with others.

12) Start His Passion Project

After retirement is the best time to spend time on a passion project. Because when else?

So if your father expressed to you in the past that if he had more spare time he would do X, Y, and Z. You know you have found his passion. And now after retirement, you can motivate him to take up that passion project he always dreamed of.

Knowing what your dad’s passion is, is magic. He doesn’t need to look around, he can just start right away. And you can encourage him to start his passion project, no matter his doubts and fears.

If you want to help your father find his passion? Then this article can be helpful for you and your dad: How To Find Your Passion In Retirement.

13) Join A Club

I already mentioned in this article that having daily social interactions is important for a happy and healthy retirement. Not many people know that social interaction benefits both mental and physical health and that is why it’s important to maintain socially active after retirement.

A way to replace the social interactions your father loses once he retires is by joining a club. This can be a sports club, book club, cooking club, senior club, arts & crafts club, garden club, etc. The first step in finding the right club for your dad is to know your father’s interests and look for a nearby club with similar interests. It is the easiest way for your dad to find new friends.

14) Start Meditation

When you worry about your father’s mental health, you can encourage him to start meditation in retirement to help him feel more peaceful and calm. You can gift your father the Meditation and Mindfulness Masterclass from Jon Kabat-Zinn. The pioneer of the Western mindfulness movement.

15) Become A Teacher

Another fun activity that your father can do after retirement is teaching. And this can be in all sorts of forms, but the most obvious one is in a classroom. And now it is easier and more affordable than ever to become a teacher because of alternative teacher certification programs available for all ages.

15) Start A (online) Business

Retirement gives your dad the opportunity to become an entrepreneur because nowadays you don’t need much to start a business. There are endless business opportunities online, but your dad can also use his skills and expertise as a freelancer. Here are 15 unique business ideas your father can start after retirement.

16) Learn A New Language

Nobody is too old to learn. And that also applies when learning a new language. It may take a bit longer compared to younger people, but older people have the advantage of a bigger vocabulary which makes learning new words easier.

17) Gardening

Gardening is one of the best and also one of the most popular activities in retirement. It has a tremendous effect on a person’s mental and physical health, which is why gardening is one of the best hobbies for retirees out there.

18) Babysit A Pet

Taking care of a pet gives your father’s life new meaning, and a purpose but also has many beneficial health effects. For example, a companion like a dog reduces the feeling of loneliness but also keeps you active as you have to walk the dog a couple of times a day. And you’re likely to be more social as you meet other dogs and dog owners during the day. Your dad can get a dog or cat, but if he doesn’t want the care full-time there are plenty of organizations that match dog owners with a busy life with retirees who want to take care of day a couple of times a week/ month,

19) Join A Senior Community

Joining a senior community can help your dad find new friends and gives him more access to all sorts of senior activities that are planned within that community. It gives your retired dad a sense of belonging. This can be a very good step for a retired dad that is alone and lives far away from family.

20) Play A (New) Instrument

Why not learn a new instrument? If your father loves music, plays an instrument, or always dreamed about learning a new instrument, then encourage him to start playing an instrument.

Masterclass has over 20+ different music classes from the world’s best musicians. He can upgrade his existing skills or learn a new instrument. These classes are accessible for any skill level. And can be a great gift to motivate your dad after retirement.

21) Write Books/ Columns/ Stories/ Blogs

Another fun activity your dad can do after retirement is to start writing. He can write a family history book and research everything there is to know about his ancestors. Or he can start writing columns for a local newspaper, start his own blog website about retirement, or start journaling. Writing can be a powerful and creative outlet for your father to express his inner world.

If your father likes to take up writing after retirement you can help him with writing classes to dust off his writing skills. Masterclass has 20+ different writing classes taught by the world’s best writers such as Margaret Atwood, Dan Brown, David Patterson and so many more.

22) Home Brewing

If your dad loves beer, beer brewing can be a cool activity after retirement. but it doesn’t end with beer, your father can start brewing apple cider, wine, kombucha, etc. You can gift your dad a beer-making kit as a sign of encouragement.

23) Wedding Officiant

If your dad loves to speak, has a sense of humor, and loves love, then a great activity your father can do is to become a wedding officiant.

24) Read Books

Many people complain about not having enough time to read. Perhaps your father did this too. Well, retirement is the perfect time to catch up on reading and you can help your father by gifting a couple of good books to read. Need inspiration? Check out 25 Best Books Old People Like To Read (All Novel Genres).

25) Geneology

One of the most popular hobbies in retirement is genealogy, “the study and tracing of lines of descent”. Many retirees love to dig up things about their past, trace their ancestors, find answers and search for new relatives. Building a family tree or writing a family history book is a popular and meaningful activity in retirement. If you think this can be a fun activity for your dad, then check out Myheritage.com.

He can do a DNA test to reveal his unique ethnic background and match him with his newfound and explore billions of historical records. You can start with a 14-day FREE trial to check it out.

If you wonder, what kind of books do old people like to read? Then you’ve come to the right place because I’ve listed 25 of the best books older people like to read in this article. From #1 New York Times Best-sellers, classics to lesser-known must-reads. But first, let’s get to the most straightforward answer:

Old people (75+-year-olds) like to read more nonfiction books than fiction books, according to the NEA . Men are more likely to read non-fiction than fiction, while women are likely to read more fiction than non-fiction. Another research shows that 65+-year-olds spent the most time reading for personal interest (an average of 1 hour and 47 minutes a day).

Now because everyone’s tastes, interests, and likes are different, I’ve made things easy for you and made an amazing list with 25 great books in all genres. This way you can find the perfect book for that older person that loves to read books.

Just a heads up, this post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Purchases you make through these links may earn us a small commission, at no extra cost to you.

Classics

1) To Kill A Mockingbird – Harper Lee

The classic book To Kill A Mocking Bird is a Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece written by Harper Lee. It is a young girl’s coming-of-age story about honor, love, prejudice, racism, and injustice in Alabama in the mid-1930s.

When it first came out in the 60s it was an instant success. It was voted one of the best novels of the 20th century by librarians across the country.

2) The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby book is an F. Scott Fitzgerald classic novel that is widely considered to be a literary masterpiece and a contender for the title of the Great American Novel. And made into a movie in 2013 starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

The story is a book about modernism, social satire, and the tragic story about the impossibility of recapturing the past. It is set in the Jazz Age in the 1920s in New York City and Long Island and tells the story of the self-made millionaire Jay Gatsby and his love pursuit of Daisy Buchanan who he loved in his youth.

3) The Old Man and The Sea – Ernest Hemingway

The Old Man And The Sea is one of the most-read books of Nobel Prize Awarded Autor Ernest Hemingway and can be read in a single setting.

It is an unforgettable story about an aged Cuban fisherman, Santiago, who set out to sea in search of one last victory and is tested to his limits when he catches a huge marlin that is longer than his boat. He returns empty-handed.

4) Beloved – Toni Morrison

The book Beloved is also a Pulitzer Prize winner and New York Times Best-Seller and a story about the life of a black woman named Sethe in her pre-Civil War days. She was born a slave in Kentucky and escaped to Ohio in the 1870s. She doesn’t feel free, because she feels haunted by an abusive ghost at her new house. That everyone believes to be the spirit of her dead daughter, who died namelessly and whose tombstone is engraved with the word: Beloved.

Non-Fiction

5) Travels with Charley in Search of America – John Steinbeck

Travels with Charley in Search of America is a travelogue by John Steinbeck, published in 1962 and a New York Times Best-Seller. At age 58, John wanted to travel through his country to find answers about what the real Americans of his day were like. He made a nearly ten thousand miles road trip in a camper named Rocinante and together with his poodle, Charley. He started in Long Island, New York and drove to California, and looped back to New York. Steinbeck writes about the sight, the locals, and the socio-economic situation at each place he stopped.

6) Diary of a Young Girl – Anne Frank

The Diary of a Young Girl Anne Frank has become a world classic. It is a real testament to the human spirit during world war 2 in Europe.

The young Jewish girl Anne Frank went hiding in Amsterdam together with her family during the occupation of Holland during the second world war. They hide from the Gestapo in a “Secret Annex” of an old office building that is now a famous museum. In her diary, she writes vividly about her experiences during this period while facing hunger, boredom, the cruelties of living in a small room with many other people, and the ever-present threat of getting betrayed and discovered.

7) Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor E. Frankl 

The Man’s Search For Meaning is an international best-seller and has been translated into more than fifty languages and sold over sixteen million copies worldwide since it has published in 1946.

An inspiring book that helps the reader in finding their purpose and strength in times of great despair. The writer tells about his time in the Nazi concentration camps and how he finds the meaning of life in the most horrific period of his life. His theory is that the human drive is not pleasure but the discovery and search for whatever a person finds meaningful.

Fiction

8) A Man Called Ove – Fredrik Backman

The book A Man Called Ove is a treasure and popular read amongst many seniors. A New York Times bestseller and widely considered as Most Charming Debut Book of over-night sensation Swedish writer Fredrik Backman.

The story is about a grumpy 59-year-old man called Ove and is written in a subtle-but-heartwarming style. When his life is turned upside down when a young family moves in next door, he is very reluctant to get to know his “needy” neighbors or any other human being that doesn’t obey the sign that restricts parking in the residential area. The book is about love, friendship, compassion, grief, and the importance of being surrounded by a community and friends in times of dealing with loss.

9) Where The Crawdads Sing – Delia Owens

The book Where The Crawdads Sing is a #1 New York Times bestseller and a Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine book club pick. It has sold over 12 million copies worldwide and gets over 200.000 5-star ratings on Amazon. A perfect pick for anyone but especially for an older woman or older man, because the story takes place in the late 1960s.

It is a coming-of-age story about heartbreak, hope, crime, drama, and an ode to the natural world. The story is about ‘Marsh Girl’, Kya Clark, a sensitive and intelligent woman that survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home. And after years of rumors about her in the North Carolina town, of Barkley Cove, she becomes an immediate suspect when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead.

10) The Nightingale – Kristin Hannah

Another #1 New York Times bestseller is the novel The Nightingale, which tells the seldom-seen history of the women’s war during WWII. The book is about survival, bravery, fear, courage, freedom, heartbreak, and love in a time of war. But most of all the novel celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and especially that of women.

It tells the story of two sisters who have been separated by years, ideals, passions, and circumstances but have always been close despite their differences. As the war progresses in a German-occupied, war-torn France their relationship and strength get tested. And each of them has to embark on her own dangerous path toward survival, love, and freedom.

A perfect pick for an older woman who is part of a book club as this book provokes thought and discussions long after they finish listening.

11) The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared – Jonas Jonasson 

I gave this book to my 80+ years old grandparents and they loved it.

The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared is the first book of a series of 2 and a European phenomenon. It tells the charming and funny story of Allan Karlsson. A 99-year-old who has moved into a nursing home, but climbs out the window when he doesn’t want to be part of the big 100th birthday celebration they have planned for him. And then a remarkable journey begins that reveals his past but also involves a suitcase full of cash, a few thugs, a very friendly hot-dog stand operator, a few deaths, an elephant, and incompetent police.

Humor / Delightful Treats

12) The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules (Trilogy) – Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg

Another amazing book pick for an older person is the humorous and heartwarming book The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules. It tells the story of 79-year-old Martha Andersson, that loves to break all the rules and has no intention to spend all her days sitting in a chair. Instead, she dreams about escaping her care home and robbing a bank to get funds for a more exciting kind of life. And so together with her four oldest friends, she decides to rebel against all rules and go on an adventure outside the walls of their nursing home.

This book is a #1 International Bestseller and part of a series of 3 books that are called the League of Pensioners.

13) All Creatures Great and Small – James Herriot

All Creatures Great and Small & Small is a multi-million bestseller from James Herriot, the world’s most beloved veterinarian, and the realities of his practice in rural Yorkshire. An older person who loves animals will love this book about the heartwarming, funny, and tragic stories of James Herriot’s animal patients. A book about the never-ending challenges of being a vet told with humor, compassion, and where love for the animal world shines through.

14) The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen – Hendrik Groen

A fan of the books The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules and The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared will also love this book: The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen. A trilogy book series about friendship, love, and an 83-year-old elderly man who is young at heart. An inspiring and laugh-out-loud comedy book that is a perfect gift for any older person.

Hendrik Groen lives in a retirement home but is bored of weak tea and sitting looking at the geraniums and decides to rebel. He secretly writes the day-to-day life in his retirement home and founds the Old-But-Not-Dead Club with a group of old friends who turn into local heroes while enjoying their new adventures.

Adventure

15) Life of Pi – Yann Martel

The book Life of Pi tells the story of Pi, a young man and son of a Zookeeper who survives a shipwreck and spends months on a lifeboat with a large Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. In addition to the tiger onboard, Pi faces other challenges such as the lack of food and water, predatory marine life, treacherous sea currents, and exposure to the elements. Even though he fears Richard Parker, the tiger’s presence also helps Pi to stay alive. Everything changes when they finally reach the coast of Mexico after spending 227 days lost at sea and when Richard Parker flees to the jungle.

16) The Three Musketeers – Alexandre Dumas

The Three Musketeers tells the story of the early adventures of the young Gascon gentleman, D’Artagnan, and his three musketeers – Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. The four men defend the honor of the regiment fight against the devious schemes of Cardinal Richelieu. Set in the 17th century in France the story is about daring, friendship, intrigues, swordplay, and revenge. A fast-paced narrative with a gripping and dramatic conclusion.

Detective / Mystery

17) The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes

A detective classic is of course The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes and also a perfect read for an older person who is a fan of mystery, crime, and detective novels.

Together with his sidekick Dr. Watson, Sherlock Holmes uses his powers in pursuit of justice and truth in Victorian London. In this book, he tries to solve the mystery of a greedy stepfather, Dr. Roylott, who kills one of his two stepdaughters and then attempts to kill the other.

18) And Then There Were None – Agatha Christie

And Then There Were None is based on one of the most famous murder mysteries of all time and the best mystery novel ever written by many readers.

It is a story of ten strangers who have little in common but all hide and fear something. They’re lured to an island mansion on Indian island by U.N. Owen who fails to appear but uses his voice to accuse each person of hiding a guilty secret. One by one, the guests share the darkest secrets of their pasts. And one by one, they die… so the question is… who is the killer? And will anyone survive?

Romance

19) The Wish – Nicholas Sparks

From the author of The Notebook comes a #1 New York Times bestselling love story called The Wish. And is a perfect fit for a 70+, 80+, or 90+-year-old woman who loves a good romance story.

It tells the story of Maggie Dawes in the last year of her life. She is a famous travel photographer and is unexpectedly grounded over Christmas because she has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. When a young man Mark visits her gallery, she becomes very close to him and begins to reflect on her life and tells him the story of another Christmas, deceased ago. And the teenage love that changed her life she never could have imagined.

20) Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen

Pride And Prejudice is the ultimate “happily ever after” love story and Jane Austen’s most popular novel. It has become the establishment for romance novels and is nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read.

The story tells about the unforgettable relationship where opposites repel than attract. Elizabeth Bennet, the daughter of a country gentleman who is a witty and independent spirit, meets eligible bachelor Fitzwilliam Darcy, a rich aristocratic landowner who she feels is sullen and arrogant. Both have to overcome pride and prejudice in order to fall in love and marry.

Historical Fiction

21) The Help – Kathryn Stockett

The Help is a #1 New York Times bestselling novel and nominee as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read. And was also the basis for the Academy Award-winning film.

The story is set in the early 1960s in Jackson, Mississippi, and tells the story of black maids working in white Southern homes. As 22- year old Miss Eugenia also known as “Skeeter” graduates from Ole Miss and returns to her family’s cotton plantation and finds out that her beloved maid and nanny, Constantine, has left and no one will tell her why.

22) One Hundred Years of Solitude – Gabriel Garcia Marquez

One Hundred Years of Solitude is considered to be a masterpiece in the art of fiction and is written by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature.

It tells the story of the seven generations of the Buendía family and the postcolonial times from the 1820s and 1920s. The rise and fall of the Buendía family, the founders of the Colombian utopian town Macondo thas, was built in the middle of a swamp.

According to a New York Times book review from William Kennedy; “One Hundred Years of Solitude is the first piece of literature since the Book of Genesis that should be required reading for the entire human race. . . . Mr. Garcia Marquez has done nothing less than to create in the reader a sense of all that is profound, meaningful, and meaningless in life.”

Thriller

23) The Last Thing He Told Me – Laura Dave

The Last Thing He Told Me is a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick, a #1 New York Times Bestseller, the best book of 2021 by Vogue, and many more best books nominations. An absolute winner for an older man or woman who loves to read thrillers with dizzying plot twists.

It is a thrilling story about a woman Hannah who thinks she has married the love of her life until he disappears and she finds a note: protect her. Even though she is anxious, she knows exactly who she needs to protect: her 16-year old stepdaughter, Bailey, who wants absolutely nothing to do with her.

Science Fiction

24) The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood 

The Handmaid’s Tale is a #1 New York Times bestseller and also an award-winning Hulu series starring Elizabeth Moss.

It is the story of life in the dystopia of Gilead set in Cambridge, Massachusetts. A totalitarian society that is faced with environmental disasters and a plummeting birth rate. And has forced a class of fertile women to be the “handmaids” and produce babies for elite couples. These women are denied all rights and reduced to state property,

Set in Cambridge, Massachusetts, The Handmaid’s Tale presents a totalitarian theocracy that has forced a certain class of fertile women to produce babies for elite barren couples. These “handmaids,” who are denied all rights and are severely beaten if they are uncooperative, are reduced to state property. Offred is one of these “Handmaids” that is forced to produce children for one of Gilead’s commanders. She is deprived of her husband, her child, her freedom, and even her own name, Offred clings to her memories and her will to survive.

Childhood

25) Charlotte’s Web – E. B White

For a little bit of nostalgia you can always go for a child classic and America’s top 100 most-loved novels Charlotte’s Web.

​Small books are sometimes hard to read for seniors, but there are large print books also available which you can check out here.

Whether you’re looking for a nice gift or want to help a senior out by finding a great activity for them to do, you might wonder, do old people read books?

Older people read books for almost an hour each day. Compared to younger age groups, this is 40 minutes longer than the average of 20 minutes a day. 65+-year-olds spend over 40 minutes reading each day, and 75+-year-olds are the most enthusiastic readers, spending almost an hour reading each day.

Let’s dive deeper into older people’s reading habits, the benefits of reading books at an older age, and which books seniors and elderly people like to read most. Ready? Let’s go!

Reading Habits Of Older People

According to research by Statista, “The average daily time spent reading by individuals in the United States in 2020 amounted to 0.34 hours or 20.4 minutes. According to the study, adults over the age of 75 were the most avid readers, spending almost an hour reading each day. Meanwhile, those aged between 15 and 19 years read for just 8.4 minutes per day on average.”

As you can see in the chart above, 65+-year-olds and 75+-year-olds spend the most time reading compared to younger people. It sounds logical because, in retirement, you have more time for activities such as reading books and other hobbies. And retirement is also a more relaxing time in people’s lives, giving people the time and space to pick up a great book and enjoy reading.

Many younger people simply don’t have the time or are in the right headspace to enjoy a good book because of work pressure and taking care of a family. 

Also, another research by BLS shows that “People age 65 and older also spent the most time reading for personal interest. On the days they read, people age 65 and older read for an average of 1 hour and 47 minutes. They read 24 minutes longer than people ages 15 to 24.” As you can see in the charts below:

This study confirms that retirees love to read things they’re interested in. They don’t need to read books for work or school anymore. They have the control to spend their time how they want to. Knowing what they’re interested in helps find an excellent book for them to read. Later in this article, I share a couple of great must-reads.

Now that we know that seniors love to do book reading. Let’s see what the benefits are for seniors when reading.

Benefits Of Reading For Seniors

Getting older comes with its challenges, both mentally and physically. The mental stimulation you get from reading helps heighten overall brain function and protects your memory and thinking skills, especially as you get older. Now, let’s take a closer look into the benefits of reading.

Improves Cognitive Functioning

According to Cambridge Research: “Reading helps to protect and stimulate cognitive functioning in later life. According to Cambridge Research, frequent reading activities were associated with a reduced risk of cognitive decline for older adults at all levels of education in the long term”.

Now, what is cognitive functioning exactly?

“Brain cognitive functions are the mental processes that allow us to receive, select, store, transform, develop, and recover information that we’ve received from external stimuli. This process allows us to understand and relate to the world more effectively,” according to this paper.

Cognitive functioning is vital, especially for older people. It helps them maintain their brain health and helps them stay more independent at an old age. 

Reduce Chances Of Dementia Or Alzheimer’s disease

Seniors who are frequent readers have less chance to develop diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

According to an article by USA Today, “Adults with hobbies that exercise their brains — such as reading, jigsaw puzzles or chess — are 2.50 times less likely to have Alzheimer’s disease, while leisure limited to TV watching may increase the risk, a study says.”

This means you’ve got to use it or lose it. And with brain-challenging activities such as reading you build a reserve of neuronal connections. It can even make your brain work 30 years younger as I go more into depth in my article: Learning Can Be Easy After 60.

Reduces Stress and Anxiety

As you’ve experienced yourself as well, reading a book can be very calming. And this is proven by science too. Reading a book (just 6 minutes) reduces stress levels in the body, slows down the heart rate, and reduces muscle tension. This is what neuropsychologist Dr. David Lewis says about reading a book:

“It really doesn’t matter what book you read. By losing yourself in a thoroughly engrossing book, you can escape from the worries and stresses of the everyday world and spend a while exploring the domain of the author’s imagination. This is more than merely a distraction but an active engaging of the imagination as the words on the printed page stimulate your creativity and cause you to enter what is essentially an altered state of consciousness.”

Improves Memory 

Reading a book is a neural workout. It’s more demanding for the brain than processing images or speech. The mental stimulation the brain gets while reading helps to protect memory, which is especially helpful when you’re getting older. 

Keeps The Mind & Spirit Young

Reading exposes the reader to different people, places, and perspectives. And this is why reading is one of the most effective ways to keep a young, open, and curious mind and spirit. The attitude towards life can change by reading books. This helps older people stay more up to date with current times and gain more wisdom on every aspect of life with every book they read.

Increases Longevity

According to this research, with over 3600 participants, book reading provides a survival advantage among the elderly. 

“Book reading contributed to a survival advantage that was significantly greater than that observed for reading newspapers or magazines. Compared to non-book readers, book readers had a 23-month survival advantage at the point of 80% survival in the unadjusted model.”

Enhances Social Interactions

While you may think that book reading is a solitary activity. It is, of course. But it can lead to more social interactions and enhanced social skills. 

When reading a book, you dive into other people’s mental states, beliefs, and thoughts which helps you empathize with people better in the real world.

And also, book reading leads to more social interactions. People who read regularly like to talk about their books and are often looking for book clubs and discuss the books with like-minded people. And having regular social interactions is one of the most important keys to staying happy in retirement. 

Better Sleep

Reading also leads to better sleep. And this especially works when you create a bedtime ritual such as reading before bed. As I mentioned earlier, reading slows down the heart rate and makes you feel more relaxed, which ultimately helps with falling asleep and better quality sleep throughout the night.

This trick doesn’t work when you read a book on a screen. Screens keep you awake longer and can disrupt your sleep as well.

Vocabulary Expansion

The more you read, the more words you see and understand, which will expand your vocabulary. Also, the more one expands their vocabulary the easier it is to break away from old thought patterns. It opens new communication lines of reasoning. As you know more words, you create new pathways for new thoughts which stimulates new ideas and ways of thinking. In short, reading makes you more open-minded and less stubborn. Now that can be a benefit for you too if you have to deal with a very stubborn senior ;).

Amazing Must-Reads For Older People

In the good old times, people need to go to a public or local library to find new books to read. Going to a library is still a great pastime activity for older people because being outside and getting socially stimulated helps them stay happy and healthy. But there are now other ways to read books. 

An excellent gift for someone is a Kindle E-reader which gives them access to millions of ebooks and audiobooks. Or you can gift them one of the old-fashioned printed books and must-reads below.

The Nightingale

#1 New York Times Best-Seller and Wall Street Journal Best Book of the Year.

Where the Crawdads Sing

#1 New York Times Best-Seller, soon to be a major motion picture, A Reese’s Book Club Pick and A Business Insider Defining Book of the Decade.

The Lincoln Highway

#1 New York Times Best-Seller and chosen by Oprah Daily, Time, NPR, The Washington Post, and Barack Obama as a Best Book of the Year.

As you get older you often reflect on the good old times from the past. Many people want to know how their old friends from kindergarten, high school, or college are doing and have a desire to get in touch, but wonder, is it weird to contact old friends?

In general, it is not weird to contact old friends. Most people will feel delighted when old friends reconnect. Especially when they show their good intentions, vulnerability, and honesty. In some cases, it can be weird because of high expectations, there is an unsolved misunderstanding, friendship is unhealthy, or if an old friend doesn’t show any interest in reconnecting.

Now, this is just the tip of the iceberg. In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know about reconnecting with old friends, so let’s get started right away!

Why It’s Not Weird To Contact Old Friends

I briefly shared above why it’s not weird to contact an old friend, but there is more to it.

At first, you can ask yourself the question, would it be weird if friend X will get in contact with me right now? If the answer to this question is a NO, then why worry? Because if it’s not weird for them to contact you, then it isn’t weird if you contact them. You’ve been friends in the past, you’ll share the same memories, had the time of your life at some stage in your life, so most old friends will feel honored to hear from you. 

Secondly, you and your old friend are in a new phase of life. Through the ups and downs of life, you can see each other in a new light. You each have grown, learned from past experiences, and look at the past differently. This can work to your advantage when it comes to contacting an old friend. Differences in the past or misunderstandings can be forgiven more easily when both persons have grown on a personal level. But it can also work the other way which I will get back to later in this article.  

How To Not Make It Weird

• There is no harm in trying: this life is too short to live with regret. So why not go out of your comfort zone and reach out. There is no harm in trying. Perhaps after reconnecting you ask yourself, why didn’t I do this earlier? Why was I filled with anxiety to get in contact? Why did I think it was weird reaching out? In many cases, the other person is also afraid to reach out and will be happy with you making the first move. So just for it. You’ll have nothing to lose.

• Don’t have any expectations: Having expectations when reconnecting with an old friend can lead to disappointment on your end. And also your old friend can feel this expectation of yours too and feel uncomfortable and maybe shut things down early. Therefore try to keep your expectations low.

• Be honest: Being honest goes a long way. If you show your motivation behind why you want to contact your old friend and be honest in the initial contact you’ll not make things weird. Your honesty will be appreciated in most cases reciprocated.

• Be open for rejection: You might want to contact your old friend, but that doesn’t mean that person wants to get in contact with you. Many people like to keep things from the past in the past. Therefore if you stay open to the idea of being rejected, you wouldn’t feel weird about reaching out and the possibility of being rejected. And if you do get rejected, don’t take it personally. Just accept it and move on. Respect each other’s boundaries. Perhaps the other person is going through a tough time and needs their intention on their own life right now. And might come back to your friend request years later. Yes, this can happen. Or the distance in miles (different cities) make it impossible to meet up and is also a reason for people to be less invested in rekindling a friendship.

• Be Ready To Be Vulnerable: When you don’t want to make it weird and want to have the highest chances of success, you need to be ready to show your vulnerability. Being vulnerable helps you to foster better connections and relationships with others. It opens the line of communication, instead of shutting it down. Also, when you show your vulnerable side, the other person is likely to show theirs as well. You’ll have a heart to heart that can heal things from the past and can form a strong foundation for a possible friendship in the future.

Why It Can Be Awkward To Contact Old Friends

Although you want things to not get weird, contacting an old friend can lead to awkward moments. So what are things that can make it awkward?

• You have an unsolved misunderstanding that isn’t talked out yet
• The last time you spoke wasn’t on good terms
• You both have storing emotions toward each other or had in the past (e.g. an old flame)
• You have a lot of anxiety which makes you do awkward things
• You don’t know how to get the conversation started or going
• You or your old friend felt bullied in the past by each other
• The first move isn’t reciprocated
• The initial contact isn’t sincere, honest or vulnerable enough

How To Avoid Akward Moments 

The points above are all legit situations that can make it awkward or feel weird, but that doesn’t have to be. And I’m here to help you make it as less awkward as possible with these tips below.

The First Move: Keep It Light & Simple

When you’re ready to get in contact with an old friend you can have different approaches. For some, a direct approach (like you both are used to) can be a perfect way, but in most cases, a light and simple approach is the right way to go. This way you can test the waters as well. But in all cases show that you’re happy to hear from them. Show some love and it will go fine.

You can consider sending an email, text, or direct messages on social media. And a great opening line can be “I saw or read something the other day that made me think of you and I was wondering how you are…” And then ask a couple of questions but also tell something about yourself. You sharing things about your life makes it easier for other people to share something about their life too.

The keys to success are honesty, vulnerability, and positivity.

And once you’ve established a little conversation you can show your interest and ask if they want to meet up for coffee, lunch, dinner to catch up. 

Great Conversation Starters

You might talk for hours on end and laugh at the same jokes in the past. In the time between then and now a lot of things might have changed. People’s perspectives on life have changed or not and you don’t know where their heads are at. 

And while you’ve come to the point you’re going to meet each other for coffee, lunch, or dinner you may need some extra help to get the conversation going again. So that is why I’ve listed some good questions and great conversation starters. But the more natural, the better so don’t make it into an interview. Ask open questions, thoughtfully listen, ask more related open questions or share something yourself so they can hop on that topic as well.

• How are you?
• What have you been doing all these years?
• What are the highlights of life since the last time we met/ spoke?
• What is the most fun memory you have about school/ college/ work?
• Do you remember… (fun anecdote)
• What did you like most about school, marriage, having (grand)kids?
• What is your plan for the next few years?
• Do you have read some great book/ films/ series/ documentaries lately?
• What are you doing tomorrow? (leads to an intimate place, like their plans and hopes)
• What are your plans this week? (gives you an insight on their current life and see if you have things in common)
• Have you seen or spoken to (names of mutual old friend)? (try not to get into gossip, but just stay interested in a nonjudgmental way)

Start With An Apology (if needed)

If you’ve hurt an old friend, then it is wise to start with an apology. Even if it is through text or social media at first. Showing you’re wrong helps you to get the communication line going. Later down the road, you can always apologize in person if it gets to that point.  

Respect Each Other

As I mentioned before you have to respect each other. And that means if they don’t want to meet up, accept this fact and wish each other well. But if you do catch up know that your old friends might have changed their views on politics, past memories, people, opinions, etc. 

Therefore also respect each other’s new ways of thinking, opinions, and perspectives. You want to avoid getting into controversial topics the first time you meet each other. Although some friendships are used to that and can handle it better. Or you need to get into a hard conversation first before you can move on. Sometimes you need to hash things out of the past before you can build on the future. But in all cases try to stay respectful.

How To Find Old Friends

Now we established everything on how not to make things weird, let’s dive into how to find old friends. And here are a couple of good places to start searching:

Search Online

Whether you want to get in touch with high school friends, college friends, childhood friends, or military buddies, the first place to start is to search on social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) or google their name. 

Other online resources you can check out classmates.com and alumni.net if you’re looking for old school friends. Chances are that your old college or university has an alumni page as well, where they maybe are registered.

When you’re looking for an old military buddy you can search for Facebook groups of your old duty station or former military bases. 

Once you have found them you can do a friend request, like their photos, or directly send them a message.

Call Up Old Phonenumber

Another way to find an old friend is to call up their old phone number. Maybe they still use those number, you never know. 

Ask Mutual Friends

If you can’t find the old friend you’re looking for you perhaps can ask or search for a mutual friend and ask about the person you’re looking for. Through a little investigation, you can easily locate old friends. 

Perhaps you have mutual friends you can always ask where they know where to find this person or what their name is (after being married) so it is easier to find them online or know where they live.

When you have a desire to become a (classroom) teacher at 65 you might ask yourself, is 65 too old to become a teacher?

At 65 or older you’re not too old to become a teacher. Seniors are attractive teacher candidates (no matter their educational background) because of their life experience, social skills, expertise, and agenda flexibility. Due to teacher shortages, all states allow a short route to the classroom with alternative teacher certification programs available for all ages.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. In this article, I share everything you need to know about how to become a teacher at 65 and why you’re NOT too old. So let’s continue reading!

Why You’re NOT To Too Old To Become A (Classroom) Teacher At 65

Being a school teacher can be physically and mentally demanding. You need to bridge and age gap, but with an open mind, and if you consider yourself fit, active, alert, and fun to be around then you will be an excellent teacher at 65. 

I mentioned a couple of reasons above why you’re not too old to become a teacher at 65, and below I will go more in-depth into why 65 is still a great age to become a teacher. And I’m not just talking about a classroom teacher. There are different forms of teaching which I will explain later in this article. 

At 65 You Have Life Experience That Helps You As A Teacher

At 65 you have a lot of life experience. You’ve made many mistakes, learned valuable life lessons, gained knowledge and expertise in personal life and your career. But you also have gained people skills and a different perspective on life due to your age. You have wisdom, most younger people lack. And you’ve been through many different stages in life, which helps you to empathize with people at every stage in their life. Also, research shows that seniors have better social skills. These are excellent skills to become a great teacher. 

At 65 You Have A More Flexible Agenda Which Makes You An Attractive Candidate

Seniors are very attractive candidates for teacher jobs. At 65 life has slowed down more. In retirement, you’re more flexible to move around with hours and days. Also, seniors are very loyal and their flexible agenda also helps them to get teacher jobs easier (in some cases) than younger teachers. 

Young people go on maternity leave, call in sick 20 minutes before class because of their sick children, move away once they’re married. This doesn’t apply to seniors. In fact, people will call in the 65-year-olds when there is an emergency (e.g. many substitute teachers are seniors). Therefore employers can rely more on seniors. 

If you go on a job interview, you can make them aware of this fact. Especially when there are younger persons up for the same job. It instantly makes you an attractive candidate they seriously need to consider hiring. Many schools will love having older teachers/ retirees for their students. 

At 65 You Are Never Too Old To Learn

Now let’s get into the cliches.

“You are never too old to learn” is a cliche but also very true. People think that learning at an old age is impossible. But this is a common misconception. 

And I have the scientific proof that learning is ageless and can make your brain perform 30 years younger here. This immediately answers the question that you are NOT too old to become a teacher at 65 or older. Whether you want to get your teacher certification or not, you need to learn a couple of skills to be a great teacher. 

Now you know that learning is ageless. It will even get easier when you challenge your brain on a regular basis. If you look at it this way, becoming a teacher at 65 will come with many health benefits for you as well. A very meaningful way to live out your retirement.

You Are A Teacher In Every Stage Of Life Naturally

Everyone is both teacher and student in every stage of their life. You are a student because you can always learn from others. And you’re a teacher because you also have secrets, lessons, expertise, and skills that other people can learn from you. Even if you consider yourself an expert in a certain field, there are always people who know more than you, which makes you instantly their student. But there are also people who know less than you which instantly makes you their teacher. 

Therefore knowing this and having a humble and open-minded approach to teaching helps you to be a great teacher. Students want a teacher they can relate to, and they want to feel respected and heard. Building this kind of relationship makes teaching (any subject matter) a lot easier. 

Later in this article, I share amazing teaching opportunities for you at 65 outside the classroom.

Your Expertise Make You A Great Teacher

When you had a successful career and earned a degree you can be of use in many departments as a teacher. Your expertise is always of value. You just need to know where that is most needed. For example, you can be a consultant or coach at your previous employer. Your expertise is very valuable to them. Your resume can help you become a teacher in areas you didn’t even know existed.

But also without a degree, you can become a (school) teacher. So don’t worry about not having any degrees. Later in this article, I will share plenty of teaching opportunities in and outside the classroom. Because everyone has expertise in areas other people don’t.

Teachers Are Highly In Demand

The demand for teachers in the U.S. (and in many other places in the world) is high because of the enormous teacher shortage that is growing every year. This has led to states creating alternative paths for people to become (school) teachers that are faster and very affordable. And makes the chances of you getting hired as a teacher at 65 much higher. You are needed in kindergartens, middle school, high schools, and other education areas. 

You are needed and you at 65 can impact many students’ lives. So now is a perfect time to become a teacher, no matter your age. 

Know that you are always in demand when you’re great at what you do.

Becoming A Certified Teacher Is Never Been Easier

Due to the teacher shortage as I mentioned above, states allow people to take a shortcut to become a teacher with one-year state-approved alternative teacher certification programs. 

About 20% of the 35,000 people who use alternative certification are age 50 and older, according to the National Center for Education Information (www.ncei.com).

Therefore you don’t need to go back to college for many years and pay high tuition fees. You can start teaching in one year, and in a lot of cases, you can be a teacher right now. 

And if you do want to go to college, there are scholarships for senior citizens which you can apply for. And there are also many discounts you can get as a senior citizen.

How To Become A School Teacher At 65 Or Older

Let’s focus in this chapter on how you can become a school teacher at 65. And here is the short answer:

• Without a degree: You can apply for teaching roles like mentoring, coaching, and substitute teaching right away. 
• With a bachelor’s degree (in any field): You can become a certified teacher after finishing a one-year state-approved alternative teacher certification program. 
• With a master’s degree (in any field): You can start teaching at private schools right away.

Do you see how simple it is? In my article: How To Become A Teacher In Retirement: A Step-by-Step Guide I share more in-depth information about the alternative teacher certification program and how you can become a teacher with easy-to-follow steps.

But before you start applying for jobs, it is wise to ask yourself what you want. Do you want to work part-time, full-time? Do you want to be an elementary school teacher, a high school teacher? 

What do you want to teach? Do you want to be a math teacher, an English teacher? 

Who do you want to teach? Kids? Adults? 

Do you want to teach in a classroom or one-on-one? 

The opportunities are endless, you just need to find the right fit for you. 

Different Teaching Roles You Can Be At 65 Or Older

You’re not tied to a classroom to be a teacher. There are so many forms when it comes to teaching. And below I will give you some great examples of teaching roles where you can start today.

Teaching Roles

• Sports coach (of senior team or grandchildren team)
• Tutor for high school or college students
• Life coach
• English teacher in Mexico or Asia
• Online English teacher
• Dog trainer
• Arts & Crafts Teacher (organize workshops at home or create online videos)
• Cooking And Baking Teacher (organize workshops at home or create online videos)
• Leadership Teacher
• Finance And Accounting Teacher
• Career Development Coach
• Handyman Teacher (organize workshops at home or create online videos)
• Freelance Consultant (within previous work field)
• Create an online course on Udemy in any field
• Volunteer at a school nearby

Learn From Other Teachers To Be A Great Teacher

As you aspire to become a teacher you can upgrade your skills, knowledge, and expertise today by following classes from other amazing teachers. You can learn from the best. And that is now easier than ever. 

At Masterclass, you can learn from the world’s greatest. And follow classes on communication, business, leadership, arts, music, cooking, sports, and everything in between. From Gordon Ramsay, Alicia Keys, Samuel L. Jackson, and many other world’s greatest in their field. They can teach you their skills but you can also explore their ways of teaching so you can figure out what type of teacher you want to be. Getting a subscription to Masterclass is a great investment in retirement. First of all to have fun, explore new hobbies and learn new skills. Interested?

When you wonder, what are some great hobbies for my retired mom? You’re in the right place! I’ve listed 140 amazing hobbies for your retired mom in this article that she will love. And I also listed amazing hobby-related gifts, so you can show your support in a tangible way. Ready? Let’s unpack right away!

Just a heads up, this post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Purchases you make through these links may earn us a small commission, at no extra cost to you.

Art & Crafts Hobbies For Retired Mom

Many retired women love to do get creative but are hesitant. They don’t know what to do or where to start exploring for a new creative hobby in retirement. That is why I listed a couple of great arts & crafts hobbies below so you can help your mother out. A great gift for your mom is an Adult & Crafts subscription box from Cratejoy with fun & new craft projects delivered to her door every month (all of the tools, materials, and instructions are included). Interested?

1) Rock Painting

2) Scrapbooking

3) Antiquing

4) Knitting

5) Calligraphy

6) Candle Making

7) Coloring

8) Cross-stitching

9) Drawing

10) Flower Arranging

11) Flower Pressing

12) Macramé

13) Jewelry Making

14) Diamond Painting

15) Leather Crafting

16) Painting

17) Upcycling

18) Photography – There is an amazing Online Photography Masterclass by Annie Leibovitz to gift your mom.

19) Pottery

20) Sewing

21) Soap Making

22) Wood Working

23) Ceramics

24) Mosaic Making

25) Nail Art

26) Comic Strip Book Making

27) Bird House Making

28) Family Photo Album Making

Food Hobbies For Retired Mom

Food-related hobbies can be fun for your mom to explore. And I’ve got the perfect gift you can give to support her: The Gift Of Masterclass. This streaming platform has over 100+ different online classes from the world’s greatest. And 20+ online classes related to food from the best chefs in the world. Your mom can upgrade her cooking skills and explore the secrets of Italian Cuisine, Mexican Food, French pastry Fundamentals, Mixology, and many more fun food classes. You can gift her access to all online cooking classes, from Gordon Ramsay, Massimo Bottura, Thomas Keller, Alice Waters, and many other world’s best chefs. Interested?

29) Cooking

30) Baking

31) Mixology (Cocktail Making)

32) Wine Making

33) Beer Brewing

34) Sommelier (certified wine taster)

35) Cake Decorating

36) Dining Out

37) Latte Art

38) Molecular Gastronomy

39) Grilling

40) Bread Making

41) Pasta Making

42) Chocolate- and pâtisserie-making

43) Vegetable Growing

44) Hot Sauce Making

45) Cheese Making

Physical/ Outdoor Hobbies For Retired Mom

If your mom is more adventurous and loves to be active or outdoors, then one of the following hobbies can be a great new hobby for your retired mom. You can show support by gifting her activewear, supplies, or outdoor gear that she needs to follow through with a new hobby. You can almost find anything you need on Amazon.com. An even better support sign is to find a hobby you can both do together.

Also, when you’re trying to find a new hobby for your mom, there is a great starting point for this journey. Ask your mom what she loved doing as a kid. The chances are that she still loves the same things or similar kinds of hobbies that give her the same kind of satisfaction. This way you’ll be able to guide your retired mom in the right direction.

46) Archery

47) Swimming

48) Biking

49) Bowling

50) Dancing

51) Stand Up Paddleboarding

52) Golfing

53) Hiking

54) Ice Skating

55) Martial Arts

56) Running

57) Surfing

58) Tennis

59) Gardening – There is an amazing online gardening class on Masterclass by Ron Finley.

60) Astronomy

61) Bird Watching

62) Camping

63) Hiking

64) Geocaching

65) Fishing

66) Kayaking

67) Sailing

68) Scuba Diving

69) Snorkeling

70) Skiing

71) Snowboarding

72) Traveling

73) River Rafting

74) Ballet

75) Flag Football

76) Basketball – Gift her a fun Basketball Online MasterClass taught by Stephen Curry

77) (Aqua) Aerobics

78) Volleyball

Social Hobbies For Retired Mom

One of the most important keys to a happy and healthy retirement for your mom is to stay socially active. This can avoid depression, loneliness, and other physical and mental diseases. So if your mom feels lonely, you can look for fun hobbies with a social aspect. I’ve listed a couple of fun social hobbies below your retired mom can try out. You can support her by finding these hobbies through social media, Meetup or local community center.

79) Dating – For more information read my article: How To Meet Senior Singles

80) Dinner Club

81) Host Game/ Quiz Nights

82) Wedding Officiant

83) Singing

84) Airbnb Hosting

85) Acting

86) Bingo

87) Wine Tasting Club

88) Volunteering – Read more about it in my article: Why Do Retirees Volunteer?

89) Team Sports

90) Mentoring/ Coaching

91) Dog Training

92) Pet Sitting

93) Line Dancing

94) Cheerleading – Get inspired by this senior cheerleading squad:

Indoor/ Mental Hobbies

Just as social interaction is important, so is staying mentally active as well. Challenging your brain on a regular basis keeps it young and healthy.

If your mom loves to stay at home, there are awesome hobbies she can start exploring. As I mentioned earlier, giving her a subscription to Masterclass will help her not to feel bored with over 100+ different online classes she’ll have access to. She can learn at any device, at any time, and at her own pace.

Check out some other fun hobbies your retired mom can do at home or any other room indoors:

95) Reading – With a Kindle Ereader and Kindle Unlimited, you gift your retired mom unlimited access to thousands of (audio)books.

96) Board Gaming

97) Cross Word Puzzles

98) Home Decorating

99) Jigsaw Puzzling

100) Learning A New Language

101) Writing (poetry, book, play, movie script, columns) Gift your mom access to Online Writing Masterclasses by the World’s famous writers.

102) Learning A Musical Instrument

103) Investing

104) Lego Building

105) Modeling

106) Home Science Experiments

Online Hobbies For Retired Mom

107) Blogging

108) Genealogy – Gift your retired mom a My Heritage DNA test to reveal her unique ethnic background and match her with newfound relatives and descendants among 2,114 geographic regions.

109) Craigslisting

110) Listening To Podcasts

111) Start An Online Business (Etsy, Blog, Youtube Channel)

112) Radio Show Making

113) Video-Editing

114) Online Classes – The Gift Of Masterclass

Spiritual Hobbies For Retired Mom

115) Astrology

116) Yoga

117) Meditation

118) Tarot Reading

119) Journaling – A nice gift is the 3 Minute Positivity Journal

Unusual Hobbies For Retired Mom

120) Beekeeping

121) Billiards

122) Collecting (Rocks, Coins, etc)

123) Go Kart Racing

124) Graffiti Art

125) Hula Hooping

126) Juggling

127) Glass Blowing

128) Magic

129) Metal Detecting

130) Origami

131) Pickling & Canning

132) Darts

133) Bonsai

134) Car Restoration

135) House Swapping

136) Ax Throwing

137) Sand Castle Making

138) Urban Sketching

139) Wood Burning

140) Toy Voyaging