Cover A person working on an Arduino-run toy car. Arduino Projects is an easy-to-get-into hobby that doesn’t require much coding skill (Photo: Pexels / Vanessa Loring)
A person working on an Arduino-run toy car. Arduino Projects is an easy-to-get-into hobby that doesn’t require much coding skill (Photo: Pexels / Vanessa Loring)
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Tired of your mainstream hobby? It might be time to get weird—in the best way possible
Going on an after-work run or weekend hike can be a therapeutic break from your usual routine, but sometimes, even your go-to hobbies start to feel a little too familiar. It might be time to try something unconventional. Picking up a niche pastime, while harder to get into due to the smaller community, can be a fulfilling experience that fosters curiosity, creativity and learning. Whether you’re an adventurous outdoorsman or a crafty tinkerer, Tatler lists down seven offbeat hobbies to try.
More from Tatler: Movie review: the new ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ is a rare remake that earns its wings
Geocaching
An outdoor treasure hunt that uses a specific set of GPS coordinates, geocaching allows you to embark on your own little side quest and look for hidden treasure scattered around the country. Oftentimes, the geocaches are small containers with a logbook to mark its discoverers and inexpensive trinkets—known as swag by the community—like coins and keychains that previous hunters have left behind. You can either leave or exchange an item that you brought with you.
While more popular in North America and Europe, the hobby has a small community in the Philippines. Be aware, though, that some bystanders might find your search unusual, so don’t take it personally if you catch a few weird looks. There’s an application available to download on your phone to help you locate nearby geocaches.
Arduino projects
Above An Arduino project involving LED lights (Photo: Unsplash / Spencer)
An Arduino project involving LED lights (Photo: Unsplash / Spencer)
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Arduino boards, while intimidating to learn due to all the technical jargon and programming, is a great introduction to the wonders of electronics. You can find everything you need to know online and its user-friendly software is simplified enough that anyone can understand its key fundamentals. The boards itself are inexpensive and you can create just about anything from button-activated LED lights and stopwatches to temperature monitors and simple home automation.
Mead-making
While typically associated with the Vikings, the Philippines has its own traditional mead, known as Bais, originating from Mindanao. It’s created by fermenting honey with water and fruits of your choice and is relatively easy to get into as a hobby. All you’ll need is a large jug, your ingredients, a fermentation lock and some rubber stoppers—all of which you can find online individually or as a set.
See also: Skip the siopao: how to experience Binondo without eating your way through it
Strategy board games
Above The board of ‘Twilight Imperium: Third Edition’ (Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Jld1985)
The board of ‘Twilight Imperium: Third Edition’ (Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Jld1985)
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Classic board games like Monopoly, Scrabble and Guess Who? will always have a place in our living rooms, but if you want something with its own universe, you’ll have to venture deeper into tabletop gaming. Games such as Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition and Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy are for those who want to fully immerse themselves in galactic conquest. There are plenty of factions to choose from, and learning every aspect—from diplomacy and trade to space combat and council meetings—can take hours. Once you do have a game set up with a committed friend group, you’ll find yourself forming uneasy alliances, striking tactical deals and eventually cutthroat betrayals for victory. It won’t be long before you start planning your next eight-hour session.
Antique restoration
Above The restoration of an antique typewriter from 1949
Unlock your inner craftsman and restore timeworn items to their original form. While some of the bigger projects, such as old cars, may demand more than just a workbench, there are a whole lot of antiques you can work on. From historical heirlooms to meaningful trinkets and even photographs, it’s best to start small if you’re just getting started with the hobby. Aside from the necessary tools, a keen attention to detail is essential.
Geoguessr
More than just an online browser game, getting good at Geoguessr demands global knowledge. The difficulty ramps up pretty quickly, and you’ll soon find yourself staring at random fields instead of road signs to know what country Google Street View placed you in. In any case, it’s a great exercise to sharpen your geography skills while hopefully piquing your interest in the diverse cultures of the world.
Beekeeping
Above A tutorial from a local beekeeper on how to get started
Retirement plan or a sweet hobby? Beekeeping offers a meditative yet methodical way to connect with nature with a sugary reward. If you’re looking to get started, you can order a colony of bees from local breeders. The Philippines also has a relatively small community that’s willing to give tips and point you in the direction of workshops.
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About
Gabriel found his passion for writing through poetry in high school. He sharpened his skills at Ateneo de Manila University and hopes to write a play worthy of Broadway one day. A self-proclaimed geek, he loves to spend his free time playing video games and board games. When he's not clicking heads on Valorant or roleplaying as a barbarian in Dungeons and Dragons, you can find him exploring art galleries or watching stage plays.
Work
A creative writer who writes about anything and everything, Gabriel loves to dive deep into the arts and culture scene—as well as going on long road trips for travel pieces.
You can reach him on Instagram at @gbohol for any leads, casual conversations or game invites.
