Every nation has its favorite hobbies and the USA has a long list of them. Because it is bigger than other countries, there are lots of ways to have fun in the USA. Weather also differs greatly across the country, with the cold in the northern states compared to the hot states of Texas and Arizona which can affect pastimes.
There are things that Americans love that are enjoyed across the board like basketball and football. The NBA and NFL remain some of the biggest sports leagues in the world today and you know that when the Superbowl is on the world is watching.
But the hobbies of Americans have changed because of the pandemic. A lot of hobbies that were enjoyed before the pandemic were different to now because of COVID hobbies had to be enjoyed remotely or within the house. One study found that some of America’s favourite hobbies during this time were cooking, reading/writing, exercising, home improvement, gardening, and playing video games.
Flexible working transformed not only the way Americans work but also the things they enjoy. Now companies in America are implementing work-from-home days into their job contracts, enabling people time for their hobbies at home.
With or without COVID, gaming has remained a popular hobby among the American population since consoles became popular. Gaming has always been remote and accessible through an internet connection but evolved into a hobby where people can connect in other countries, talk online and participate in tournaments where they can win trophies and compete in national and regional leagues without leaving their homes.
Gaming for a hobby has enabled the development of tournaments and gaming clans to turn a hobby into a career. For many RPG games, there are gaming teams and tournaments where those who once played for fun compete against people who enjoy the same thing.
It’s not just console games that have tournaments either. In America, there are tournament teams for card games, like poker. Since America is home to the gambling capital, card games are popular there, especially traditional ones. The best and most fascinating online poker tournaments are often streamed and for some who play poker in these tournaments, they only compete as a hobby. Yes, card games are what some Americans enjoy, but there are other under-the-radar- hobbies to try for new entertainment.
1. Pickleball.
It may not have made the list of America’s most popular hobbies, but pickleball is an American ball game that is worth trying if you’re in the USA. Pickleball is a game that involves two players using a smooth-faced paddle to hit a plastic ball over a high net until one team can’t return the ball over the net or any rules are broken.
It is well-known in the USA because it combines elements of tennis (the back and forth) with badminton (getting over the net). The sport was invented in 1965 in Washington by three men who wanted their kids to play a game together, so they devised the concept of pickleball. What’s great about pickleball is that it is widespread across the USA now and there are courts where it is offered as an option, there are even some local teams that you can join if you enjoy it.
2. Line Dancing.
No, line dancing doesn’t exist in just the movies because it originated in the deep South of America. Essentially line dancing is a choreographed dance created for people to do in sync in a line with each other. Usually, it involves a sequence of steps that are to be followed row by row in a large group. The origins of line dancing differ but some believe it comes from Europe although it was popularized in the USA by cowgirl and cowboy dancers who developed routines to country music.
Line dancing isn’t a dancing class that requires any skill or hidden ability because it involves a group, so it’s great to try as a new hobby. If you need help, there are line dance classes and guides for beginners if you’re rhythmically challenged. Across the USA there are line dancing classes where you can learn the steps and how to move with a group, although you could just look across from you to see that!
3. Games on the lawn.
While elsewhere you might expect games on your grass to be related to kicking around a football, over there do it differently. After all, soccer requires endurance and stamina, and lawn games can be enjoyed casually in a small group.
Lawn games are common, especially for children and families. The popular games that are played on the lawn are Bocce Ball, Corhole and Horseshoe. All the games are common pastimes in summer when the grass is in the best shape and where there are garden parties every week.
They can also be enjoyed with minimal equipment. Horseshoes need pitches, stakes, a pitching box and a pit, Bocce Ball only needs a marker, a pallino, and bocce balls and Cornhole needs a coin, boards and bags.
4. Duckpin Bowling.
Another game to sink your competitive teeth into, duckpin bowling is like regular ten-pin bowling but with smaller, cuter pins. Duckpin bowling also uses ten pins, with lanes that are shorter and smaller balls. Each game has ten frames and in each frame, you get three throw attempts rather than the standard two in regular bowling.
Duckpin bowling is fun because it’s retro and can be played at old complexes. It’s also cool because it originated in Baltimore, Maryland in the 1900s at a gaming hall there. It is an authentic American creation and might be better than your regular bowling date with friends!
