Why Gen Z Is Rediscovering Hobbies Their Parents Thought Were Old-Fashioned

by Anamika October 8, 2026

Ask a 22-year-old what they did last weekend, and the answer might surprise you: “I finished a scarf.” Pastimes once dismissed as old-fashioned are quietly becoming cool again.

Why Are Gen Z Hobbies Going Analog?

The short answer is screen fatigue. YPulse found that 70 percent of 13 to 24-year-olds are seeking out offline activities more. A separate survey adds to the picture. About 63 percent of Gen Z respondents said they had tried to cut their screen time for their wellbeing.

The Numbers Behind the Trend

Retailers are noticing. Michaels reported that searches for “analog hobbies” on its site rose 136% in six months, while yarn-kit searches climbed 1,200% in 2025. Etsy tells a similar story. Searches for beginner needlepoint items rose 208 percent year over year.

Vinyl records, film cameras and board games are riding the same wave.

Why It Matters

There’s money in it. One industry analysis values the global knitting and crochet market at $10.15 billion in 2025, growing to a projected $17.93 billion by 2034. There’s a social side too. Knitting clubs, craft nights and neighborhood workshops are turning solo hobbies into community.

Will Gen Z’s Analog Hobby Boom Last?

Is this just a social media phase? Possibly. Trends fade, and yarn is cheaper to buy than to finish. Still, the pattern is clear. For a generation raised on feeds and algorithms, making something slow and tactile feels like a small act of rebellion. Their parents may find it funny. Gen Z doesn’t seem to mind.