Interest in grandma hobbies, also called analog activities on TikTok, is having a real moment. Millennial, Gen-Z moms, and people in general who once spent hours doomscrolling are now filling that same free time with needlepoint, crochet, watercolor painting, reading, and puzzle solving. This shift is not subtle. Google Trends shows that searches for analog hobbies have jumped 160 percent in just the past 30 days, signaling a fast-growing movement toward screen-free creativity and slow living.
The irony is delicious. TikTok, the platform known for endless scrolling, is also the place fueling this return to offline hobbies. Creators share stitching tutorials, WIP Wednesday updates, and cozy craft hauls, but the goal is not to stay glued to the app. It is to get inspired and then log off. People are using social platforms as a doorway back into real-world activities that give their minds a break from constant notifications and digital overload.
© Getty ImagesThis is not about rejecting technology. It is about rebalancing it. Grandma's hobbies offer a kind of focused calm that social feeds simply cannot match, and younger generations are discovering that the old school ways feel surprisingly modern.
Why Analog Hobbies Are Exploding Right Now
The rise of analog activities is tied to a growing craving for mental clarity. People are exhausted from living inside their phones. Between breaking news, algorithm-driven feeds, and endless messaging, attention is constantly being pulled in every direction. Grandma's hobbies give people a way to slow their brains down and do one thing at a time.
According to NBC New York, Dayna Isom Johnson, Etsy Trend Expert, says this shift is directly connected to how people are approaching their lives as we head deeper into 2026. Shoppers want hobbies that feel grounding and personal. Knitting, crocheting, and needlepoint are not just crafts. They are rituals that create calm, structure, and a sense of accomplishment.
© Getty ImagesNostalgia plays a big role, too. Many people grew up watching their grandparents sew, knit, or work on puzzles. Returning to those activities now feels like revisiting a safer, quieter version of the world. Substacks and TikTok diaries are full of people describing their return to 1990s-style summers filled with books, crafts, and long afternoons without screens.
The Most Popular Grandma Hobbies Right Now
Not all analog hobbies are trending equally. Needlepoint and crochet are leading the pack, and the data makes that clear. "Needlepointing is emerging as the clear standout," Isom Johnson says. "While interest is growing across several traditional crafts, needlepoint-related searches are significantly outpacing the rest—particularly among beginners."
© Getty ImagesIn the past two years, TikTok brought a younger Gen Z audience into the craft, creating a second wave that is even more visible and energetic.
Why Screen-Free Activities Feel So Good
At the heart of the grandma hobbies trend is a craving for connection. Not just a connection with other people, but a connection with yourself. Needlepoint, painting, and knitting force you to slow down. You cannot rush through them. That kind of focus is rare in a world built on speed.
Analog activities also offer something that social media cannot. They give you a finished product. A stitched pillow. A crocheted sweater. A completed puzzle. That physical result brings satisfaction and pride that no like count can replace.
© Getty ImagesWhat an Analog Bag Is and Why Everyone Wants One
One of the most popular concepts to emerge from this movement is the analog bag. An analog bag is a tote filled with your favorite screen-free activities. It might include cross-stitch kits, crossword puzzles, watercolor supplies, or a novel. The idea is to make offline entertainment just as easy to reach as your phone.
Creators suggest keeping the bag in the same place you usually keep your phone. When boredom hits, you grab a puzzle or a needle instead of opening an app. It sounds simple, but it works because it removes friction. You do not have to think. You just pick up something that brings you into the moment.
© Getty ImagesThe Future of Grandma Hobbies in a Digital World
Grandma's hobbies are not a rejection of modern life. They are an upgrade to it. People are learning how to use digital platforms for inspiration and community while protecting their mental space from endless scrolling. TikTok shows you how to stitch. Your couch is where you actually do it.
This movement is still growing, and all signs point to it becoming a long-term shift rather than a quick trend. Analog hobbies tap into something timeless. The joy of making something with your hands. The peace of focused attention. The comfort of nostalgia mixed with modern creativity.
Modern Mami is a parenting and lifestyle column by ¡HOLA! Senior Writer Shirley Gómez, a Latina millennial mom raising a toddler. Focused on the realities of modern motherhood through a Latina lens, the column covers topics ranging from wellness and culture to parenting tips and expert advice.
