Imagine a peaceful Saturday afternoon with all of the chores completed and plenty of time to relax. What is your child doing? Does he or she want to stay inside or play outside? Spend some time alone or play with a group of friends? Chip away at a bigger project or work on improving a skill? These natural interests can be important indicators as to what kind of hobby might prove perfect for your child. 

A hobby can be anything that you do for fun or out of genuine interest. Hobbies are a creative outlet and a stress reliever and can even be the foundation of one’s social life.
Of course, the only way to find a great hobby is to try a bunch of things and see which ones you like the most. The same is true for your child. First, take note of the things your son already enjoys. Then, expose him to a variety of different kinds of activities such as art, cooking, music and sports. 

Because your child is trying something now, it’s often helpful to start with short-term and low-level commitments. Pursue interests based on a combination of needs, interests and priorities. There’s no need to invest in a hobby that is outrageously expensive or time-consuming. 

Consider your child’s personality as well. Does he or she thrive around others or would a large group setting be overwhelming? In other words, would your child be more successful as part of a soccer team or taking one-on-one piano lessons? A bad experience can turn a young child away from a hobby no matter how much potential aptitude the child has for the activity. 

Find a balance between teaching your child to follow through on commitments while not forcing a hobby. Usually, six to eight weeks is long enough to know if a hobby is a good fit. Challenges and self-discipline are good but too much difficulty and frustration can be counterproductive. If your daughter does not want to continue her violin lessons, tell her that she must at least finish the current set of lessons. If she finishes the series and really does not want to continue, it’s probably time for a new hobby.

Don’t spend too much time or money to support a specific hobby until you are sure your child will stick with it. Nobody wants an unused piano sitting in the family room reminding everyone how much your son hates to play the piano!

It’s also important to consider how a hobby might affect your child’s physical, social and emotional development. If a team sport become too competitive or has more physical danger than you find acceptable, it might be time to redirect your daughter toward a healthier sport.

Encourage your child to try new things while paying close attention to whether the new hobby seems to be a good fit. At the end of the day, any hobby has to be fun and relaxing or it’s not the right hobby for your child.