From Abuela to TikTok: Why Grandma Hobbies Are Saving Gen Z’s Sanity
The grandma aesthetic isn’t just about crochet cardigans and cute vintage mugs anymore. Gen Z is now turning to the actual hobbies of their abuelas (sewing, knitting, baking, gardening) as a way to feel joy, get off their phones, and find community.
It’s a vibe, yes, but it’s also backed by real science.
Why Grandma Hobbies Are Having a Moment
Ann Murray-Dunning, co-author of Radical Señora Era: Ancestral Latin American Secrets for a Happier, Healthier Life, recently explained in a viral TikTok that Gen Z is “being adopted” by grandma hobbies as a form of self-preservation.
“Think about things like baking, needlepoint, sewing, crafting, gardening. So basically everything that your reela and your abuela, your grandmother, and your great-grandmother and their great-grandmothers did,” she said.
According to Murray-Dunning, sales of crafting supplies, such as thread, have increased by 90 percent. Journaling events have doubled since 2023.
“The Wall Street Journal’s calling this granny core,” she added. “But let’s be real, Latinas have been doing this forever—watching our moms or tía mend socks, fold towels, reuse containers, use the sewing machine, go for walks, sit on the porch for meal prep in the morning.”
And that nostalgia isn’t just aesthetic. Murray-Dunning said it’s a reminder that “the slow ways of our abuelas and bisabuelas was brilliant” and can actually “make you feel good” in a time when constant scrolling is linked to isolation.
Grandma Hobbies Are Linked to Better Mental Health
The science backs it up. According to Dr. Christina Lee, a child psychiatrist with Kaiser Permanente, “gentle enjoyment” from slow-paced activities helps teens and young adults unplug from overstimulation and tech burnout.
In an interview with WTOP, Dr. Lee described grandma hobbies as “meant to be done in your own space, in your own home, where you feel safe—and they can be a time for introspection.” She added that they increase dopamine, boost mood, spark creativity, and “really combat loneliness, too.”
The dopamine connection isn’t just anecdotal. Parents.com reported that hobbies like knitting, baking, and gardening offer the same mental health benefits as meditation and mindfulness. The screen-free nature of these activities is also key.
“It forces you to take your time doing them,” Dr. Lee said.
And that slow, intentional pace is exactly what’s attracting Gen Z.
Grandma Hobbies Are Replacing the Doomscroll
In fact, a May 2025 survey of 1,600 Americans between 18 and 28 found that most young people now have at least one “grandma hobby.” Over 22 percent said they took it up to help their mental health.
The top activities included reading printed books, baking, journaling, napping, crocheting, embroidery, and doing puzzles.
Pinterest’s 2025 Summer Trend Report also noticed the shift. Searches for “cute summer crafts” jumped 106 percent, and “book club crafts” went up 558 percent. Even “summer romance books” saw a 51 percent increase.
And yes, social media might be fueling the trend—but in the best way. Dr. Lee told WTOP that teens are being introduced to these hobbies through platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where influencers are showing off their needlepoint and journaling setups.
“It’s like a self-fulfilling prophecy,” she said. “They start to realize how much they enjoy the hobby, and how it’s helping them to slow down and improve their focus.”
Why Grandma Hobbies Are More Than Just a Trend
In USA Today, writer Greta Cross reported on TikTok creators like Madison Vaughn, aka “The Grandma Cottage,” who left behind clubbing for knitting, thrifting, and baking. Her 65,000+ followers tune in for cozy “grandmacore” content, complete with ceramic platters and tea rituals.
“Growing up, my grandma was truly my best friend,” Vaughn told USA Today. “I spent every moment I could with her and my papaw.”
Allie Gardner, another Gen Z creator interviewed by USA Today, calls herself a “serial hobbyist” and credits her 90-year-old grandma for inspiring her love of sewing, baking, and gardening.
Meanwhile, Hannah Arnold, 38, turned her embroidery hobby into a full-time business. She told USA Today she started crafting to escape the “fast-paced rat race” and realized she wanted to integrate these joyful moments into her everyday life, not just save them for retirement.
How Grandma Hobbies Are Helping Gen Z Thrive
According to Parents.com, “grandma” hobbies are giving Gen Z more than just screen-free time. These activities are helping young people:
- Feel more connected to others through shared interests
- Find relief from anxiety, depression, and loneliness
- Enjoy creativity and rest without pressure
- Feel immediate satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment
- Learn that joy doesn’t have to come with productivity or perfection
Dr. Lisa Damour, author of three New York Times bestselling books on teen development, told Parents.com that these hobbies give teens “a chance to rest while still being productive.”
She explained that young people often resist downtime because it feels unproductive. But knitting a scarf or planting basil teaches them that simple actions can bring real joy.
“‘Grandma’ hobbies offer an opportunity to have fun simply from the act of doing it,” said author Whitney Fleming. “And in today’s chaotic world, that’s a gift that keeps on giving.”
