Returning to Childhood Hobbies and Interests

July 15, 2025

What did you like to do as a kid? Research indicates that people return to childhood hobbies as they get older. My sister quietly confirmed this as her husband logs on to an online game of Dungeons & Dragons with his closest childhood friend.

Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a licensed clinical psychologist and emerita professor of psychology at California State University, Los Angeles states that "For many, returning to a childhood hobby is more than a new form of entertainment but rather an escape from daily stressors. If an activity once brought you comfort as a child, it may still have the same calming effect in adulthood."

I admit, my mind goes kind of blank when people ask what I liked to do as a kid. I always liked art, but it didn't really become a focus for me until high school and later. Does playing outside count as a hobby? I thought that's what everyone did in the 70's and 80's.

Then I think of reading. I learned to read at age four thanks to the influence of my mom, who was a first grade teacher. We always had books around and I liked them from the beginning. As an introvert, having that quiet time to get lost in a story was one of my favorite things. I'm still a big reader today!

The other thing I think of is swimming. I was on our community swim team from a young age (the 6 and under team!) My twin sister and I were treated well by the older kids. We swam 25 meters and won ribbons! We got to buy candy from the snack bar! Kids jumped in the swimming pool with their clothes on to celebrate winning a meet! Those were simpler times.

Over the last few years, I've gone back to swimming. Not fast, and in a pool with warmer water (not capped off by a hose, as it was back on my swim team days!) It feels great to be in the water and often I'm full of creative ideas afterwards. So I guess I have returned to childhood interests after all.

What childhood hobby have you returned to?

Author: Katie Weaver

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