Lifestyle
25 Hobbies That Blur the Line Between Bizarre and Brilliant
By Jake Beardslee · March 19, 2024
Wife Carrying
Originating in Finland, this sport involves men racing while carrying their wives or partners on their backs over an obstacle course. U.S. Air Force photo/Cortney Paxton/Wikimedia
Cheese Rolling
This traditional UK event involves chasing a wheel of cheese down a steep hill, combining danger with dairy in a competition that's as strange as it is captivating. BrianP/Wikimedia
Ostrich Racing
A hobby that requires balance and bravery, ostrich racing is a sport where participants ride the world's largest bird species at speeds up to 43 mph. Lip Kee from Singapore, Republic of Singapore/Wikimedia
Collecting Navel Fluff
An oddly specific pastime, some individuals find collecting lint from their belly buttons fascinating enough to turn it into a hobby. Dave Lauretti from Burlington, Canada/Unsplash
Dumpster Diving
While it may sound unappealing to some, dumpster diving is a thrilling treasure hunt for others, offering the chance to discover valuable items discarded by others. iggii/Unsplash
Shin Kicking
As a form of combat sport dating back to the 17th century, shin kicking involves participants attempting to knock their opponent to the ground by kicking their shins. Tim Wilson/Unsplash
Geocaching
This modern treasure hunting game uses GPS to find hidden caches around the world, blending outdoor adventure with digital technology. Tamas Tuzes-Katai/Unsplash
Extreme Couponing
Far from ordinary coupon usage, extreme couponing involves collecting and organizing coupons to save massive amounts of money on shopping trips. Carol Pyles from Winter Haven, FL/Wikimedia
Witchcraft
Practiced by those following various pagan traditions, witchcraft involves the use of herbs, crystals, and spells for healing, manifestation, and prophecy. Enrique Bancalari/Unsplash
Chess Boxing
A hybrid sport that combines chess and boxing, participants must be skilled both intellectually and physically, switching between rounds of each discipline. WCBO/Wikimedia
Rooftopping
An extreme form of urban exploration, rooftopping involves climbing to high, often precarious places in cities to take selfies or enjoy the view. FreeclimbZurich/Wikimedia
Snakeskin Collecting
Unlike more common collections, some enthusiasts focus on acquiring skins shed by snakes, appreciating the beauty of these reptilian patterns. Michael Jerrard/Unsplash
Knot Tying
A hobby that celebrates the art of knotting, enthusiasts enjoy mastering and creating various types of knots for practical and decorative purposes. Miguel A Amutio/Unsplash
Soap Carving
This calming and artistic hobby involves sculpting soap into intricate designs, offering a meditative experience along with creative expression. Jazzmanian at English Wikibooks/Wikimedia
News Raiding
The goal of news raiding is to appear on television broadcasts, often by interrupting live news segments in humorous or unexpected ways. Freddy Kearney/Unsplash
Tree Shaping
By manipulating the growth of trees over time, hobbyists create living sculptures, combining gardening with artistic design. Blackash at English Wikipedia/Wikimedia
Hikaru Dorodango
A Japanese hobby that involves creating highly polished balls out of mud. It's a process that requires patience and results in a surprisingly beautiful product. Asturio Cantabrio/Wikimedia
Keeping Isopods
A unique form of pet keeping, enthusiasts collect and care for isopods, which are a type of crustacean, enjoying their low maintenance and exotic nature. Gilles San Martin/Wikimedia
Painting Rocks
This hobby allows people to express their creativity by painting designs on rocks, which can range from simple patterns to intricate landscapes. Mariah Hewines/Unsplash
Entomology
Also known as bug collecting, this hobby involves the study and collection of insects, which can be both a scientific pursuit and a personal hobby. AlbaRebollarAntúnez/Wikimedia
Tattooing Vehicles
A niche form of art, enthusiasts paint or tattoo designs onto vehicles, transforming ordinary cars into moving pieces of artwork. Mohammad Fathollahi/Unsplash
Quidditch
Inspired by the Harry Potter series, Quidditch has been adapted into a real-life sport with players running with broomsticks, playing a game similar to the fictional version. BenHollandPhotography/Wikimedia
ARGs (Alternate Reality Games)
A blend of real-world treasure hunting, puzzle-solving, and online interaction, ARGs create a game layer over the real world for players to explore and solve mysteries. Jonathan Kemper/Unsplash
Ghost Hunting
Enthusiasts visit supposed haunted locations to investigate paranormal activities, using various equipment to capture evidence of ghosts. Erik Müller/Unsplash