Interest in "grandma hobbies," or more commonly known on TikTok as "analog activities," has only risen in the past few months. Activities that draw us away from the doomscroll and instead have us crafting, reading and solving puzzles are increasing in popularity.
When searching through Google Trends, the term "analog hobbies" has significantly risen in 2026. Ironically, these activities are trending on TikTok, the exact platform users are trying to spend less time on. While the app is great for how-tos on stitches, sharing progress via WIP (work-in-progress) Wednesday and gaining inspiration for future crafts and activities, it's the doomscroll aspect that individuals are seeking less of.
We spoke with trend experts and needlepoint shop owners alike to gain insight on why individuals are swapping their screen time for spending hours poring over a needlework craft or watercolor project. Plus, TODAY lifestyle contributor Melissa Garcia stopped by Studio 1A to share her favorite analog activities that you'll want to try yourself.
What are some analog tasks?
According to Dayna Isom Johnson, Etsy Trend Expert and the team at Etsy, needlepoint and crochet rank high, with searches for "beginner needlepoint items" up 208% YoY (year over year) and searches for "crochet sweaters" up 162% YoY.
"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."
#Needlepoint has over 119,000 videos on TikTok, while #wipwednesday videos are nearing the 81,000 mark, proving the crafts' popularity.
"It first got really popular during COVID with my age group (millennials) via Instagram," says Krista LeRay, owner of Penny Linn, a needlepoint store based in Connecticut. "I think since we were all stuck at home looking for things to do, people turned to needlepoint and the first big 'wave' of the industry started. Then, in 2023 up until now, it has gained a lot of traction on TikTok and with a younger demo (like Gen Z) and has really brought a ton of new eyes and now stitchers to needlepoint. "
Best analog activities, as seen on TODAY
Watercoloring
With 12 pre-drawn sketches, all this workbook requires of you is to fill in the blank spaces with watercolor. Paint bouquets of florals, wild animals and more that both adults and children can enjoy.
More painting products to shop:
- Professional Artist Paint Brush Set of 12, $9.97
- Artecho Watercolor Paint Set, $19.99
- ARTISTRO 50 Color Watercolor Paint Set, $19.99
Puzzles
If you’re big on puzzles, you’ll appreciate the organization, storage and protection this puzzle board offers. You can fit multiple puzzles onto the working area, use the drawers to store loose pieces and rotate the board 360 degrees for better view of your puzzle. According to the brand, it’s easy to store and maneuver at around 5 to 6 pounds!
More puzzles products to shop:
- MasterPieces Puzzle Glue, $9.99
- Becko US Puzzle Mat Roll Up with Drawstring Storage Bag, $13.49
- Pintoo 3D Puzzle Flower Vase, $28.04
Embroidery
The body of this canvas tote bag is filled with pre-printed illustrations of various flowers to sew over. From beginners to intermediate levels, the tote bag is suitable for every skill level, and can be used as a gardening bag, grocery bag or for everyday use to show off your skills.
But if you're not convinced yet: Embroidery alone has reached over 6.3 million searches over the past month, according to Google!
More embroidery products to shop:
Bird watching set
Editor’s note: The above pick is currently out of stock, but you can shop a similar pick below.
Bird watching is growing in popularity. In fact, Garcia shares that studies have revealed birding can benefit your brain health by boosting attention, perception and cognition. To get you stated, this bird watching kit includes a beginner-friendly guide and high-tech binoculars to see and identify the birds you’re viewing.
“What I love [most] — there is a tripod that connects to the binoculars, so you can connect your phone and capture photos of what you’re looking at!” Garcia raves. Use the pair at home, at your local park and more to grow your knowledge.
Baking essentials
Garcia raves that “baking is such a great way to get out of your head,” other than being an important skill to know, with studies showing it can reduce stress and promote mindfulness. Garcia is a fan of Le Creuset, and recommends their four-piece bakeware set for baking breads, pies, cakes and more.
For setting up your baked goods before heating to resting them until cool, this non-stick baking tray set includes three sheets, three racks and three mats of varying sizes.
The Nestle Bowls from Cook With Color are designed for stability, space and ease thanks to their color-coded, stackable design. Its colors will help you identify the set all together, and each piece easily fits inside each other so you can swiftly store them away.
From cookie dough to ice cream, these stainless steel scoopers come in a set of three sizes to scoop and release food with efficiency.
Modern Sprout grow kits
The Mayo Clinic reveals that there are many health benefits to having a green thumb, from reducing stress to promoting physical activity.
Garcia says these gardening kits make it “so easy,” as they include all of the tools you need to grow herbs, vegetables or plants right in your home. “No outdoor space [is] needed,” she chimes. “Just add water and sunshine!..Nothing better than grabbing fresh grown mint for your water or veggies for your salad.”
Best analog activities, according to editors
"My niece and nephew painted a whole bunch of ceramic kits from Target’s Mondo Llama brand over the holiday, and they had tons of fun doing it!" says deputy managing editor Jess Bender.
The Mondo Llama line is full of affordable, kid-friendly crafts such as these ceramic figurines, friendship bracelet beading kits, sketchbooks and more.
Small but mighty, Brooklyn Craft Company is a craft store nestled in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and has a wide range of affordable fabrics to help you complete your next sewing project.
Over the holidays, I [Hoeger] was inspired by this produce print (unfortunately out of stock) and created potholders to go along with some Christmas gifts.
"I decided to watercolor my Christmas cards this year, and one of my resolutions is just to do more watercolors in the new year, so I bought this kit," says writer Emma Stessman.
And Stessman wasn't alone: 80% of people searched "easy watercolor Christmas cards" throughout December. Want to get in on the trend? This beginner-friendly set makes it easy to do so.
People are searching for 'cute stamps' 105% more than they were last year, according to Pinterest. I [Hoeger] own these stamps and set them alongside the legitimate, Forever stamp on letters I send.
I always earn compliments on them, and they come in a variety of designs, phrases and passions, including "You've Got Snail Mail," , "I'm Voting," "Thank You," and more.
"I’m finally getting back around to a home project I’ve been putting off for years (making custom collage-style coasters), and this Mod Podge sealer provides a glossy finish to make it look like my creations are actually store-bought," says Bender.
"I made these diamond art bookmarks for myself and some friends who’ve recently started a little book club!" says associate editor, Kamari Stewart. "Each one took about an hour or so, and I looked forward to doing them at night as a little wind-down activity."
Over the past 30 days, the phrase "create your own diamond art" has skyrocketed — increasing by over 4,000%, according to Google Trends.
I [Hoeger] recently picked up cross stitching as an affordable alternative to needlepointing. It yields similar results, yet you have to be more meticulous in reading the patterns.
Various cross stitch designs have risen 4,900% over the past 30 days, per Google Trends.
I [Hoeger] recently purchased this kit at a local stationery store, in the hopes that some custom leather bookmarks will help me achieve my 2026 reading goals.
New needleworkers shouldn't be intimidated by the art — this beginner-friendly book makes it easy to learn stitches essential to the craft.
Social video producer Anita Chomenko calls this a "great visual guide" for those just getting started.
I [Hoeger] picked up this intermediate embroidery project over Thanksgiving, to fuel a food coma with something to do other than scroll. It comes complete with everything you need for a finished piece, including a stitch guide that instructs you on different stitches to incorporate throughout the piece.
"Emily Lex Studio" and "Emily Lex Watercolor Paint Set" have risen 120% over the past month, according to Google Trends. The popular watercolor booklets earned Shop TODAY's stamp of approval during our Gifts We Love awards, with editors loving it best for "relaxing after a long day."
Choose between four different designs (and more to come soon) to stitch your own tote! From farmers market-ready bags to ones that feature craft-inspired stitches to create your own analog bag, each one includes everything you need from start to finish.
"I saw this gifted at a White Elephant gift exchange for the needlepoint group I'm a part of and it was stolen a few times!" says Chomenko on this kit.
You can opt for just the canvas or a kit that comes with the threads and a stitch guide for beginner needlepointers.
Social media editorial assistant Annie Shigo took up block printing last year, utilizing the tools within this kit. It comes with all the tools you need to carve into rubber blocks and four colors of ink.
More crafts and supplies to shop
For the foodie in your life, this pasta-filled embroidery kit includes everything they'll need to create an array of their favorite pasta shapes.
Tie blankets are an easy, affordable craft that's simple enough to teach young crafters. This sock monkey fabric will complement any toy room or children's bedroom.
The crafting pasta-bilities are endless with this embroidery kit, which allows you to practice different stitches to complete pasta-inspired designs.
The phrase on these postcards rings true — send loved ones a note with a method that's "better than a text."
Pinterest notes a 45% increase in handwritten letters and a 35% increase in penpal letters, meaning it's time to start sharpening your pencils!
"At its core, Pen Pals is about Gen Z and Millennials taking a nostalgic ritual and reimagining it as a modern form of self-expression and connection," says Sydney Stanback, Global Trends and Insights Lead at Pinterest. "As younger generations look for meaningful, non-digital ways to stay in touch, letter writing has become one of the ways they’re making that happen. The trend shows up in everything from elaborate envelopes and special stationery to a love of collecting and using lots of stamps."
Needle minders are an essential accessory, in my opinion. They're easy to attach to any project to ensure your needle has a safe spot to wait until you're ready to pick it up again.
This motel-inspired key tag makes for the perfect gift for a housewarming party. For an additional $10, it can even be customized with their new house or apartment number!
This canvas is designed for more experienced needle-pointers, featuring a charming jar of sourdough starter. While the brand offers plenty of adorable designs, this one stands out for sourdough fanatics, or anyone who’s tried (and maybe struggled) to perfect a loaf.
Frequently asked questions
“As we enter 2026, shoppers are looking to fulfill their New Year’s resolutions with new hobbies that help them slow down and step away from screens,” says Isom Johnson. “‘Grandma’-inspired crafts and activities like knitting and crocheting are the perfect way to unwind, providing a sense of calm and creativity without the pull of doomscrolling.”
Removing doomscrolling as part of one’s routine is a common theme mentioned throughout the analog activities dialogue.
“I think people love [needlepointing] for two big reasons that are directly linked back to the same idea: connection,” says Leray. “Connection with ourselves and others. Needlepointing gets people off their (very addictive) phones and social media platforms and gets them back in the ‘real world’ in a way. You have to slow down, unplug and stimulate another part of your mind.”
A desire to return to activities that once brought joy in an era before our phones became an extension of our hands is also a contributing factor to analog activities.
“There’s also a nostalgia factor; over the past few months, we’ve seen shoppers gravitate towards pieces that evoke feelings of warmth and coziness — just like sitting in your grandma’s living room,” says Isom Johnson. This is also best seen via Substacks about the trend, where writers list activities they’re returning to, “inspired by the ‘90s summer of my childhood.”
An analog bag is a tote full of all of your favorite screen-free activities that you can reach for rather than scrolling on your phone. Whether it’s cross stitch or crosswords, many are swapping time on their phone for time spent on activities from their analog bag.
One creator advises keeping this bag “as accessible as your phone,” so you’re less tempted to reach for it.
Meet the experts
Our team features a range of qualified experts and contributors in our broadcast segments to reveal the latest in trends, remarkable sale events and all things shopping across a variety of categories. Products were independently chosen by members of the Shop TODAY team, along with Melissa Garcia.
- Melissa Garcia is a Shop TODAY lifestyle and fashion contributor. She has experience working on national brand campaigns, appearing on major television broadcasts, and hosting fashion events for commerce destinations. With a relatable approach and her own eye-catching personal style, Garcia has become a go-to fashion resource in American media.
- Dayna Isom Johnson is the Etsy Trend Expert.
- Krista LeRay is the founder and owner of Penny Linn Designs.
- Sydney Stanback is the Global Trends and Insights Lead at Pinterest.
How we chose
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on a given topic. We also make sure that all expert guidance and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
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