Heather Rafanello 
What was once old is now new again. Grandma hobbies, or ‘grandma-core’ as it’s lovingly referred to on social media, is a niche group of ‘old lady’ hobbies that one might expect someone of a grandmother’s age to participate in, such as needlepoint or baking. Hobbies that fall under the grandmacore aesthetic are typically simplistic, nostalgic, handmade, creative, accessible, and calming. Other words used to describe the trend are tactile, vintage, and traditional. These hobbies are becoming a new obsession, because of the comfort that they provide, creating space to slow down and make more meaningful connections — oh, and less screen time might have something to do with it too.
Many cultures highly respect and value the wisdom and life experience that this demographic has to offer, and while these hobbies are typically suited for an older crowd, they do often require skill, patience, presence, and practice. They provide solace and a great way to slow down, get tactile, and relax. As a therapist, I can attest that all of these factors can do wonders for your mental health. Read on for a list of old-school hobbies to try in Hoboken + Jersey City, New Jersey.
Take a Pottery Class at Betty’s Ceramics Club | 224 Ninth Street, Jersey City
Ceramics fit right into the old-soul aesthetic because they are usually hand-made. Creating a cozy teacup, noodle bowl, or flower vase makes this crafty hobby great for the (old) soul.
About the club: Betty’s was named after the co-owner, Sam Spratt’s grandmother, Betty, making it the old soul spot on this list. The club provides wheel and hand-building classes for adults at all levels, workshops, sessions, and is available for parties. Visit the website for the full list of offerings and bookings.
Read More: 19 Hoboken + Jersey City Spots to Learn a New Hobby
Take a Baking Class at Di Blu Bakery | 600 Newark Street 1st Floor, Hoboken
Baking is the epitome of ‘grandmacore’ because it is creative, nostalgic, and comforting. Creating something homemade, from scratch, following a family recipe, is a great way to slow down and relish in the moment.
About this spot: Di Blu Bakery hosts hands-on classes for students of all experience levels, and is a great activity for individuals, couples, and friends. Follow on Instagram for updates, or click here for upcoming classes and events.
Learn to Crochet, Knit, Embroider, or Sew at Galastella Studio | 1012 Grand Street Studio 16 2nd Floor, Hoboken
Crochetting, knitting, embroidery, and sewing are some of the most traditional old-soul hobbies, allowing participants to get tactile and creative while taking a breather.
About the space: Galastella Studio is a local creative hub, providing private lessons, workshops, and classes focused on sewing, embroidery, crochet, and knitting. This spot also hosts the Hudson County Sewist Meetup and the Hoboken Yarn Club, and dare we say it, the grandmacore hotspot of Hoboken. The events calendar is available on the website, along with booking links for featured classes and open studio sewing time.
Hudson County has several groups that meet up. The Hoboken Hookers + Knitters meet at Play! Hoboken, which is located at 1012 Grand Street in Hoboken. The Hoboken Hookers (Crochet) and Knitters (Knitting) group is a 60-person community that meets monthly, on the 2nd Thursday evening of the month, at Play! Hoboken. The group meets from 6PM-9PM. There is a $5 entrance fee, which includes a cup of coffee or tea.
Additionally, the Hudson County Crafters is an active Facebook community with 186 members. The group’s mission is to bring together crafters who work or live in Hudson County and the surrounding areas. While the group has several knitters and crocheters, they wholeheartedly invite other crafters to join them. The page info notes that they meet on the last Saturday and second Sunday from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM at Whole Foods in Jersey City, but it appears there are posts about other meet-ups as well.
Play Mah Jongg at the Hoboken Public Library | 500 Park Avenue, Hoboken
Mah Jongg is a Chinese game, which is rich with history, and is played using tiles, with three to four people. The game has gained popularity because of its unique blend of social interaction and mental stimulation. The game naturally brings people together because it’s played in a group, creating a fun and engaging way to connect with others, while also providing a mental workout, like a group fitness class for the brain.
About the club: The Hoboken Library hosts the American Mahjong Club, which meets every other Tuesday from 2PM to 4:30PM. These sessions are geared towards adults ages 18 and older. For questions, email [email protected].
Other places to play include Play! Hoboken and MOJO Coffee Company in Hoboken. Play! Hoboken, located at 1012 Grand Street, 3rd Floor, is a local spot well-known for pool tables, ping pong, air hockey, and arcade games, but they also have monthly Hong Kong Mahjong sessions throughout the year. The summer dates are TBD and will be shared via the Play! Hoboken Instagram. MOJO Coffee Company, located at 230 Willow Avenue + 801 Bloomfield Street in Hoboken + 159 Newark Avenue in Jersey City, is a local coffee shop that has historically hosted Mah Jongg meet-ups for both beginners and intermediate players. For future events, visit the spot’s Instagram.
Join a Pickleball League at Hudson Pickleball | 64 Harrison Street, Hoboken
Pickleball has gained a lot of attention over the last few years. This is likely in part because it is considered a low-impact sport that is both social and easy to learn, making it accessible and enjoyable for a wide range of players.
About this spot: Hudson Pickleball hosts free drop-in practice sessions on Saturdays from 8:30AM-11:30AM in Hoboken. All equipment is provided, and pickleballers can learn more here.
Other places to play: Hudson River Pickleball is a pickleball club with seven courts in Englewood. It is open 7AM – 10:30PM, seven days a week. The facility has open play, unlimited passes, leagues, and more.
Go Bird Watching at Liberty State Park | 1 Audrey App Drive, Jersey City
Bird watching, also referred to as birding, is a popular hobby that is often associated with older generations. At its core, bird watching is an activity that fosters a connection with nature, with a focus on the simplicity of life. Observing birds in their natural habitats is peaceful and wholesome, and can be done indoors or outside.
About this spot: Liberty State Park sits on 1,212 acres and is just as well known as a hot spot for birding as it is for its spectacular views of New York City. In fact, over 200 species of birds have been identified here.
Join a Community Garden at Riverview Community Garden | 285 Ogden Avenue, Jersey City
Go touch grass; it might do some good. This feel-good hobby provides tactile opportunities while fostering a sense of connection and purpose. Research gardening can provide some people with the same level of happiness and well-being as biking, walking, or dining out. Another study found that gardening is a ‘brain-body helper’ that strengthens self-esteem.
About the community garden: The Riverview Community Garden (RCG) is a non-profit organization in the Jersey City Heights community. The space is located on Ogden Avenue, between Bowers and Griffith streets, directly next to the Riverview-Fisk Park. Grounded in its commitment to providing gardening opportunities and activities to citizens of all ages and incomes, the community provides locals with educational programs and works collaboratively with other community organizations. RCG membership is open to residents throughout the Jersey City area and costs $15 per year.
Take a Watercolor Class at Jersey City Art School | 313 Third Street, Jersey City
Painting, specifically watercolor, embodies many of the grandma-core aesthetics. Watercolor is a calming, creative, and traditional hobby with a centuries-long history. The colors are soft and calming, and the medium of watercolor paint is forgiving for those with less experience.
About the school: The Jersey City Art School has art classes for kids and adults. The school teaches drawing and painting, and provides single workshops or session classes ranging from four to eight sessions. Prospective students can view classes online or email questions to [email protected].
Join a Writing Circle at the Jersey City Public Library | Multiple Locations
Writing is simplistic, reflective, and creative, making it a great old soul hobby. Additionally, joining a writing circle creates opportunities for connection and a sense of fulfillment, making it good for the soul.
About the library: The Jersey City Free Public Library hosts a monthly writing workshop for all writers 18+ of all experience levels. This group emphasizes enjoyable writing, encouraging writers to use their voice and identity in a relaxed atmosphere.
Play Cards or Board Games at Victory Point | 112 Brunswick Street, Jersey City
Playing cards or board games fit within the grandmacore aesthetic because of the slow, timeless quality that they provide. With screen time at an all-time high, classic board games can evoke a sense of nostalgia while also fostering social connection. The simple act of gathering around a table to play a board game, with a cup of tea, or some of grandma’s homemade cookies, creates a sense of comfort and warmth that embodies an old soul.
About this spot: Victory Point is a ‘third space’ for people to gather and play games. The storefront sells games, but the real draw is the large, inviting tables for gameplay and the entire wall of the store stocked with hundreds of games to select and play on-site. It costs $10 per person to play on the table space, play for unlimited time Tuesday through Thursday, or for a limit of three hours Friday through Sunday. Space can be reserved online or by walking in.
See More: Groups to Join in Montclair + Essex County, Based on Your Interests
These old soul hobbies are a great way to slow down and live a more present and fulfilling life. They provide a cozy, creative escape from the hustle and bustle, and decreased screen time is always a plus. Maybe Grandma is onto something…
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