Hey there! Did you know that, on average, teens spend a whopping 7 hours a day glued to their screens? That’s a lot of time that could be spent doing something way more fun and rewarding. So, let’s shake things up and dive into some awesome hobbies for teens that can help you level up your communication skills, fill your pockets with some extra cash, and keep you feeling fit and fabulous. And don’t worry, we’ve got some tips on how to get started and even convince your friends to join in on the fun!
1. Start a YouTube Channel or Podcast
- Why It’s Cool: Share your passions, tell stories, and connect with people all over the world.
- Money-Making Potential: Monetize your content through ads, sponsorships, and merchandise.
- How to Start: Pick a topic you love, grab a camera or microphone, and start creating. Use social media to promote your content.
- Convincing Your Friends: Show them popular YouTubers or podcasters who started just like you and are now killing it!
2. Join a Sports Team or Take Up a Fitness Class
- Why It’s Cool: Improve your health, make new friends, and learn teamwork.
- Money-Making Potential: Become a coach or instructor once you’re skilled enough.
- How to Start: Check out local sports clubs or gyms and sign up for a trial session.
- Convincing Your Friends: Challenge them to a friendly match or invite them to a fun workout class.
3. Get Into Photography
- Why It’s Cool: Capture memories, express your creativity, and see the world from a different perspective.
- Money-Making Potential: Sell your photos online or offer your services for events.
- How to Start: Start with your smartphone camera and experiment with different shots. Consider taking a photography course.
- Convincing Your Friends: Plan a photo walk and show them how cool it is to capture the beauty around you.
4. Volunteer for a Cause
- Why It’s Cool: Make a difference, meet like-minded people, and develop empathy and communication skills.
- Money-Making Potential: While volunteering is usually unpaid, the experience can lead to paid opportunities in the nonprofit sector.
- How to Start: Find a cause you’re passionate about and look for local organizations that need volunteers.
- Convincing Your Friends: Share stories of how volunteering has impacted your life and the lives of others.
5. Learn to Cook or Bake
- Why It’s Cool: Impress your friends and family, unleash your creativity, and enjoy delicious results.
- Money-Making Potential: Start a small catering business or sell your baked goods.
- How to Start: Try out simple recipes and gradually move on to more complex dishes. Watch cooking shows for inspiration.
- Convincing Your Friends: Host a cooking or baking party and have fun experimenting in the kitchen together.
6. Start a Blog or Write Stories
- Why It’s Cool: Share your thoughts and experiences, improve your writing skills, and connect with readers.
- Money-Making Potential: Monetize your blog through ads, affiliate marketing, or selling your own products.
- How to Start: Choose a niche you’re passionate about and start writing. Use platforms like WordPress or Medium to publish your work.
- Convincing Your Friends: Share your blog posts on social media and ask for their feedback and support.
Remember, the key to any hobby is to have fun and enjoy the process. Don’t be afraid to try something new and step out of your comfort zone. Who knows, you might just discover a hidden talent or a new passion. So, go ahead, give these hobbies a shot and watch how they transform your screen time into something way more productive and exciting!
Teens who turned their hobbies big.
Here are some inspiring examples of teenagers who turned their hobbies into big successes:
- Jojo Siwa – Jojo started her career as a dancer on the reality TV show “Dance Moms.” She then leveraged her fame to launch a successful YouTube channel, where she shares music videos, vlogs, and more. Her signature bows and energetic personality have made her a role model for young girls, leading to a massive merchandise line and a net worth of millions.
- Ben Pasternak – At just 15 years old, Ben created the app “Impossible Rush,” which quickly went viral and hit the top of the app charts. He didn’t stop there; he went on to co-found the company Flogg and later became the CEO of Monkey, a video chat app that was acquired by a larger company. Ben’s entrepreneurial spirit turned his hobby for app development into a lucrative career.
- Bethany Mota – Bethany started her YouTube channel as a hobby to escape from bullying in school. She posted fashion and beauty hauls, DIYs, and lifestyle content, which quickly gained a massive following. Her success on YouTube led to partnerships with major brands, a clothing line with Aeropostale, and even a stint on “Dancing with the Stars.”
- Erik Finman – Erik became a millionaire by the age of 18 thanks to his early investment in Bitcoin. He used the money to start an online education company called Botangle. Erik’s interest in cryptocurrency and technology transformed his hobby into a significant financial success.
- Tavi Gevinson – Tavi started her fashion blog, “The Style Rookie,” at the age of 11. Her unique perspective on fashion quickly gained a large following, leading to invitations to fashion shows and collaborations with major brands. Tavi has since expanded her career into acting and founded Rookie Magazine, an online publication for teenage girls.
These examples show that with passion, dedication, and a bit of creativity, hobbies can indeed turn into successful careers or businesses. Whether it’s through social media, entrepreneurship, or innovation, there are endless possibilities for teens to explore their interests and achieve great things.