10 Great Hobby Gift Sets From Family Owned, Highly Rated Amazon Stores!

Mother’s day is just around the corner, May 12th, you still have time to get yourself or your mom a gift that will help her mentally and give her hours of fun!

The very definition of a hobby, is an activity done regularly in one’s leisure time for pleasure. I would add, that a key differentiator for a hobby, is something that you’ve also spent some time intentionally planning, or deciding on. Take for example reading, or gardening. Both hobbies require a little bit of planning, and a bit of research, and asking yourself, “well what do I like.”

The crazy thing is, that many of these “hobbies” I’ve shared below (scroll down to see my recommendations), were just a regular way of life for people a hundred years ago, and for some homesteaders, still is!

So without further ado, here are 10 surprising benefits of doing a hobby, as well as 10 awesome hobby gift ideas!

1. Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Engaging in a hobby lowers cortisol (the stress hormone) and helps your mind shift away from daily worries. Even just 30 minutes a few times a week can make a huge difference.

  • Gardening – Even just digging the dirt and walking barefoot can have a soothing impact on your body.
  • Working with your Hands on Pottery, Or Painting, Floral Arranging, Sour Dough Bread making, Creating a Rock Garden in your Backyard are just a few ideas.

2. Boosts Your Mood Naturally

Hobbies trigger the release of dopamine—aka the “feel-good” chemical—giving you a natural mood boost.

  • Reading
  • Dancing
  • Playing an Instrument

3. Improves Mental Focus and Brain Health

Learning something new (like knitting, painting, or even gardening) keeps your brain sharp and strengthens cognitive function. It’s like a workout for your mind.

  • Puzzles
  • Cross Stitching
  • Knitting
  • Crocheting

4. Helps You Sleep Better

Doing something you love before bed—like reading, journaling, or crafting—can help your brain wind down, leading to deeper, more restful sleep. I just would stay away from screen time, as that blue light isn’t so good for us before bed.

  • Doing any hobbies outside for the fresh air I think is the best way to ensure you get good sleep!
  • Typically more physically demanding hobbies like woodworking, and sometimes gardening can you help you get to sleep faster.
  • Outdoor Cooking
  • Plant identification
  • Harvesting Wild flowers
  • Taking care of backyard animals like birds

5. Reignites Creativity and Passion

Hobbies unlock creative thinking, which can spill into other areas of your life—parenting, problem-solving, even business ideas!

  • Any type of Painting
  • Restoring furniture
  • Wood Whittling
  • Jewelry Making
  • Sewing
  • Baking

6. Gives You a Sense of Accomplishment

Whether it’s finishing a puzzle or baking bread from scratch, hobbies offer tiny wins that build confidence and self-worth.

7. Builds Patience and Resilience

Not every hobby comes easy. Struggling through learning curves teaches perseverance and reminds you that it’s okay to be a beginner.

8. Strengthens Social Connections

Many hobbies—book clubs, crafting groups, hiking—can connect you with like-minded people, reducing feelings of isolation or loneliness.

  • Hiking Groups
  • Running Groups
  • Crafting Meet ups
  • Mommy & Me Groups
  • Book Clubs
  • Cooking Clubs
  • Fun Fitness Classes

9. Encourages Better Time Management

Ironically, adding a hobby into your schedule helps you become more intentional with your time, especially if you’re balancing kids, work, or both.

10. Supports Emotional Healing and Self-Discovery

Journaling, music, or art can become tools for processing emotions and discovering parts of yourself you’ve put on the back burner.

Below I share some great finds that will help you kick start your hobby journey! Enjoy!!

The products that I recommend here are all sourced from unique family owned sellers, many of them made in the USA, that also sell on Amazon for their customers convenience, many of these sellers have been around for decades and only produce QUALITY items. I am an Amazon Affiliate and receive a small commission on any purchases made from the links below, it really helps keep this blog going.

1. Cross Stitching

Cross Stitching is perfect for those with patience, great attention to detail, and those who enjoy beautiful hand made items in their home, or to gift. Cross Stitching is the gift that keeps on giving, and when the cross-stitched piece is completed, it makes a home so cozy and inviting!

This brand, Thea Gouverneur is based out of Sassenheim, the Netherlands. She started her cross stitch designs in 1959 in her hometown. The company is a family-owned business since its inception. They have so many great designs to choose from! Prices range from $19.99 on up!

2. Wood Carving Whittling Knife Kit

Whittling is a unique hobby that you don’t see very many doing. From what I hear it can be very therapeutic and perfect for someone who wants to work with their hands, and isn’t afraid of a challenge. BeaverCraft create great quality kits, and knifes and has a good variety to choose from! This Comfort Bird kit is so cute! For only $24.99.

3. Beginner Pottery Wheel For Adults from National Geographic

For anyone who’s always wanted to try pottery making, you love this sweet beginner friendly pottery wheel. Blue Marble sells award winning products for National Geographic, and are based in the USA. This one is $139.99 and a great option for a first time user!

4. Watercoloring Kit From Artistro. Made in the USA

Watercoloring is such a great relaxing hobby, perfect for those who are naturally creative. The Artistro shop on Amazon is a US-based family brand. They were founded in 2015. They offer a variety of art supplies, including acrylic and oil-based paint pens.

This particular kit is a Best Seller with almost 5 Stars and only $17.99!

5. American Soy Organics Freedom Soy Wax Beads for Candle Making – Natural Candle Making Supplies 

Candle making can be a great hobby! Be sure to get quality Soy Wax. This brand is American made and great quality. All you need next would be some candle wicks, and some of your favorite smelling essential oils! There are a number of great recipes online! This 10 Pound bag is $36 on Amazon but they also offer smaller sizes to start with for $11!

6. Adult Size Wooden Puzzle Builder by The Wood Trick Company

This company is based out of Columbus, OH and offer a range of beautiful wooden puzzles to put together. The quality is better that others, which is why the price is higher, but trust me, the cheaper stuff breaks easily and is NOT worth your time! For example this Marble Run is $77 on their Amazon store, and this beautiful carousel that plays music $65. You can search through their store and select puzzles based on level of complexity too!

7. The Ultimate Gardener Beginners Kit – Non-GMO Heirloom Seeds, Made in the USA

The Organo Republic Store on Amazon is based out of Miami, Florida and offers a huge variety of Non-GMO Heirloom Seeds. This kit comes with everything you need to plant the ultimate survival garden, ever a cool wooden box to store all your seeds in, and a PH level tester!! With almost 5 Stars, you can get everything in this kit for only $59.99!

8. The Balmy Drum Instrument – 8 Note 6 Inch Steel Tongue Drum.

The Balmy Drum store is located in Irvine, California. This particular drum on the left has 4.5 stars and hundreds of reviews. It’s $69.99 and makes for a perfect beginner hobby! It’s also very relaxing to play, and can be therapeutic! The one pictured on the right is on sale for $17.99 right now by REGIS, I couldn’t find much information about the seller, but it’s a nice alternative as has thousands of positive reviews, I went ahead and bought one for myself – and will come back and edit once I get it!

9. Fermentaholics DIY Fresh Cheese Making Kit – Ricotta, Mozzarella, Burrata, Paneer, Cottage Cheese, etc. – Includes Rennet for Cheese Making, Cheese Salt, Citric Acid, Cheese Cloth, & Recipe Booklet – Made in USA.

Fermentaholics offers a very wide range of fermented food items including this awesome cheese making kit! For the foodie, this could make for a really great beginner hobby kit! They have hundreds of positive reviews, grab this kit for only $29.99! Fermentaholics is based out of Clearwater, Florida!

10. A Quality “All Media Easel Artist Set” From Royal & Langnickel

Royal & Langnickel is based out of Munster, Indiana. They operate as a family-owned and operated company since the 1950s. They offer richly pigmented and super smooth application and superior products made right here in the US! This specific set has over 5000 reviews and almost 5 stars! It’s only $69.99!

So there you have it! 10 Reasons Hobbies Are Awesome For You (Especially if your a mom), PLUS 10 great hobby gift ideas perfect for someone on the hunt for a new hobby to get into! I spent a lot of time researching these products, almost all of the businesses listed above are based out of the USA! If you have a recommendation for a product that NEEDS to be on this list, please let me know!!