Hobbies have no pressure attached to them — by definition, they’re purely for enjoyment and expression. You can’t always say the same about life, which is why having a creative outlet (dare we say escape) is so important.

With just a little time and effort, you can learn a new skill — or pick up where you left off on a past passion, no matter how long it’s been. Though the list of hobbies you can pursue in Columbia is long, here are some ideas to get you started.

Art

From City Art to the Columbia Museum of Art, there are plenty of opportunities to brush up on your artwork and add a splash of color to your palette. Learn Acrylic Painting with Alicia Leeke, watercolors with Barbie Mathis, or portrait painting with Mark Conrardy at City Art, or learn about Drawing 101 with Mary Hendrix at the CMA.

Migratory birds love the gardens at Historic Columbia sites. | Photo by COLAtoday

Birding

If you can’t get enough of the outdoors and love being more in tune with the natural world, keep an eye out for an opening at one of Historic Columbia's birdwatching tours, or buy yourself a pair of binoculars and read through the 2024 Guide to Birding in SC. To get you started, look out for these 11 birds you'll likely see around Columbia.

Cooking

Sugar, butter, flour — find the ingredients for a lifetime of making yummy treats by taking a cookie decorating class with The Sweet Shop SC. Want something more savory? Keep an eye out for a Dorsia Pasta Class so you can make your noodles from scratch.

Sourdough is becoming pretty popular, too. Learn how to make your own, or purchase some loaves from Sour & Salt Bakery or From Scratch — a local Soda City vendor.

Give pottery a whirl at State of the Art Gallery and Pottery Studio. | Photo via @stateoftheartsc

Pottery and ceramics

Get ready to fire up that kiln. The Art Center from Columbia Parks and Rec offers classes ranging from throwing clay to advanced slab building, with instructor Sylvia Potts. Educational experiences are also available at State of the Art and Half Moon Pottery, offering classes in painting, ceramics, and wheel classes for all ages.

Mahjong

The game on everyone's lips. Book a group Mahjong class with local instructor Mary Ellen Barnwell with a group of your friends so you'll have a reason to get together or have something to do after the wine glasses are poured.

Crafting

Ever seen Main Street District's poles decked out in yarn? You have the Yarnbombers of Columbia group to thank for those beautiful designs + added fun to downtown. Knit and crochet the day away after getting plugged into this local crafting group.

What kind of hobby do you like to do in your free time? Let us know.