A
hobby is
something you do just for the fun of it. In choosing one for yourself, suit it to
your own taste. There is hardly a hobby which will not give you lasting enjoyment,
enlarge your circle of friends, and keep you busy in your leisure time. There are
many kinds of hobbies to choose from.
Many boys and girls like to draw or paint, carve things out of
soap, or model in clay. Those who are clever with their hands, and like to work with
tools, will choose woodworking. What can be more fun than making your own toys and
playthings, or some of the furnishings in your own room? One delightful hobby is the
making of musical instruments. Your tastes might even run to building model planes,
ships, and trains, or to cooking, making candy and sewing.
Suggestions:
You can make a hobby out of anything you like to do. Even if
you have no skill in painting, you could learn to love it understand famous paintings by
visiting art galleries. And you do not have to be a musician to appreciate music.
If you like musical programs on TV, if like to play CD's or if you like to go to
concerts and recitals, you have another "doing" hobby. Music opens to you
a new world of melody, harmony, an rhythm. You get to know and love the great
composers and their works. In learning to make music, even if only with a drum, you
train both hand and mind.
Photography, especially color photography, is another hobby of
this type. Color photography has been made easy, and beautiful results may be
obtained, but camera work of any kinds takes skill. Have you ever thought or raising
butterflies, and moths as a interesting hobby? Perhaps you will like to photograph
these insects in their different stages, or draw pictures of them. That is a hobby
that has interested many boys and girls. Or if you like birds especially, you might
try raising a canary. Many boys and girls have made a hobby out of raising and
training their pets.
Any hobby that will take you out of doors and help you to build a
strong body is especially worthwhile. Most boys and girls like to go for long hikes
and ride bicycles. In many parts of the world, there are trails and camps for those
who make hiking and bicycling a hobby.
Perhaps you belong to a Cub Scout or Brownie Troop, and even go on
overnight camping trips. If you're a Scout, you have a wonderful opportunity to
develop many outdoor hobbies. The boys and girls in 4-H clubs also have the
opportunity of taking part in many outdoor actives, including the raising of farm animals
as a hobby.
To make a hobby of an outdoor sport is to do your best in it.
Tennis, swimming, diving, speed or figure skating and horseback riding are hobbies
which will hold your interest for a long time. Or you can choose an indoor activity
such as gymnastics or dancing.
There are many studies you can take up as a hobby, such as
costumes, folklore and legends, dinosaurs, animals, landmarks, and nature. Whatever
study you choose, you can't go wrong.
Reading is always a favorite hobby. Reading will add to your
friendships, not only the great authors, but also the many delightful characters they have
created. You will feel as if Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, Little Nell, Tiny Tim,
and Louisa Alcott's "Little Women" and "Jo's Boys" were your personal
friends. And books in themselves are your silent companions.