Analog Hobbies Are on the Rise: How Heritage Organizations Can Tap Into This Trend

The headline I saw on CNN and NBC yesterday didn't surprise me: "Analog hobbies are surging as people tire of doomscrolling."

I’ve actually been tracking the rise of analog hobbies since the pandemic, when people were baking bread, birdwatching, learning to knit, or gardening to fill their days in lockdown. What started as a coping mechanism in 2020 has evolved into something deeper over the years.

In 2026, it’s not just about passing time. People of all ages are intentionally turning away from screens and the relentless pace of digital life. Working with your hands holds a different kind of satisfaction and a sense of connection — not just to the thing you are working on, but also to those you are learning from and the ancestors who came before you.

Although mainstream media may have just caught on, anyone paying attention to TikTok already knows that interest in “Grandma hobbies” (I hate that term!) has exploded. Hashtags like #WorkInProgressWednesday and #AnalogHobbies showcase a steady stream of sourdough loaves, pressed flower journals, hand-knit scarves, and embroidery projects. While younger generations are fueling the trend online, people of all ages are rediscovering the joy of doing things with their hands.

How Heritage Organizations Can Harness the Interest in Analog Hobbies

The analog revival presents a powerful opportunity for heritage organizations. Many of these hobbies — needlework, woodworking, gardening, birdwatching, photography — are already part of the interpretive fabric of museums, historic sites, heritage areas, and nature centers.

The difference now is that there’s a public hunger for these types of hands-on experiences.

People are no longer content just to look at historic artifacts or read interpretive signage. Instead, they want to learn a skill, try it for themselves, connect with others in real life, and find meaning in the process. That’s where heritage organizations can thrive.

If you don't already, consider offering programs that tap into this desire while staying true to your mission of preserving and sharing culture, history, and place:

• Workshops on traditional crafts.

• Drop-in knitting circles in historic buildings.

• Hearth cooking demonstrations.

• Bird walks on scenic byways or in local parks.

• Heritage garden volunteer days.

• Analog photography classes.

Programs like these require minimal investment, align with your mission, and offer something people are increasingly seeking: meaningful connection.

Just as importantly, these experiences foster community. In a time when loneliness is being described as a public health crisis, offering in-person, skill-based classes helps build bonds, both between fellow participants and with your organization.

To reach younger audiences, make sure your marketing matches the medium. TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are full of creators sharing their analog pursuits, and your offerings can fit right into that conversation. (I’ve written more here about how Gen Alpha is already teaching themselves these skills online.)

Heritage organizations are uniquely positioned to meet this cultural moment. You already have the knowledge — Now is the time to invite people to roll up their sleeves, try something by hand, and rediscover what it means to slow down and connect.

Header image by Unsplash.