Picking up a new winter hobby? You need these 13 essentials

Published January 4, 2025

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composite photo of winter hobby essentials
Graphic by Lauryn Jiles; photos courtesy of Amazon

At the start of the new year, many people start making lists of goals to achieve, books to read, hobbies to take on and recipes to perfect. If you’re like us, then you’re constantly in pursuit of new activities and hobbies every January — and you’ve probably already come up with a list for 2025. Whether you have small goals or are reaching for the stars, the first step to starting any hobby is having the right equipment.

With that in mind, we’ve searched high and low on Amazon to find the best tools and essentials for all sorts of winter hobbies. From crocheting to ice skating to baking, take on your 2025 list with the help of these 13 items.

  1. Start your fitness routine off right this season with the most essential accessory — a water bottle. This Owala stainless steel water bottle is an Amazon best-seller, and holds up to 40 ounces of water so you can stay hydrated on your run or during pilates class.

>> Buy the Owala Stainless Steel Water Bottle for $37.99 on Amazon

  1. Taking up a baking hobby this year? You can use this best-selling rolling pin for practically any cookie, pastry or bread recipe.

>> Buy the Farberware Classic Wood Rolling Pin for $11.99 on Amazon

  1. Sharpen your baking and cooking skills with this KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Stand Mixer. Another Amazon best seller, this mixer is available in over 20 colors and comes with three attachments for making doughs, frostings, batters and more.

>> Buy the KitchenAid Series 5 Stand Mixer for $329.99 on Amazon

  1. Winter is the perfect time to take ice skating on as a hobby, and if you’re interested in becoming a figure skater, these comfy and supportive ice skates will come in handy.

>> Buy the Jackson Classic 200/500 Women’s Figure Skates for $99.95 on Amazon

  1. If you enjoy seeing all of those cool crochet dresses and hats on TikTok, you can make them yourself with this beginner-friendly crochet kit. It includes over 20 colors of yarn, plus multiple hooks and other tools needed to get you started.

>> Buy the Complete Crochet Starter Kit for $49.99 on Amazon

  1. Want to take up painting as your new winter hobby? This paint by numbers kit is perfect for beginners and teaches you how to paint everything from sunsets to lakes to mountains. You’ll be channeling your inner Van Gogh and Monet in no time!

>> Buy the BAISITE Paint by Numbers Kits for Adults for $25.99 on Amazon

  1. Cozy up on your couch and dive into a good book with this Amazon Kindle Paperwhite. With over 15 million titles to choose from, you can check off all of the books on your winter reading list.

>> Buy the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite for $159.99 on Amazon

  1. If you’ve always wanted a garden but don’t have the outdoor space, take the party inside instead with this indoor gardening kit. From fruits and veggies to flowers and herbs, you can grow all your favorite plants and use them for cooking or decoration.

>> Buy the Hydroponics Growing System Indoor Garden for $53.99 on Amazon

  1. Whether you’ve bought a subscription to your favorite Pilates studio or plan on doing some at-home exercises, these grippy socks will come in handy. They’re super comfortable and stay in place while you’re exercising.

>> Buy the Non Slip Grip Pilates Socks for $6.99 on Amazon

  1. If you love listening to music, books or podcasts, a pair of good quality headphones is a must. These noise-canceling Beats Studio Pro headphones are an Amazon best-seller — and Kim Kardashian approved.

>> Buy the Beats Studio Pro x Kim Kardashian Headphones for $249.95 on Amazon

  1. Master the art of building LEGOs with this LEGO Icons Bonsai Tree Building Set. It’s the perfect hobby for pet owners who can’t have real flowers or plants indoors, or for folks who just like to build things.

>> Buy the LEGO Icons Bonsai Tree Building Set for $39.99 on Amazon

  1. Looking to make a hobby out of learning a new language this year? This language book allows you to learn the basics of French, Portuguese, Italian and Spanish, and it’s especially useful for those planning on traveling abroad this year.

>> Buy the Comparative Grammar of Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and French Paperback for $26.31 on Amazon

  1. One of our favorite winter hobbies is putting together a massive puzzle, and this 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle is both challenging and fun.

>> Buy the Buffalo Games Cinque Terre 1,000-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle for $11.99 on Amazon

Lauryn Jiles is a Content Commerce Assistant at McClatchy. She is based in South Carolina and graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism. Lauryn has written for numerous brands and is well-versed in the fashion, beauty, health, and lifestyle verticals. She enjoys yoga, coffee, fashion museums, sushi, and traveling.