The Ultimate Master List Of Video Game Alternatives is the main reason why this blog exists at all. Ever since I was 18, I have been exploring alternatives to my gaming habit. And when you search for alternatives to video games or the best hobbies to get into, most websites just give you a boring list.
And almost none of them are geared towards gamers.
What you'll find here is a focused list of alternatives to video games that will help you find other things to spend your time on. This list will be a work in progress for as long as I feel I can continue to add value, but after my years of research and trying different things out, I have found the most common alternatives to gaming that most gamers gravitate towards.
I begin with those.
I have invested many hours into this blog and this list, so if it's helpful, please share it with anyone you think would benefit from it too :) Thanks again for reading!
Popular Video Game Alternatives
Some thoughts before we begin:
- This page begins with the most popular video game alternatives
- Many of these alternatives have a low cost to begin
- Many of these alternatives can be done at home
- Many of these alternatives are beneficial to your well-being and personal development
- These alternatives are in no particular order
- Each alternative will have its own Resource Page
1. Get Into Books
Summary of Reading:
- Reading is one of those 'things' everyone should do more (yet we don't)
- Books are underrated and life-changing (non-readers are missing out)
- Reading is one of the most powerful hobbies (it's also low-cost and low-tech)
Video Game Alternative Type:
- Consumption
- Relaxing
- Passive
- Intellectual
Can This Hobby Become A Career:
- Not likely (It's more of a supplemental skill)
- Reading will strengthen any career you choose
Main Benefits Of This Hobby:
- The way you express yourself will broaden and be easier
- You'll gain knowledge/wisdom
- Keeps your mind limber and quick
What Book Do I Recommend For Gamers Who Don't Read:
Resource Page
- (Not Available Yet)
Get Into Comic Books And Manga
Summary Of Comic Books And Manga:
- A path of least resistance when you need an alternative to gaming
- Thousands of stories to read, much easier to consume than novels
- Visually stimulating
- Start your own collection :)
Video Game Alternative Type:
- Consumption
- Relaxing
- Passive
- Artistic
Can This Hobby Become A Career:
- Not likely
- Unless you're well-read and knowledgeable about many stories
- Then you can start a blog/podcast/Youtube channel
- You may even be inspired to create your own comic book or manga one day
Main Benefits Of This Hobby:
- Easier to get into and consume than novels
- Can be a gateway into drawing and writing
- Great hobby to start a collection
- Can be cheaper than a gaming hobby (this is highly debatable though)
What Comic Book Or Manga Do I Recommend For Beginners:
Resource Page:
- (Not Available Yet)
Get Into Anime And Cartoons
Summary Of Anime And Cartoons:
- A natural alternative to video games
- But it's not very productive or creative
- Not all alternatives need to be productive though
- There are tons of different shows to get into
- You'll find plenty to rewatch too
Video Game Alternative Type:
- Passive
- Consumption
- Relaxing
- Artistic
Can This Hobby Become A Career:
- You won't get paid for watching cartoons
- But you can start a Youtube channel about cartoons
- You review episodes, talk about whatever's going on in the show, its characters, etc.
- You can also start a podcast or blog too
- You might even get inspired to create your own cartoon one day
Main Benefits Of This Hobby:
- Very easy to get into, most of us already do it
- Cost-effective
- Can be a gateway into drawing and writing
- You can start your own collection of cartoon and anime series!
What Cartoon Or Anime Do I Recommend For Newcomers:
- Bob's Burgers (Can be found on Netflix and Amazon)
- My Hero Academia (Crunchyroll Link)
Resource Page:
- (Not Available Yet)
Get Into Movies And TV Shows
Summary Of Movies And TV Shows:
- I've decided to separate cartoons and anime from this section since it can stand as its own hobby
- Obviously they're the same hobby
- You're watching stuff
- A great way to relax after work
- And spend time with your friends, family, and significant other
Video Game Alternative Type:
- Passive
- Consumption
- Relaxing
- Artistic
Can This Hobby Become A Career:
- Just with the previous section, you'll be hard-pressed to find a company who will pay you to watch stuff
- You'll have to take the entrepreneurial route on this one
- Create a blog/Youtube channel/podcast about movies and TV shows
- What you can monetize is your knowledge about movies and TV shows
- So if you're passionate about this hobby, be creative in your pursuit to "do" it for a living
Main Benefits Of This Hobby:
- A natural hobby to be into
- Even though it can be seen as "lazy", you're really just consuming storytelling
- And when you invest yourself into storytelling and learn the lessons that come with it
- It can be life-changing and you'll become a greater version of yourself
- Can be a gateway into writing and film-making
If You've Somehow NEVER Watched A Movie Or TV Show, Try These:
- Forrest Gump (Amazon Link)
- Breaking Bad (Amazon Link, but you should watch it on Netflix)
Resource Page:
- (Not Available Yet)
Get Into Weight Training
Summary Of Weight Training:
- Weight Training is a method of strength training, but you focus on lifting weights
- Different 'sports' within weight training such as:
- Powerlifting, Bodybuilding, Olympic Lifting, and Crossfit
- You'll find which one you prefer, but many athletes play around with various methods
- They're all rewarding and satisfying, but each one will have its drawbacks
Video Game Alternative Type:
- Active
- Exercise
- Sports
- Physical
Can This Hobby Turn Into A Career:
- Definitely
- You can become a personal trainer, a professional athlete, or start a Youtube channel/instagram/blog/podcast if you're knowledgeable/entertaining
- Many entrepreneurs go down the fitness path since it's an "evergreen" niche/industry
- Like with most passions, you must be creative and hardworking to make money off of it
Main Benefits Of This Hobby:
- You're going to improve your overall health and fitness levels
- Your muscles are going to get bigger
- You're going to become more attractive
- Your confidence and how you feel about yourself will increase and improve
Quick Recommendations On How To Get Into Weight Training:
- Beginner Weight Training Guide (bodybuilding.com)
- Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training (Amazon Link)
Resource Page:
- (Not Available Yet)
Get Into Running
Summary Of Running:
- Running is another overlooked alternative to gaming
- Many people see it as a punishment instead of a satisfying sport
- It's a simple and cost-effective hobby!
- Plus many successful people credit running for being a significant part of their day
Video Game Alternative Type:
- Active
- Exercise
- Sport
- Physical
Can This Hobby Become A Career:
- Running isn't as schmancy (well, marketable) as bodybuilding
- So it'll be harder to make money off of the sport, but it's definitely doable
- If you become knowledgeable/educated, you can most certainly become a coach too!
- Just work hard and be creative
Main Benefits Of This Hobby:
- An excellent sport to improve your health and fitness levels
- Daily running will help you sleep better
- You'll experience the Runner's High
- Good way to get around town lol
Quick Recommendations To Get Into Running:
- The Couch To 5k Program (free - just a workout plan)
Resource Page:
- (Not Available Yet)
Get Into Tabletop RPGs
Summary Of Tabletop RPGs:
- Tabletop RPGs are near and dear to my heart
- The dungeon master crafts an adventure for the rest of the group
- The group roleplay their characters and traverse the difficulties the DM has laid out
- Tabletop RPGs can enter limitless worlds, especially if your group is highly creative
Video Game Alternative Type:
- Game
- Creative
- Social
- Intellectual
Can This Hobby Become A Career:
- I'd say it's less likely than becoming a pro gamer or successful livestreamer
- But there are people that make their living off of Tabletop RPGs
- Either they make their own or host podcasts/Youtube channels
- If it were me, I'd try to make an entertaining Youtube/podcast of a funny group of friends and I playing
Main Benefits Of This Hobby:
- It is WAY cheaper than video games
- Sessions are more meaningful and impactful than regular video game sessions
- Social
- Can become a weekly event for you and your friends
- Utilizes your creativity and imagination
Quick Recommendations To Get Started In Tabletop RPGs:
- Dungeons & Dragons (Amazon Link)
- Fate Core System (Amazon Link)
Resource Page:
- (Not Available Yet)
Get Into Board Games
Summary Of Board Games:
- Board games are very similar to Tabletop RPG in terms of environment
- Gather around with some cool people and play a game face-to-face
- Board games are better in many ways
- They don't require as much prep work and creativity
Video Game Alternative Type:
- Game
- Social
- Intellectual
Can This Hobby Become A Career:
- I don't think you can become a pro board gamer lol
- But you can certainly attempt to make your own game and sell it
- Or sell existing board games
- There are also restaurants where you play board games with friends over a meal
- There are definitely markets for it
Main Benefits Of This Hobby:
- Excellent for families to spend more time together
- Also excellent during blackouts
- Most board games aren't expensive
- Can start a board game collection
Quick Recommendations For Getting Into Board Games:
- Catan (Amazon Link)
Resource Page:
- (Not Available Yet)
Get Into Chess
Summary Of Chess:
- One of the oldest games that has survived (and thrives) in the modern world
- Predecessor to many modern traditional games and video games
- Also one of those things that are pushed onto the "smart" kids
- Smells like AP classes
Video Game Alternative Type:
- Game
- Creative
- Intellectual
Can This Hobby Become A Career:
- Most pro chess players don't make much money, nor is it consistent
- Most pros have main jobs and they do chess on the side
- They also teach lessons and make Youtube videos
- Plus you have lots of competition, so very difficult to make this into a career
Main Benefits Of This Hobby:
- It'll challenge your mind and make you smarter
- It's literally like working out for your brain
- It helps prevent illnesses like Alzheimer's
- Seriously the benefits are insane, it should go without saying
Quick Recommendations For Getting Into Chess:
- Chess Online (Biggest Online Community)
- Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess (Amazon Link)
Resource Page:
- (Not Available Yet)
Get Into Billiards
Summary Of Billiards:
- Codename: Just the tip
- Who doesn't love playing pool?
- It's competitive, yet meditative
- It's a great way to spend time with friends and family
- It's a game that's easy to learn, but difficult to master
- Can be very social too
Video Game Alternative Type:
- Game
- Social
Can This Hobby Become A Career:
- It's definitely possible to become a pro billiard player
- Win tournaments to garner sponsorships
- Host your own local tournaments
- And if you're entertaining, you can create a Youtube channel
Main Benefits Of This Hobby:
- Can be very meditative
- Very social if you go to pool halls to play and mingle
- Doesn't cost much to play, especially if your pool hall has a membership system
- Keeps you on your feet instead of sitting down
- Helps keep your mind sharp and fresh
- Cost-effective
Quick Recommendations For Getting Into Billiards:
- The 99 Critical Shots In Pool (Amazon Link)
Resource Page:
- (Not Available Yet)
Get Into Writing
Summary Of Writing:
- Just like with reading, powerful yet overlooked by many
- One of the most cost-effective hobbies out there.
- If you have a computer, you have everything you need to get started
- Or a pen and a stack of paper will work too
- Build your own worlds, create your own characters
- Learn the fundamentals of storytelling
- Or keep a journal you write in daily
Video Game Alternative Type:
- Creation (instead of consumption)
- Creative
- Intellectual
Can This Hobby Become A Career:
- You can definitely become a professional writer
- Most writers keep their regular jobs until they're earning enough off of their writing
- You can become a novelist, screenwriter, content writer, blogger, journalist, etc.
- You must be creative, hardworking, and consistent to make it happen
Main Benefits Of This Hobby:
- Probably the most cost-effective hobby on this list
- It can be a lifelong pursuit
- You can do it anywhere
- You only need yourself
- Gateway to learning all sorts of things (for research)
- Strong writing skills will also benefit almost any career you're in
Quick Recommendations For Getting Into Writing:
- Writing Skills (Amazon Link)
- Writing Rules! Advice From The Times On Writing Well (nytimes.com)
Resource Page:
- (Not Available Yet)
Get Into Drawing
Summary Of Drawing:
- Personally, drawing and writing have always been two sides of the same coin
- With each one I'm telling a story, just in different ways
- Drawing is another cost-effective alternative to video games
- Can be almost as cheap as writing is, though drawing can require more supplies
Video Game Alternative Type:
- Creation (instead of consumption)
- Creative
- Artistic
Can This Hobby Become A Career:
- Oh it most certainly can, just as certain as a writing career
- You can become a professional artist and work for big studios and companies
- You can go freelance
- Become an illustrator for books
- You can be a blogger
- Start a Youtube channel
Main Benefits Of This Hobby:
- Drawing is a discipline (like many alternatives on this list)
- Can be a lifelong pursuit
- Very impressive once you become an expert
- Cost-effective hobby
- Very useful skill (not in the same way as being a handy-man, but still)
Quick Recommendations For Getting Into Drawing:
- The Ultimate Drawing Course - Beginner to Advanced (Udemy Course)
- Learn To Draw - SchaeferArt (Youtube)
Resource Page:
- (Not Available Yet)
Get Into Cooking
Summary Of Cooking:
- Oh boy, if you've never cooked before and you're older than thirteen...
- Well, you got some catching up to do
- You have two routes you can take if you want to take up cooking as a hobby
- You can just learn to cook your favorite meals yourself
- Or you can dive deep and learn the fundamentals and professional techniques
- Possibly even get a job in a professional kitchen
Video Game Alternative Type:
- Active
- Creation (instead of consumption - though you WILL be consuming food HA!)
- Creative
Can This Hobby Become A Career:
- Oh definitely and a very attainable career
- Comes with its own challenges, but very rewarding
- A lot of chefs can't imagine doing anything else
- You can also take the entrepreneur route and start a cooking Youtube channel or blog
- But this niche is VERY competitive
- So you definitely want to approach it from an interesting angle
- For example, Binging With Babish, where he cooks dishes from films and TV shows
Main Benefits Of This Hobby:
- You can cook whatever you want and not have to pay someone else to do it for you
- You can save lots of money
- It's a very impressive skill
- And a necessary skill
- The culinary world is vast and there's always something new to try or perfect
- Can lead to a great career
Quick Recommendations For Getting Into Cooking:
- Beginner's Guide To Cooking - Learn The Basics (Youtube Video)
- Joy Of Cooking (Amazon Link)
Resource Page:
- (Not Available Yet)
Get Into Gardening
Summary Of Gardening:
- Gardening is another hobby you can dive deep in
- And a very useful one since you can grow food to eat
- You'll also gain a newfound appreciation for food if you do
- But you don't have to grow food, you can grow many things!
- You can grow houseplants, a garden of flowers, landscape art, small bonsai trees, etc.
Video Game Alternative Type:
- Creation (instead of consumption)
- Active (while you're doing the gardening)
- Relaxing
Can This Hobby Become A Career:
- For sure, you can turn this into a "career" or even just a side hustle
- Plus it's very satisfying work to grow things
- Urban farming has been a recent trend
- But if you have a decent backyard, you can output a lot of produce
Main Benefits Of This Hobby:
- You can grow much of your own vegetables
- If you plant fruit trees, your property value can grow 3-7 years
- Plus you'll get harvests of fruits (Whoo!)
- You'll become a fair bit more self-reliant
Quick Recommendations For Getting Into Gardening:
- The Vegetable Gardener's Bible (Amazon Link)
- 5 Vegetables That Are Too Easy To Grow In A Garden (Youtube Video)
Resource Page:
- (Not Available Yet)
Get Into Programming
Summary Of Programming:
- Possibly the hardest hobby to get into on this list
- It's difficult to learn how to program
- The truth is... it's difficult for everyone, even "smart" people
- It just has a brutal learning curve
- Oh boy, hope this doesn't scare any newcomers away lol
- Rest assured, things will "click" in your head after a while
- And it's awesome
Video Game Alternative Type:
- Active
- Creation (instead of consumption)
- Creative
- Intellectual
Can This Hobby Become A Career:
- 100% you can make a career out of your programming skills
- Very likely
- There are a couple (maybe even more) pathways to go about landing a coding job
- But no matter which path you walk down, you will always learn new things
- Also be prepared to be mostly self-taught
Main Benefits Of This Hobby:
- You'll be able to create your own programs!
- It's a great career choice
- Programming is mentally stimulating, especially for problem-solving individuals
- Non-programmers will think you're a wizard
- It's rewarding and satisfying to solve problems
- You can participate in open-source projects as a hobby (no need for it to be a career)
Quick Recommendations For Getting Into Programming:
- The Web Developer Bootcamp (Udemy Course)
- Codecademy (Great website to learn numerous languages)
Resource Page:
- (Not Available Yet)
Get Into The Piano Or Guitar
Summary Of Playing The Guitar Or Piano:
- One of the most popular alternatives to video games
- One of the first suggestions when gamers ask what else they can do with their time.
- Unless you have a knack for music, learning how to play either instrument is difficult
- Like with many hobbies on this list, it requires consistent practice
- But the benefits are evident and appealing
Video Game Alternative Type:
- Creation (instead of consumption)
- Creative
- Artistic
- Active
Can This Hobby Become A Career:
- It can become a career
- But more than likely it will be a side hustle
- Start a Youtube channel, do covers of favorite or popular songs, play local events, etc.
- Persistence and networking are key, as with most career paths
Main Benefits Of This Hobby:
- You get to create and play your own music!
- A very impressive skill to have
- Local opportunities to play events will arise if you network
- A satisfying and rewarding hobby
- Also an excellent way to exercise your mind
- Will teach you discipline since music requires consistency
Quick Recommendations For Getting Into The Piano Or Guitar:
- Pianoforall (Udemy Course)
- Complete Guitar System (Udemy Course)
Resource Page:
- (Not Available Yet)
Get Into Personal Development
Summary Of Personal Development:
- The road to Personal Development is one found by gamers seeking alternatives to video games
- Many gamers will take inventory of their hours invested into gaming and will feel sorta guilty
- They'll think they should use their time more wisely
- Instead of getting better at these games, they should acquire more powerful skills
- Sooner or later, they'll stumble onto Personal Development
- The video game alternatives are the tip of the iceberg
- And Personal Development is the walloping mass of ice submerged below
Video Game Alternative Type:
- Endgame
- Creation (instead of consumption)
- Creative
- Active
- Intellectual
Can This Hobby Become A Career:
- Personal Development takes precedence over your career
- It helps you decide what you want your career to be
- Helps you identify which skills to attain
- Helps you set down goals and complete them
- Helps you figure out what life you want and who you want to become
Main Benefits Of This Hobby:
- It'll help you find what you want to do with your life
- It'll strengthen you
- Help you find which skills to master
- Make you more valuable career-wise
- For lack of a better word, it's like a cure-all
Quick Recommendations For Getting Into Personal Development:
- 12 Rules For Life: An Antidote To Chaos (Amazon Link)
- Rich Dad Poor Dad (Amazon Link)
Resource Page:
- (Not Available Yet)