A hobby is an activity that a person enjoys doing in their spare time. It is not the same as a profession, in that it does not provide the primary source of income for the individual, and there is no sense of obligation or duty. Hobbies are often associated with play, flow (psychology), and creativity.
Hobbies may be recreational activities, such as painting, playing an instrument, or knitting; collections, such as stamps, coins, or baseball cards; or even a type of work, such as assembling model airplanes or cars, woodworking, or software development. It is also common for hobbies to be a form of self-education or personal growth. For example, learning a new language or taking music lessons is a way to develop one’s intellectual capabilities, while rock climbing provides a challenging physical activity that improves an individual’s fitness.
Hobbies can be solitary activities, such as motorcycle riding or reading, or they may involve social interaction, such as with a sports club or choral society. Some hobbies, such as raising animals or growing plants, require extensive socialization to make them successful. Others, like writing or computer programming, are more solitary, but can be pursued by a large community of individuals sharing information through websites and forums. There is also a type of entrepreneurship, called “hobby business”, in which an individual earns money from his or her hobby activity, and can qualify for tax deductions. This is a common activity among children, who can be encouraged to start a small business to help support their interest in a particular subject.