This list includes 33 Hobbies that start with O, from “Oboe playing” to “Oyster gardening”. You’ll find mainstream pastimes and niche pursuits useful for beginners, parents, and content creators.
Hobbies that start with O are repeatable recreational activities that begin with the letter O, from music to outdoor crafts. The oboe, for example, links hobbyists to centuries of orchestral tradition and active community ensembles.
Below you’ll find the table with Hobby, Required equipment, Difficulty, and Benefits.
Hobby: The name of the activity, so you can quickly spot ideas that match your interests and goals.
Required equipment: Short list of common tools or supplies you need to start, helping you prepare and budget.
Difficulty: One-word skill tier (Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced) so you see at-a-glance how hard each hobby is.
Benefits: Brief outcomes like relaxation, fitness, or creativity to help you choose hobbies that match your goals.
Hobbies that start with O
| Name | Typical Equipment | Difficulty | Approx. Startup Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origami | paper, instruction book, bone folder | Beginner | $10 |
| Orienteering | compass, topographic map, running shoes, whistle | Intermediate | $75 |
| Ornithology | binoculars, field guide, notebook | Beginner | $100 |
| Oil painting | oil paints, brushes, canvas, solvents | Intermediate | $100 |
| Observational astronomy | telescope or binoculars, star chart, red flashlight | Beginner | $200 |
| Oenology | wine glasses, tasting notebook, assorted wines | Beginner | $75 |
| Orchid growing | orchids, pots, orchid mix, humidity tray | Intermediate | $50 |
| Off-roading | 4×4 vehicle, recovery gear, heavy-duty tires | Intermediate | $1,500 |
| Open-water swimming | wetsuit, swim buoy, goggles | Intermediate | $150 |
| Ocean kayaking | sea kayak, paddle, PFD, dry bag | Intermediate | $800 |
| Offshore sailing | sailboat or lessons, safety gear, navigation charts | Advanced | $2,000 |
| Ocean fishing | saltwater rod & reel, tackle, fishing license | Beginner | $150 |
| Obstacle course racing | trail shoes, gloves, training clothes | Intermediate | $100 |
| Outdoor photography | camera, lens, tripod, memory cards | Intermediate | $600 |
| Outdoor cooking | portable stove, cookware, utensils, fuel | Beginner | $100 |
| Outdoor climbing | rope, harness, climbing shoes, helmet | Advanced | $300 |
| Open mic performing | instrument or microphone, songs, transport | Beginner | $50 |
| Opera singing | voice lessons, sheet music, accompanist access | Advanced | $100 |
| Oboe playing | oboe, reeds, maintenance kit | Advanced | $1,000 |
| Open-source contribution | computer, internet access, code editor | Intermediate | Free |
| Off-piste skiing | skis, avalanche safety kit, guide or lessons | Advanced | $800 |
| Oil pastel drawing | oil pastels, paper, fixative spray | Beginner | $30 |
| Organ playing | electronic organ or keyboard, lessons, sheet music | Advanced | $300 |
| Organic gardening | seeds, compost, hand tools, containers | Beginner | $50 |
| Outdoor yoga | yoga mat, comfortable clothes, optional blocks | Beginner | $40 |
| Open-water diving | scuba certification, mask, regulator (rentals possible) | Advanced | $500 |
| Old-time radio collecting | radio receiver, recordings, cleaning supplies | Beginner | $50 |
| Oyster gardening | cages, spat, rope, local permit (where required) | Intermediate | $200 |
| Oil lamp collecting | vintage lamps, cleaning kit, display shelf | Beginner | $50 |
| Open-wheel karting | kart, helmet, racing suit, track fees | Advanced | $2,000 |
| Oral history collecting | audio recorder, microphone, consent forms, storage | Intermediate | $100 |
| Organic soap making | lye, oils, molds, thermometer, safety gear | Intermediate | $50 |
| Outrigger canoeing | outrigger canoe, paddle, personal flotation device | Intermediate | $1,000 |
Descriptions
Origami
Paper-folding art; low-cost and portable, great for all ages, improves patience and spatial skills.
Orienteering
Map-and-compass navigation sport in parks or woods; combines running, navigation and strategy, often done with clubs.
Ornithology
Study and watching of birds; a peaceful outdoor hobby for parks or backyard, great for nature lovers.
Oil painting
Slow-drying painting medium with rich colors; suited to a home studio, rewarding for patient learners.
Observational astronomy
Stargazing with binoculars or a telescope; excellent for night outings and learning constellations and planets.
Oenology
Wine study and tasting; social and sensory hobby for exploring regions, varietals and food pairings.
Orchid growing
Growing orchids indoors; rewarding but requires specific watering and light care, ideal for patient plant lovers.
Off-roading
Driving rough terrain for adventure; needs vehicle prep and safety awareness, popular with outdoor enthusiasts.
Open-water swimming
Swimming in lakes or the sea; great for fitness and endurance, often done in groups or races.
Ocean kayaking
Kayaking on coastal waters; scenic and fitness-focused, requires safety skills and weather awareness.
Offshore sailing
Extended coastal or open-sea sailing; technical and gear-heavy, suited to adventurous, trained sailors.
Ocean fishing
Fishing from shore or boat in saltwater; relaxing and social, with skills to develop over time.
Obstacle course racing
Races with physical obstacles; mixes running, strength and coordination, appealing to fitness-oriented hobbyists.
Outdoor photography
Photography focused on landscapes, wildlife, or street scenes; combines creativity with time outdoors.
Outdoor cooking
Cooking over campfires or portable stoves; social, practical, and great for campers and backyard chefs.
Outdoor climbing
Rock climbing on natural routes; physically demanding and technical, rewarding for experienced adventure seekers.
Open mic performing
Performing music, comedy or poetry at local open mics; great for building confidence and community.
Opera singing
Classical vocal study and performance; requires training and discipline, ideal for serious singers.
Oboe playing
Playing a woodwind instrument with a distinctive tone; needs practice and reed maintenance, often ensemble-focused.
Open-source contribution
Contributing code or documentation to public projects; excellent for learners, developers, and community-minded hobbyists.
Off-piste skiing
Backcountry skiing on unmarked terrain; high-risk and technical, requires avalanche awareness and strong skills.
Oil pastel drawing
Colorful drawing medium with painterly results; portable and forgiving, great for exploring texture and color.
Organ playing
Playing pipe or electronic organs; rich repertoire and coordination challenges, perfect for keyboard enthusiasts.
Organic gardening
Growing plants and food without synthetic chemicals; rewarding, eco-friendly, fits yards or small balconies.
Outdoor yoga
Practicing yoga outside for fresh-air benefits; calming, accessible and suitable for many fitness levels.
Open-water diving
Recreational scuba diving in open water; requires certification and safety training, opens underwater exploration.
Old-time radio collecting
Collecting or listening to vintage radio shows and equipment; nostalgic hobby for audio and history fans.
Oyster gardening
Growing oysters for restoration or harvest; coastal hobby that requires local regs and hands-on care.
Oil lamp collecting
Collecting antique oil lamps and accessories; appeals to history buffs and decorative collectors.
Open-wheel karting
Competitive small-vehicle racing hobby; adrenaline-filled, requires equipment investment and practice.
Oral history collecting
Interviewing people to preserve stories and local memories; great for history lovers and community projects.
Organic soap making
Handmaking soap from natural ingredients; creative and practical, but requires safety when handling lye.
Outrigger canoeing
Paddling sport using outrigger canoes; community-focused, excellent for fitness and coastal exploration.