This list includes 35 Hobbies that start with I, from “Ice boating” to “Italian cooking”. Items range from outdoor sports to kitchen arts and hands-on crafts. Use them for recreation, learning, fitness, or creative expression.
Hobbies that start with I are recreational activities and interests beginning with the letter I. Some, like Italian cooking, carry centuries of tradition while others reflect niche modern trends.
Below you’ll find the table with Hobby, Required equipment, Difficulty, and Benefits.
Hobby: The name of the activity so you can quickly recognize options and decide which ones interest you.
Required equipment: Lists 2–5 essential items you’ll need to start, helping you compare cost and setup time.
Difficulty: A single-word tier (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced) to help you judge the skill or time required.
Benefits: One to three short outcomes you can expect, such as fitness, relaxation, creativity, or community benefits.
Hobbies that start with I
| Name | Type | Typical Equipment | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ice skating | Physical | Ice skates, warm clothing, helmet | Beginner |
| Ice hockey | Physical | Hockey skates, stick, puck, helmet, pads | Intermediate |
| Ice climbing | Outdoor | Crampons, ice axes, ropes, harness | Advanced |
| Ice fishing | Outdoor | Auger, fishing rod, shelter, bait | Beginner |
| Ice sculpting | Creative | Chainsaw, chisels, ice blocks | Advanced |
| Ice dancing | Creative | Ice skates, music, costume | Intermediate |
| Inline skating | Physical | Inline skates, helmet, wrist pads | Beginner |
| Indoor climbing | Physical | Climbing shoes, harness, chalk | Beginner |
| Indoor gardening | Creative | Pots, soil, grow lights, seeds | Beginner |
| Indoor hydroponics | Tech | Hydroponic system, nutrient solution, grow lights | Intermediate |
| Indoor skydiving | Physical | Flight suit, helmet, goggles | Beginner |
| Ikebana | Creative | Shears, kenzan (frog), vases, flowers | Intermediate |
| Illustration | Creative | Sketchbook, pencils, pens, tablet | Beginner |
| Improv | Creative | Classes, warm-up games, prompts | Beginner |
| Instrument making | Creative | Wood, tools, glue, plans | Advanced |
| Instrument practice | Creative | Instrument, tuner, music stand, metronome | Beginner |
| Indoor cycling | Physical | Stationary bike, trainer, towel, heart-rate monitor | Beginner |
| Ink wash painting | Creative | Ink, brushes, rice paper | Intermediate |
| Ink drawing | Creative | Ink pens, paper, nibs | Beginner |
| Insect collecting | Collecting | Net, vials, pins, field guide | Intermediate |
| Italian cooking | Creative | Saucepan, olive oil, pasta, herbs | Beginner |
| Irish dance | Physical | Hard shoes, soft shoes, music | Intermediate |
| Isometrics | Physical | Exercise mat, timer | Beginner |
| Ice boating | Outdoor | Iceboat, sail, helmet | Advanced |
| Inkle weaving | Creative | Inkle loom, shuttle, warp thread | Intermediate |
| Intarsia | Creative | Wood, saws, sanding tools, glue | Intermediate |
| Island hopping | Outdoor | Boat tickets, map, light pack | Beginner |
| Icon painting | Creative | Gessoed panel, egg tempera, gold leaf | Advanced |
| Industrial archaeology | Outdoor | Camera, safety gear, field guides | Intermediate |
| Ice carving | Creative | Chainsaw, chisels, ice blocks | Advanced |
| Instrument collecting | Collecting | Storage cases, cleaning tools, humidity control | Intermediate |
| Ice swimming | Physical | Swim trunks, wetsuit (optional), safety buddy | Advanced |
| Indoor archery | Physical | Bow, arrows, target, armguard | Intermediate |
| Indian cooking | Creative | Spices, saucepan, mortar and pestle | Beginner |
| Improvised music | Creative | Instruments, open ears, group | Intermediate |
Descriptions
Ice skating
Gliding on ice at rinks or frozen lakes for recreation; improves balance and cardio, social and seasonal fun.
Ice hockey
Fast team sport played informally or in leagues; builds speed, coordination, and teamwork while offering intense cardio.
Ice climbing
Climbing frozen waterfalls and ice faces; adrenaline-filled alpine hobby that develops strength, technique, and mountain skills.
Ice fishing
Fishing through ice holes in winter; quiet, patient pastime good for solitude, cold-weather enjoyment, and fresh catch.
Ice sculpting
Carving ice into temporary art for festivals or events; requires cold conditions and tools, rewarding striking visual results.
Ice dancing
Dance-focused ice skating emphasizing choreography and rhythm; great for artistic expression and partner coordination.
Inline skating
Skating on paved surfaces for fitness and recreation; improves balance and is accessible in parks and urban areas.
Indoor climbing
Bouldering or roped climbing at gyms; safe way to build strength, technique, and meet fellow climbers.
Indoor gardening
Growing houseplants or herbs indoors; ideal for city dwellers, improves mood, air quality, and gardening skills year-round.
Indoor hydroponics
Soilless indoor plant growing for herbs and veggies; efficient, space-saving, and great for year-round harvests and experimentation.
Indoor skydiving
Vertical wind tunnel flying that simulates freefall; accessible thrill activity for bodyflight practice, fitness, and fun.
Ikebana
Japanese floral arranging focused on minimalism and balance; calming artistic practice that sharpens design and mindfulness.
Illustration
Drawing for fun, comics, or concept art; develops observation, storytelling, and creative skills with low startup cost.
Improv
Improvisational theater games for comedy and storytelling; boosts creativity, quick thinking, and social confidence.
Instrument making
Building string or wind instruments by hand; combines woodworking and acoustics to produce playable, personalized instruments.
Instrument practice
Learning and playing a musical instrument for enjoyment; improves coordination, memory, and emotional expression.
Indoor cycling
Spin classes or home trainers for cardio fitness; time-efficient, low-impact, and often social.
Ink wash painting
Sumi-e style painting emphasizing simplicity and brush control; meditative artform that sharpens technique and expression.
Ink drawing
Pen-and-ink illustration for comics, sketches, or fine lines; portable hobby building precision and personal style.
Insect collecting
Collecting and identifying insects for study and display; great for outdoor exploration, learning taxonomy, and nature appreciation.
Italian cooking
Cooking Italian dishes at home—from pasta to sauces; tasty, social hobby that builds culinary skills and cultural appreciation.
Irish dance
Traditional Irish step dancing practiced socially or competitively; energetic hobby improving rhythm, stamina, and cultural connection.
Isometrics
Static strength exercises using bodyweight; low-equipment training for strength, rehab, and time-efficient workouts.
Ice boating
Sailing specialized boats across frozen lakes at high speed; requires skill and safety awareness for thrilling winter rides.
Inkle weaving
Weaving narrow bands for straps and trims on an inkle loom; portable textile craft blending pattern design and technique.
Intarsia
Wood mosaic technique creating images from fitted pieces; woodworking hobby combining carpentry and visual art.
Island hopping
Travel hobby visiting multiple islands for beaches and culture; flexible, social, and adventurous leisure pursuit.
Icon painting
Traditional religious painting technique; meticulous, spiritual craft practiced for devotion and museum-quality results.
Industrial archaeology
Exploring and documenting industrial heritage sites; combines history, photography, and urban exploration.
Ice carving
Rapid, detailed carving of ice for displays and events; blends strength and sculpting skill in cold conditions.
Instrument collecting
Collecting vintage or rare musical instruments; hobby for music lovers focused on history, sound, and preservation.
Ice swimming
Cold-water swimming in winter or polar events; builds endurance, mental resilience, and a unique outdoor challenge.
Indoor archery
Target archery practiced indoors year-round; improves focus, strength, and discipline in a controlled setting.
Indian cooking
Cooking Indian cuisine at home; exploring diverse spices and techniques is rewarding, flavorful, and culturally enriching.
Improvised music
Spontaneous musical performance without strict structure; fosters creativity, listening skills, and ensemble interaction.