Here you’ll find 59 Hobbies that start with R, organized from “Racewalking” to “Running clubs”. Many entries mix mainstream pursuits and niche crafts suitable for solo enjoyment or group participation.
Hobbies that start with R are recreational activities that begin with the letter R, covering sports, crafts, and collecting. For example, rock climbing’s rise as a hobby mirrors outdoor adventure trends from the 20th century.
Below you’ll find the table with Hobby, Required equipment, Difficulty, Benefits.
Hobby: The hobby name lets you scan options quickly and decide which activities match your interests and time.
Required equipment: Lists two to five basic items you’ll need to get started and helps estimate initial costs.
Difficulty: A single-word tier shows how challenging the hobby feels, so you pick suitable activities for your skill level.
Benefits: One to three short outcomes explain what you gain, like fitness, creativity, social connection, or stress relief.
Hobbies that start with R
| Name | Typical Equipment | Difficulty | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | Books, e-reader, bookmark, reading light | Beginner | Knowledge, relaxation, vocabulary |
| Running | Running shoes, water bottle, fitness tracker | Beginner | Fitness, stress relief, endurance |
| Road cycling | Bicycle, helmet, lights, repair kit | Intermediate | Fitness, exploration, stamina |
| Rock climbing | Climbing shoes, harness, rope, chalk | Advanced | Strength, problem-solving, confidence |
| Rockhounding | Geology hammer, field guide, safety goggles, bag | Beginner | Discovery, collecting, outdoor skills |
| Rock balancing | Stones, flat surface, patience | Beginner | Mindfulness, creativity, focus |
| Rock tumbling | Tumbler, grit, polishing compound, rocks | Beginner | Collecting, craft, patience |
| Rowing | Rowboat or ergometer, life jacket, oars | Intermediate | Full-body fitness, teamwork, endurance |
| Rafting | Helmet, PFD, raft, paddle | Intermediate | Adventure, teamwork, fitness |
| Rappelling | Harness, rope, helmet, belay device | Advanced | Confidence, technical skills, adventure |
| Remote control cars | RC car, controller, batteries, charger | Beginner | Engineering, competition, fun |
| Remote control planes | RC plane, transmitter, batteries, charger | Intermediate | Aeronautics, skill, tinkering |
| Remote control boats | Model boat, transmitter, batteries, pond | Beginner | Relaxation, tinkering, racing |
| Roller skating | Skates, helmet, knee pads, wrist guards | Beginner | Fitness, balance, social fun |
| Roller derby | Skates, protective gear, mouthguard | Advanced | Teamwork, fitness, strategy |
| Racquetball | Racquet, ball, goggles, court shoes | Beginner | Agility, cardio, reflexes |
| Rug hooking | Hook tool, backing, yarn or strips, frame | Beginner | Creativity, home decor, patience |
| Rug making | Loom, yarn, fabric, scissors | Intermediate | Handcraft, decor, creativity |
| Rug collecting | Condition guide, storage covers, magnifier | Intermediate | Investment, culture, aesthetics |
| Resin art | Resin, pigments, silicone molds, gloves | Beginner | Art, durability, glossy finish |
| Raku pottery | Clay, kiln, glazes, tongs | Advanced | Artistic finish, unpredictability, creativity |
| Rose gardening | Garden tools, rose bushes, fertilizer, pruning shears | Beginner | Beauty, gardening skills, relaxation |
| Reptile keeping | Terrarium, heat lamp, substrate, food | Intermediate | Responsibility, biology, observation |
| Raising chickens | Coop, feeders, waterer, feed | Beginner | Fresh eggs, responsibility, sustainability |
| Racing (amateur) | Helmet, vehicle, safety gear, license | Advanced | Adrenaline, skill, competition |
| Rally driving | Rally car, helmet, co-driver notes | Advanced | Driving skill, focus, teamwork |
| Rifle shooting | Firearm, ear protection, eye protection, targets | Intermediate | Focus, discipline, marksmanship |
| Role-playing games | Rulebook, dice, character sheet, map | Beginner | Creativity, social play, problem-solving |
| Railfanning | Camera, timetable, binoculars, notebook | Beginner | History, photography, collecting |
| Railway modelling | Model trains, track, controller, scenery | Intermediate | Patience, engineering, creativity |
| Rummy | Deck of cards | Beginner | Social play, memory, strategy |
| Running clubs | Running shoes, water bottle, reflective gear | Beginner | Motivation, social fitness, accountability |
| Rock painting | Acrylic paint, brushes, rocks, sealant | Beginner | Creativity, relaxation, gifting |
| Resin jewelry | Resin, molds, pigments, findings | Intermediate | Small business potential, creativity, wearable art |
| Racewalking | Comfortable shoes, stopwatch, training plan | Intermediate | Endurance, low-impact cardio, technique |
| Restoring antiques | Tools, cleaners, reference guides | Advanced | Preservation skills, value, craftsmanship |
| Robotics | Microcontroller, motors, sensors, soldering tool | Intermediate | STEM skills, problem-solving, creativity |
| Rock music (instrument) | Instrument, amp, sheet music, picks | Beginner | Creativity, performance, collaboration |
| Recording music | Microphone, audio interface, DAW, headphones | Intermediate | Creative output, technical skills, collaboration |
| Rag rugging | Fabric strips, latch hook, frame, scissors | Beginner | Upcycling, craft, home decor |
| Riddling | Puzzles, notebooks, internet resources | Beginner | Critical thinking, fun, patience |
| Restoring vehicles | Mechanic tools, parts, manual, workspace | Advanced | Mechanical skills, satisfaction, value creation |
| Ropework | Cordage, knots book, practice rope | Beginner | Practical skills, safety, creativity |
| Refereeing | Whistle, rulebook, uniform | Intermediate | Leadership, fitness, community |
| Rubber stamping | Stamps, ink pads, paper, acrylic blocks | Beginner | Cardmaking, creativity, personalization |
| Road tripping | Car, maps, camping gear, snacks | Beginner | Adventure, discovery, flexibility |
| Reenactment | Costume, props, historical research | Intermediate | History, performance, community |
| Rapping | Microphone, beats, notebook, headphones | Beginner | Self-expression, rhythm, performance |
| Rock gardening | Rocks, alpine plants, soil, shovel | Intermediate | Low-water gardening, aesthetics, biodiversity |
| Recycled crafts | Scissors, glue, reclaimed materials, paint | Beginner | Sustainability, creativity, cost-saving |
| Retro gaming | Console, games, controller, emulator | Beginner | Nostalgia, strategy, collection |
| Rifle reloading | Reloading press, scale, dies, brass | Advanced | Cost-saving, precision, customization |
| Ring making | Jewelry tools, metal or wire, soldering torch | Intermediate | Design skills, wearable art, craftsmanship |
| Rubber band crafts | Rubber bands, loom or hook, clips | Beginner | Fine motor skills, creativity, wearable crafts |
| Rocketry | Model rockets, engines, launch pad, recovery wadding | Beginner | STEM skills, excitement, engineering |
| Restoring furniture | Sander, paint, brushes, glue | Intermediate | Upcycling, skill-building, unique decor |
| Radio listening | Receiver, antenna, headphones, logbook | Beginner | Global news, technical skills, history |
| Recreational mathematics | Puzzle books, software, notebooks | Beginner | Problem-solving, logic, mental challenge |
| Rugby | Cleats, mouthguard, jersey | Intermediate | Teamwork, fitness, discipline |
Descriptions
Reading
Reading is relaxing and educational; dive into fiction, non-fiction, or comics with minimal equipment and endless variety.
Running
Running boosts cardiovascular health and mood; easy to start with short routes and gradual progression.
Road cycling
Road cycling combines exercise and travel; requires a reliable bike, safety gear, and basic maintenance knowledge.
Rock climbing
Rock climbing challenges strength and technique indoors or outdoors; safety training and partners are important.
Rockhounding
Rockhounding is searching for minerals and fossils—great for nature lovers and collectors.
Rock balancing
Rock balancing is a meditative outdoor art of stacking stones using balance and patience.
Rock tumbling
Rock tumbling polishes rough stones into smooth gemstones; a patient, at-home craft hobby.
Rowing
Rowing offers low-impact cardio on water or indoor ergs; emphasizes technique and coordination.
Rafting
Whitewater rafting is an adventurous water sport; guided trips suit beginners, skills grow with experience.
Rappelling
Rappelling descents require training and strict safety protocols; rewarding for outdoor adventurers.
Remote control cars
RC cars are accessible, combining tinkering, fast-paced driving, and collecting.
Remote control planes
Flying RC planes teaches basic aerodynamics and piloting; practice in open spaces improves skills.
Remote control boats
RC boats are enjoyable on ponds and pools, blending craftsmanship with operation.
Roller skating
Roller skating is social and low-cost exercise that improves balance and coordination.
Roller derby
Roller derby is a contact team sport with strong community clubs; physically demanding and strategic.
Racquetball
Racquetball is a fast indoor racquet sport that builds reflexes and conditioning.
Rug hooking
Rug hooking is an accessible fiber craft creating decorative rugs with hooked strips of fabric or yarn.
Rug making
Rug making includes weaving or hooking to produce custom floor coverings and home textiles.
Rug collecting
Collecting rugs combines art appreciation with history; requires research and proper care.
Resin art
Resin art involves casting or coating with epoxy to make jewelry, coasters, and glossy decor.
Raku pottery
Raku is a pottery firing technique producing unique crackle and smoky effects; requires specialized equipment and safety.
Rose gardening
Rose gardening focuses on growing and caring for roses, rewarding with fragrant seasonal blooms.
Reptile keeping
Keeping reptiles requires habitat control and species research; rewarding for enthusiasts of exotic pets.
Raising chickens
Raising chickens offers fresh eggs and animal-care experience; needs basic coop setup and routine care.
Racing (amateur)
Amateur racing spans go-karts to cars; requires training, safety gear, and regulated venues.
Rally driving
Rally driving is a motorsport hobby on varied terrain; typically pursued by committed enthusiasts with coaching.
Rifle shooting
Rifle shooting includes target practice and sport shooting with strict safety and training.
Role-playing games
Tabletop role-playing games offer collaborative storytelling and strategy with friends.
Railfanning
Railfanning is observing and photographing trains—great for history buffs and hobby photographers.
Railway modelling
Railway modelling builds scaled train layouts combining carpentry, electronics, and scenic design.
Rummy
Rummy is a classic melding card game—easy to learn and social.
Running clubs
Joining a running club adds community, structure, and motivation to regular running routines.
Rock painting
Rock painting decorates stones with designs or messages—simple, portable, and family-friendly.
Resin jewelry
Making resin jewelry combines design and casting for unique wearable pieces.
Racewalking
Racewalking emphasizes technique and endurance; a disciplined walking sport with clubs and events.
Restoring antiques
Antique restoration blends repair skills and historical research to preserve or revive old items.
Robotics
Hobby robotics ranges from kits to custom machines, teaching electronics, coding, and mechanical design.
Rock music (instrument)
Playing rock on guitar, drums, or bass is a musical hobby with many learning paths and band opportunities.
Recording music
Home recording lets you produce songs, learn audio tech, and collaborate remotely.
Rag rugging
Rag rugging repurposes fabric into rugs—eco-friendly, tactile, and satisfying to make.
Riddling
Solving riddles and brainteasers sharpens lateral thinking and is easily shared socially.
Restoring vehicles
Vehicle restoration is hands-on and technical, rewarding for mechanically minded hobbyists.
Ropework
Learning ropework develops knot-tying and decorative skills useful for outdoors and crafts.
Refereeing
Refereeing amateur sports is a volunteer hobby building leadership and focus while staying active.
Rubber stamping
Rubber stamping is a papercraft hobby for cards and scrapbooks using inked stamps and embellishments.
Road tripping
Road tripping explores regions by car—flexible, social, and ideal for discovery-driven travel.
Reenactment
Historical reenactment recreates past events with costumes and research; social and educational.
Rapping
Rapping focuses on lyric writing, flow, and performance; accessible with basic recording tools.
Rock gardening
Rock gardening arranges stones and plants for attractive, low-maintenance garden beds.
Recycled crafts
Recycled crafts transform household items into art or useful objects, eco-friendly and creative.
Retro gaming
Retro gaming collects and plays classic video games for nostalgia and historical interest.
Rifle reloading
Reloading ammunition is a technical hobby for firearm enthusiasts; requires strict safety and training.
Ring making
Ring making involves metalsmithing or wirework to create custom jewelry pieces.
Rubber band crafts
Rubber band crafts create bracelets and figures—popular, low-cost, and kid-friendly.
Rocketry
Model rocketry launches small rockets under safety codes—great for learning aerodynamics and electronics.
Restoring furniture
Furniture restoration repairs and refinishes pieces to create bespoke home items or upcycled treasures.
Radio listening
Radio listening explores broadcast and amateur bands, offering global sounds and learning about propagation.
Recreational mathematics
Recreational mathematics enjoys puzzles, math games, and curiosities that sharpen analytical thinking.
Rugby
Rugby is a physical team sport with recreational clubs focused on fitness, camaraderie, and competition.