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Your Guide to the Best Indoor Hobbies for Winter
When it's cold outside, many of us would like to stay inside and be warm. For some, that may include indoor hobbies you can do at home. For others, it could mean meeting up with friends or others interested in the same hobby elsewhere. St. Louis has a lot of hobby groups and stores to offer for homebodies or those looking to make new friends.
Here at Hunters Ridge, Oakville, MO's premier apartment community, we love to help residents find fun things to do throughout all seasons, but especially the winter! Let's explore some ideas on how to stay engaged during the colder months of the year.
Cheapest Indoor Winter Hobbies
You don't need to spend a lot of money on all indoor hobbies. In fact, getting a St. Louis Public Library card and borrowing books doesn't cost a thing, and you can apply online. Reading can be a pleasant and educational hobby.
If you enjoy playing solitary games, crossword and sudoku books are inexpensive and can be purchased almost anywhere magazines are sold.
Books inspire many to write, and you can literally write anywhere at home, the coffee shop, or, of course, the library. You can write in longhand or on your laptop. Use your imagination for a fictional short story, write a historical biography, or start journaling for yourself.
Learning a New Indoor Hobby
Have you ever thought you might like to try knitting or crocheting? Woodworking or leather crafting? St. Louis has numerous independent craft stores offering supplies, lessons, and get-togethers for some wonderful indoor winter hobbies.
Knitting & Crocheting
7 Sisters Yarn and Fiber is an independent store started by the owner in remembrance of her mother and her mother's six sisters spending time knitting, crocheting, and doing other fiber crafts. The store offers private knitting and crocheting lessons, as well as group classes in knitting traditional socks, Tunisian crochet stitching, and more. Yarn socials and other gatherings are held on Monday and Thursday evenings. And, of course, there is a wide array of supplies and yarn available in the store.
Leatherworking
Established in 1919, Tandy Leather is well-known across the US, with a local store right here in St. Louis. It carries a wide variety of leather and crafting supplies. There are classes offered by experienced leather crafters, including Basic Carving, an Intro to Dyes and Finishes, and creating a Fortune Cookie Key Chain. Contact the store or stop by to learn more.
Stay at Home Indoor Winter Hobbies
Winter is the best time to turn on the oven and bake cookies, bread, and cakes, making your home smell wonderful. If you are ready to step up your baking skills a notch, there are plenty of supply stores in St. Louis.
Baking
Karen Ann's Supplies has offered cake and candy decorating supplies for more than 40 years. The experienced staff is happy to help novice bakers and professionals alike. It boasts the "largest selection of cake, cookie, and candy making supplies in St. Louis." Karen Ann's, located on Gravois Rd., is open six days a week; closed on Sundays.
Art, Woodworking, Dollhouses, R.C.s, Legos, and More
St. Louis is also lucky enough to have an old-fashioned hobby and craft store chock-full of wonderful supplies. Locally owned Schaefer's Hobby Shop has served the St. Louis area for more than 75 years.
At Schaefer's, you can find beads and jewelry supplies, fine art and crafting supplies, woodworking equipment, and dollhouse kits. In the hobby areas, there are R.C. cars, trucks, boats, and planes, model trains, tracks, and scenery, Legos, and a lot of collectible items. You can check them out online, but honestly, visiting the store at 11659 Gravois Rd. is an unforgettable experience.
Enjoying a Hobby that Takes You to See New Faces and New Places
Speaking of model trains, they remain a favorite among young and old alike. The Gateway Division of the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) serves Greater St. Louis and the southern Illinois area with monthly meetings at the Oakville Elks Club open to the public.
Join a Model Train Club
The Gateway Division of the NMRA proudly offers the promotion of model railroading, education, fellowship, and advancement in model railroading skills. There are monthly clinics, a quarterly publication, and an Annual Fall Meet and Train Show each year.
Play Board & Video Games with Friends
If you enjoy games, you may want to check into the St. Louis Board Game Meetup Group, which focuses on modern games such as Dominion and Carcassonne. Members of the group are happy to teach those who are unfamiliar. You are invited to bring whatever game you prefer with you to a meet-up. With more than 9,000 members, you can trust that the St. Louis Board Game Meetup will be a lot of fun.
Another gaming option is St. Louis Gamers for fun and socialization. Most games played at their meetups are board games, but the group is always on the lookout for locations to set up video games, too. Check out their Facebook page to learn more.
Comfortable St. Louis Homes
If you’re looking for your next home in Oakville, then visit us at Hunter’s Ridge Apartments. We offer well-designed 1 and 2 bedroom floor plans that are a cozy haven during the coldest months of the years. Select homes even feature a fireplace!
Schedule your tour today and discover your next home in Oakville at Hunter’s Ridge Apartments.