Top 10 Weird Hobbies You've Never Heard Of

Don’t have enough money to see the world? Have an extra toy laying around? Well now you too can enjoy the world through the eyes of your toys. A spin on the message in a bottle idea, folks who partake in toy voyaging are all about seeing where the item will end up. Adventurers can purchase a small tag that they affix to their toy. The tag provides information about how people can update the toy’s online Travelog with where the toy is, what it’s seen, and any adventures it’s been on. Almost 7,000 people partake in the activity from all over the world. Dig out your old stuffies and send them on a journey!

It might surprise you to learn that you’ve probably already seen this hobby in action. Ever watch the news? Have you spotted someone in the background who obviously isn’t supposed to be in the show? Welcome to newsraiding. The entire point of this unique hobby is to get yourself on camera during a live news report, even if only for a few seconds. Whether you’re just standing there or waving like mad, once you’ve made it on air, you’re a newsraider. It’s a more extreme take on the idea of photo-bombing. Who would have thought it would turn into a hobby?

Yes, extreme ironing is a real thing, and there have even been competitions around it. Created by Tony Hiam in 1980 while poking fun at his brother-in-law, it soon branched out to become far more than just a joke. Admirers of this unique hobby have ironed in the craziest places, including on giant rocks, underwater, on the back of a cab, and even while skydiving. There’s even a Guinness World Record for 173 people ironing underwater. We’re not sure if the clothes would have come out with fewer wrinkles … but that’s some impressive dedication all the same.

We learned in high school chemistry class that an element is a substance that cannot be broken down into a smaller substance using typical chemical processes. We also learned that there are 118 known elements on Earth. For fans of science, particularly chemistry, the idea of collecting one of each of those might sound like an intriguing idea. Look no further than the world wide web and you’ll see that element collecting is a real thing. Of course, some elements are hard to procure due to their volatile nature, or their outright rarity. But for those who love a unique collection, snagging elements may be just for you.

You’ve probably heard of sheep herding. Maybe you’ve heard of goat herding. But duck herding? As a competition? Really? Yes, it really is a thing. Found now more as a team building exercise, duck herding is indeed something people do for fun. Exactly as it sounds, you put together a group of ducks, and attempt to get them through a small field course. Whether it’s fences and gates, or just from point A to B, it’s up to you and sometimes your trusty canine assistant to get those quacks in line. Hey, if it doesn’t work out, at least the bills involved aren't huge!

Unlike earlier items on our list, this one goes down the path of being a bit more on the artsy side. Tree shaping is all about taking the natural growth from trees and other similar plants to create either usable structures or some type of art piece. Various techniques such as framing, grafting, pruning and even time itself can be used to alter the natural growth pattern of trees. Some of the work created by these tree sculpture artists is breathtaking. Beyond that, many of these other formed branches have been put to real use as furniture, and even bridges that can hold up to 50 people.

No, it’s not about writing graffiti on a park bench. All across the United States, there are more than 740,000 “marks” that have been placed. Benchmarks, also known as survey markers, are typically small round discs that mark a specific geographic location. According to Wikipedia, the markers were often used as part of triangulation surveys for land within the US. Some of these markers were set over 100 years ago. As part of a small group of hobbyists, benchmark hunting has participants using GPS devices, compasses, and even metal detectors to find these little discs spread out across the country.

For those who have lived in snowy areas, you’ve probably held or thrown a snowball or two. But have you ever made a mud ball? Originating in Japan as ‘dorodango’, it’s an art form that consists of transforming dirt and water into a perfectly round and smooth sphere. A quick Google search will yield you an assortment of beautifully polished, shiny spheres that resemble billiard balls. The result of careful craftsmanship yields some strikingly beautiful art pieces. Even the Mythbusters took a go at it when they successfully debunked the saying “You can’t polish a turd”!

For thousands of years, people have been carving into countless mediums. From stone, to clay, and wood, carvings of all sorts can be found all over the world. Soap carving is one that has been around a long time, but has seen some resurfacing as a result of the pandemic. A quick online search finds people have been taking to this hobby to help pass the time while in quarantine. From such a simple substance, you can create simple birds and flowers, to full-on dragons. Part of what makes it so appealing is that the materials are cheap, and it’s a forgiving medium. Dig out those extra bars of soap from under the bathroom sink and give it a shot.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Collecting In-Flight Air-Sickness Bags
We Really Hope These Aren’t Used Bags

Mooing
It’s a Little Less Dangerous Than Cow Tipping

Started in 2000, geocaching is a treasure hunting activity that uses GPS units or mobile devices to find containers hidden almost anywhere in the world. With millions of active caches worldwide, odds are there’s probably one hidden not far from where you live. Players use their device to find a container, then sign a log sheet with a geocaching “code name”. Aspects of the previously mentioned Benchmarking and ToyVoyaging are also part of the world of geocaching. It’s an activity that knows no limitations when it comes to participants, who might be active hikers on trailers, to treasure seekers in cities. There’s something in it for everyone.