In My Spare Time: Hobbies That Keep Me Entertained

When I’m not writing articles or spending time with my family, I like to indulge in a few hobbies and interests that keep me busy, focused, and entertained. Fair warning—this is where I geek out. Who knows, maybe it’ll even double as free advertising or give you some ideas for what to do on a rainy day.

Building Models and LEGO Sets

A common thread among my hobbies is building—whether it’s LEGO sets or Gunpla model kits. LEGO has been part of my life since my elementary school days in Ohio, and I’ve been collecting them ever since. Sometimes I follow the instructions and display the finished set, and other times I customize my own creations—especially with Bionicle sets, which are easy to take apart and rebuild. My most recent build? The $600 Eiffel Tower I mentioned in a previous article.

Gunpla is a bit different—more delicate and meant for posing rather than play. I picked up my first kit during college at a Barnes & Noble, and the hobby just snowballed from there. My latest find was at MomoCon for only $10. Unlike LEGO, I don’t customize Gunpla kits—they’re meant to be admired as they are.

If you enjoy creative hobbies for adults with IDD, building sets like these can be a great way to focus, relax, and express yourself.

Gaming Across Consoles

I’m also a lifelong gamer—whether it’s mobile games, PC titles, or console adventures. My first home console was the Nintendo GameCube, and my first portable was the Game Boy Advance SP—which I still have, and it still works perfectly. I’ve stayed loyal to Nintendo over the years, from the Wii to the Switch, and the DS to the 3DS, but I also dabble in PlayStation (I own both a PS2 and PS4—no one can stop me!).

Right now, I’m playing Donkey Kong Bananza on my Nintendo Switch 2. If you’re looking for accessible gaming options, handheld consoles are often a great choice.

Following Sports and Global Events

I also follow certain sporting events closely—mainly the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup.

I’ve known about the Olympics since the 2008 Beijing Summer Games and the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games, but my real enthusiasm began with the 2016 Rio Games. I even attended the 2024 Paris Summer Games—a trip five years in the making! What I enjoy most is the cultural aspect of the Games, not just the sports. I might write a future article detailing how I planned that trip.

The FIFA World Cup entered my radar during the 2010 South Africa edition. At first, I wasn’t very interested, but by the 2018 Russia tournament, I was hooked. Now I even follow the qualification matches across all continents in preparation for the 2026 edition in North America—hopefully, I can attend a match here in the U.S. My interest in soccer has since expanded to other major tournaments like the UEFA Euros, Copa América, and Gold Cup.