Cost is the biggest barrier to young people taking part in hobbies

A survey of young people in Scotland has found that while almost all recognise the benefits of hobbies, nearly half (48%) say cost is the main reason preventing them from taking part. 

The survey shows that hobbies already play an important role in many young people’s lives, with 75% of the 688 respondents reporting two or more hobbies and just 5% saying they have none.  

Young people take part in a wide range of activities, but participation often comes with financial pressures - 64% reported having to pay for equipment and 45% said there was a cost to attend classes or activities, while only 22% took part in hobbies that were free. 

Despite strong interest, many young people are missing out. Over a third of young people report missing out on hobbies despite an interest, most commonly due to time, finances and location. Cost was the single most frequently reported barrier overall. 

The benefits of hobbies were clear, with 98% of respondents identifying positive impacts such as developing skills, building confidence and enjoyment. These findings align closely with wider work by Parenting Across Scotland, which shows strong backing from parents and carers for a national policy to ensure all children and young people can take part in hobbies.