To have “childish” hobbies?

I bought my partner the Lucky Cat lego this year for his b'day. Don't know what possessed me to do it other than it looked cute and he does like the design of waving cats as a rule. Turned out that he was well into it, spent the evening on his b'day putting it together happy as Larry. I've since bought him a couple of other bits of lego. I had no idea Lego had changed so much, it's really good fun now :-)

Edited to add, he's now 60.

Am almost same age and... gutted my xbox no longer works and can't play my fav games! Play away, it's great to switch off, far better than the rubbish that's on TV (of which I never turn on).

I wasn’t encouraged to play or be imaginative when I was a child, in fact I’d say I was actively discouraged and I think some of my more childish hobbies and interests (I have lots) are perhaps due to that. Maybe not. But in any case, live your life.

I echo what’s already been said. People that criticise are either thoughtless, insecure, or both. Often it’s something they’ve absorbed from somewhere else and hopefully they grow out of it and become secure enough to enjoy their free time in a way that makes them happy.
Im nearly 60 and like puzzles, colouring, computer gaming, Lego and also like dressmaking, quilting, knitting, crochet and model making amongst many other things. I figure as long as I’m not hurting anyone how I spend my free time is my business.

it’s nice being older as ceasing to give a shit balances out the lack of collagen :-)

Gaming isn’t just ‘for children’. It’s a universal interest with no age limit. It’s only on Mumsnet where people are weird about adults gaming.

The adult market for colouring is huge and a lot of the books are very intricate and can require a fair bit of skill. I colour, and some of the pictures I colour can take several evenings and about a million ruinously expensive coloured pencils to complete! Not a children’s hobby at all.

Your hobbies sound great - fun, creative and relaxing.

I have 2 colouring books in my desk drawers. I use them to occupy my hands in long meetings (I wfh) and when I’m particularly anxious or stressed.
I had a family member who was sectioned several times due to her mental health and I remember her telling me the best advice she ever had from a hospital was to get some colouring pencils and scribble it you’re feeling pent up then start colouring when you calm down. It helped her a lot so I’d say it’s a pretty good hobby to have.

I find anything Christmas related relaxing so will watch films/read books/ do puzzles with festive themes throughout the year.
I also cross stitch, walk, garden, cold dip, swim, read and crochet - apparently this makes my hobbies both childish and old person-ish (according to DH and my mum). I don’t care - do whatever you enjoy.

Edited to add as I remembered after I’d posted - my LO is just about big enough to move from Duplo to Lego and I’m really looking forward to that as I enjoy the kits.

I personally think having a creative outlet is very important for your wellbeing/MH.

I'm 39 and I play video games constantly. The Sims is a classic and a firm favourite of mine too. I also get platinum trophies for all of my favourite games. I'm even proud of one or two of my platinum trophies as they're extremely hard to get. Anyone who judges gamers is a bit of a mouldy turnip if you ask me. A lot of the games I play are made for adults too so they're built specifically with people like you and I in mind.

Of course you're allowed to game and colour etc. It keeps the mind sharp too which is always a bonus.

Do what you enjoy, OP. Life is hard at times and finding pleasures which don't hurt yourself or anyone else is a great break and distraction from problems.

Its absolutely fine and very healthy. I’m 55 and am a professional, married with no children and I love colouring, simple painting and doing the odd jigsaw. I think it does me a lot of good, mentally.

Can't see that what you like doing is any more childish than kicking a ball around in a field (ie. football 😁).

I love colouring in - did you try the Coco Wyo colouring books and alcohol markers yet? There’s a Tik Tok deep dive treasure trove of inspo.

I also knit and crochet and do jigsaw puzzles and I’m also 32!

I've played animal crossing new horizons for over 1000 hours. I game with my son we both have switches. I don't care if it's childish because it makes me happy and unwinds me

I love playing with the children’s Lego
(I’m 45)

I am 46 and I love playing Super Mario and Animal Crossing

Gaming is only childish if a man does it.

I work 2 jobs, 7 days a week. If I want to do something, I bloody well do it. My reasoning is that I work damn hard, don't have much time for myself between work and kids so if I want to spend a couple of hours putting hair chalk in our ponies mane or playing pokemon on the switch, I defy anyone to stop me.

Like any hobby, as long as it’s not impacting the things that need to be done then crack on. I think the reason things like gaming get labelled as childish is because of the subset of gamers who prioritise gaming over adult responsibilities (you see it in so many threads on here, where the DP finishes work and immediately starts gaming, doing nothing around the house or for the family) and it’s become a stereotype.

I am spending my day off playing the alters on Xbox. At over 50!

My best mate (31) bought a gaming laptop specifically for the Sims 😂 You like what you like

I love gaming, I play my Switch then at around 7pm meet up in vr with a bunch of adults from around the world and play a game called Population One which is the same as Fortnight.
We put on our headsets, get into a virtual pod, fly down from high in the sky, grab guns and work as a team to eliminate the other one, it's great fun!

It's a great social activity from the comfort of my sofa.

I'm 50, play PS5 and I now have to get a second shelf put up, because my first Lego shelf is full.

I also hold a very responsible and grown up job, in a senior position.

We can do fun things and embrace our inner child, and this be a very mentally healthy thing to do, whilst still also upholding our adult responsibilities in other areas of our life.

I like playing computer games too. Puzzle games rather than stuff like the Sims though.

If you fancy playing older games on new computers. Gog.com sells them already configured to play. They might not be updated but they are still playable

I don’t know about hobbies but I kidnapped a Jellycat rabbit from my son’s house the other day and have spent the last few days sending pictures and videos of his antics . I currently have my adult daughter creating / colouring him a snowboard out of cardboard for this afternoons video . Tomorrow he’s going to play rugby . I don’t think playing online games is childish and colouring has become quite popular . We all do Lego here and I love a 1000 piece jigsaw

I started playing The Sims again last year aged 33! It has lead me onto finding some really fun indie games to play now and then. It doesn't take away from my day to day responsibilities, so why not?

I love Our Generation dolls and make stuff for them.

I also have a secret weakness for teen werewolf romance.