From pottery wheels to whittling walking sticks, age-old crafts are being revived thanks to social media, hit TV programmes and a growing demand for mindful escapes
- Traditional crafts enjoy a revival as Brits turn to hobbies to reduce stress and improve their mental wellbeing
- Baking, gardening and knitting are among the top hobbies being adopted
- Samsung’s Drawing Assist feature on the new Galaxy Tab S11 series allows users to generate stylised images simply by drawing on their screen with an S Pen or finger
- Jack Whitehall’s parents, Michael and Hilary, have been captured using the technology to draw family moments in a hilarious new video
LONDON, U.K. – 17 September 2025 – Traditional crafts and hobbies are enjoying a remarkable revival as Brits look to escape the relentless rush of modern life and rediscover slower, more mindful pastimes.
Results of a new study discovered that heritage hobbies such as baking (30%), gardening (27%), and knitting (24%) are seeing a renewed surge in popularity, with four in 10 Brits saying they have considered taking up or have returned to a hobby in the past year.
The research has been commissioned by Samsung to mark the launch of the Galaxy Tab S11 series, which comes with Galaxy AI[1] Drawing Assist[2] to enhance sketches by transforming them into different styles such as illustration and 3D cartoon.
20 Traditional Hobbies Making a Modern Comeback
- Baking-30%
- Gardening-27%
- Knitting-24%
- Crocheting-23%
- Reading-21%
- Drawing /sketching-20%
- Painting-17%
- Bread making-12%
- Playing an instrument-10%
- Woodworking / furniture restoration-9%
- Pottery making-8%
- Rambling/hiking-6%
- Tapestry/embroidery/needlepoint-6%
- Dancing-6%
- Coin collecting-5%
- Bird watching-5%
- Calligraphy-5%
- Fishing-4%
- Quilting-3%
- Soap making-3%
Brits revealed that they are actively searching for interactive activities, where they can learn a new skill and socialise, citing that it’s more fun (67%) to do an activity with friends, family or partners.
Three-quarters (76%) of the nation also say that activities such as drawing or sketching are a good way to develop relationships. But, just 49% of Brits are confident in their drawing ability, with 72% stating that they’d like to try technology that can improve their artwork.
To celebrate the return of hobbies, Samsung sent Hilary and Michael Whitehall on an interactive date to an art studio in London.
The pair were faced with different drawing challenges, but pens, paper, canvases and paintbrushes were nowhere to be seen; instead, the duo experimented with Galaxy AI Drawing Assist – turning their original artworks into masterpieces in a brand-new video.
Designed to be a bonding experience, Michael and Hilary also revealed the people they admire the most – aside from each other as Michael quickly quips. Drawing Harry Styles and Taylor Swift respectively, Hilary noted that she could share the picture with Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift as a wedding present.
Taylor Swift and Harry Styles as drawn by Hilary and Michael Whitehall.
The duo’s portraits were brought to life using their own sketches, which were then enhanced by Samsung Sketch to Image technology on the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, providing different artwork styles such as illustration, pop art, 3D cartoon and more.
Hilary and Michael Whitehall said:
“We’ve been married for nearly 40 years, so we know each other very well, maybe even too well! We both enjoy drawing, but with minimal abilities they usually don’t turn out quite as we’d hoped. Thankfully the Sketch to Image feature came to our rescue. It’s really simple to use and it was amazing to see it transform our ‘artwork.’ It was lovely to relax, draw and reminisce about happy memories that we share together, and all squabble free!”
Hands-on creativity is becoming the antidote to hectic lives, the poll found that nearly half (48%) of Brits say stress relief has driven them back to forgotten pastimes, while a third want to build knowledge or skills as three in ten (28%) say they simply crave creativity.
Television shows spotlighting crafts and social media channels have been credited with inspiring audiences to pick up tools and rediscover skills once thought left in the past. Over half (56%) of those who have tuned in to popular competition shows say they are more likely to try those skills themselves after watching.
Surprisingly, younger generations are leading much of the resurgence. Once dismissed as “old-fashioned,” skills like embroidery and baking are now trending on social media, with hashtags like #handmade clocking up 20.7 million views, making platforms unlikely allies in the revival of these centuries-old traditions.
Technology is playing a supportive role in this revival. While the movement celebrates ‘IRL’ creation, new tools are blending tradition with innovation as nearly three-quarters (72%) would leverage technology to enhance their artistic endeavours.
AI-powered creative software now allows budding makers to sketch an idea and instantly receive artistic assistance, bridging the gap between imagination and reality, to transform sketches into different image styles.
Annika Bizon, Mobile Experience VP of Product and Marketing at Samsung UK&I, said:
“We’re seeing a fascinating blend of tradition and innovation; people want the tactile joy of working with clay, wood, or yarn — but they also appreciate how AI can help bring their vision to life, guiding beginners and inspiring creativity.
“The redesigned S Pen offers that familiar pen-to-paper experience, giving users an authentic drawing feel. It’s really about using technology like the Galaxy Tab S11 series to enable, not replace, traditional skills.”
The Galaxy Tab S11 series delivers the most intelligent and advanced tablet experience yet. Powered by the latest Galaxy AI, it’s the thinnest Samsung tablet to date with Dynamic AMOLED 2X display and a redesigned S Pen for precision sketching. The tablet has been built for effortless productivity and with Drawing Assist and Sketch to Image, ideas can quickly become masterpieces.
[1] Samsung Account login may be required to use certain AI features. Samsung does not make any promises, assurances or guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the output provided by AI features.
[2] Compatible with selected languages only. Google account login and network connection required. Google and Gemini are trademarks of Google LLC.