Canada is a beautiful country filled with different opportunities that give Canadians plenty of things to do in their spare time. Some pastime activities, like cooking, are universal and are frequently enjoyed by millions of people worldwide. Others, like online gambling, are reserved for the lucky few. Take a look at the most popular hobbies amongst Canadians and see what portion of the country’s residents share the same pastime activity as you.
Lo and behold, there’s nothing an average Canadian enjoys more than concocting different recipes in the comfort of their own home. Statista’s survey shows that 41% of Canadians report cooking/baking as their most cherished hobby.
If you’re wondering what it is about cooking that’s got Canadians so fired up, just think about all the country’s traditional dishes, like Nanaimo bars, touton, and poutine. Whether you have a sweet tooth or crave something savory, the Canadian cuisine has an ace up its sleeve to help satisfy your cravings; regardless of whether you decide to make it yourself or enjoy it in a restaurant, you are in for some good, delicious fun.
Whether it’s a good old classic or the latest crime & mystery novel, Canadians love to cozy up with a good book – especially during the gloomy winter weather. 41% of Canada’s residents reported reading as their most cherished hobby, spending hours of their life on good books.
If you join your local library, reading can be a cost-free activity; more importantly, it can also be a hobby that stimulates your brain and improves your vocabulary. Canada has produced some of the world’s greatest writers, like Alice Munroe, and the most popular genres in the country seem to be biography, mystery, and science fiction.
Canada is home to some of the most beautiful, breath-taking sights. That’s why it comes as no surprise that a day trip to the Canadian Rockies or Niagara Falls is one of the most popular hobbies amongst Canadians. Statistics show that 35% of people cherish nothing more than to spend a day outside – alone or with friends.
A number of things can count as an outdoor activity – from a picnic at a local park to a weekend getaway in the mountains and everything in between, it’s encouraging that Canada’s residents choose to spend their days getting some fresh air.
Canada is beautiful, but that doesn’t stop an average Canadian from exploring the beauty of other countries. 35% of Canada’s residents say that they love to travel, whether to countries abroad or other cities within Canada.
Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Quebec City are some of the most popular traveling destinations within Canada, and they provide a plethora of museums, national parks, and historic sites for people to explore. Research shows that tourism is a great contributor to Canada’s GDP, with the country’s residents spending $73.5 billion on domestic tourism in 2023.
Couldn’t imagine life without your furry friend? Then you are definitely not alone! According to statistics, 33% of Canadians love to spend their free time on pets. Grooming, bathing, and feeding are all chores that are essential when taking care of a pet, with one activity being the most cherished of them all – playing.
Cats, dogs, fish, and exotic animals – all can be found in the homes of Canadians who have a soft spot for animals. Interestingly enough, Canada is one of the few countries in the world where cats are more popular than dogs, as they reign supreme among pet owners.
With approximately 3.2 billion video gamers worldwide, it’s no wonder that video gaming is one of the most popular hobbies amongst Canadians, with 32% of residents reportedly enjoying this activity. In 2024, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 was the top-selling video game in Canada, closely followed by Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero and Super Mario Party Jamboree.
There are many avid online gamblers among the 32% of Canadian residents who enjoy video gaming, as the two go hand-in-hand many times. National data show that six in ten Canadians partake in gambling, be it on the best online gambling websites or at the nearest land-based establishments. Whether you like to gamble with Bitcoin, which is a great option when playing online (source: https://99bitcoins.com/best-bitcoin-casino/crypto-casinos-canada/), or gamble by using your e-wallet, Canada’s regulated market gives you plenty of options for both.
Paris and Milan aren’t the only cities where people love to shop – whether looking for fast fashion or high-end brands, Canada’s biggest cities offer quite a few opportunities for spending your hard-earned money. That’s why 30% of Canadians said they enjoy shopping above anything else.
Canada has a plethora of well-stocked shopping malls, with most of them providing an opportunity for online shopping. So no worries if you don’t live in a city that’s a shopping mecca – you can still dress fashionably, as long as you don’t mind waiting a few days for delivery.
Statista’s research has discovered that 27% of Canada’s residents like to socialize to such an extent that they consider it a hobby. Whether it’s by reveling in Canada’s nature or by sitting in a crowded bar—which Canada has plenty of—the country’s residents appreciate nothing more than a night spent in good company.
While socializing is a form of entertainment available to every region, big cities are the ones brimming with the most opportunities. Vibrant clubs, live music venues, and late-night restaurants are all popular spots once the Sun goes down.
Monopoly, Catan, Trivial Pursuit – take your pick, as you’re highly likely to know a Canadian who loves to play them. Board games, along with card games, are a favorite hobby of 25% of Canadians.
This hobby goes hand-in-hand with the previous one, as these are multiplayer games and require gathering your close circle of friends.
Canadians are people with a host of different interests. From taking care of a pet to enjoying a night out in bars and shopping in the best malls, the country’s residents are always keeping themselves occupied. Of course, these are just the most common and popular hobbies – there are just as many Canadians who enjoy painting, attending language courses, and learning a new skill.
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