Granny activities, or “grandmacore” hobbies are a hot trend as the perfect anecdote to unplug from 24/7 screen time. Here are seven unplugged activities to try for your next digital detox — plus where you can do them in Northern Virginia.
Baking
Knead & Know
Learn how to make bread at Knead & Know in The Plains, where classes cover everything from focaccia, brioche, and bagels to pizza, baguettes, croissants, and sourdough rye. Classes are organized by experience level, from beginner to advanced.
Sugarcoated Bakery
Try your hand at decorating with Sugarcoated Bakery, which offers sugar cookie decorating classes at local wineries and breweries. Participants can learn how to make royal icing and unique designs. The bakery offers private and group sessions, parties, and events.
Bird-watching
Northern VA Bird Alliance
The Northern VA Bird Alliance, formerly the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia, hosts weekend classes and local bird outings. February class highlights include one on winter birding at Lake Fairfax Park on February 1 and a late month survey at Occoquan Bay NWR Natural Resources. The alliance’s full calendar can be found here. 11100 Wildlife Ctr. Dr., Ste. 100, Reston
Northern Virginia Bird Club
This Arlington bird club hosts more than 100 bird walks annually. Check their calendar to find one near you.
Gardening
Falls Church Garden Club
The Falls Church Garden Club meets 10 months out of the year. They have a garden tour, plant swap, and even maintain a native plant garden along the W&OD Trail. Falls Church
Great Falls Garden Club
The Great Falls Garden Club is a member of the National Garden Clubs, Inc., and strives to provide education, resources, and networking for members. The club meets on the second Thursday of every month at 1 p.m. from September through June at the Great Falls Library. Those interested in attending a meeting, it is recommended to contact the garden club here. 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls
Knitting
Fibre Space
Fibre Space offers beginner and advanced classes in hand knitting, crochet, and spinning. Beginner and beyond basics classes have only six students, making for a small, close-knit atmosphere. Upcoming classes include Introduction to Knitting and various independent studies. 1319 Prince St., Alexandria
Red Fox Yarns
Red Fox Yarns in Vienna offers knitting classes for beginners as well as an upcoming hat knitting class in March. Classes are typically two hours and are on Fridays and Saturdays. 421 Church St. NE, Vienna
Letterboxing
Letterboxing is a treasure hunt-like outdoor activity. Letterboxers hide small, weatherproof boxes in public places and post clues to finding them on various websites. On the website letterboxing.org, you can find around 60,000 active letterboxes listed.
Mahjong
Mahjong at Ono Brewing Company
Learn how to play this centuries-old game that has taken over the region. Ono Brewing Company hosts Mahjong 101 classes for beginners and offers other mahjong-related events. 4520 Daly Dr. Ste 102, Chantilly
Talk Tiles to Me
Head to this Falls Church mahjong studio for beginner instruction, open play, leagues, and private events. Guests can also opt into private and group lessons throughout the DMV area. 13 Rowell Ct, Falls Church
Needlepointing
American Needlepoint Guild
The Northern Virginia chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild offers education through programs, annual events, and certification for teachers and artists. It meets on the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in McLean. 1545 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean
Stitch Club DC
The DC Chapter of this needlepointing club hosts monthly Stitch & Sip meetups at the Atrium of the National Portrait Gallery. 8th and G Streets NW, DC
Feature image of Fibre Space courtesy Sarah Marcella Creative
