Our surveys show that playing video games is the number one hobby across all ages and demographics. Gen Z ranks sports as their number two hobby—while 29% enjoy gaming and sports rather than one or the other. Other Gen Z hobbies and activities, such as performing arts, cooking, and fitness, are far less prevalent.

These facts reflect the views of thousands of teens from middle through high school and suggest a streamlined approach to reaching teens directly. There will always be plenty of teens dedicated to gaming and sports. The reality, however, is that the data is more nuanced, which means your outreach strategy may need several different pillars.

When tracking Gen Z hobbies, there is a significant disparity between those enjoyed by girls and those enjoyed by boys. Yes, there are plenty of female teens gaming and quite a few male teens reading, but gender stereotypes are still very much in play. Top hobbies for girls, perhaps not surprisingly, include cooking, performing arts, and creative writing. Meanwhile, boys gravitate toward more “masculine” activities such as fitness and outdoor activities. LGBTQ+ teens prefer creative hobbies such as performing, visual arts, and music.

Teen interests also vary based on age, race, and academic achievement. In general, fewer Black teens are involved in any hobbies than White, Asian, or Hispanic teens. At the same time, teens who achieve more academically are also less likely to participate in hobbies.

If your organization is interested in reaching teens, connecting with them through a solid understanding of Gen Z hobbies makes sense. It’s essential, however, to bear these four points in mind as you segment your market and develop your outreach plan:

1. If you’re interested in reaching “all” Gen Z teens, you can start with a focus on gaming and sports – but be aware that you’ll miss at least a quarter of all teens with that strategy and that the most significant group you’ll reach will be White boys.

2. Despite attempts to support teens in non-gender stereotyped activities, the data around Gen Z hobbies still supports boys tend to prefer “masculine” hobbies while girls prefer hobbies that skew more “feminine.”

3. Through their hobbies, you can reach most White teens with fair to moderate grades. You may, however, need different strategies for reaching Black teens or high academic achievers.

4. A good strategy may start online but won’t neglect the need to reach teens out in the real world.

Discover our insights into Gen Z hobbies based on gender, race, and academics and learn how to reach Gen Z and engage with diverse teen groups through their varied interests.