5 fun nerdy hobbies that you can start doing for cheap right now

5 fun nerdy hobbies that you can start doing for cheap right now Credit: Patrick Campanale / How-To Geek By  Tim Brookes Published May 31, 2026, 6:30 AM EDT Tim has been covering technology for almost 20 years, in that time spanning a broad range of topics from security to product reviews. He is especially focused on the Apple ecosystem, productivity, and consumer advice. Over the years Tim has written thousands of articles, reviews, and round-ups in addition to producing video content and original photography. A graduate of journalism, he found his footing as a freelancer with a laptop and loves how he is able to work from practically anywhere. Now a Senior Editor for iPhone, Mac, and Smart Home at How-To Geek , Tim still loves to write. He can also be found crafting round-ups and productivity posts for the Zapier blog . Earlier in his career Tim spent nearly a decade as a writer and eventually Apple section editor for MakeUseOf . Tim currently lives in Brisbane, Australia. Outside of work he loves to hike and work out, play video games, and spend quality time with his wonderful partner and two cats Inka and Roger. Sign in to your How-To Geek account Add Us On follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap Getting into a new hobby can be daunting. Enthusiasts brag about spending thousands on fancy bits of equipment, while you’re still trying to figure out if you’re going to stick with it long-term. Thankfully, you can start tinkering and making things for a relatively small investment these days. 3D printing Printers are easier to use and cheaper than ever You can buy a cheap 3D printer brand new for a few hundred dollars, or spend a comparable amount on a used model to get even more bang for your buck. Buying used is arguably the best way to go, since you always have the option of selling the printer f