Birding, silent book club, Mahjong and more: America's meetup explosion
Young people raised on swiping, DMing and streaming are doing something bold: going out. Why it matters: Amid a loneliness epidemic , millennials and Gen Zers are craving IRL connection — enough to show up for meetups built around activities once considered solitary, or " grandma hobbies ." The latest: They're leaving the house to play chess , birdwatch and read in silence together. "It's very…
Millennials and Gen Zers are bucking the trend of staying indoors and connecting with others in person - through activities once reserved for solitude. Birdwatching, reading in silence, playing chess and mahjong are just a few of the hobbies that have seen a surge in interest. Cole Robinson, president of the Audubon on Campus Trinity University chapter, believes these soft socializing experiences can help combat loneliness.
Eventbrite reports a 151% increase in puzzle competitions and a 94% increase in mahjong-focused events from August 2024 to July 2025 compared to the previous year. While these seemingly solitary activities have gained popularity, they're also being used as a catalyst for romantic connections at "meet-cute" events. The trend extends to platonic dinner parties with strangers, as people crave more connection and less time spent scrolling through their phones.
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