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We’re coming up to the new year, and that means it’s time to start thinking about resolutions! Like other men, you may have a range of possibilities floating around your head. Perhaps you’d like to quit smoking, learn a new skill, or really go for that promotion at work. One resolution that keeps cropping up again and again is to pursue a new hobby. If this sounds appealing, here are a few modern ideas to consider.

Geo-Caching

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If you’re something of a tech-nut, and you want an excuse to fit in a little more exercise, then geo-caching could be the perfect new hobby to try. If you weren’t already aware, geo-caching is a kind of high-tech treasure hunt, where you can choose to either hide or seek. Some hobbyists who are into geo-caching will hide the treasure capsule, whereas others will find them. All you need for it is any smartphone or tablet with GPS, and a series of clues kept in an online logbook which you can use to hunt down treasure caches. Then, you can add your own clues, return the cache to its original location, and set someone else off to find it. This is a great hobby for those who want to get out of the house a little more, and don’t want to spend a small fortune on their new hobby.

Bikes, Boards and Blades

This is a great one for guys who want to fit a little more exercise in, and get closer to their sons or daughters. Like countless other men, you might have an old push-bike that’s wasting away in your shed or garage, or at least some fond memories of riding one in the past. Even better, you may have been crazy for skateboarding or inline skating when you were younger, and had to drop it to pursue education, a career, or simply to convince your wives’ parents that you weren’t a man-child! If you're looking to get back into skateboarding, you'll need a decent pair of skateboarding shoes to look the part and protect your feet. You may feel a bit silly getting out there for the first time in so long, but skateboarding, cycling or rollerblading can be a great way to fill your free time and bond with your kids. If you want to try something a little bit different and more cutting-edge, there’s a growing niche of electric skateboards too. You can read more about this on The Electric Rider.

Drone Flying

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Drones are absolutely massive these days, and with an ever-expanding subculture they’re certainly not going to disappear any time soon! Though they may look a little complex, learning to fly a drone can be a remarkably quick process, especially with all the free resources for it out there today. Whether you want to get into aerial photography for advertising purposes, or you just want to fly a drone for the fun of it, now’s a great time to explore the exciting world of drone flying. The only downside to this hobby is the price! While there are some very affordable drones out there, you get what you pay for, and once you’ve had a taste you’ll almost certainly want to sink a small fortune into it!