The Top Seven Retirement Activities, Part 7

We’re continuing our series on the Top Seven Retirement Activities—the key habits and routines that make for a fun, meaningful, and well-rounded life after work.

So far, we’ve covered:

• #1: Exercise and Staying Healthy
• #2: Building and Maintaining Strong Social Connections
• #3: Some Form of Work (Parts A and B)
• #4: Challenge Your Mind
• #5: Enjoy Life (Have Fun)
• #6: Relax

If you missed any of these, be sure to go back and check them out to catch up.

Now, it’s time to dive into the last essential activity.

7. Additional Physical Activities to Exercising

Ok, maybe this is overkill and it’s not needed (some would lump this into “exercising” and leave it at that), but I wanted to include it for two main reasons:

Exercising alone is not enough. It’s great, but most of us need more movement in our lives.

There are so many benefits from these additional activities that they deserve their own place in the list. So I wanted to include it as its own separate item to make sure it gets the coverage it deserves. 

The type of activities I’m talking about are physical activities that you also enjoy — think of it as exercising and fun having a baby. Hahaha.

The Difference Between This and Exercising

The best way I can differentiate these items from exercising is to offer you some examples.

Let’s begin with weight lifting. It’s exercise. It’s not fun. Ok, maybe it is fun to you masochists out there — but it certainly isn’t to me. When people used to ask me if I liked lifting weights I would say “I hate it, but I love the results.” But pickleball is fun…and it’s exercise. So pickleball would be in this category and not in the exercising group (or at least not exercising exclusively.)

Another is cardio. Same thing. I used to suffer three times a week on the stair master. Now I suffer seven times a week swimming laps. Neither of them are fun, but they are certainly exercise. But going to the pool in our subdivision is fun and is a nice physical activity that adds to my life.

Basically this activity simply suggests people get out there and move doing something they love. They could do only things in this category and count them as #7 and #1, while some of the items in #1 can only be in exercising. Maybe that’s clear as mud, and if it’s a problem for you, you have my permission to skip this activity — and only have six retirement activities to consider. lol

Personally, I prefer to have both in my life, and so I do. And since my writing is as much about me and what I should do as it is anyone else, I’m including these as their own activity to consider.

Suggested Additional Physical Activities 

For those of you still with me, do you want some more ideas for this activity? I have plenty!

Here are some ideas I’d put into this area:

• Pickleball – A wildly popular and social sport that’s easy to learn and great for all fitness levels.
• Beach tennis – If you live in The Villages, this is the next big thing (maybe after water volleyball).
• Bocce/shuffleboard — Aren’t these basically the same games packaged differently? Two Gentle activities with a social twist—popular in many retirement communities.
• Cornhole – This is a real up and coming “sport.” I have seen it in a wide variety of places – from yards to beside pickleball courts to bars.
• Dancing – Ballroom, line dancing, Zumba, or even just dancing in your living room—great cardio and mood booster.
• Hiking – Explore nature at your own pace, from easy trails to scenic mountain treks. If you prefer to accomplish something good while hiking, consider trail cleanups to the menu.
• Walking Groups – Combine exercise with social time by walking with friends or a local group. Or walk alone and listen to a podcast.
• Golf – Offers light physical movement, social interaction, and time outdoors. It’s a retirement activity dream!
• Cycling – Ride solo or with a group for a fun, joint-friendly workout.
• Gardening – Surprisingly physical, therapeutic, and satisfying—plus you get flowers or food! I personally prefer flowers but our kids do both.
• Tai Chi – A graceful, meditative form of movement that improves balance and reduces stress. I have always wanted to try this.
• Yoga – Builds flexibility and strength while promoting relaxation—plus, there are fun group classes.
• Recreational Sports – Softball, volleyball, or tennis leagues tailored to your pace.
• Bowling – Light activity that keeps you moving and is often paired with laughs and friendly competition.
• Mini Golf – Low-key, playful, and fun for all ages.
• Kayaking or Canoeing – Peaceful upper-body workout with gorgeous views.
• Frisbee or Frisbee Golf – Casual and fun—perfect for parks or outdoor gatherings.
• Playing with Grandkids – Running, chasing, and playing games is exercise in disguise.
• Geocaching – A real-world treasure hunt that gets you walking, thinking, and exploring.
• Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) – Great for balance and core strength, and you get to enjoy the water and sun.
• Table Tennis (Ping Pong) – Fast-paced, mentally engaging, and surprisingly good cardio. You can work up a surprising sweat playing this.
• Movement-based Video Games (like Wii Sports) – Fun indoor movement with friendly competition. We love golf, tennis, and bowling.
• Horseback Riding – A unique blend of outdoor activity and connection with animals. Plus if you need to spend $20k a year, here’s your solution. Hahahaha.
• Active Travel – Explore cities or nature trails on foot or by bike while sightseeing. 
• Rollerblading or Skating – For those feeling adventurous—great for cardio and balance.
• Jumping Rope – High-energy and nostalgic, perfect for short bursts of cardio. I used to do this as a kid and loved it.
• Charity Walks or Races – Stay motivated while supporting a good cause.
• •Beach Activities – Walking in the sand, paddleball, frisbee, beach volleyball, or just wave jumping.
• LARP or Adventure Games – Yes, even live-action role-play counts if it gets you moving and laughing! Get your geek on!
• Dog Walking (even if it’s not your dog!) – Great daily movement and an excuse to meet people. Could be a side hustle too!
• Cleaning or Organizing with Music – It may be housework, but with the right playlist, it’s practically cardio.
• Drumming Classes (Cardio Drumming) – A high-energy, rhythmic way to break a sweat and feel like a rock star. Wait! This is the next big activity at The Villages!
• Dance Flash Mobs or Pop-Up Performances – Join a group and surprise the world with joy and movement.
• Farmers Market Walks – Stroll through outdoor markets with lots of steps and healthy food rewards.
• Beachcombing or Rock Hunting – Great for mobility, bending, and unexpected discoveries.
• Historic Walking Tours – Learn something new while logging steps in your own city or while traveling.
• Stair Climbing Challenges – At home, in parks, or stadiums—track progress over time.
• Acting or Improv Classes – Surprisingly physical, involving movement, laughter, and spontaneity. 
• Ice Skating (indoor or outdoor) – A graceful way to work on balance and coordination.
• Snowshoeing – An adventurous, low-impact winter activity with stunning scenery. Perfect for those Michigan winters! Hahaha.
• Sailing or Row Boating – Combines movement with peace and nature. No, wait! This is the next big activity in The Villages. hahahaha.
• Interactive Museums or Exhibits – Walk through immersive environments, often with hands-on elements.
• Volunteering with Physical Tasks – Habitat for Humanity, park cleanups, food distribution, or event setup.
• Stargazing Walks or Night Hikes – Calmer but magical—encourages movement and mindfulness.
• Urban Exploring (“Urbex”) – Explore old neighborhoods, architecture, or hidden trails in your city.
• Fly a Kite – You’d be surprised how much walking (and joy) this involves on a breezy day.
• Hobby-Based Activities (Metal Detecting, Treasure Hunting) – Adds purpose and curiosity to your walking.
• Puppy Playgroups – Borrow a dog or join others in active play—it’s fun, friendly cardio. Are cat groups even a thing?

You get the idea, right?

By the way, many of these can qualify as exercise too – especially if ramped up one way or another.

The Most Fun Physical Activities 

To wrap things up, I asked ChatGPT the following:

What do you consider the top ten most fun physical activities?

I got this response:

While “fun” is subjective, here’s a curated list of the Top 10 Best Fun Physical Activities that hit the sweet spot of enjoyment, health benefits, social connection, and accessibility—especially for retirees or anyone looking for movement that doesn’t feel like a chore:

1. Pickleball. Easy to learn, incredibly social, and a great low-impact cardio workout—it’s exploding in popularity for a reason.

2. Dancing. Whether it’s ballroom, line dancing, or Zumba, dancing is joyful, energizing, and great for balance, coordination, and your mood.

3. Swimming. A full-body, joint-friendly workout that feels more like play—especially when done in warm water or with a group.

4. Hiking or Nature Walks. Combines fresh air, scenic views, and gentle exercise. Bonus points for birdwatching, photography, or hiking with friends.

5. Cycling (Outdoor or Stationary). Great for cardio and joint health, with the added benefit of freedom and exploration—especially on trails or in parks.

6. Yoga or Tai Chi. Fun doesn’t always mean fast—these mindful, flowing practices are relaxing, restorative, and sneakily effective for strength and flexibility.

7. Golf (or Mini Golf). Low-impact, social, outdoors, and filled with playful competition—plus lots of walking without realizing it.

8. Gardening. Surprisingly physical, endlessly rewarding, and therapeutic—digging, planting, and harvesting all count as functional movement.

9. Group Fitness Classes (Barre, Water Aerobics, etc.). The energy of a group plus a motivating instructor makes it more fun—and easier to stick with.

10. Active Travel & Walking Tours. Exploring new cities or natural sites on foot combines fitness, discovery, and delight—and you barely notice how much you’re moving.

⸻

Uh, Ok.

I swim laps every day and I can testify that it does not feel like play. It feels more like your heart is going to explode but it won’t matter as you’ll die first from lack of oxygen. Hahaha.

Anyway, to find activities that mean something to you, try them out before retirement, so you have several to choose from once you make the freedom leap.

What I Do for Extra Activity 

So, what do I do for additional physical activity?

Here are my most common pursuits:

• Pickleball – Used to play quite a bit…3-5 times a week.
• Gardening and yard work – Growing plants, caring for trees, and mowing the yard.
• Walking – I have had a minimum of 7k steps a day for almost 7.5 years.
• Travel – Plan to see the NC mountains and beaches.
• Movement video games – Wii tennis, golf, and bowling are our favorites. I wish they had baseball as I remember that being fun.
• Neighborhood pool – We visit regularly in the summer just to lounge, move around, and chat.
• Stairs – One “advantage” of living in a bigger house is that I make several trips up and down the stairs every day.

There are probably more I’m forgetting about but you get the idea – nothing amazing but extra movement here and there adds up to a decent positive for most people.

The Top Seven Retirement Activities 

So those are my top seven retirement activities. Hopefully they will help you select the best activities for you (from the thousands possible) to make the most of your retirement.

While this list might seem like a lot to some people…you really don’t need seven individual activities to cover them. If you go back to the 3.6 core pursuits that Wes Moss’s research identified to be a happy retiree, you can certainly address these seven in four activities.

Here’s an example:

• Lifting weights – Exercise
• Golf – Extra physical activity, socializing 
• Creating a side hustle you like – work, challenge your mind, socializing
• Travel – Enjoy life, relaxing

See, all seven covered in four activities!

But the truth is, you’ll probably have 10 to 20 – many of which rotate in and out and change over time. And many of which you’ve already been doing some form of while working — it’s just that during retirement you can lean in to these and do them full force.

I wish you all the best as you plan and act to make the life side of retirement the best it can be!

Additional ESI Money posts to read for more on this subject include: