America's favorite hobbies

According to a 2002 Harris Poll, reading, watching TV, spending time with the family, fishing and gardening are America’s most popular pastimes.

From top to bottom, here's what Americans were doing with their free time four years ago....

Reading
TV watching
Spending time with family/kids
Fishing
Gardening
Swimming
Computer activities
Going to movies
Walking
Golf
Exercise (aerobics, weights)
Playing team sports
Socializing with friends/neighbors
Renting movies
Traveling
Listening to music
ShoppingCrafts (unspecified)
Camping
Church/church activities
BoatingHunting
RelaxingSewing/crocheting
Bicycling
Watching sporting events
Playing music
Sleeping
Beach/Sun tanning
Bowling
Cooking
Entertaining
Working on cars
Animals/pets/dogs
Eating out
Painting
Running
Woodworking
Hiking

While the survey is a bit out of date, I suspect the the rankings are still pretty much the same.

Not surprisingly, stamp collecting wasn't even listed. No wonder when (according to the American Academy of Pediatrics) kids are watching TV 4 hours a day or more!

To see the complete Harris survey, click here.