- Playing ballgames: For the Mayans, ballgames held cultural, religious, and social significance. The well-known ballgame, called Pok-a-Tok, served as entertainment for nobles and commoners. They built impressive ball courts, and skillful players were esteemed and respected.
- Engaging in arts and crafts: The Mayans demonstrated remarkable artistic talents. They created intricate pottery, weaving, wood carvings, and stone sculptures, showcasing their craftsmanship. Many artworks depicted religious symbols, human figures, and historical scenes.
- Participating in feasts and rituals: The Mayans celebrated festivals and rites tied to their religious beliefs and agricultural cycles. Rituals involved offerings, music, dancing, and feasting with food and drinks like maize (corn) and cacao (used for preparing chocolate).
- Trading: Maya merchants engaged in extensive trade networks. They exchanged commodities like obsidian tools, cacao beans, salt, cotton, and exotic goods, often traveling long distances.
- Attending ceremonial dances and music performances: Dance and music held special places in Mayan culture. There were professional dancers and musicians who entertained during ceremonies, festivals, and other special occasions.
- Storytelling and sharing myths: The Mayans had a rich tradition of oral storytelling. They gathered to share creation myths, folklores, and tales that transmitted knowledge, culture, and history.
- Astronomical observations: The Maya were skilled astronomers. In their leisure moments, they observed the night sky, tracked the movements of celestial bodies, and developed intricate calendars for agricultural purposes and predicting astronomical events.
These activities not only provided recreation but also strengthened social bonds, fostered a sense of community, and contributed to the cultural fabric of Mayan civilization.