a pleasurable activity engaged in for relaxation or enjoyment
His favourite recreation was spying on his neighbours
the refreshment of the mind and spirits after work
I profess myself one of those who consider intervals of recreation and amusement as desirable for everybody — Jane Austen
[Middle English recreacion via French from Latin recreation-, recreatio restoration to health, from recreare to create anew, restore, refresh, from re- + creare to create]