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25 Activities And Hands-On Products You Might Enjoy Even More Than A Reality Show Marathon

Diamond art kits have me more locked in than the Kardashians.

Posted on Oct 30, 2026 UTC

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by Mariel Guzman BuzzFeed BuzzFeed Staff

I'm a resident writer on the Buzzfeed Shopping team, where my love for shopping (and doomscrolling on TikTok) helps me curate lists of the most trending lifestyle, home, beauty, and fashion products.

1. A pretty watercolor workbookwith clear outlines so you can calmly paint without stressing about what to put on the page. It also has clear instructions and sample paintings so you can feel like you are learning proper technique, no need for a pricey art class. You'll create decor-worthy pieces and watch your screen time slowly go down. 

Amazon

If flowers aren't your thing, the listing has animal, bird, and autumn versions, too!

Need paints? Get a well-reviewed Grabie set of 50 watercolors and 6 brushes for $19.99. 

Promising reviews: "Charming little book that is perfect for this beginner. It was well described and delivered on what it described. Very happy with this purchase." —Amazon Customer

"I gave these as presents to an 8- and 10-year-old, and they loved them. The outline of the picture to be painted is perfect, and the instructions are very easy to understand. The only thing I would add is to try the paint color on a separate sheet of paper before coloring the book." —Renee Gardner

Get it from Amazon for $24. 

2. Murdle, Volume 1, for all my true crime fans who scream at their phone, "HOW HAVE THEY NOT SOLVED IT?!". You can put your detective skills to the test with 100 mystery-themed puzzles, all ranked at different difficulty levels. Once you start, you won't be able to stop until you crack the final code. 

www.amazon.com

You can do the book in any order, but if you start from the beginning, you'll get the full story of Detective Logico. There are 100 puzzles total, ranging from Elementary level to impossible. Starting easy, you will find the suspect, location, and weapon. The next level, you will have to go through a puzzle of interrogation, as the suspects always tell the truth, but the murderer lies. You will then need to discover the motive. And when you've hit the impossible level, you will have to discover all four elements while dealing with a lying witness statement. And there's a logic grid puzzle helping you solve each case!

Check out a TikTok of Murdle in action. 

The best part?? Once you finish "Murdling," you can use your sleuthing skills on Volume 2, Volume 3, and a whole BUNCH of other themed Murdle books! 

Promising review: "The puzzles are a lot of fun, but the characters, story lines, and other details take the Murdle experience to another level. I have no idea how the author came up with all of this creativity! You can Murdle solo or with friends. I look forward to future volumes, but this one will keep me busy for a while!" —Liz Gately

Get it from Amazon for $12.48.

3. A sticker-by-number book to put your mind at ease as you create beautiful floral designs without the stressful mess. Unlike the usual paint version, there's no need to panic when you accidentally cover the wrong number or leave white gaps — just lift and re-stick until you're satisfied with your seamless work. Bonus: The pages are perforated for easy tear, so you can have a gallery of paint-like pieces (your guest won't even know they're stickers). 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I’m a young adult who spends a lot of time in the hospital due to bad health issues. Most of the time, it’s nerve-wracking and very boring. I ordered this little book to take with me for next time, and I was very happy with it! It kept me busy and calmed my nerves. It was easy to do and therapeutic. I like the variety of pictures!" —Cherry  

Get it from Amazon for $11.24.

4. A pack of colorful air-dry clay sure to have you obsessed as you make trays and trinkets galore. The vibrant colors will inspire you to create every animal or character imaginable — BRB, gonna go sculpt 100 sea creatures and reenact Finding Nemo. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "If you love to spend your time doing arts and crafts. This will have you entertained for hours!! I love spending my time doing activities like these instead of being glued to the TV or a cellphone. Super easy to use. Very durable. The number of colors I received was more than enough. Age range can be 3+ years. I’m 25 years old and am having a blast playing with this." —Vanessa 

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in packs of 24 and 36).

5. A friendship bracelet kitthat'll have you making jewelry for every stranger you meet (the world is your Taylor Swift concert). You'll truly never stop making earrings, bracelets, and necklaces with the endless tubs of colorful beads and charms. Let's be real — your favorite store clerk DOES need a matching BFF bracelet with you. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Each kit comes with 9,600 clay beads in 48 different colors, 850 accessory beads and pendants (like letters, pearls, hearts, and shells), elastic string, tweezers, scissors, and earring hooks, so you won't have to buy anything separate to kickstart your jewelry-making era. 

Promising review: "Gifted the set to my niece, and she is making bracelets and necklaces without stopping. 🙂 Having so much fun. I personally liked that everything is packed nicely. The organizer box is amazing. The colors of heishi beads are so unique. And good quality of the golden letters beads." — Svetlana Makarenko

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in gold and silver). 

6. A 2-in-1 checker and tic-tac-toe gamefor when you *and* your kids need a little "no screen time". After a few rounds of tic-tac-toe, just flip it over for a longer game of checkers that is sure to bring out your competitive side. These are great for indoors but can also be used outside, so you can finally get a little fresh air after binging another season of Love Island.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

The game mat measures 4' x 4' and is machine washable! It comes with a carrying bag and 24 jumbo playing discs (12 red and 12 black). The discs are made of non-toxic, recycled EVA foam.

Swooc Games is a small business that makes fun games for family and friends. The company is committed to maintaining a net-zero footprint by planting trees to offset 100% of its carbon emissions.

Promising review: "This 4' x 4' reversible game mat is great for indoor and outdoor fun! I love that you can play checkers or tic-tac-toe, and all of the supplies fit in a portable bag that is perfect for storage and/or traveling. The mat is machine washable, and the pieces are made of foam that is eco-friendly. The best part about this game set is how easy it is to set up and put away. I am looking forward to using this game with friends, family, and in my classroom." —Sixth Grade Teachers

Get it from Amazon for $39.99.

7. A beginner-friendly crochet kit to make cute plant friends for your car or desk — no watering necessary to keep these little guys alive. This kit comes with all the necessary tools to start your crochet journey and even a how-to video guide if creating a magic ring is just not clicking. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

The kit comes with an ergonomic crochet hook, a yarn needle, stitch markers, eyes, colored yarn, and enough stuffing for six plants. 

Promising review: "It comes with everything you need to get started, including easy-to-follow instructions. As someone new to crochet, I found the materials and tools high-quality and perfect for learning. The kit is well-organized, making it easy to dive right into projects, and the step-by-step guide is super helpful. It's a great kit for adults looking to pick up a fun and relaxing new hobby. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to start crocheting!" —heidi vanderlee 

Get it from Amazon for$21.99. 

8. A sourdough starter kit so you can join in on the trend and have fresh-baked bread all the time! The sourdough community can seem a little intimidating, but this provides you with every tool and a step-by-step guide so you can experience that initial satisfying cut of perfectly baked bread. Your sandwich game is about to be next level!

www.amazon.com

This kit provides you with a banneton basket, a dough whisk, a dough cutter, five blades (with a leather cover) for designs, a bowl scraper, a scoring lame, and even a cleaning brush. You can also use the recipe book to try out different loaf recipes or to get a better understanding of every tool.  

Promising review: "This is just what I was looking for to start my sourdough bread journey while healing from a surgery and on leave from work. It kept me busy, and I still use it today. Great quality, durable items." —joanne 

Get it from Amazon for $23.74+ (available in two banneton basket shapes and in gift sets).

9. A book nook kitfor the little trolls and creatures that live in your shelves. This whimsical kit comes with tiny furniture, LED lights, and decor that you'll spend hours intricately arranging. It will put your patience (and your shaky hands) to the test, but it'll also be *so* satisfying to see your finished model all lit up as a magical "room" in between your books.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

This kit comes with 139 pieces, but requires craft glue to stick all the small details together and two AAA batteries for the LED lights. 

Promising review: "I gave my wife one of these for Christmas, and she absolutely loved it! She's kind of a bookworm, so this was perfect for her bookshelf. It was fun to build and pretty simple to assemble. Putting the individual books together was a bit daunting, but the final product made it all worth it. As for quality, the pieces are very thin and sort of fragile (but that's the case with most DIY models), but overall, pretty solid in construction. Well worth every penny, and kept my wife busy for a month! My only real gripe about it is that the light switch is in the bottom back of it, so turning it on and off can be kind of a pain, having to pull it out of the bookshelf every time. Otherwise, it was a successful purchase, and the perfect gift! I'd recommend it to anyone!"—Daniel 

Get it from Amazon for $26.98+ (available in 17 designs). 

10. A complete baking setif you also were obsessed with Cake Boss and thought, "I can do that!" Now you can practice your skills to become the next great baker, and if you mess up — you can just eat the evidence. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

You'll be able to practice every cake decorating technique as this set comes with 12 different nozzle tips, a spinning cake board, 50 disposable piping bags, two reusable ones, two icing spatulas, and three cake scrapers. It even comes with how-to guides and videos so you know exactly how each tool is used. 

Promising review: "I got this for my little sister’s birthday since she loves decorating cakes, and it turned out to be a perfect gift. For the price, the quality is really solid — definitely a great starter set or something for casual decorators. She especially loved the guide that explains how to use each tip — super helpful for learning and pretty accurate. Great for helping her get ideas. The turntable glides smoothly, and the coupler makes switching tips easy. The piping bags are decent; they work fine for most frostings, though super-thick buttercream can cause them to burst if overfilled. There’s a nice variety of piping tips, and the frosting spatulas (especially the offset one) have been really useful for her. She’s already made some adorable cake and cupcake designs using this kit. Overall, it’s a great gift for anyone just getting into cake decorating — fun, functional, and really encouraging for creative baking." —Atali Bouck 

Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in five colors).

11. An embroidery set in case you've been searching for a "couch rotting" activity that's actually productive. This kit is super beginner-friendly with pre-stamped designs, an embroidery hoop, and bunches of thread in case your first attempt ends up in knots. Now you can sink into your couch while still using your hands for more than just scrolling. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I honestly thought this was going to be way more complicated than it is. Quality was good and the instructions were perfect. I was able to make my first picture in a few evenings. Very relaxing new hobby :)"—Nikkia 

Get a three-pack from Amazon for $11.99.

12. The Kanoodle Ultimate Champion game that will have you so locked in, you might actually forget you own a TV. This has 500 2D *and* 3D puzzles that range from beginner to expert, so you'll always have a challenge. The built-in timer adds another level of competition that'll have you determined to beat your best time.

Amazon

Here's a TikTok that shows how to play. In short, you pick a 2D or 3D puzzle from the guide and set it up to match the image. Start the timer and work to solve the puzzle with the remaining pieces. When done, stop the clock and record your time. Friends can challenge each other, or you can play solo to try and beat your own best score. It requires AAA batteries, so be sure to grab some!

BuzzFeed contributor John Mihaly has this to say about this game: "We love the classic version in our home, and it's been in heavy rotation since we got our hands on it. The object of the game is to finish a puzzle using all 12 Kanoodle pieces. The 2D version lies flat, while the 3D version (you can play both with this set) requires you to build a pyramid of pieces. Simple, fun, and challenging (harder puzzles reveal fewer pieces to start)."

Promising review: "Very easy to use and fun for all ages. Great gift idea and is small and compact, so you can take it anywhere with you!" —Jocelyn

Get it from Amazon for $19.97.

13. A copy of Wreck This Journalif you also begged your parents to get you one in 2013. (Now we have grown-up money!) This is truly designed to be wrecked, ripped, and destroyed as you go through each page — with endless prompts to really get your creative juices flowing. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Absolutely love this journal! So so soooo many activities to keep you busy, and the supplies you need are just everyday household items! very fun and engaging, and helps get rid of perfectionism. Also keeps your mind off anxiety and stress. Very helpful and I really love it! The activities vary from sew this page, infuse this page, drop a journal from a high place, freeze this page, press flowers, poke holes in this page, and so much more! There are even activities and a cut-out postcard on the cover jacket. So fun and engaging! Hours worth of activities to do. Worth the money!" —Squishmallows101 

Get it from Amazon for $7.67. 

14. A diamond bookmark kitthat'll have you wanting to read more just so you can show off your dazzling creation. It includes hundreds of small diamonds, clay glue, and a single pen, so you'll be locked in for hours placing each individual sparkle down. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "When my granddaughter comes, I always buy her a craft for how to sit and do. She absolutely loves this. Kept her busy for hours and very inexpensive." —Arlene  

Get it from Amazon for $8.99+(available in 10 designs).

15. Awood carving kit to release your stress and enter into the world of calming whittling. It may look daunting at first, but this kit comes with design outlines, a sharp carving knife, and a how-to tutorial so you can feel like a pro. And don't worry: It comes with protective wrapping so you won't lose a finger as you try to relax. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

For extra safety, check out these cut-proof gloves. 

The kit also includes two wood carving blocks (one cherry and one basswood), three types of sandpaper, and sharpening supplies.

Promising review: "Kit came as described. I liked that it had two different types of wood. One is definitely easier to cut. Spray the other with an alcohol and water mixture to soften the wood. Spraying often is what I've been told to do from various whittling groups. Used the finger tape, as the knife was just a bit too big for my small 65-year-old hands. Cuts happen. It's part of whittling but can be reduced with gloves and tape. Happy it came with beeswax and sandpaper. Nothing else you need to buy, except maybe gloves. My bird doesn't look exactly as it is pictured, but every piece will be unique, as no two people whittle the same. Overall, the instructions were good and give a person a try to see if they like to whittle." —snickers

Get it from Amazon for$28.43.

16. A candle-making kit for those who love to switch out their home's signature scent every few weeks. The delicious scents and bright dyes give you the creative freedom to make whatever candles you crave. (No need to wait for fall to burn a yummy apple scent.) The dried flowers and custom labels will also put you over the top — you might just want to set up your own soy candle business. 

www.amazon.com

The kit comes with four glass jars and three tin cans, pre-measured soy wax, seven fragrance oils, 10 dye blocks, candle wicks, glue dots, a melting pot, a digital thermometer, a mixing spoon, two centering devices, dried flowers, and decorative labels. 

Promising review: "This kit comes with everything a beginner hobbyist needs to make custom candles for gifts or for yourself. I've been having so much fun mixing different scents and colors to create my perfect custom candle. Easy to use (with a little practice and some instruction reading) and comes with everything you need. I am really enjoying this new hobby and think I may have finally found one I can stick with, simply because of the joy it brings to make and then use my creation!" —Lauren R. 

Get it from Amazon for $49.99+(also available in a black candle kit and larger sets).

17. A TikTok-viral coloring book full of the cutest little homes and characters — you'll wish you could just live in their world. You can lie back with a bottle of red and color the night away!

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I love it! It’s so fun and nice to have and keep my hands busy while watching TV with my partner. The paper is thin, so you have to put something between the pages to keep it from bleeding, but it says that at the beginning of the book. Highly recommend for a self-care-crafty item!"—Erika Jorren 

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (also available in a spiral-bound version).

18. Or a reverse coloring book if you need more of a challenge. This has pages of blobs and brush strokes, so you can be creative with what you see and outline a masterpiece. No more coloring inside the lines; you are the lines! 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I love this book. I pre-ordered after seeing it on TikTok and couldn't wait to get it! I'm working on my second coloring page and love it! THIS is a great book for older adults and anyone who doesn't think they are an artist! Just need a fine black marker and you'll be busy for hours!! I'm going to get more as gifts. This also makes a great alternative for children, teens, and really anyone as an alternative to screen time! Get one, you won't be disappointed!" —Little wave 

Get it from Amazon for $7.87. 

19. Origami Extravaganza, a how-to guide in creating all you can imagine right out of paper, like a frog, a crane, or even a whole garden of paper flowers. It comes with fun, colorful sheets and various pages of tutorials ranging from beginner to advanced. You'll have the coolest party trick once you master them all! 

www.amazon.com, Amazon

Promising review: "A great tool for keeping your mind busy. The instruction book is a little difficult to follow, but with the use of YouTube and the book makes for a great experience." —Camille L. Branch 

Get it from Amazon for $12.71.

20. A beginner's guide to calligraphy with detailed instructions on writing fonts from cursive to block lettering, all in different ink types. You'll definitely have the best handwriting in the friend group — so much so that they will probably start asking you to make their invitations instead of Canva.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Paper Peony Press is a Texas-based boutique publishing company that specializes in purpose-driven books. 

Promising review: "I’ve tried several instructional books on hand lettering. This book is the best by far. I won’t say the names of the other books, but suffice it to say they are all at the top of the list when you search for hand lettering. It is the only book that gives practice for the base strokes and also discusses posture and how to hold the pen, and at what angle to the paper. It is also a lovely book to work with; nice artwork/illustrations. I recommend this book to other beginners out there!" —Karen Rorick

Get it from Amazon for $19.69.

21. A vibrantmushroom cottage puzzle that'll have you color-coding and separating edge pieces for hours. This 1,000-piece design isn't one you can finish in an hour, so grab your hot tea, turn up your audiobook, and puzzle the night away! 

www.amazon.com

After you complete the mushroom cottage, you can dive into other Buffalo Games puzzles that are equally as complex and colorful!

Promising review: "I am recently retired and need something to keep me busy. This is my favorite brand of puzzle, and I have well over 50. I love how they aren't the easiest due to the color schemes, so it's not something you will get done in a few hours. Would recommend for puzzle lovers." —Amazon Customer 

Get it from Amazon for$12.29+ (available in seven designs).

22. Or a 1000 piece "magic" puzzle if you've never really been a puzzle person this might change your mind. "The Peckish Pirates" is not your ordinary puzzle! You'll need to sort through odd-shaped pieces and look for over 50 easter eggs and illusions — plus it has a "magical" twist that is only revealed once you place that last piece! The ending was designed by magicians, so your mind is sure to be blown!

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Another stellar puzzle from Magic Puzzle Company, featuring high-quality pieces, a hidden final image, and a unique solving experience. The artwork is full of detail, making it an immersive and engaging build. The pieces fit together snugly, with no puzzle dust, and the final reveal adds an element of surprise. If you’re looking for a high-quality puzzle that’s more than just a standard jigsaw, this one is worth every penny." —Baloptimus

Get it from Amazon for$25 (and check out the assortment of Magic Puzzlesfor more options!). 

23. A sushi-making kitso you can experiment with a new culinary hobby that isn't just ordering takeout. This kit provides everything from a sharp sushi knife to a rice bazooka that will actually give you restaurant-quality sushi rolls instead of a failed bowl of poke. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Best sushi-making kit out there, period. It contains all the tools you need to start making sushi, a really affordable kit, and it's just very entertaining to try it out with your family. It's the beginner's set you were looking for, and all parts appear to be made of non-harmful, natural, and durable materials. Five stars." —Antonio Mendez 

Get it from Amazon for $27.99+(available in three colors). 

24. A nostalgic Shrinky Dinks set that'll mentally transport you back to your sixth-grade bedroom as you spend hours drawing, baking, and creating thousands of keychains, charms, earrings, and ornaments. (Now you know what everyone is getting for Christmas!)

Amazon

It comes with 25 clear sheets and instructions. 

Promising review: "My kids and I have a blast making these! I recommend getting a hole punch and making key chains! You could also make super cute earrings as well. Really easy to use product and keeps kids busy for at least an hour." —Amanda 

Get it from Amazon for$14.45.

25. A felting kit to create tiny little creatures that'll keep you company as you rewatch The Office for the hundredth time. It comes with 40 vibrant colors, so you'll never run out of fun things to make. In fact, you'll probably have enough creations to act out the entire Dundie Awards episode. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

In addition to the 40 colorful bundles of felt, this kit comes with felting needles, scissors, bells, protective finger cots, foam pads, stencils, and even plastic eyeballs so you can create tiny fur friends! 

Promising review: "So I have always been intrigued by needle felting, but I thought it would be much harder, so I never looked into supplies. This craft is SOOOO fun to pass the time and keep your hands busy. This little kit was so perfect for beginners and for the price!!!!? Perfect." —Tali 

Get the 40-color set from Amazon for $26.99 (also available in two smaller sets). 

Still looking for something to keep you busy? Try:

* Fun Activities So You Don’t Come Home From Work And Doomscroll… Again

* Products To Keep You Entertained Now That It’s Hibernation Season Again (AKA Fall)

* Just 27 Card Games You May Want To Try

* Fun Solo Games And Activities Because Sometimes Socializing Is Overrated

* Quick And Easy Activities That’ll Cure Your Boredom Without Taking Up A Ton Of Time And Space

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Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.