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31 Hobbies To Try If You Struggle To Answer “So, What Do You Do For Fun?”

Your next obsession could involve homemade sushi, tiny nail art, or wandering around a park with a metal detector like there’s treasure to be found.

Posted on Aug 15, 2026

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by Daphne Ruiz BuzzFeed BuzzFeed Staff

I’m a Shopping Fellow who has scored a lot of holy grails from BuzzFeed Shopping over the years, and I’m eager to pay it forward.

1. Acompact MIDI keyboard controller, because 2026 is the year you turn this sick beat™️ that's been stuck in your head for months into a song that your friends will dance to at Coachella — or at least one you can play during road trips. With more than 1,000 included sounds and production software, you'll be on your way to becoming the best music producer in your bedroom. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Super fun midi controller. Great price for the software and hardware. Really cool retro color scheme in my opinion. USB-C is awesome. Small enough to keep on my desk, big enough to use well. I wanted a synthesizer but couldn’t afford or justify it. This is a great entry point for a beginner like me!" —Tyler Zobel

Get it from Amazon for $99 (available in two colors and another model).

2. A set of self-adhesive nail stickers to turn each of your nails into an art piece worthy of the Louvre. Instead of struggling with brushes and goopy nail polish, your nails can act as canvases for the line-art faces, roses, and colorful squiggles of this sticker set. That's waaay easier than struggling to paint anything with your nondominant hand. 

Amazon, www.amazon.com

For art-gallery nails, apply a base coat and regular nail polish, then use tweezers to place the stickers and seal them with a top coat. They can last two to three weeks.

Promising review: "Easy way to have fun with your nails! I hate chipping nail polish and have to keep my nails short for work, these are perfect with a clear coat or over a sheer nude polish. Add more top coat after 5–7 days, and they’ll last weeks!" —hanna parker

Get a six-sheet set from Amazon for $6.99.

3. A reusable half-frame 35-mm camera for getting into film photography, since one film roll can double the amount of dreamy trees and coffee dates you can capture and save you some money to help you buy even more film. It comes with a built-in flash for night shoots and a long-exposure mode to help you grab action shots. You can also just throw it in your bag and take it anywhere, and since it comes in a waterproof case, your main focus will be on making memories rather than worrying about your camera.

Amazon

Promising review: "This camera came with a lot more accessories than I was expecting. It’s great quality and opened a world for me in capturing photos. I’ve been bringing this camera to concerts with me, and with the included bag, it fits in my pocket with no problems! I started looking into various film types to capture different aesthetics, lighting, etc., that are recommended for concert environments, outdoor scenery, and more, and I can’t wait to continue using this camera. Can’t recommend enough!" —Jackson McKee

Get it from Amazon for $79.99+ (available in six colors).

4. A clay-earring making kit to try your hand at jewelry making. It comes with soooo many colors, cutter shapes, and all the hooks, jump rings, and tools you need to keep experimenting until your accessories drawer looks suspiciously like a tiny boutique.

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I was not sure if I would enjoy this hobby, so I started with this kit. I'm so glad I did. This is something I truly love, and now I can invest a little more time and money in better-quality clay and maybe some more high-quality utensils. But this was certainly not a waste of money, and I especially appreciate the cutters and hole punchers. The clay is decent, and the tools are fine for how inexpensive this kit is." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $21.99. 

5. A crystal suncatcher kitto make speckles of rainbow light dance around your room, thanks to something you made with your own hands. There are enough moons, stars, chains, and dangling crystals to create several designs, so one sunny afternoon of crafting can turn into a full-blown hobby.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I absolutely love this kit! It is so fun to create sun catchers for my garden and to place in windows. I can gift them to friends and family. It is a great value, and the quality of everything is awesome!" —lad

Get it from Amazon for $14.99.

6. A beginner screen-printing kit that can turn a homemade shirt you need to make for a football game into a craft you keep coming back to. After some trial and error, you can also start customizing tote bags and sweaters with your favorite obscure pop culture references using the differently-sized screens and squeegees. The makers of this kit really thought of everything, even including scrapers, masking tape, and ink. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I used this kit to make T-shirts for an event with my friends. They came out great! I used with white Speedball T-shirt ink, and the shirts came out great!" —Nicole Verdesi

Get it from Amazon for $33.99+ (available in three kit sizes).

7. A deck of playing cards in case you want to whip out some fancy cuts during poker night and let everyone know you mean business. This deck was made to glide smoothly through flourishes and fans and is highly recommended for the cardistry-curious. The cards' shiny metallic backs will make even the tricks you're still learning look considerably cooler, too. 

Amazon

Promising review: "Tally-Ho are my favorite paper playing cards. They have an extremely good shuffle for paper cards, even new out of the box, and don't require much to break them in. This deck also has the gold accents used by Aristocrat on the face cards and the shiny metal foil backs used by Bicycle Metalluxe. These are amazing cards for the price." —Captain Packrat

Get it from Amazon for $12.95 (also available in red). 

8. A magnetic speed cubeto move you past the stage where you solve one color and then conclude that puzzle cube enthusiasts must be geniuses. If you'd like to get into speedcubing and solve it in under a minute, this cube's internal magnets help each turn click into place, making it easier to learn the solving patterns and maybe beat your personal best each time you pick it up. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I just started cubing a month or so ago and only had a small, cheap 3x3 cube. After I found out I wanted to stick with the hobby, I researched to find this cube. The magnets are great to help keep things aligned. No stickers to rub off. And it turns so smoothly it's almost like a fidget toy. My only complaint is that there is a bit of spring twang noise, and maybe that it turns a bit too easily sometimes. But it's not bad enough to lose a star in this review. Highly recommend!" —B. Turner

Get it from Amazon for $13.90. 

9. A lightweight metal detector for anyone who's thought of turning their main character walks into treasure hunts. It's easy to switch between detection modes while searching for coins or jewelry, and there's even a waterproof coil for inspecting shallow water. Referring to yourself as an aspiring treasure hunter would definitely put the "fun" in fun fact. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

BTW, this uses two 9V batteries, which aren't included.

Promising review: "I've used a variety of metal detectors over the years, both expensive and cheap. This one is likely good enough for everyday use, or if you're just wishing to dig around the yard and park. The calibration settings actually work pretty decently, but I highly recommend reading the instructions, because it will help you greatly in that regard. Overall, I recommend checking out this metal detector if you're just getting into detecting, or if you want an affordable gift for a kid/teenager getting into the hobby." —Sebastian

Get it from Amazon for $64.99+ (also available with extra add-ons).

10. A mahogany soprano ukulelethat's so beginner-friendly, you might start down-strumming "You Are My Sunshine" after a day or two. If this is the year you're going to learn an instrument, reviewers say this ukulele is easy to hold, gentle on fingers, and simple to tune. With some dedicated practice, you could be covering a heavy metal song after a month. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Kala is a small business based in Sonoma Wine Country dedicated to selling ukuleles.

Promising reviews: "My ukulele arrived quickly and in excellent condition. It tuned right up with my tuner and has been very fun to play. I'm learning, so I added this Soprano to the Concert Kala I recently bought." —Carol D.

"This ukulele works like new! Decided to review after having this for years! I love how it looks, so pretty the wood. It is simple to tune it and very comfortable to play. Very easy to take it when you travel!" —Jewel

Get it from Amazon for $69+ (available in four colors, plus concert and tenor versions).

11. A computerized sewing machinefor hemming those too-long jeans you stuffed in the back of your closet, or finally doing something with the fabric you bought after watching a whole season of Project Runway in one sitting. You can choose from 70 stitches on the LCD screen, which also tells you which presser foot to use, so you don’t have to guess your way through your first project.

www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "I really like this machine! It was easy to set up and get started right away. As someone new to sewing, I found the manual simple to follow, and there are plenty of helpful tutorials on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram that walk you through beginner projects. The machine is lightweight, which makes it easy to move around, yet it performs well — definitely a great value for the price." —Biquette

"OK, I have not sewn anything in over 15 years, and my sewing machine was super super old, and I was not great at it. I was very intimidated by the newer machines, but I wanted to pick up the hobby again now that my son is older. This was the easiest machine for me to learn on! I don’t think I could have stuck with the hobby and continued to build on it, making my first quilt without this machine." —Heather Deaton

Get it from Amazon for $279.99+ (other add-ons like a case and thread are also available).

12. Atarot deckyou can color in yourself, so you can learn the meaning of each card while deciding exactly how ominous Death needs to look. It includes a guidebook and suggested color palettes, but you are free to give The Tower a calming pastel makeover before it delivers its less-than-calming message.

Anthropologie

Get the set from Amazon or Anthropologiefor $23. 

13. A complete candle-making kit — a very fun hobby so you can recreate your favorite scents and have a few candles ready when you remember someone's birthday the night before. Besides the benefit of harboring a drawer full of backup gift candles, it's deeply satisfying to watch the melted wax fill the candle jar. The electric melting pot controls the most tedious part of the process, while the scale and thermometer help you measure everything carefully à la chemistry class. 

Amazon

This kit includes a digital scale, wick trimmer, heat gun, two thermometers, an electronic melting pot, candle wax, candle wicks, fragrance oils, and a booklet of instructions. 

Promising review: "Wow! This kit is a crafter's dream. Everything you need comes neatly packed and ready to go. The instructions are super clear, making it easy for beginners like me to create beautiful, professional-looking candles. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to explore a new, relaxing hobby. Great value for money and guaranteed fun!" —Al

Get it from Amazon for $69.99. 

14. A countertop hydroponic garden for growing basil, lettuce, or other small herbs, which technically makes you a gardener. And if you get two of these, you're essentially a farmer. The light and watering system handles much of the daily maintenance, so your herbs can continue thriving while you break the habit of tossing another pack of basil into your grocery cart. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This is amazing! I’ve always wanted to grow my own fruits and vegetables, but was never successful until now — wish I had bought this sooner and saved all that money wasted at Home Depot! This makes it sooo easy! I literally planted my seeds on day one and haven’t touched it since — three weeks later, and I have little tomato vines growing!! So exciting!! What a fun hobby to have, knowing you’re automatically set up for success!" —Carissa & Anne

Get it from Amazon for $59.99(also available in white and seafoam).

15. An old-fashioned stationery setso you can feel like Elizabeth Bennet when you send your friends long, impassioned letters through the post instead of unhinged 20-minute voice notes. The lined paper comes with matching envelopes and sealing stickers, so even an update about work, dating, or what happened when you got your car washed can have some gravitas. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I purchased this set because I wanted something a little more special than plain notebook paper, and it did not disappoint. The designs are beautiful without being overly flashy, and each style has its own unique look. The paper is a nice weight, writes smoothly, and the matching envelopes and stickers make each letter feel complete. Everything arrived neatly packaged and exactly as described. It's perfect for writing letters, thank-you notes, or even adding a personal touch to gifts. The variety of designs gives you plenty of options, and the quality is excellent for the price. I would definitely buy this set again and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys handwritten correspondence or journaling." —aacrampton

Get it from Amazon for $8.89+ (also available in 10 other designs).

16. A beginner macramé kitso you can turn empty wall space into plant storage and keep your greenery away from your cat that treats every leaf like a snack. The step-by-step video helps you get the knots right before trusting your finished hanger with one of your plant babies.

Furry Fibers Shop / Etsy

Furry Fibers Shop is a small business specializing in handmade macrame pieces — check out their store page if you want to fill your place with even more fiber art.

There are two kits available: the Basic Kit and the True Beginner Kit. The Basic Kit includes the materials and instructions to make the plant hanger. The True Beginner Kit adds an extra cord, a practice dowel, measuring tape, and S-hooks so you can practice the knots first.

Promising review: "Great kit, great service, looking forward to using it!" —G.

Get it from Furry Fibers Shop on Etsy for$13.58+ (available as a Basic Kit and a True Beginner Kit).

17. A beginner crochet kit, because making six friendly-faced hanging plants may help you heal after you killed your pothos plant with too much sun exposure, and you'll also be picking up a sweet new hobby. The video tutorials take you through each project, and the finished plants can hang around your home without needing sunlight, water, or someone to check on them while you travel.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This is a perfect kit for beginners! It has several plants and various ways to learn crochet. The videos are nearly perfectly clear. There are only a few that take a bit of trial and error to look like theirs. But, this has inspired me to start the hobby that I've been trying to get into for 10+ years!! Much better than starting with chains and granny squares!! There is also plenty of extra yarn. Plus, I lost the small black yarn when traveling. I reached out just to ask for details on the size and weight, but the company offered to send me a small replacement. It was so kind, and it arrived perfectly matched. I would suggest this kit to anyone and everyone!!" —Lace

Get it from Amazon for $21.99.

18. A create-your-own-board-game kitfor anyone who has ever felt inspired by The Cones of Dunshire or finished game night with several notes for improvement. The blank board, cards, and pieces are yours to fill with whatever rules, characters, and super-specific penalties await your friends. 

Amazon, www.amazon.com

This game set includes an 18-inch blank game board, a blank customizable box, 72 blank poker-size playing cards, blank dice and standard dice, multicolored player tokens, and a game spinner with a blank base.

Apostrophe Games is a small business that is passionate about DIY board games and block worlds.

You'll find acrylic paintand Mod Podgefinishing spray pretty handy. 

Promising review: "This thing is awesome. I used acrylic paint on it and sealed it with Mod Podge finishing spray, and it turned out so great. I did run short on cards, however. It comes with 70 total, so it’s not a small amount. But for my purposes, I needed much more, so it would be nice if they sold extra cards separately. But I definitely recommend this." —Patricia Koenig

Get it from Amazon for $24.99+(also available in a deluxe edition, a junior edition, and a Monopoly version).

19. A mason jar fermentation kitto delight you and/or the pickle, kimchi, sauerkraut, and other fermented food enthusiasts in your life. The glass weights keep everything beneath the brine, while the vented lids release pressure, so your kitchen experiment can ferment without you having to supervise a jar of pickles. 

Amazon

Promising reviews: "Very nice kit for beginning my journey into fermenting." —Cow Patty

"Great set. Everything you need is included (besides the canning jars). Nothing like fresh kraut! Already looking forward to my next batch." —Jennifer Dickson

Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (also available for wide-mouth jars).

20. How to Cook Everything: The Basics: All You Need to Make Great Food, a beginner's cookbook that explains the most fundamental cooking steps that other recipe books omit, even though some of us have yet to master boiling water. It comes with 185 recipes and 1,000 photos covering each step of the meal-making process, so “cook until done” no longer has to mean staring into a pan and hoping that the cooking gods let you know when your salmon is ready. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This is an excellent book for beginners, and the fundamentals he teaches work! My favorite is the breakfast section — I’m now a master of eggs. He provides simple, clear guidance and great pictures of steps during the process." —clk4clj

Get it from Amazon for$19.90+(also available in spiral-bound).

21. A pair of suede outdoor roller skatesso you can reclaim the fearless abandon you had as a child and breeze past this week's problems. The ankle support and adjustable toe stops give you a fighting chance while you learn, relearn, and, despite the toe stops, maybe fall a few times. The 1970s short shorts, while super cute, are completely optional. 

www.amazon.com

You can get knee and elbow pads here. 

Super-Grip is a small business that specializes in roller skate wear.

Promising review: "Bought these skates as a gift to myself because this year I said I wanted to pick up a new hobby and learn how to skate. These skates had been in my cart on and off for a few months, and I finally went ahead and pulled the trigger and made the purchase. I’ve broken them in and worn them out a few times on my parking ramp, at the skate rink, and even more smoothly on their floor! Now obviously I’m newer to skating with nothing to compare them to, but I have no complaints and absolutely love them, couldn’t have picked a more perfect and beautiful skate to get started with!" —Markeva

Get it from Amazon for $199.99+(available in women's sizes 6–15 and men's sizes 5–14).

22. A set of weighted juggling balls that will help you learn a fun party trick that doesn't involve anyone's ears or coins. They are soft enough for beginners and come in their own carrying case, so you can practice whenever you have a few minutes, and there are no milk glass teacups from the 1930s (or other fragile objects) nearby.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "Decided at age 62 that I wanted to learn to juggle... ordered these, and they feel great! I learned to juggle in about 6–8 hours of practice : ) I like them much better than the Duncan beginner juggle balls. These were like double the cost, but worth every penny! Never too old to learn something new!" —Sherri W.

"I’m new to this hobby, but I found these to have a good texture, fill density, and weight. I took them on a trip and stored them in my toiletry bag. As luck would have it, my travel-size shampoo lid wasn’t sealed, and I got shampoo all over it. I just hand-rinsed them in the sink, and they came out perfectly fine and minty fresh! Absolutely no sign of wear and tear after a year of pretty heavy use, given I had to learn how to juggle and now use them regularly as light indoor exercise during the winter." —ranchwilder

Get the set of three from Amazon for $23.97+ (also available in three weights and 17 colors). 

23. A swim setwith goggles, a nose clip, and a cap, because you always heard that swimming is one of the best full-body exercises, and it would probably be way more rewarding without chlorine getting in your eyes and hair. Whether you're getting back into the pool for the first time since high school P.E. or you're learning how to swim, this set can keep the water where it belongs (outside your ears) while you master the butterfly stroke or floating without freaking out.   

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I haven't used the cap, but everything else works beautifully. Nose plugs are tight but do their job, earplugs keep the water out, and the goggles have not fogged up on me. I use them about four times a week, and this is week two. For the price, it's worth it. I already recommended them to my daughter-in-law, and she's going to order them. I'm also getting myself another set in another color." —Ruby

Get it from Amazon for $14.44+ (also available in 11 colors).

24. A seven-piece yoga setso you don't have to pause your first video halfway through when you realize you need two blocks, a resistance band, and a yoga strap to do the next two poses. If your body aches from sitting like this for years, this extra-thick mat and its accessories can help make yoga feel like sweet relief instead of a chore.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Clever Yoga is a small business that lives and breathes yoga with an assortment of mats and accessories.

Promising review: "I was hesitant about ordering this kit simply because it's hard to tell the quality of the material without seeing it in person. I must say I was very surprised to find that the items are high quality and perfect. The mat is very soft and thicker than I thought, which is what I wanted. The blocks are a little harder than I am used to, but I am getting used to them. The bag is very convenient, and the towels and strap are also made very well. The large towel fits under the mat perfectly. I would recommend this set to anyone, new to yoga or years into the practice. It is reasonably priced and comes with all the high-quality materials you need." —April Miller

Get it from Amazon for $71.99.

25. A two-paddle pickleball set, because even if you've never seen yourself as a sports person or it's been forever since you've hit a court, everyone can still join in on some pickleball fun. The set comes with paddles, indoor and outdoor balls, and a carrying case, making it perf for both decorated athletes and newbies alike. With everything supplied, the only barrier to entry might literally be finding an unoccupied court.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I’m new to pickleball, and this paddle has made learning so much easier. It’s lightweight, easy to handle, and gives me good control for both soft shots and beginner smashes. The grip is comfortable and non-slip, which helps a lot while I’m still working on my technique. Great paddle for anyone just starting out!" —Stephanie Waite

Get it from Amazon for $51.45+ (available in three colors).

26. A mosaic coaster kit so you can tap into your creativity with something that isn't as intimidating as a blank canvas and paintbrushes. You can arrange the tiny glass tiles into whatever designs you like and make two gorgeous coasters to keep or give away. The glue and grout are included, so you can finish this new project and end up with coasters sturdy enough to support large candles or venti matcha lattes.

Amazon

Promising review: "This is one of the most rewarding crafts I've ever done. It did not take much time, and the results and beautiful. We used a hammer to break up extra tiles to fill the empty space and still have tiles left for another project." —Sara G. 

Get it from Amazon for $24.99(available in two kit options).

27. A 20-piece sushi-making kit, because "let's order sushi" is one of your favorite phrases, and maybe learning how to make your favorite foods will kickstart a passion for cooking. It's beginner-friendly, too, with bamboo mats and molds to keep everything together and a rice bazooka for forming tight rolls. Once you start cooking, molding, and chopping your way through all the recipes in the included book, you won't even miss that 2-for-1 California roll deal you're currently ordering every few days.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I had fun using this product! Because of this set, I was able to make a fantastic Japanese-themed dinner for the night! The rice bazooka was easy to use, and best of all, it is also easy to clean. The sushi size was perfect for homemade rolls, and this is worth buying!" —Aileen

Get it from Amazon for $27.99 (also available in two other colors). 

28. A bartender set if your favorite part about college, housewarming parties, or really any social gathering has always been standing behind a kitchen counter and mixing drinks like some mad scientist. The shaker, strainer, and other tools sit on their own stand, ready for you to make cocktails or mocktails so delicious that no one will care if you serve them in red plastic cups.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Perfect for beginners! Everything you need to start mixing. ​I wanted to learn how to make actual cocktails at home instead of just basic mixed drinks, and this kit is perfect. It comes with literally everything — the shaker, a jigger for measuring, a muddler for mint, and even liquor pourers that fit right into my bottles. The best part for me is the recipe booklet; it’s straightforward and helped me make a perfect mojito on my first try. The shaker doesn’t leak at all when you use it, and the bamboo stand keeps my counter looking super clean. If you're looking to start a home bar setup, this is the one to get. —carlos jerez

Get the 15-piece set from Amazon for $32.39+(available in four colors and a smaller six-piece set). 

29. A pair of compact binoculars to turn your neighborhood walks into birdwatching expeditions — and maybe get better acquainted with that one sparrow who likes to hang outside your window. They magnify up to 12 times and are easy to focus, so you can get a much better look without scaring them off.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "A lot of bang for the buck! I’m a very amateur bird watcher, so I didn’t want to spend a lot on a new hobby I wasn’t sure I would pursue. These are inexpensive, lightweight, easy to focus, and I can see everything I want to see. Very happy!" —Carla, Atlanta

Get it from Amazon for$35.99.

30. Aportable telescopeso you can get a closer look at the moon, planets, and the satellite that everyone on Instagram keeps mistaking for a star. You can easily pack it into a backpack with its foldable tripod and eyepiece, take it on a hike away from city lights, and contemplate the vastness of the universe. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "If you're thinking about getting a telescope, this is a great place to start. Very fun to learn how to use and performs really well. Hardest part about this is the tripod — it can be unstable and hard to pinpoint something and keep stable with the tripod, but other than that, it's a lot of fun." —Marcus almaguer

Get it from Amazon for$99.99. 

31. A balloon twisting kit in case you want to lean into your role as the office clown and see the look on your boss's face when you turn some balloons into a phoenix at the next company picnic. This kit includes everything you might need to make up to 30 animals, but maybe you can start with a poodle first.

www.amazon.com

Learn & Climbis a small business that specializes in clown-adjacent products.

Promising review: "Purchased this because a balloon from a fair broke and my son was devastated. I said, 'You know what, I could try.' It was a hit. Kiddos 5 and 7 can do it, and it’s been endless fun." —Jlotz

Get it from Amazon for $17.99.

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