36 Fun Hobby Products To Keep Yourself Amused On Days When You Need A Little Serotonin Boost
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Time to unleash your talents with this ridiculously fun “Murdoku” puzzle book and this kit of Play-Doh for adults.
Posted 16 hours ago
by Emma Lord BuzzFeed BuzzFeed Staff
As a Senior Shopping Writer at BuzzFeed, I specialize in a broad range of topics, including beauty, cleaning, fashion, personal care, home, fitness, and my beloved “TikTok made me buy it.” My work has been featured across lifestyle and writing publications during my ten years in the digital media space, including Bustle, HuffPost, HelloGiggles, and The Washington Post.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Amazing! These puzzles are so fun. It’s nice that they start easy and get harder, so you can get used to the format first, then continue to be challenged as you learn how they work. Fun, visually appealing, and sprinkled with humor. I finished this one in about 1.5 months (of fairly dedicated work) and ordered Volume 2 before I was even done with the first one. It’s a higher price point than many puzzle books, but you get high quality for what you pay." —EN
The best part?? Once you finish this version of "Murdling," you can try a whole BUNCH of other themed Murdle books — PLUS a Murdle board game!
Get it from Amazon for $15.19 (and check outVolume 2 and Volume 3if you're in the mood for more murrrrderrr).
Promising review: "I LOVE the sound of this kalimba. I've been playing around with it for a little while, but like any other instrument, it will take time to play this without looking at my hands. For someone new to the kalimba, I'm so glad it came with all the accessories I will need." —Kathy
Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in two styles).
Amazon
Promising review (for the truck): "Great Lego set to add to your Halloween decor." —Shelley
Get them from Amazon: the Halloween wreath for $39.99 and the truck for $14.95
Amazon
Check out all of the cult-favorite Magic Puzzles here for more fun options!
Get it from Amazon for$24.99.
Promising review: "I bought this puzzle for Christmas as a family activity, and it was a huge hit! The Tree of Life stained glass design is absolutely beautiful, and the colors are vibrant and eye-catching. It was definitely challenging, but that made it even more fun for everyone to work on together. We spent several cozy evenings around the table piecing it together and making great holiday memories. If you're looking for a puzzle that brings the family together and keeps everyone engaged, this is a wonderful choice! 🧩🎄😊" —MoD
Get it from Amazon for $16.19.
Each set comes with a 100-color palette, a sketch pencil, a sponge, a swatch sheet, and three water brush pens.
Promising review: "Love collecting watercolor sets, and this one is amazing — so many exquisite colors to paint with. Creativity is everything, and imagination with all these colors is unlimited. Pure happiness!" —pve
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
www.amazon.com, 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).
Amazon, www.amazon.com
For those new to the concept — instead of adding the color to these, you add the lines to create images within the colors. Sort of like a Rorschach test, but make it whimsical.
Check out a TikTok of the reverse coloring book in action.
Promising review: "Kendra Norton’s beautiful art books, Reverse Coloring books, have changed my world! My whole life, I thought I was not creative and therefore had zero artistic ability. Now, this has become my favorite form of artistic expression. I turn on music and/or an audiobook and allow myself to go for an adventure outside of my mind, beyond my mind, if you will. This has become my favorite way to process through difficult emotions and experiences I’m working through." —K. DeWitt
Get it from Amazon for $8.29.
(Psst — check out these cult-fave black fine point pens on Amazon for a good doodling option!)
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "SUCH a great introduction to color by numbers! Lots of cozy, peaceful scenes to pick from, and the book size is great for carrying around with you. All you need is a small packet of Artistro black acrylic markers,and you're set! They don't bleed through either, thanks to the thick, one-sided paper. It's also super fun to slowly reveal the whole picture by coloring in only the areas with the 'O.' I can't wait to work through this one and invest in more of these books! Well worth the money if you want a relaxing new hobby!" —Sabrina
Get it from Amazon for $24.90.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Each kit includes four natural crystal-filled geodes, one pair of safety goggles, one display stand, and one learning guide.
Promising review: "I’m an adult in my thirties, but I was such a rock nerd as a kid, so when I saw this kit, I knew I had to buy it! I ended up buying it for myself and my adult siblings as a Christmas present — we had so much fun cracking open the rocks on Christmas Day, it brought be back to my childhood! Highly recommend this kit. You get a lot of rocks for the price, and it’s so fun cracking open a rock and discovering what’s inside." —Anna
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in four sizes).
This book is a kind of DIY memoir — it goes through three phases of "Early," "Middle," and "Later" years, and has 201 different prompts based on your memories, experiences, and views on the world. Prompts include things like what you would have switched careers to midway through if given the chance, or a present you got from your parents that sticks in your memory, or who you think the funniest person in your family is. This also makes for a lovely gift for family members, so you can all preserve each other's memories.
Promising review: "My niece gave this book to me for Christmas, and I filled it out gradually in a few months to give back to her. The process of filling it out was enlightening and took me through sad times and glad times. A few questions left me with a blank, and others made me wish I had 50 pages instead of one, but overall, it was a good experience for me. My niece seemed thrilled to get it and read it, which was even better. I just bought a copy to give as a gift to someone who had told me of a wish to tell his children more about his life and experiences, perhaps in writing." —L. Skellings
Get it from Amazon for $11.38.
Promising review: "This book is a fantastic way to dig deeper without having any worries of being judged. It's a book you can vent to, be 100% honest with, and find out more about yourself. I love it and need more books like it!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for$8.31.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I bought all the bouquet sets to make with my daughter and son's girlfriend. We had so much fun making these and the quality was amazing. Even came with a vase to place them. Will definitely be buying the other sets I've seen out. You won't be disappointed buying these." —Angela
Get it from Amazon for $39.97 (available in two sets).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I am not an artist, but this is fun! I keep it on my nightstand along with some sketch pencils and draw when winding down for the night. Yes, some of the prompts are a bit odd, but I just go with them. Sort of tests the imagination! My 10-year-old granddaughter loves it too." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $8.89.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Woobles is a small business that specializes in crochet kits.
Promising review: "Excellent gift for beginners looking to explore crochet or knitting. Materials were high quality and everything was very clearly explained. End product looked great too." —Nick
Get it from Amazon for$29.99 (available in seven styles, and also as Snoopy, which made weepy with nostalgic joy).
Amazon
Promising review: "Colorful, fun, and functional. Operates smoothly. Great colors. A fun nod to Lego. Quick ship, too." —Debra
Get it from Amazon for$8.95.
Emma Lord/BuzzFeed, www.amazon.com
The kit comes with three different numbered canvas designs, seven paint pots, a mini brush, and an easel.
Promising review: "I have to admit I was skeptical because of the price and size. However, I got these for my husband for his birthday (he loves Bob Ross) and what a find!! We had so much fun mixing colors and painting. Would definitely recommend. The fact that they are small makes them even more special. I wish there were more to paint!" —slb m
Psst — you can snag a Bob Ross color-by-number coloring book on Amazon, too!
Get it from Amazon for $11.50.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Another great Disney Mystery Coloring book. The spaces in this book are larger than in some of the others in the series, but they make for amazing pictures when they're completed. I've been using Languo acrylic pensto complete mine. I love how the images come together and how detailed they are. I've included pictures of all of the images included in the book." —Matt Hamblin
Get it from Amazon for $17.58.
Promising review: "Bought this for my 6-year-old boy, and he absolutely loved them. He even taught his 1-year-old sister how to use them, and she was delighted to see the colors appear on the page. They spent hours on these when they couldn't go outside due to rain or too much heat." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $5.99+(available in two styles and an activity pack).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Foldology is a small business that specializes in unique puzzles.
Promising review: "So much fun! This activity has provided hours of enjoyment. They start off easy and with each you learn a new fold and they progressively get harder. Definitely a worthwhile purchase for someone who likes puzzles." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I bought one of these many years ago and love mine. I just bought this one for a friend as a gift. She loves it! This item is of great quality. Perfect size to do quick, creative work. This board helps a person come into the present. Let the world melt away while they use it. Before you know it, time has slipped by, and the calm has set in. It may be perfect at the office! Definitely would have people stopping by to chill for a minute! (Just a thought.) I would imagine this would be calming for kids, too! Get one for yourself. Leave the world behind." —ClearlyLiving
Get it from Amazon for $37.95.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "This is exactly what I was looking for! It lays flat to easily complete the word search and not have to fight with the book. There are different types of puzzles, and some have extra secret searches! It’s great for the slow days at work!! I will definitely be buying more of these word searches!" —Roy Y Hahn
Get it from Amazon for $12.98.
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.
Psst — a lot of reviewers use silicone or plastic molds to get specific shapes!
Promising review: "It’s honestly just a really nice material to work with! If you want to create things with clay, this is definitely a good choice! It’s definitely not for professional use, but I feel like that’s a given? I mean, it is Crayola. But all in all, great for those who want to use it for fun!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $11.24.
Each kit comes with a pottery wheel machine, a power adapter, eight sculpting tools, two paint brushes, three packs of air-dry clay, and 12 paints.
Promising review: "I am amazed at how well thought through this product is. It is very compact and has everything you need to get started and try your hand at pottery! My kids immensely enjoyed using it and were very excited with their creations. It's very compact, built with very good quality materials. The wheel is very stable, and you can control the speed as you get the hang of it. It's well priced for a starter kit and overall a great kit." —Synghal
Get it from Amazon for$47.99+ (available in two colors).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "This works like magic! It's easy to use and makes a beautiful gift from the kids!" —Sj773
Get it from Amazon for $20.99.
Amazon
Fermentaholics is a small business that specializes in pickling and kombucha starter kits.
Promising review: "This kit is great for first timers or experienced, and makes DELICIOUS pickles, or pickled anything for that matter. Pickles, carrots, onions, asparagus. The instructions are easy to follow and understand. Will be buying as gifts for my pickle loving friends and more for myself. Makes me want to try the other products this company offers." —KelF
Get it from Amazon for $16.99.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Kunitsa Co. is a small business that specializes in reading, exercise, and food journals.
Promising review: "This book journal had plenty of room for all the book reviews and so much more. It has pages for daily reading tracking, pages for reading goals, pages for DNF books, favorite books, loaned-out books, and tons of review pages all you have to do is feel it out. It’s perfect!!!!" —Cody McNeal
Get it from Amazon for$22.95+ (available in six colors).
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "When I first flipped through this book, I was beaming with joy and excitement since I’ve been a Disney fan for years. They say food brings people together, and this cookbook depicts fun and exciting food/drink recipes the whole family can enjoy. I couldn’t get over the photos for each recipe. They all had that magic touch Disney brings to its films. I see this book becoming a collectible, and I feel every Disney fan should own a copy of it!" —Alena D.
Get it from Amazon for$19.78.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Great craft kit. I'm absolutely thrilled with this tiny greenhouse. It was easy to assemble, and the high-quality materials made it a joy to work with. The attention to detail is impressive, from the miniature plants to the watering can and water pipe. It's perfect for small spaces and adds a touch of serenity to my desk. The instructions were clear, and it's a great project for all skill levels. I highly recommend it! 5/5 stars!" —Manisha
Get it from Amazon for $41.99.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Check out a TikTok of the cocktail book in action.
Promising review: "This book has easily become one of my favorites. Great base knowledge and would recommend to anyone seeking to further educate themselves on spirits and cocktails. Even the first few pages are full of useful information. Purchase this for yourself or even as a gift. I cannot say enough good things about this book." —Adriana
Get it from Amazon for $19.15.
Each kit comes with a simple design, a cotton cloth, a bamboo embroidery hoop, a little scissor, colored threads, embroidery needles, and instructions, so you should be raring to go when it arrives!
Promising review: "I’ve never done anything like this before ... but I like to try new things, and I’ve just recently moved and wanted to decorate my house with some handmade decor. This kit is a great value for the price! It came with the hoop, more than enough thread, and two needles! The printed pattern is very clear and easy to follow, and the little sheet of instructions on what stitch to use and how to do it is clear enough (and anything I don’t understand, I just watch a tutorial on YouTube). I’m about three hours into the project already, and I didn’t want to put it down last night." —Abby
Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in three different patterns).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
I'm definitely going to sushi jail for this, but I've started putting peanut butter in my avocado rolls. Don't knock it until you try it. Anyway, each kit comes with two sushi rolling mats, five pairs of chopsticks, a paddle, a spreader, and a PDF of instructions, including recipes for six popular rolls.
Psst — if you REALLY want to level up your homemade sushi game, I highly recommend adding this truffle seasoning on Amazon! It tastes so startlingly decadent. I've been ordering it for years to put on my avocado rolls and shiitake rolls when I order sushi.
Promising review: "Received this the other day and the wife and I had our own sushi night at home...I did not realize there were two mats in the package which was a nice little surprise...everything is made of good quality materials, easy to use and a good fun activity for date night at home. I will be getting a few more as gifts for a few friends...good product, received it quickly and for the price you cannot go wrong." —Timothy J Stegner
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
Each kit includes two wood carving blocks (one cherry and one basswood), a carving knife, sharpening supplies, a template, and three types of sandpaper.
Promising review: "The company is very supportive and their kit is great. It has everything you need to start working with wood. Additionally, I have really appreciated the professionalism and customer service received from them." —Sam
Get it from Amazon for $31.99.
Promising review: "I didn’t know what to expect from this but it will greatly exceed anyone’s expectations. The materials are great quality, very easy to use, meditative, and [it's] really cool to see what you can make. —Hazel
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
Amazon
If you are unfamiliar with this glorious witchcraft, Shrinky Dink paper lets you color designs on it that you can then cut out and bake to shrink them down, giving them a stained glass effect that makes them great for keychains, suncatchers, and little trinkets.
Promising review: "Fun for ALL ages! Recently remembered how fun these were. I have a smaller daughter, so it gave me an excuse to buy these. They're secretly for me — half kidding. These are so simple to use and create great crafts. These will keep your little one's imagination going, occupied and helps practice fine motor skills. I would definitely recommend to ANYONE, not just little humans." —Alex Soper
Get a 25-sheet set from Amazon for$14.45.
BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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