44 Boredom Killers That Aren’t Just Another Sudoku Book
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You can only do so many number puzzles.
Posted 3 hours ago
by Elizabeth Lilly BuzzFeed BuzzFeed Staff
As a Deputy Editorial Director for BuzzFeed’s shopping team, I love to get into the weeds of why a product’s worth the money by deep diving into customer reviews, and product-testing as much as possible.
Maybe you've finally reached the end of Netflix. Or those prices were getting a little too far up there, and you have a video-streaming void that needs filling with some other entertaining. No matter the reason you're bored, you don't have to be. Gather 'round for some ideas for passing the time that you maybe haven't thought of yet, including a brand-new Play-Doh bouquet you can preserve and enjoy, a trivia book that'll make you the queen of bar trivia, and a Squishmallows friendship bracelet-making kit you can do with your kids, among other things.
Amazon
The kit includes the Play-Doh and tools to make the bouquet.
Promising review: "They love it? Great for summer crafts for a 10-year-old and a 4-year-old!" —Eric
Get it from Amazon for $39.99.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Check out a TikTok of the Lego bouquet in action.
Promising review: "This is a great gift for anyone who loves flowers. They are as sturdy as they get since they're Legos, and although they do take a while to build, it's a very fulfilling process. Love it and would set aside as something to gift to several people at any point. They look beautiful!!" —Gaby
Get it from Amazon for $47.95. And check out more Lego botanicals.
Amazon
Promising review: "Incredible new puzzle. We have put together every one in every collection. The colors in this puzzle were so brilliant. Can’t wait for the next one. P.S. I would never take a picture of the final puzzle, it’s a mystery." —Matt Moore
Get it from Amazon for$24.99. (And check out the assortment of Magic Puzzlesfor more options!)
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
It comes with detailed instructions, two wooden pressing plates, six layers of pressing boards and other tools you'll need (think scissors, sponges, drying plates, etc). Oh, and reviewers say it's easy to take on the go.
Promising review: "My kids love to pick me flowers, and I love to keep them forever. We have made bookmarks for teachers, and I have even purchased this for other moms who have kiddos who love to pick flowers. Super easy to use and a fun time for everyone!" —Missy Lovell
Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in two colors).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Came with all the gems 💎 and supplies needed to get this done! I only used one of the red sticky pads and hand-placed them one by one. It took me about a month and a half to complete because I did it on and off when I had free time. It is truly therapeutic and good for mental health, and super satisfying when completed! 👍" —Allyssa Allison
Get it from Amazon for $3.99.
Elizabeth Lilly / BuzzFeed
This was my first foray into diamond art and I found that an upholstered ottoman top is probably not the surface to do it. The colors on the tortoise were well marked and I was able to figure it out right away. (If you have any problems with this eyesight, I suggest trying something besides diamond art, though!) I now have this beaut hanging on my bedroom wall and it feels so Jonathan Adler.
Get it from Michaels for $19.99.
Check out more diamond art kits and even more craft kits from the VERY GOOD collab!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
This cut and loop pile 2-in-1 gun also comes with a carpet trimmer Kit, 20 rolls of yarn, a 39"X39" tufting cloth, a 39"X35" non-slip final backing cloth, a user-friendly manual for beginners, and a storage box.
Promising review: "My new best friend! Wonderful tufting gun for rugs. Absolutely great for the price and easy to use." —Letty K
Get it from Amazon for $104.99 (available in five sets with various items included).
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I’m so glad I bought this book!! This is exactly what I was looking for. I have bought a lot of drawing books, but this one actually breaks it down on how to draw black features because there are not a lot of books that capture our features or body type. Buy this book!!" —Symone Marie
Get it from Amazon for $29.83.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I didn't know what to expect from this super adorable anxiety bookshelf, but it delivered! I shake it up when I feel anxiety, even frustration, and I sort all the little books back onto the shelves any way I want, and it is sooo satisfying! The bookshelf is super cute and well-built. It is sturdy and beautiful. The tiny books are detailed, and their covers are amazing. They aren't actual books, but they really look like they are. This is the most gratifying gift I have ever purchased for myself. Beyond satisfied!" —Elda M Ferguson
Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in brown or white).
Amazon
Promising review: "Purchased a few of these to give as birthday gifts this summer for 9–11-year-olds and it was a HIT every time. Who doesn't love Squishmallows? I like that many of the newer Squishmallows are represented in the charms in this set. We also have a larger set that I bought for my own daughter about six months ago, but it only had the 'classic' squish as charms, this one is much cuter and has more variety in terms of beads." —Jenny M
Get it from Amazon for $16.78.
Choose Friendship is a small business that specializes in friendship bracelet makers.
Each set comes with the holder mount and 20 pre-cut threads in 10 colors as well as access to an online instruction manual for all kinds of different designs.
Promising review: "I bought this for my daughter for a craft night. I made friendship bracelets when I was a kid but could not remember how to make them. This helped so much! I had to buy another one for me so we could work on them at the same time. Love this product!" —hollyhock
Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in four styles).
Amazon
This book has 300+ articles across subjects like astronomy, consumer products, inventions, scientists, medicine, animals, fringe science, UFOs, and the human body.
Get it from Amazon for $10.10 or Bookshop (to support local bookstores) for $15.83.
harlinanddoney / Etsy
harlinanddoney is a Tulsa, Oklahoma–based shop specializing in crafting kits and gifts.
Promising review: "This was my first ever embroidery project. I'm so happy I chose it. I will definitely buy more." —Brittney Essary
Get it from harlinanddoney on Etsy for $16+ (available in each state and three thread colors).
The kit's three paint-by-number canvases include two landscapes and one portrait of Bob. You'll also get an instruction sheet and a mini book all about Bob!
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
Get it from Amazon for $10.73.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Each set comes with a detailed numbered outline, four brushes, and a set of numbered acrylic paints with extra to spare.
Promising review: "Colorful and fun! This is the third paint-by-number I’ve done, and by far the most challenging. Lots of fine point detail, and the paint brushes included were adequate, unlike other PBN sets I’ve bought." —Emily cox
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in 24 designs and 13 size and framing options — you can get it with or without a frame).
Amazon, www.amazon.com
The company provides the paint and a code to use their tech to turn any pet photo into a "paint by number" template, so you will need a printer to generate the image!
Promising review: "This was so much fun! I tried three different photos in the tool they give you. It shows you a preview of each painting, which is really helpful when deciding which image to go with. Not every picture came out as good, so definitely try a few! Easy to use, and fun to paint — excited to frame it! Actually have some paint left over and will try to do another one!" —Jonathon Kebert
Get it from Amazon for $39.99.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I absolutely LOVED this book from the creative activities to the photos of the art — chef's kiss!! The photos of the crafts and trinkets were so well thought out and just so visually appealing. The breakdown of each activity was also very easy to understand and insightful." —lepetit
Get it from Amazon for $18.47.
It has 25 projects that'll each take less than 30 minutes to complete. Heads up that you'll need to grab a watercolor paint set, too.
Promising review: "This workbook is perfection. So well made and explained for beginners in the watercolor world. So entertaining yet challenging for more advanced watercolor enthusiasts. I ordered this book as well as some new watercolors to practice with, and from the moment I opened it, I was obsessed. I absolutely love Sarah’s designs. As someone who hasn’t painted in years and has not much experience, I found this book to be so helpful. It was so easy for me to start painting again and remember how much joy I feel while I am doing so. Its instructions, tips, and stunning color combinations definitely helped awaken my creativity a little more each day. 10 out of 10! 🎨🫶🏼" —Ale
Get it from Amazon for $16.09.
This comes with hoops, pre-printed patterns, thread, needles, and a guide.
Promising review: "I used to do embroidery when I was in sixth grade, and now I have decided to pick it up again and do it with my mom. She loved the surprise. This kit has helped me a lot in remembering and learning new stitches." —Reyna B
Get it from Amazon for $19.97 (available in three sets).
There are also postcards, letters, and other knickknacks to help you solve the mystery. Check out a TikTok about the book here.
Promising review: "I rarely post reviews; there doesn't ever seem to be anything I can add that hasn't already been said by some other reviewer. That's probably true in this case as well, but I'm not letting it stop me this time. S. is truly a delight. I haven't been this excited by a book in ages. S. is the first non-ebook I've purchased in a very long time, and I'm loving every minute I spend with it." —Corey Punches
Get it from Amazon for $27.49.
It has enough supplies to make at least four little creatures.
Promising review: "I was really excited when I got this kit. It comes with all the tools you need, including a variety of colors, and it inspires such fun creature ideas! It also includes a QR code that takes you to several (short) tutorials for different shapes, and teaches you the basics of needle felting! I thought it was going to be much harder than it was. (You don’t even need to watch the whole tutorial to pick it up.) I actually bought the same kit for a friend, who loved it also!" —Kt
Get it from Amazon for $29.99.
Promising review: "The stickers are unique and beautiful. The pages on the back of the stickers are equally as stunning. Get it!" —k80
Get it from Amazon for $23.70 (also available in a second version).
Also check out a Taylor Swift Eras-inspired sticker book.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
It comes with 6 sewing feet, a 3-piece needle set, a twin needle, 4 bobbins, a manual, and more.
Promising review (from a beginner): "So simple and easy to use and thread! I have three other machines that were given to me, but they are much too complicated for me. I saw a review on YouTube for this machine and absolutely fell in love with it. Buy it, you won't regret it." —Bodega Bwin
Promising review (from a sewing machine veteran): "Easy to thread, great selection of stitches. Over the years, I have gone through a few Singers. So this time I wanted to try Brother. I’m so happy I did! Definitely worth the price. It’s on the cheaper end and does well! My niece is 13, and it’s easy enough for her to start on as well." —tanya c
Get it from Amazon for $129.99+ (available in 13 bundle types).
Promising review: "This is so much fun and so relaxing. Even if you are a beginner, this product will help build some skills. The quality is the same as the food kit and worked great for me. I love that I can be creative and keep the patterns and make whatever I want. Absolutely brilliant concept and fun project. I made a crow from the owl pattern and plan to make a winter bird as well." —Lissa
Get it from Amazon for $15.39.
Promising review: "Honestly, it’s a little on the pricey side, but I say it's worth every penny! I am recently getting back into sewing and use all of these items every time I do a new project. I hope they last a long time!" —Tyrell Thompson
Get them from Amazon for $76.42.
And if you're on the prowl for some solid crafting scissors, Fiskars are my all-time fave!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "This was my first ever miniature project. The instructions were clear and all parts were present. If you are patient, you can do this. Very please with results. I continue to add little things as I find them in shops (like a welcome mat, a kitty, more baked goods)." —Basketball Mom
Get it from Amazon for $41.99.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Stephanie's artwork in this book consists of lovely floral and botanical quilt blocks and straightforward geometric designs. Both allow for simple coloring or the opportunity to experiment with a color palette without committing to large fabric purchase. The geometric designs take up the entire page primarily and the quilt blocks are 7.5" x 7.25".
The book itself is of nice quality. The paper is thick and could stand up to more than pencils and markers. The best part is that the pages are perforated!" —Julie V
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
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.
Papier
It holds 85 recipes with space to note ratings, dietary requirements, hints, and tips for each recipe.
Get it from Papier for $33.15.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
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 $13.58.
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 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$49.99.
Promising review: "This kit is fantastic! It comes with everything you need to create beautiful and unique jewelry dishes. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, making it perfect for all ages. The clay is high-quality and easy to work with, and the finished dishes are both functional and stylish. This kit is a great way to spend a creative afternoon and makes a wonderful gift idea. Highly recommend." —Funky Feedback
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I remember doing this craft in art class as a kid. I purchased this for a 5-year-old and she had a great time making paper that she is going to use as covers for books and other projects! Definitely recommend buying as a rainy day project!" —LB
Get it from Amazon for $16.99.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Each card features a clear picture on the front and a list of facts and info on the reverse side. The set is ideal for stargazers of all experience levels!
Promising review (from an experienced stargazer): "Wonderful Product... basically a Messier 110 Index already organized for EZ viewing. No longer do I have to build my own target table for hunting. I pulled out 5 open cluster cards M35, M46, M47, M48 and M93 for my next dark sky night. On bright side having both Messier # and NGC # on the cards makes them coordinated with the Bright Star Atlas 2000.0" —Thor
Promising review (from a newer stargazer): "Fantastic guide for those new to astronomy and astrophotography. Organizing by season of visibility is genius. Good quality and approachable." —D. Beam
Get them from Amazon for $39.92.
Promising review: "This was a perfect craft for me. The finished product is very appealing. It took only one evening plus 15 minutes to finish the next day." —zenMom
Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in four designs).
Amazon
Promising review: "My husband is a sports guru and loves obscure trivia. This has stuff he didn’t even know. Great gift and fun!" —KM
Get it from Amazon for $14 (available in eight more subjects).
Promising review: "Not only is this introductory book beautifully put together, but the author also helps you to build your own beautiful style! She provides easy-to-follow guides and plenty of room to practice. Overall, she provides the tools a new hand lettering artist needs in their toolbox and references for different alphabet styles that I continuously look at to practice lettering. I’ve been practicing lettering for awhile and have picked up a couple of books here and there to practice with, but this book really took my hand lettering to the next level physically and with confidence. I also really appreciate that the author used good quality paper to practice on, as I’ve used other books with poor quality paper that has ruined some of my pens. Definitely recommend this to any and especially new hand letterers!" —Melissa
Get it from Amazon for $19.96.
BeanDaikon / Etsy
BeanDaikon is a Hanoi, Vietnam-based shop specializing in crafting kits.
Get it from BeanDaikonon Etsy for $33.01+ (available in a variety of colors).
Amazon
Promising review: "Very colorful, excellent quality tape that adheres well. There is not much per roll, so think of it as a sampler. Each roll has about 20% of what you would get if you bought a normal single roll." —Eric
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
Promising review: "Plenty of colors! I even had some left over to make rocks and flowers! The clay is super soft and sticks to the canvas like magic! Not too sticky as to not be able to remove but sticky enough to adhear to the canvas and itself without water! Easy to follow instructions with room to be creative! Absolute best kit for crafters and artists a like! The tool is perfect for air dry clay and they give you more than enough varnish. Only thing was that one package of clay was dry but it didn't matter as you have plenty! 100% best ever!" —Clarice Lyon
Get it from Amazon for $34.99.
Tina's House / Etsy
Tina's House is a Sydney, Australia–based small biz.
Get it from Tina's House on Etsy for$54.75 (available in three colors).
Mx Domestic / Etsy
Mister Domestic is a queer-owned Etsy shop from creative phenom Mathew Boudreaux. I started following them on Instagram awhile back and though I'm not up to the level of crafting to do this afghan (just yet...who knows with this winter!), I love their social media presence and am endlessly entertained and inspired. They also sell lots of other dreamy patterns (like this heart one) and quilting supplies on their shop. Boudreaux is also the owner of the online sewing school SEW U, which is def worth a visit if you're wanting to expand your creative horizons.
Get it from Mx Domestic on Etsy for $6.
Bespoke Post
Promising review: "A fun and funny gift for 'an old bird.' I gave it as a birthday gift, and it was received with laughter and curiosity. Perfect before he headed off for a bird-watching trip!" —Margaret H.
Get the kit from Bespoke Post for $40or just the book from Amazon for $14.87
Amazon
Promising review: "The puzzles are just challenging enough to be enjoyable without being so cryptic that it becomes frustrating. I especially love that the paper is thick enough for me to use my favorite crossword pen, Le Pen, and it doesn't bleed through." —Jeanne
Get it from Amazon for $9.69 (also available in *second* edition of medium puzzles, and first editions of easy puzzles and hard puzzles).
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.
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