BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Read More

If You’re Looking For A Hobby That’s Not Reading Or Watching TV, Check Out These 36 Products To Get You Started

There’s only so much Love Island the brain can take (don’t worry, there’s a board game themed around it now for when the season ends).

Posted 14 hours ago

Facebook

Pinterest

by Heather Braga BuzzFeed BuzzFeed Staff

I'm a Shopping editor (and mom to two toddlers) who covers a variety of topics, including helpful parenting/kids products, exciting gadgets, cozy products (think: home goods and fashions that'll make you want to snuggle), and any magical Disney item that crosses my path.

Feeling burnt out from too much TV lately? Over your tower TBR stack? Well, perhaps it's time to dive into a new hobby! From waterproof playing cards and a Taylor Swift–inspired search and find book to a beginner-friendly sewing machine and a vintage travel–themed paint–by–sticker set, one of these screen-free options might just be your new fave way to spend your free time. 

1. ALove Island: Villa Life Party Game, so when you take a step back from your "hobby" of watching the Islanders tear each other apart in challenges and scream, "I've got a texxxxxxt!" you can join in on the fun yourself. Gather three friends, decide whether you're going to *~play for love of play the game~*  Here's to hoping you find the Nic to your Olandria and not the Sincere to your Melanie.

Amazon

This game is brand new, so there are no reviews just yet! The goal of the game is to be crowned the hottest Islander in the Villa (duh) by completing challenges, coupling up, and avoiding "Red Flags." The game has a set of "Villa Life Cards" with recognizable moments from the show, like the Fire Pit, the Hideaway, Stand on Business, and Vibe Checks that help progress play. If you get too many "Red Flags," you could be banished from the island (but, fear not, you can come back as a new Bombshell!)

Pre-order it from Amazon for $16.99.

2. AFrank Lloyd Wright domino setthat'll serve as both your new hobby *and* a conversation piece if you leave it out on display — and who doesn't love a 2-for-1!? I sure do! Whether you teach yourself how to play dominoes the traditional way or simply pass the time by setting them up in patterns and knocking 'em down (which is just as fun, if you ask me), you'll love this gorgeous set inspired by this midwestern architect. 

Amazon

Promising review: "My girls love playing this even if it is not being played as intended on the instructions!" —Amazon Customer

Get them from Amazon for $37.50+ (available in two other styles).

3. A mini Tabletop Billiard Table to transform any surface into a competitive space where you can hone your pool skills — a dive bar is going to hate to see you coming, my friend. It comes with two cues (that can be stored underneath the table when not in use), chalk, a set of balls, a racking triangle, and even a felt brush.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I just got my mini pool table in the mail yesterday, and I already played a few matches with my family! This is more fun than I expected; it is definitely worth the money. It is super quick and easy to set up; you don't even need the manual. It is very easy to store and of good quality. The attention to detail was something that I appreciated and the little pool balls look so cute! They have a nice weight to it." —Yelinett camejo

Get it from Amazon for $69.99+ (available in three colors).

4. A flower pressing kit that'll teach you how to preserve meaningful bouquets forever and ever — or even just the ones you plucked from your garden and want to save as proof that you were able to keep some plants alive for an entire season. It even comes with everything you'd need to make some cool bookmarks!

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

The kit includes wooden pressing plates, tweezers, scissors, a craft knife, instructions, five bookmarks, five self-adhesive, semi-transparent films, and five ribbon tassels.

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 some for other moms whose kiddos 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 styles).

5. A hummingbird feeder ring so you can hold out your hand and pretend you're a Disney Princess who animals just happen to flock and flutter to when they need to sip on some nectar and hear a beautiful song. All you have to do to experience this magic is use the kit to fill the ring's base with homemade sugar water, pop the top on, and wait for a feathered friend to arrive! It comes with a clip to attach it to a hat as well.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

ZUMMR is a small business!

Promising review: "I brought this with me on a camping trip in the Colorado mountains. Once the hummingbirds discovered the feeder, they were around it constantly. After one day, they would come to the single-ring feeder held in our hands. It was so fun getting to see the hummingbirds up close." —Debbie B.

Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in eight colors and in sets).

6. A DIY miniature bookstore model that'll be worth all the assembly it'll take to craft it (about 20 hours). Make room for it within your full-size books and start telling visitors a fairy actually hangs out there reading all night. (Why wouldn't they believe you?)

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This model has been such an enjoyable build. As of now, I am not completely finished. Having put in around 20 hours, I'd say I have another 8 hours to go. The pieces are all vibrantly pre-painted, except for one large base piece. The glue and tweezers that come with it are perfect for the job. The cloth I had gotten for the couch was not large enough, but I improvised by using another color cloth (that also came with the kit) for the seat. The attention to detail in this little study is just first-class. I even recognized books that I have read/purchased in the past within this model! I have no experience building wooden kits, and I still managed to do this one perfectly with minimal struggle. I will certainly be buying more Robotime models in the near future; the greenhouse one is next :)!" —B.R.J.G.

Get it from Amazon for $41.99 (available in eight other styles).

7. Or a tiny cardstock bookshop crafting kit, no tools necessary, if the more intricate versions feel a bit too daunting for you. This one will look just as adorable on your shelf. It comes with a bunch of stickers to customize it to your liking and is crafted with a few simple folds. You might as well snag the bakery andfairy house sets while you're at it!

Amazon

Make it Cute is an eco-conscious family lifestyle brand co-founded by Amanda Seyfried and her childhood besties, Anne and Maureen!

Promising review: "This is the cutest craft kit! I recently gifted one to my niece and she loved it so much that I decided to buy one for myself! The kit uses the best quality material and I love the detailed illustrations. Not only will my son and I have fun playing with it, but it is also the perfect decoration for my bookshelf. I will definitely buy more as gifts this holiday season." —Anthony Cammarata

Get it from Amazon for $18.99.

8. Waterproof ban.do playing cardsyou can set up to play some Solitaire while listening to your favorite podcast by the pool (Idk about you, but I'm tuning into Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce) or a soothing murder-mystery audiobook. No worries if your Diet Coke "sweats" onto the cards!

Amazon

Promising review: "These are so fun! I love taking them to the lake. They are a bit slippery, which can make shuffling hard, but worth it for the waterproof aspect. They are pretty durable!" —Abby Marsing

Get it from Amazon for $15.95 and check out this waterproof version of the ever-popular Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza card game while you're at it!

9. A beginner's embroidery kit to practice your skills without fumbling over unfamiliar movements on a big project you were hoping to hang up in your room.

www.amazon.com

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 $20.98 (available in three sets).

10. A Taylor Swift–inspired search and find book (think: Where's Waldo? but for Swifties), fans will take one look and say, "I'm enchanted to meet you." It'll also double as a fact-packed biography as you try to find the Easter eggs (13s, Meredith, Olivia, and Benjamin, the cardigan) on each page. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This is such an amazing creation. You can tell the illustrator put in SO MUCH WORK into researching the Tay universe and capturing absolutely every detail possible of her entire career. I gasped at the "No, it's Becky" reference! A job very well done. I am so happy I purchased this!!" —Alexia Pitman

Get it from Amazon for $11.60.

11. Plus, a friendship bracelet-making kit, because if there's anything we can take away from The Swifties, it's that trading little signs of affection in the form of jewelry is not just for kids. Not to mention you'll have a great time boppin' around to your fave songs for inspo while you craft.

Heather Braga / BuzzFeed, www.amazon.com

I bought this kit ahead of attending The Eras Tour and would recommend also buying an additional letter set. For reasons I cannot explain, this one doesn't come with any vowels. 😅 However, the rubbery beads are perfect and very easy to slide onto the clear string that comes with the kit. I loved adding the gold star and circle dividers to add some extra pizzazz to my bracelets. The small scissors in the kit were also great for cutting the string with ease. They were rather soothing to craft, and I had a blast sharing them with other fans at the concert. Definitely get it!

Promising review: "I received this kit yesterday, and so far my friend and I have made five bracelets — one anklet and a necklace. Would 10/10 recommend getting one of these kits for yourself, a friend, or someone with a birthday coming up!" —Gail

Get it from Amazon for $6.98.

12. A Through The Seasons Reverse Coloring Book, which is a newer edition of the fan favorite Reverse Coloring Book — perfect for anyone who is tired of coloring *inside* the lines and needs more of a challenge — in this scenario you'll be the one to draw the lines around the colors on the page! 

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Basically, instead of adding the color to these, you draw lines to create images within the colors. Fun! Pair it with these fabulous black fine-point pens for$9.99on Amazon to complete the gift.

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. 

13. Or a Girl Moments stress relief coloring book from Coco Wyo (a TikTok famous brand known for creating the most adorable coloring books) featuring big, easy-to-color pictures you'll take one look at and want to scream, "THIS IS SO CUUUUUUUTE!!!!!" Hunker down, turn on a soothing LoFi playlist, and color to your heart's content.

Amazon, www.amazon.com

I own Coco's Cozy Corner coloring bookand love using it to unwind after a chaotic day of chasing around my toddlers. The Girl Moments iteration is just so cute, it'll likely be my next purchase after I finish the one I have!

Promising review: "I absolutely love this book! The illustrations are beautifully detailed, and the paper quality is outstanding. It's a great way to unwind and get creative. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys coloring!" —Sorianny

Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

14. Plus, Crayola's new DualTip Alcohol Marker Set for Adults, so you can take your newfound hobby of coloring seriously! Embrace it wholeheartedly and treat yourself to these beauties that have the ability to blend, shade, and layer — these are *not* your kid's crayons.

Amazon

Get a set of 40 from Amazon for $29.99+ (also available in sets of 60 or 120).

15. An "Awakened Artifacts" puzzle from the TikTok-famous Magic Puzzle Company for any hardcore puzzler *or* someone who just needs to zone out and lock into something fun. And this is even better than a regular puzzle because once it's assembled, you can use the Easter eggs to solve the puzzle's puzzle. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Bought this as soon as I got the email that it dropped on Amazon! Love this series and will continue to purchase them. Was it the most challenging puzzle? No, but that didn't take away from the fun of putting it together. Great artwork, wacky pieces, two posters, you just can't go wrong with a magic puzzle!" —Jennifer Lawton

Get it from Amazon for $24.99. 

This is one of many puzzles from the Magic Puzzle Company, so there are lots of other ~puzzling~ possibilities once this one's finished!

16. A Kanoodle Ultimate Champion game you've likely already seen on TikTok —you can count on it to lure you away from your screens and into competition mode. It's a timed 3D puzzle that'll put your brainteasing skills to the test and teach you a whole new way of thinking.

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 to 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.

17. A lightweight, beginner-friendly sewing machine if you've always idolized your grandma's ability to whip up quilts, make pillows, and hem skirts. It comes with 27 built-in stitches, so once you get the hang of it Grandma is going to be jealous of *you*.

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 five bundle types).

18. Amysticaltarot card set for beginners, including all Major and Minor Arcanas with explanations of each written directly on the card (including the reverse meanings, so helpful!) Before you know it, you just might find yourself reading the future on The Real Housewives during an awkward dinner party. Dream big!

www.amazon.com

Witchy Cauldron is a small business!

Promising review: "Great beginner's deck! Original imagery, detailed guidance on the card including the meaning in the upright and the reverse, yes/no/maybe, the planet, the astrological sign, the Chakra, and more!" —Shawnna

Get it from Amazon for $22.99.

19. Connect with Words: Español— a travel-themed activity book to help adults learn Spanish through an entertaining word search! The fun begins with "boarding a plane," and all the phrases that go along with that experience, then dives right into basic travel moments (ordering food, asking for directions, etc), all the while helping you retain vocab from another language! It's genius, TBH.

Amazon

This book is brand-new! So there are no reviews just yet. 

There are over 1,000 Spanish words and phrases to be found throughout the book, each with the correct pronunciation and definitions alongside them!

Get it from Amazon for $14.99.

20. Hand Lettering 101 for anyone who has been told their handwriting looks like chicken scratch (shout out to my husband, whose supermarket shopping lists need to be deciphered by the FBI, they're that illegible). If you're bored but it's way too late to venture out, you can easily throw on your comfiest sweatshirt, grab a pen, and practice this new craft from bed.

www.amazon.com

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 a while 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 $15.47.

21. A paint-by-sticker set with a vintage travel theme that'll look awesome hung up in your home office — perfect for anyone who wants to do a fun post-work day craft but has not an ounce of patience left to break out paints.

Workman Publishing, www.amazon.com

Each comes with 12 posters and the stickers to complete them, including beautiful iterations of a lighthouse in Maine and the Monaco Grand Prix.

Promising review: "I had never even heard of paint by stickers. I’m so glad I purchased it. It’s so nice to do and relaxing. And I love the travel posters that I’m making." —Patty Z

Get it from Amazon for $11.23.

22. A precious color-changing cloud meditation breathing lamp with a peaceful, sleepy face that'll help you feel cozier and calmer just by looking at it — literally, it's designed to support anxiety relief and teach soothing breathing techniques. 

www.amazon.com, Amazon

Reviewers also love using it to help kids relax.

Promising review: "This little cloud guy is adorable and squishy! His face is very sweet, and the color morphing is great. I really like it’s calming, and even if you don’t use it for meditation, it’s a cute night-light." —RgHound

Get it from Amazon for$9.99. 

23. An all-in-one portable ping-pong paddle set complete with four paddles, six balls, and a versatile net that can attach to any table — aka everything you could possibly need to challenge your family members to a duel at any given moment. You should probably also invest in a trophy to up the stakes.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

And it stores in a convenient case for storage between games. 

Promising review: "This product met all expectations! Easy to set up right out of the box. We've used it on our kitchen table as well as a fold-up table on vacation. The paddles and ping-pong balls are top-notch. The carrying case makes it easy to transport. I bought other ping-pong balls, and they weren't as good as the ones from this brand. Perfect for indoor or outdoor fun!" —SS

Get it from Amazon for $59.99.

24. Murdle, Volume 1, a compilation of murder mystery–themed logic puzzles that are reminiscent of the ever-popular Wordle game. This version will encourage you to use powers of deduction and a variety of clues to solve the mysteries throughout the book. Sherlock Holmes, who?

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

There are 100 puzzles total, and four different levels of difficulty to tackle —each puzzle features a logic grid to help you solve it!

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 such 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 $12.84.

If you want to keep the fun going you can *also* snagMurdle: Volume 2 and Murdle: Volume 3for more puzzling.

25. The Art of Memory Collecting, which is what you'd get if a scrapbooking fanatic and a crafting pro had a baby — if you're deep into *Analog Bag* TikTok, you've most definitely spotted this item in the wild.

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.

26. A mini Bob Ross paint-by-numbers kit if you insist on watching The Joy of Painting every night to soothe yourself to sleep. It comes with three pre-printed canvases, seven paint pots, a mini brush, and a mini easel (how cuuuuuute) to display your work of art when you're done.

www.amazon.com

The kit's three paint-by-number canvases include two landscapes and one portrait of Bob. They'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 $8.76 and check out thecoloring book version!

27. A beginner's wood carving kit, because you've heard for years about how your great-great-great-grandfather was an extremely talented woodworker and want to see if you've inherited a glimmer of his skill.

www.amazon.com

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.

28. A diamond art kit that'll make you feel like a certified artiste even though all you'll have to do to create this masterpiece is delicately place the gems into the pattern. 

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 during my free time. It is truly therapeutic and good for mental health, and super satisfying when completed! 👍" —Allyssa Allison

Get it from Amazon for $9.56.

29. Or a diamond painting coaster set for beginners who aren't as well-versed in the art of crafting, but 1 really needs a new coaster to protect their nightstand, and 2. also would like to do something other than scrolling on their phone this winter.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "The designs and colors are the same as shown on Amazon. Finished coasters sparkle, and the vibrant colors create eight very cute cats. There were plenty of beads to complete the project, and adhesion was excellent. Letters and numbers were sharp and easy to follow. I am delighted with these coasters." —PackLeaderJ

Get it from Amazon for$11.99 (available in five styles). 

30. A tiger face punch needle kit that'll bring a cool jungle vibe to your home decor without screaming "Carol Baskin lives here," and act as a conversation starter since you can tell people you made it with your own two hands. Look at you go! 

Tina's House / Etsy

Tina's House is a Sydney, Australia–based small business. 

Promising review: "Really cute kit to try punch needle crafts. I like that the kit came with everything I could need to complete the project, and the tools are of good quality. Fun and easy!" —Christie

Get it from Tina's House on Etsy for$51.66+ (available in three colors).

31. A John Derian sticker book, complete with 700+ gorgeous stickers that'll make you feel like you're channeling the iconic designer himself, but without actually tearing apart your entire living space and emptying your bank account. 

www.amazon.com

BuzzFeed Home and Garden Editor Sally Elshorafa has and loves this book! She said, "This book rules! There are SO MANY STICKERS of all sizes, so you never really run out of ways to use them. J'adore!"

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 $16.62 (also available in a second version).

Also check out a Taylor Swift Eras-inspired sticker book.

32. A beginner watercolor workbook packed with tips and color suggestions as well as all the supplies you'd need to complete each image — no sketching necessary! Get ready to take your artistic skills to the next level, my friend.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

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 world of watercolor. So entertaining yet challenging for more advanced watercolor enthusiasts. I ordered this book and 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 little experience, I found this book very 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 $12.33.

33. A miniature clay pottery wheel you can break out and start creating homes for the plethora of succulents you've been shockingly keeping alive for the last few months.

Amazon, www.amazon.com

There's enough clay to make 20 projects. Make It Realis a small business that sells kid-friendly art kits. 

Promising review: "This mini pottery wheel was great for my daughter, and we had a blast playing with it. It was a bit of a learning curve at first, but we figured it out. I wish the pottery we made could be bigger. Maybe this is just a beginner's kind of device, but it sparked my interest so much that I want to get something larger now and do some real pottery. Overall, it was worth it." —Jason Custodio

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in two styles). 

34. And a copy of Pokémon Pokopia that has quickly become a phenomenon that has gamers of all ages wanting to dive in and spend hours upon hours discovering (and chatting with!!!) familiar Pokémon faces, building environments for them, and helping Professor Tangrowth discover what happened to all of the humans. It's enchanting, engaging, and will make you abandon all the TV series you've invested in.

Amazon

If you don't own a Nintendo Switch 2 yet, you can snag one on Amazon for $449.

I am not mincing my words when I dare say this game is better than Animal Crossing. At the time of this writing, it has only been released for a little over three weeks, and yet there are already a wild amount of videos across social media platforms with players showcasing their custom buildings and their experiences throughout the game (my 4-year-old has been begging to watch them nightly). There is just so much to do that I can't even begin to scratch the surface (though that's mostly because I have a full-time job and am a mother of two). My husband and I have been fans of the franchise since we were kids and cannot get over 1. how beautiful *and* fun this game is, and 2. how it honors the original games' origins' in such a special way (don't worry, no spoilers). Playing it feels like visiting old friends! But even if you weren't an OG player, you'll still enjoy logging hours on this game. 

My fellow editor and pal Jenae Sitzes has also jumped on this bandwagon, and we are having a *blast* talking about how much fun it is (and by that I mostly mean sending silly memes back and forth of people "watering" their plants by spitting on them and oggling over all the incredible things players have built that we'll never get to do). This game is a bonding experience! Just dive right in!

Promising review: "This really is a great, cozy game. Lots to do, the storyline is interesting, and it's nice to see a Pokémon IP that isn't just the same regurgitated formula. I also really like the developer's previous Dragon Quest Builders games. That said, there is no combat or fighting, so as mentioned, this is 100% for cozy gamers." —Brandon O'Bryan

Get it from Amazon for $69.99 (available in physical or digital copies).

35. A Ninja Swirl machine you won't regret purchasing for a single second when you've been feeling like an actual hot mess all day and desperately need to cool yourself down. This gadget can make soft serve ice cream (GASP!) as well as frozen yogurt, frozen custard, sorbet, milkshakes, and scooped ice cream — you'll basically feel like you've just bought the ability to transform your kitchen into an ice cream shop whenever the mood strikes.

Heather Braga / BuzzFeed

I have this machine and can assure you it is actually worth every penny. IDK about you, but where I live in New York, it's gotten VERY expensive to go out for ice cream (or buy it to bring home). Now that I have a family of four, it just makes more sense to find a way to make our favorite flavors at home. Setting the Ninja Swirl up was very simple; the "hardest" part is just remembering to freeze the "base" of your ice creams ahead of time so they're ready to be "spun" when you want to eat them. I've seen all over TikTok how people "meal prep" their ice creams for the week and just pop 'em in the freezer (incredible). Anyways, the soft serve feature is incredible! With our first attempt, we tried making chocolate soft serve ice cream and were so surprised how it tasted just like a Wendy's Frosty. My kids also had a blast making and eating their homemade treats.

Promising review: "The Ninja Swirl has seriously leveled up dessert at our house. We’ve made soft serve, milkshakes, sorbet — you name it. The texture is smooth, the process is easy, and the cleanup isn’t bad either. I was a little skeptical at first, but it’s legit. We’ve started making our own 'copycat' DQ Blizzards and frozen yogurt bowls, and it’s actually saving us money. You can load it up with toppings or keep it simple with just fruit, and it handles both like a champ. I’d highly recommend grabbing the extra containers too (we got a couple more) — it’s super convenient to prep a few different flavors and just swap them in whenever. If you’re even halfway into ice cream or frozen treats, you won’t regret buying this. It’s a hit in our house." —Toadchaser Fishing

Get it from Amazon for $279.99.

36. And a tabletop pizza oven for anyone who is tired of ordering the same takeout all the time and wants to try their hand at whipping up their own pies in the comfort of their yard. Not to mention it'll give your friends just one more reason to come hang out at your house.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Just add your wood pellets to the hopper, preheat for about 18 minutes, and you'll be on your way to homemade pies in no time (the pizza itself can take as little as 90 seconds to cook!). Plus, it weighs just 25 pounds and has foldable legs for easy storage. 

Promising review: "Have wanted to get a wood-fired pizza oven for a while. This is a great starter. It's a small unit, easy to put together and move. If you're familiar with charcoal or pellet cooking, you'll find this easy to use and maintain. The first pizza we made came out perfect, and we haven't had trouble yet!" —MK

Get it from Amazon for $117.42+ (available in two colors).

Why Trust BuzzFeed Shopping?

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.

Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

……