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Just 31 Hobby Products That'll Help You Avoid Being Bored
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We hope you love our recommendations! While every product is independently chosen by our editors, BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. You can read more about how our affiliate partnerships work in our Editorial Standards & Ethics Guide. Between picking bones out of owl pellets and learning tarot through cat illustrations, you're never going to be bored again. *One does not need to be a girl in order to be a savory girl. It's a mindset. 🫒 ✨ Promising review: "Perfect for a newbie like me! I’ve never fermented anything before. In fact, I’m quite a picky eater when it comes to food. I have recently come to learn so much more about fermented foods and how healthy they are for is, so I wanted to try it. I followed the cookbook instructions and my first batch of red cabbage was amazing! This kit gave me everything I needed to make my first batch and it was actually edible to me (remember … very picky eater) so it performed its job splendidly!" —Trisha Get it from Amazon for $49.99 (also available in a larger kit). Antelope is a small business that specializes in high-quality, unique jigsaw puzzles. Promising review: "This was my first time putting a 1000-piece puzzle together myself. Once I sorted the pieces out in sorting trays (highly recommend), I thought maybe this was a bit much for me. I started it a week ago and worked a little bit each day. I really enjoyed this. The pieces are very good quality. The details and colors are outstanding. I was constantly discovering something new I hadn’t noticed before. I’m actually kinda sad I’m done, but I’ll pack it away and bring it out again in about six months and have fun all over again." —ScubaReader Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in six other whimsical designs and in multisets). 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 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 trying 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 $49.98+ (available in two colors). 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 19 patterns and colors). Back To The Roots is a California-based small business founded by two college friends that specializes in indoor gardening kits with a mission to reconnect families to food. Check out a TikTok of the mushroom kit in action. Promising review: "This product has been so much fun to watch! I followed the directions, exactly as written, and the mushrooms began growing within 3–4 days. I will say that I did soak them for close to 10 hours before putting them back in the box to grow and I believe this helped a ton. I also kept the box inside by a window with the blinds closed in order for them to get indirect sunlight. The mushrooms grew tremendously for almost a week before they started to shrink so I clipped them to cook with and they were DELICIOUS! This was such a fun product and process to watch." —Steph Card Promising review: "I am delighted with this product. The accompanying instructions were very helpful. I made my first hand-churned butter, which I consider being a homage to my grandparents, who were dairy farmers. The process is really surprising when the butter seizes up — I think it was very important to me to see and experience that moment. Subtle, but crucial... At any rate, I used it, cleaned it, so have experienced both. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with this little yet sophisticated butter churn." —Nanci Hamilton Wool Couture Company is a UK-based Etsy shop established in 2014 that specializes in knitting, crochet, weaving, and macrame craft kits. You can get one of three kinds of kits: a Basic Kit, which comes with a loom and instructions; a Starter Kit, which comes with a loom, two weaving needles, instructions, a mounting bar for hanging, and a cotton ball of warp to hold your work; and a Quintessential Kit, which comes with everything in the Starter Kit, plus the merino wool for weaving. Promising review: "It’s simple to use, the wool I received in the set is high quality, and the service was smooth and communicative. Can not recommend this highly enough from a first-time weaver." —DivineDerbyshire Get it from Wool Couture Company on Etsy for $42.88+ (available in 10 styles and three different kinds of kits). 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 is full of useful information. Purchase this for yourself or even as a gift. I cannot say enough good things about this book." —Adriana Each book is divided into "lessons," which include writing prompts, visual exercises, and reflections from Oprah and close with reflective journal prompts. Promising review: "I love all of Oprah’s journals, and this one is no exception. The journal is beautiful and really hits on the issues of being stuck. It provides helpful exercises. The quotes and photography are beautiful. I highly recommend this journal." —L. Doctor The 100 questions are often open-ended and thoughtful, like "What would it take to feel truly rested?" and "What doorway is open to you?" Promising review: "These conversation cards are fantastic! The questions really make you think and spark meaningful discussions. Everyone should have a set — they’re perfect for gatherings, self-reflection, or simply connecting on a deeper level." —Venita 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 $9.99 (available in four styles). Stealth Fitness is a small business that specializes in unique at-home fitness equipment. Here's what BuzzFeeder Mallory Mower says about this gizmo: "Getting a Stealth board was the very best thing that has happened to me during quarantine. Mixing the fun of games on your phone with the natural endorphins you get from exercising is, to put it lightly, genius. I have two in my home, and my husband and I compete daily to see who can last the longest. My favorite game is the paragliding challenge; he's into the planet-blasting space adventure. Nerd." Promising review: "Fantastic purchase to solve the boring plank exercises after a year of doing them. This has a quick, easy, simple hit-it-and-forget-it daily with a game, three-minute max, and great results. Much improved core strength, reduce lower back pain, and a high five from my doctor. Highly recommend this for those in need of core buildup and help to manage the time to fit this into a daily schedule." —James Corey Get it from Amazon for $149 (available in two styles). Microfleur is a small business that specializes in unique flower-pressing products. Promising review: "Such a unique and easy-to-use product. I preserve dried flowers in resin, and this has been such a time saver. In literally minutes, you have a perfectly preserved flower. I’ve never had any burned or overcooked flowers doing it this way and it definitely beats pressing them in a book. I can’t wait to buy these as gifts for a few other plant lovers in my life." —Jessie 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: "What a fun and relaxing project. Very easy to accomplish a bird figure with this kit. This is a very beginner-friendly project, and also fun for experienced carvers. The instructions are straightforward and easy to follow, with pictures to guide you through the process. Everything you need to carve, sand, and finish the bird is provided conveniently in the kit. I really enjoyed crafting a bird figure with the kit and recommend this for anyone who wants to get into wood carving or is looking for an easy project for the weekend. Have fun and don't forget to strop the carving knife often to maintain a sharp cutting edge." —J.leprgoblichaun Each Click & Grow kit comes with three basil pods to start you off, and you can check out the full selection of grow pods for more options! Promising review: "The Click & Grow Smart Garden is very easy to set up and has fairly minimal upkeep. Place pods in, fill up with water and turn on light. The lettuce has grown exceptionally well. My grandkids love to check it out when they come to visit. I am considering gifting Click & Grow Smart Gardens to them. It is straightforward and sets you up to be a successful gardener no matter your experience level. I wanted to grow some herbs and vegetables in the winter. I love the Click & Grow!" —Kbaumg Get it from Amazon for $124.95 (available in three colors). Each kit includes four types of organic seeds (Norway Spruce, Royal Poinciana, Blue Jacaranda, and Rocky Mountain Pine), four biodegradable growing pots, four expanding-soil discs, four bamboo plant markers, one bonsai clipper, and an instruction booklet. Promising review: "I love this. My bonsai has already sprouted and it's coming along nicely. The best thing about this product is the customer service. They actually take an interest in how things are going and are willing to help you through anything. They respond personally, no form letters, and they give heartfelt responses to your questions and comments. This is definitely one of my best purchases." —G Eckberg Each kit comes with clear written instructions and access to video tutorials to make over 100 different kinds of slime, from unicorn slime to glitter slime to fluffy cloud slime to floam putty. You can personalize the colors, textures, add-ins, *and* the smell — the box comes with beads, scents, glitter, ink, foam balls, the ingredients needed to make the slime, and containers to keep it in. Promising review: "Purchased for daughter's birthday. She loves it. I was very apprehensive about letting her use slime, but it has everything a parent could dream of to keep it all in one place and organized without the mess!" —Jay Get it from Amazon for $25.99 (also available in shimmer and glowing versions). Woolbuddy is a small business that specializes in felting kits. 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 Promising review: "This is everything you could want for an introduction to the art of origami! It has clear instructions, a variety of options and paper too! This has been an entertainment piece for the family for a few nights, as the kids want to try new projects each time. Fun for all!" —Bookbum Promising review: "Lifetime of hot sauce. The very informative instructions not only guide you through making a few (very delicious!) hot sauces for now, they also teach you how to make them with your own ingredients in the future." —Gigi 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 30s, 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 three sizes). 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 Promising review: "Honestly, I saw this tarot deck and thought I needed this for ha ha’s. But man. This deck’s images are hilarious. It’s so much fun, and I felt so drawn to it as soon as it was in my hands. I am smitten over these kittens. 😍 10,000% worth the purchase!" —Kathryn Taniyo Promising review: "I am a 30-year-old calligrapher and was in need of a light box. I needed a light box that fit into my budget and I didn't want to spend too much on one because I wasn't sure how much I would use it. This is by far one of the best purchases to add to my calligraphy arsenal!" —Liz Urban Cheesecraft is a Portland, Oregon-based Etsy shop established in 2009 that specializes in make-your-own cheese kits in a variety of cheeses, including vegan options. Each kit comes with a cheesecloth, citric acid, flake salt, instructions, and "email support for life" — all you need is milk (and a mouth to consume it all). Promising review: "These kits are great gifts for the cheese lover and the person 'who's already got it all.' The packaging looks nice and gift-worthy and it's a perfect price range. I love that the recipient gets an experience as well as a tangible product and I can personally attest that the actual process is easy." —amyleannbohner Get it from Urban Cheesecraft on Etsy for $29.10. The kit comes with a crafting board, small hammer, a holder, nails, glue, screws, cotton string, a frame, a pattern, and a detailed instruction manual, so there's no need to buy other supplies. Promising review: "These instructions are easy to follow — I finished it in two hours. This was so much fun and I love my finished results! It looks so beautiful. It was a gift for my friend. I would buy it again and recommend it to others." —Nicole Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in six designs). Psst — Coco Wyo has a *ton* of other cozy stress relief coloring books with different themes in their Amazon storefront! Another psst — you can pick up a cult-fave colored pencil set on Amazon for $8.99! Promising review: "This coloring book is a wonderful way to unwind and de-stress. The illustrations feature familiar, cozy corners that are both charming and relaxing to color. The designs are intricate enough to keep you engaged but not overly complicated, making it perfect for both adults and teens. The quality of the paper is great, holding up well to colored pencils, markers, and gel pens. I love how each page feels like a little escape, and coloring them has become a therapeutic routine." —Ali El-Khatib Promising review: "Got these just to have a change of pace in my sketchbook. Kids loved them as well. They are fun to use. They write and draw smoothly. Great for any aged artist." —angela Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $6.99. This kit comes with tools, instructions, the pellet, and a guide to help match the bones to their possible species of origin. Promising review: "My 7-year-old biologist loved this product. It took him a couple of days of frequent, intermittent focus to completely excavate the entirety of the pellet. He loved guessing via the booklet what animal each bone belonged to. There was no smell, and the packaging was nice. It contained tools, instructions, and the pellet. It was very interesting to see and dig and spot bones and fur, we even found a still whole ear, we think. WE love it and will buy again soon!" —ChaiChaiTrain 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 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. BuzzFeed Shopping writer Karly Jacklin covers a variety of topics, ranging from the most aesthetically pleasing pet products to the best beauty products for people over 60. She's also a prolific shopper IRL, so it's safe to say she knows her stuff. Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.