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Just 35 Fun Activities And Hobbies You Can Do While Listening To Your Favorite Podcast
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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. Get your earbuds ready, it's time to solve a true crime case while churning your own butter. You heard me right. The Barbie edition comes with six templates that include her famous logos, 80's roller skate, boombox, and iconic cat eye sunglasses. There are four LED light modes and it's powered by three AA batteries or micro-USB (not included). Promising review: "I forgot how awesome these things are! Love the new Barbie templates and the handy tool for inserting the little light pegs. I had one of these as a kid. The upgraded lighting and various light up patterns on top of the trendy templates is great and the price is right. The timeout feature is a little short, so not sure if it would be good as a nightlight for older kids, but I still appreciate the feature overall. Brought back some great memories and helped me build some new ones with my niece."—Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $24.98+ (available in five styles, including Hello Kitty, Disney, and Pokemon versions). Coco Wyo has a *bunch* of other stress relief coloring books with different themes in their Amazon storefront! While you're at it, pick up a popular colored pencil set on Amazon for $11.99! Promising review: "One of my favorites ever!!! The idea is perfect, and the pages are all unique and fun to color, with no repetition, and the details aren't too tiny. Great for anxiety if you're doing coloring for mental health. (I hate the pages that are just tiny patterns repeated endlessly. Makes my anxiety worse.)" —Ezra Johnson Pair it with a set of pens in five thicknesses, which are perfect for outlining. Promising review: "I love this book. I pre-ordered after seeing it on TikTok and couldn't wait to get it! I'm working on my second coloring page and love it! THIS is a great book for older adults and anyone who doesn't think they are an artist! Just need a fine black marker and you'll be busy for hours!! I'm going to get more as gifts. This also makes a great alternative for children, teens, and really anyone as an alternative to screen time! Get one, you won't be disappointed!" —Little wave Wool Couture Company is a UK-based Etsy shop established in 2014 that specializes in knitting, crochet, weaving, and macrame craft kits. There are three different kits to choose from, depending on what you want to start. There's 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 $42.27+ (available in 10 styles and three different kinds of kits). Promising reviews: "This is such a fun book for a single person! It has some unique recipes and everything I’ve made has been delicious!" —Kambree Worthington "Small Batch Cookies is full of familiar and new recipes. This cookbook is helpful for those of us that simply want to bake a few cookies without doing the math to reduce a standard size recipe. Each recipe is accompanied by a color photo, which is helpful for some of the unfamiliar cookies. The batch sizes range from one to eight cookies. I plan to work my way through each flavor!" —Patricia R Promising review: "I’m a young adult who spends a lot of time in the hospital due to bad health issues. Most of the time, it’s nerve-wracking and very boring. I ordered this little book to take with me for next time, and I was very happy with it! It kept me busy and calmed my nerves. It was easy to do and therapeutic. I like the variety of pictures!" —Cherry Promising review: "Absolutely love this journal! So so soooo many activities to keep you busy, and the supplies you need are just everyday household items! very fun and engaging, and helps get rid of perfectionism. Also keeps your mind off anxiety and stress. Very helpful and I really love it! The activities vary from sew this page, infuse this page, drop a journal from a high place, freeze this page, press flowers, poke holes in this page, and so much more! There are even activities and a cut-out postcard on the cover jacket. So fun and engaging! Hours worth of activities to do. Worth the money!" —Squishmallows101 Promising review: "I honestly thought this was going to be way more complicated than it is. Quality was good and the instructions were perfect. I was able to make my first picture in a few evenings. Very relaxing new hobby :)"—Nikkia Get a three-pack from Amazon for $15.99. Antelope is a small business that specializes in high-quality, unique jigsaw puzzles. Promising review: "This was my first time putting a 1,000-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). Promising review: "Another stellar puzzle from Magic Puzzle Company, featuring high-quality pieces, a hidden final image, and a unique solving experience. The artwork is full of detail, making it an immersive and engaging build. The pieces fit together snugly, with no puzzle dust, and the final reveal adds an element of surprise. If you’re looking for a high-quality puzzle that’s more than just a standard jigsaw, this one is worth every penny." —Baloptimus Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (and check out other versions of Magic Puzzles for more options!) Here are some paint and brushes so once your creations are dry, you can add some personality to the white clay if you'd like! 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 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 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 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 Each set comes with a 100-color palette, a sketch pencil, a sponge, a swatch sheet, and three water brush pens. Here's some watercolor paper to get you started. 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 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 $15.99+ (available in 12 styles). Rita Papers is a small business that specializes in personalized poster sets, stickers, and journaling supplies. Each pack varies in the specific stickers, posters, and construction paper you get, which honestly makes it more fun in my book! It will be a nice surprise to open. Promising review: "My package arrived today, and I'm over the moon!! The quality of the stickers is amazing, and you get a great variety for different aesthetics. My favourite would have to be the free sheet, it's very autumnal vibes. This would make a fabulous gift for anyone who loves to journal or craft. I would love to see Rita make customisable bundles in the future and will 100% be ordering from her again 🩷." —Cassiopeia Jewellery Get it from Rita Papers on Etsy for $22.50+ (available in medium or large packs). 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 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 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 and 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 And check out the other botanical sets. Right after you finish this set, you're gonna want to start another — trust. Promising review: "I like how this set just makes sense when putting it together. It was just challenging enough to keep my mind and hands busy, but not frustrating like some sets." —Samlg76 If jewelry isn't your thing, check out this bookmark set that will display your flowers beautifully. This is a quicker way to preserve your flowers, as other methods can take days and don't maintain the colors as vibrantly. 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 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 three styles). The Woobles is a small business that specializes in crochet kits. Promising review: "This kit is amazing! It's fun and the instructions are broken down into bite-sized pieces that make it easy to learn each step. You can rewatch the step over and over without losing your place. There is enough yarn, and they have cute designs to choose from. Plus, they have everything you need inside the kit, and they even get you started on the hardest part… a magic ring!" —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in eight designs). 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). Each piece is 12x16 inches. The kit comes with 12 images, color-coded gems, a single-tip diamond painting pen, a small tray, and wax. The pen holds a small piece of wax to help you grab the individual gems. Each canvas comes coated in a sticky adhesive protected by a clear film. Because that's how the gems stick on, I recommend peeling it off a little at a time as you go to preserve the adhesive, so you're not left with a picture covered in dust and dog hair. Promising review: "I am a beginner diamond painter and wanted some inexpensive pieces to pass the time. The drills are inconsistently sized but that doesn't bother me. The pictures are very nice and turn out well. If you are looking for something cheap to do while listening to true crime podcasts, like me, then this will fit the bill." —BobcatMama Brewsy is a small business that specializes in affordable, app-enabled cider, wine, and mead kits. The cider labeled kit is not in stock, but fear not, the recipes on the wine and mead kit are very versatile, so you can still create cider with either one. This doesn't come with a jug, so here's one to get you started on your wine journey. Promising review: "I've been interested in making my own wine for awhile, but getting started can be costly and time consuming. This kit is a great way to get started for very little money or time. The instructions are easy to follow, and the ability to use any juice at all means you can make some really unique flavors. I have already made one batch of wine using grape juice because I didn't want to get too wild on my first batch. It was sweeter then most red wines I've bought, but tasted great and the alcohol content was at least 12 percent. I base that on my body's reaction after drinking two glasses. I recommend these for yourself or a friend, I think it's a great buy and product." —Maximillion M. Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in cider, mead, or wine kits). The kit also includes two wood carving blocks (one cherry and one basswood), three types of sandpaper, and sharpening supplies. Promising review: "Great little introduction to the hobby! It will take you longer than you think to complete, so it’s a nice free-time activity. My 8-year-old is very impressed that I 'made it with my bare hands.' I highly recommend this adorable comfort bird kit, and my advice is to take your time, it’s not a race!" —Tammi H. You can experiment with so many recipes to make savory herb-infused butters or even some sweet ones, like a yummy strawberry one. The possibilities are endless once you get the hang of it. 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 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!" —David Promising review: "A great tool for keeping your mind busy. The instruction book is a little difficult to follow, but with the use of YouTube and the book makes for a great experience." —Camille L. Branch 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!" —Placeholder 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." —yuyantan Get it from Amazon for $23.99 (clip the $6 off coupon on the product page for this price; available in nine styles). Each kit comes with 9,600 clay beads in 48 different colors, 850 accessory beads and pendants (like letters, pearls, hearts, and shells), elastic string, tweezers, scissors, and earring hooks, so you won't have to buy anything separate to kickstart your jewelry-making era. Promising review: "Gifted the set to my niece and she is making bracelets and necklaces without stopping. 🙂 Having so much fun. I personally liked that everything is packed nicely. The organizer box is amazing. The colors of heishi beads are so unique. And good quality of the the golden letters beads." —Svetlana Makarenko Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in gold and silver). 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. Mariel Guzman is a resident writer on the Buzzfeed Shopping team whose love for shopping (and doomscrolling on TikTok) helps her curate lists of the most trending lifestyle, home, beauty, and fashion products. Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.