39 Screen-Free Things That'll Actually Hold Your Attention
Small Batch Cookies — a *genius* cookbook designed with recipes like salted malt shortbread, brown butter macadamia rounds, sandwich cookies...these are not your basic chocolate chip. Each recipe is catered to one person (it includes the details for up to six people, for when you feel like sharing). Each recipe is easy to learn and doesn't need bells and whistles to prepare, so even if your kitchen is rather bare, you can prepare mouth-watering desserts worth bragging about!
A flower bookmark crochet kit that'll satisfy people who need to be doing *something* with their hands at all times (and would like to be scrolling down a screen a little less often). Not only is this a fun way to pass the time, but they'll turn your bookshelves into their own gorgeous secret garden.
Burn After Writing — this is gonna be the guided journal of your dreams. In fact, tens of thousands of reviewers swear by it as a source of anger management and self-discovery. Work through a series of questions and experiments and dive deep into thoughts you have held onto that benefit you, vs ones it's time to trash. The best part? Once you've completed it, you destroy it! Fire and brimstone, baby!
A Lego flower bouquet featuring a ton of different blooms for creative folks who love covering their home in handmade masterpieces.
Waldorf woodland creatures — each open-ended shape is designed with holes that'll easily fit twigs, stems, petals, and leaves you find out on a walk, because adding a purpose to a walk (re: making tiny wildlife creatures) just might help you enjoy some nature IRL, instead of via Discovery Channel.
A Buttercup — a cottagecore-coded kitchen tool to help you take a mini break from your day by making fresh butter in five minutes. Become the person who brings homemade honey butter (or garlic, truffle, brown sugar, etc.) as a hosting gift whenever you attend a party. When word gets out, you're gonna be invited to a LOT of parties.
"A Court of Thorns and Roses" coloring book for readers with *great* taste who think coloring inside the lines may make them feel a little steadier when the social media shakes kick in. Go ahead and live your best Spring Court Feyre life and paint (or color pencil) away.
Or a reviewer-adored Cozy Spaces-themed coloring book to help out anyone who considers screen time *anything* but cozy. Put on your noise-canceling headphones and remind yourself that there's no need to think about anything other than coloring in the moment. This is designed to distract your busy brain with tiny bears making turnip tinctures and bugs decorating their overturned teacup homes. Cute.
Spot It! — a multi-game deck of cards inside a tin the size of a tuna can. You can either time yourself and enjoy a little game break on your own, or play with friends when you decide game night does *not* include video games.
A deck of Disney villains tarot cards to soothe the souls of Disney adults who are practically jumping out of their skin after all the Pixar movies they've been marathon watching in lieu of booking *another* Disneyland trip. This includes a guidebook, so whether you're a seasoned tarot pro or simply got this set to enjoy some villainous fun, The Evil Queen, Scar, and Ursula are sure to be a part of your future.
Beyond Bored, a 200-page activity book intended for entertaining adults in the most surprising (and hilariously mundane) ways possible. Its spiral-bound design makes it super easy to enjoy on the go, and the activities range from the "sensible sedan coloring sheet" to "complete the drawing tasks," involving trash raccoons who wish they were in Paris. One reviewer complained that there are too many haunted dolls in this book, and I've gotta say...that's when I knew I had to have it.
A magnetic cat-eye gel nail polish kit you can snag if you know all things can be fixed with a killer manicure. Not only will you get an onslaught of compliments, but you can also say, "Why thank you, I did them myself!" to boost your cool kid ego. Now that's a gift.
Or a set of Olive & June press-on nails — a glue-free temporary manicure that reviewers say looks and feels as strong as dip manis. These use tabs instead of glue, making them super simple to take on and off when you're simply looking to change up your nails as a source of entertainment.
The Endless Art Challenge, a deck of 90 cards that'll combine to make over 25,000 prompt variations. The challenge is intended for artists of all sorts, whether seasoned sketchers or folks who'll love the chance to up their stick-figure game.
Murdle, Volume 1, a bestselling book with 100 mystery-themed logic puzzles designed to be completed on your own or with friends. Follow Deductive Logico and Inspector Irratino on their perilous, ridiculous journeys when you've watched too many true crime documentaries...and wanna solve something on your own.
A friendship bracelet making kit so you can entertain yourself on the sofa by making sure every kid in your family knows *you* are the cool aunt. You come bearing gifts when *you* go to family reunions. You ARE the cool aunt.
The Big Activity Book For Anxious People with pages full of journaling prompts, pictures to color, and clever coping methods. It's also totally funny, which is something all of us anxious folks are sure to appreciate.
Mystic Maze — a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle that'll reveal a secret "magic trick" when you're finished. BTW, there are 50 Easter eggs hidden in the intricate design, making this mysterious puzzle a gripping game until the very last piece is in place.
And a 1,000-piece puzzle with illustrations that are equal parts obscure and dreamy for puzzlers who are up for an added challenge. Different Puzzles is just that... different. Rather than the final image being displayed on the box, each completed puzzle has a slightly altered illustration (which means surprise pieces and no idea where to put them)! Like the brand says, "These aren't your grandma's puzzles."
Talking Hearts, a darling deck of conversation cards that'll keep you and your boo entertained for hours — no phones needed. This includes 200 questions intended to help you learn about each other, even if you've been together forever.
A copy of The Book of Myself: A Do-It-Yourself Autobiography in 201 Questions with 201 prompts around your memories, life experiences, and views on the world. Because now might be one of the best times to really zone into who you are and what matters most to you. Preserve your memories with this helpful guidebook while you stroll down memory lane.
A granny-square bag crochet kit so you can say, "Thanks, I made it," with a preciously pretentious smile on your face when passersby compliment your bag. And with an accessory this cute? Those compliments will be comin' in nonstop!
A metal stamp set with every letter in the alphabet for personalizing jewelry and trinkets to your heart's content!
A DIY string art pick you're sure to get hooked on from the minute you start!
A canvas tote bag embroidery kit that'll be a particularly practical way to keep your hands busy while you cruise through an audiobook instead of your Instagram account. PLUS, once it's done, you'll have a tote bag you could carry *actual* books in. Nice.
A mini Bob Ross paint-by-numbers for easing your worries away with the only thing better than happy little trees...happy, TINY trees!
A book nook kit complete with motion-sensor LED lights that'll glow every time you pass by your bookshelf, creating an extra element of magic beside your impressive romantasy collection. The 3D puzzle is made of wood and includes dozens of flat sheets with images that'll need to be punched out, folded into shape, and then carefully pieced together to create the intricate space.
A pretzel-making kit with bakers of all ages in mind (the illustrations are technically for kids, but we visual learners know they're just as useful for adults). The kit includes color-coded ingredients and step-by-step instructions so your stomach doesn't turn into nervous knots when you bake this impressive side dish for your friends.
Cryptid Construction Kit mangets that'll keep you busy simply by hanging out in front of your fridge while you get lost creating some tiny creatures worthy of Big Foot's applause.
A SunPrint paper kit sure to spark the interest of artistic souls. Gather leaves, flowers, and the like on your next nature walk and set them up on this kit while it sits in the sun. Then watch your natural craft come to life!
A dandelion needlepoint your friends are all gonna *wish* you made for them when they see your finished product.
A natural dye kit that'll color up to five pounds of fabric, giving your wardrobe a personalized touch with some snazzy hand-dyed statement pieces.
A soup dumpling kit sure to make your foodie friends ~bao~ down to you the next time you have them over for dinner. Spending time making a homemade meal instead of scrolling through cooking videos and promptly ordering takeout is sure to be a satisfying change of pace.
A beeswax candle kit — a DIY activity with seriously soothing results. Plus, it's totally gonna be the bee's knees to become the kind of person who has homemade candles all around the apartment. That is so chic of you.
A quirky blackhead remover anxiety relief toy — a little pal you can clip onto your backpack and help you do something other than zone out on your phone when you're on the go! If nothing soothes you more than plucking out awkward little hairs or pushing out pus, this thing is about to become your favorite companion.
A copy of Crafting with Cat Hair because if people are already calling you a cat lady at 23, you're gonna make sure you are *the* cat lady by 24. I can't think of a better way to show your furocious affection.
A copy of 104 Things to Photograph that'll guide your eye when you want a ~picture~ perfect portfolio, even if it's just for fun and just for you.
A National Geographic geode kit sure to really ~rock~ if you could benefit from letting out your destructive energy every now and then. Bash away those bad vibes!
And finally, Toilet Paper Origami, a necessary purchase for anyone who appreciates how valuable TP can be, and wants to kill time giving those precious rolls the respect they deserve.
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