15-03-2025
30 Products For Bored Humans Who Want To Try Something New
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
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Come on. Admit it. You've always kind of wanted to churn your own fancy butter.
1. A pickling starter kit complete with everything you need to start fermenting small batches of INFINITE delicious things, from the traditional cucumbers and onions to yummy sauerkraut and kimchi to adventurous watermelon and mango 😋 . (If you've never had pickled mango before ... THANK ME LATER.)
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 $24.99 (also available in a larger kit).
2. A miniature arcade Atari so you can spend your day off in a time machine to the '80s — this itty bitty console is loaded up with ten playable retro-style games, including Pac-Man, Breakout, Asteroids, and more. Reviewers also mention how much they love giving them as gifts!
Promising review:"I've put probably 10 hours in playing with this little system. It's an excellent little Atari clone, the screen is crystal clear, the games play exactly as expected, the sound is great the controller is a joy. This is an absolute must for anyone that loves retro games." — Doug Welyczko
Get it from Amazon for $29.99.
3. "Pocket World," a stress relief coloring book for adults full of whimsical miniature Polly Pocket-esque worlds to color, with no two alike. I'm talking fairy gardens, tiny hygge-style living rooms, quirky restaurants, and more.
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 $9.59!
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
Get it from Amazon for $7.99.
4. And a "Through The Seasons" Reverse Coloring Book, which is a newer edition of the original Reverse Coloring Book that took the internet by storm — reviewers swear by this easy, calming artistic outlet to help ease their anxiety, relieve stress, and unleash their inner creativity without taking up too much brainpower.
For those new to the concept — Instead of adding the color to these, you add the lines to create images within the colors. Sort of like a Rorschach test, but make it whimsical.
Check out a TikTok of the reverse coloring book in action.
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 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. T his 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.
(Psst — check out these cult-fave black fine point pens for $8.99 on Amazon for a good doodling option!)
5. A low-maintenance little beginner's crochet kit complete with everything you need to create Rexy, your new pocket-sized dino BFF.
Promising review:"I am beyond impressed! The kit truly comes with everything you need to complete Rexy, from the yarn to the hook and even the stuffing. The yarn provided feels incredibly sturdy and pleasant to work with, making the whole crocheting process enjoyable. What really stood out to me is how cute and well-designed each item in the kit is. Rexy is absolutely adorable, and I loved watching this little dino come to life as I crocheted. If you're looking for a fun and rewarding project, this kit is perfect!" — Lior mealem
Get it from Amazon for $28.99 (and check out a ton of other beginner options on the Amigo Rumi storefront!).
6. A cult-fave, high-quality 100-piece Dog Park Puzzle so full of adorable details that it's just going to be a constant stream of serotonin every time you push another piece into place. Reviewers love not just the whimsical art style, but the fact that it's so well-made that there's never any glare on the image or "puzzle dust" when they put it together.
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 $21.59+ (available in six other whimsical designs and in multisets).
7. A 5-pound bucket of Crayola Air Dry Clay to let you finally follow your inner pottery dreams without all the mess and effort of taking classes. After you pull the clay out to shape it, it'll harden on its own — no oven or any effort required! From there you can leave it as is or paint over it for a fun vibe.
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 $10.96.
8. A gorgeous pastel paint-by-number you can get in all kinds of intricate, deeply satisfying patterns for anyone who is looking for an activity that pairs perfectly with a screen-free night in.
Amazon,
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 12 styles).
9. A sushi-making kit perfect for beginners or intermediate sushi makers, so you can finally mix and match the exact ingredients your adventurous heart desires.
I'm definitely going to sushi jail for this, but I've started putting peanut butter in my avocado rolls. Don't knock it until you try it. Anyway, each kit comes with two sushi rolling mats, five pairs of chopsticks, a paddle, a spreader, and a PDF of instructions, including recipes for six popular rolls.
Psst — if you REALLY want to level up your homemade sushi game, I highly recommend adding this truffle seasoning on Amazon for $10.99! It tastes so startlingly decadent. I've been ordering it for years to put on my avocado rolls and shiitake rolls when I order sushi.
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 product, received it quickly and for the price you cannot go wrong." — Timothy J Stegner
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
10. A beginner's embroidery kit for adults, so you can have something soothing to do with your hands while you marathon yet another podcast full of murder, murder, and a side murder. (At least now your stitching will be tighter than the main suspect's alibi!)
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 different patterns).
11. A Stealth core trainer that turns exercising into a *game* so you can trick your body into working out by occupying your brain with the business of "stealth speed gliding" and "galaxy adventure," which are just two of the catchy games in this system that help work your core.
Amazon
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 $129.
12. An "Everyday Mindfulness"-themed word search book full of unique, relaxing puzzles designed to keep you engaged without stressing you out.
Amazon,
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
Get it from Amazon for $11.68.
13. Or Murdle, Volume 1, a true essential for anyone who relaxes to true crime podcasts or Only Murders in the Building. The book is full of murder 100 mystery-themed logic puzzles with four different levels of difficulty that you can do solo or with pals, and in order or out of order (although if you do it in order, you get the full scoop on Deductive Logico and Inspector Irratino, whose hilarious misadventures guide you through the book).
The best part?? Once you finish "Murdling," you can use your sleuthing skills on Volume 2, Volume 3, and a whole BUNCH of other themed Murdle books!
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 all of this creativeness! You can Murdle solo or with friends. I look forward to future volumes but this one will keep me busy for awhile!" — Liz Gately
Get it from Amazon for $10.25.
14. A mushroom growing kit that grows right there in the packaging, so you can add some sweet, sweet umami flavors to all your favorite dishes by sautéing, roasting, or air frying them up.
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 A
Get it from Amazon for $19.97.
15. A set of cat-themed tarot cards purrrfect for first-timers, complete with a guide on how to pull the cards and how to interpret them. You'll be doing readings for everyone from yourself to your BFF to your actual cat, by the end of the week.
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. 😍 10000% worth the purchase!" — Kathryn Prouty
Get it from Amazon for $17.45.
16. A beginner's guide to calligraphy that is far more thorough and specific about technique and ink types than other versions, and will have you writing inspirational messages to your friends and drafting fancy invitations to your dog's birthday party in NO time.
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
Get it from Amazon for $24.98.
17. Yardzee, a jumbo dice game that boldly asked, "What if we took Yahtzee and made it ginormous?" This set includes six (lightweight!) giant dice, a storage bucket, and double-sided scorecards to play over 20 ridiculously fun outdoor games with the whole fam. Bonus: reviewers mention using it as game room decor when it's not in use, since it has such an elevated look!
Swooc Games is a small business that specializes in unconventional, giant games for home and outdoor use.
Promising review: "Our family loves Yahtzee, but Yardzee was so much more fun! It is like a giant lifesize game. It was so much fun to play outside as a family. We had ages 7–65 playing and enjoying the game. As a homeschooler, I also love that it sneaks in math and writing." — The Waldock Way
Get them from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in two dice sizes).
18. The 369 Method Manifestation Journal, which you may find helpful not just for setting plans to achieve your goals, but to better help define them for yourself. The journal explains the "Law Of Attraction" method for manifesting, and gives you 12 weeks of space to help make your goals a reality, with lines to write your manifestations three times in the morning, six in the afternoon, and nine at night.
Amazon
Promising review:"This book is exactly what I needed to start my journey to a better life in 2024. This journal helped me write down my goals and mentally practice a positive outlook. I am excited for the journey ahead." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $7.79.
19. Hues And Cues, a DELIGHTFUL party game that's easy and fun to play no matter how well you know the other players. It comes with a board of 480 color swatches — the aim of the game is to make your friends guess which color swatch you're looking at with either one-word or two-word clues. Whoever gets the closest to the color in each round gets the most points!
Emma Lord/BuzzFeed
I played this at a friend's apartment with a mix of people I did and didn't know, and we all had a BLAST. It was a fun opportunity for us to reference hyper specific things when trying to lock down a specific shade (if memory serves, "zombie Barney" and "aggressive banana" were ones that got thrown around) and to get to know each other's tastes and ways of looking at the world. The rules and scoring system are super easy to learn, too, so there wasn't a big hurdle getting everyone on board. I highly recommend for some good, wholesome, often laugh out loud party fun!
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
20. A Gaiam starter set for yoga complete with all the basics, including a yoga mat, a yoga block, and a stretching strap, so you can tune into free yoga classes you gain access to with the set. Achieving mindfulness and flow in a chaotic world? Bring it om.
Promising review:"I am not very limber and I have chronic spine issues, so having a block and strap was essential for me to do yoga. Before using this, I always ended up hurting myself or feeling bad about myself because I couldn't complete the stretches and would just give up. This kit made everything go so smoothly; I can adjust the block or the strap to help me stretch without hurting myself (or falling over). And I highly recommend the sitting techniques in the DVD as well as the meditation." — blightheavy
Get it from Amazon for $29.98.
21. Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, a DEEPLY beloved, fast-paced card game suitable for kids and adults that will have everyone in fits of high-stakes giggles in no time. Bonus: each game only lasts 10–15 minutes, so you can go one or a few rounds depending on how much time you've got together.
Amazon
Dolphin Hat Games is a small business that specializes in family-friendly card games.
Okay, so the rules: you divvy up all the cards equally, and then all the players take turns putting down cards that have different illustrations on them, saying "taco," "cat," "goat," "cheese," and "pizza" in order. If the card put on the table matches the word that's being said in that moment, whoever slaps a hand down on the card first gets all the cards under it. You keep playing until someone comes in possession of all the cards (or until you all start craving tacos and pizza so much you drive yourselves to the nearest combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell).
Promising review: "I got this as a family gift for Christmas and we have been loving it! It's easy to learn, quick to play, and so much fun. So much laughing, screaming, just really great family fun." — K
Get it from Amazon for $9.84.
22. Oprah's The Life You Want: 100 Questions Everyone Should Ask," a set of conversation cards to help you start thoughtful conversations with friends and families to help you connect and make meaningful memories out of your time together.
Amazon
This was featured on Oprah's Favorite Things for 2024 — check out more of Oprah's picks on Amazon's gift shop!
The one hundred questions are often open-ended and thoughtful, like "What would it take to feel truly rested?" and "What doorway is open to you?" making it an ideal set of cards for journal prompts, too!
Get it from Amazon for $34.95.
23. A teensy DIY cheese kit with everything you need to learn to make four batches of farmer's cheese and live your most delicious life in a half hour.
Urban Cheesecraft/Etsy
Urban Cheesecraft is an 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
24. A beginner-friendly diamond painting coaster set perfect for anyone who has ever thought to themselves, "You know what the only thing better than cat coasters would be? Glittery cat coasters." The universe has delivered.
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 five styles).
25. Cocktail Codex: Fundamentals, Formulas, Evolutions, a bartender-beloved book for beginner- to intermediate-level cocktail enthusiasts that breaks down six iconic "root" cocktails — the old-fashioned, martini, daiquiri, sidecar, whisky highball, and flip — to show you how to improvise and riff your own creations based on what combos work with the ingredients you have.
Amazon
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
Get it from Amazon for $19.12.
26. A compact, travel-friendly microwave flower press kit so you can preserve the beauty of the flowers you find on your adventures no matter where you roam, and keep them in a little flower press journal to admire.
This is unique from other methods because the microwave makes it a minutes-long process instead of days, and helps preserve the vibrant colors!
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
Get it from Amazon for $16.99.
27. A beginner's wood carving kit to get you started on an oh-so-satisfying, soothing hobby, so you can start gifting your loved ones with carved bluejays and cardinals in no time.
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 $32.99.
28. A set of washable paints for all of the fun of a good colorful mess with none of the consequences — these paints come right off skin and machine washable clothing, no muss or fuss. Reviewers swear by them for decorating everythingto good old-fashioned fingerpainting.
Psst — a lot of parents use this to get painted impressions of babies' hands and feet, since it's so easy to wash off!
Promising review: "This paint is great because I can let my kids really express themselves artistically because I know it will all wash off clothes and surfaces. I highly recommend for parents, teachers, babysitters, or anyone else looking for a good, but washable paint." — Brittany
Get a pack of six from Amazon for $8.29.
29. A "Winning Fingers" flashing cube game beloved by kids and adults alike — it lights up on all sides for four different types of quick-coordination games involving speed and memory that are super easy to learn, but will give you hours of game play trying to beat your top scores. Psst — parents highly recommend these for road trips, especially because it's not super loud!
Amazon,
Promising review: "Great game. It takes the best of Simon, the Rubiks Cube, Bop It, and anything else and throws it into one beautiful little brick. My girls fight over it, and that's only after I'm done using i t. Great great game, might as well get one for each kid. This is the kind of stuff that kids should be tinkering with over screen time. Nice job on this product." — CharlesF11
Get it from Amazon for $21.99.
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
