Latest news with #Kanoodle
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Second federal court blocks Trump tariffs, this time for Illinois toy importers
WASHINGTON – A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from collecting tariffs from a pair of Illinois toy importers, the second court in two days to nullify President Donald Trump's top strategy for trade deals. U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras ordered the administration May 29 not to collect tariffs from Learning Resources and hand2mind based in Vernon Hills, Illinois, while the case is litigated. He paused the impact of his ruling to give the government two weeks to appeal his decision. The ruling came a day after the Court of International Trade overturned Trump's tariffs imposed April 2 on numerous countries. Contreras and the three-judge panel ruled that the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) didn't grant Trump the authority to impose tariffs as he claimed. The statute "does not authorize the President to impose the tariffs," Contreras wrote in his two-page order. Learning Resources and hand2mind employ 500 people in Vernon Hills, Illinois; Torrance, California; and Amherst, New York. The companies import toys such as Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog, Peekaboo Learning Farm and Kanoodle from countries including China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, and India. The toy companies say they survived COVID-19 but that the tariffs could kill them. They argued that Congress never authorized the president to impose huge tariffs on his own. 'That crushing burden is felt most immediately and acutely by this country's small and mid-size businesses, including Plaintiffs,' the lawsuit said. But government lawyers argued the IEEPA statute granted the president authority to "regulate importation," including by setting tariffs. Brett Shumate, a Justice Department lawyer, told Contreras during a hearing May 27 he should transfer the case to the Court of International Trade because of the expertise of those judges. 'If the court were to conclude otherwise, granting an injunction would kneecap the president on the world stage, cripple his ability to negotiate trade deals and imperil the government's ability to respond to future national emergencies,' Shumate said. 'Granting any form of relief against the president under IEEPA tariffs would be catastrophic for our national security and foreign policy.' A three-judge panel of the Court of International Trade overturned Trump's tariffs May 28. Government lawyers said they would appeal. (This is a developing story. Check back for details.) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Second federal court blocks Trump tariffs - for Illinois toy importers
Global News
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Global News
10 road trip activities that don't require screens
The Curator independently decides what topics and products we feature. When you purchase an item through our links, we may earn a commission. Promotions and products are subject to availability and retailer terms. Screens are an easy way to keep kids occupied on long trips, but it can be a bit unsettling when you realize they haven't spoken in hours because they've been lost in their games and shows. Happily, there are plenty of road trip activities that don't require screens and can help kids be a little more social while exercising their minds in fun ways. Here are 10 options—starting as low as just $7—that can be on your doorstep by this time tomorrow. Mad Libs On the Road Education disguised as fun FTW! This little book has 21 fill-in-the-blank stories that will have the whole family giggling as kids insert T-Rexes into human situations and create songs about Han Solo and Barbie. It's a great way to sneak a little reading comprehension and basic grammar building exercises into your road trip. $9.5 on Amazon Story continues below advertisement Kanoodle This game challenges players to arrange 12 Tetris-like puzzle pieces into more than 200 different 2D and 3D shapes. The patterns are easy to start, but it doesn't take long before kids' spatial reasoning skills are put to the test. Plus, it packs up into a small, portable box that can easily slide into car cubbies and seat pouches. $26.49 on Amazon The Ultimate Activity Book for Smart Girls This book is packed with 100 puzzles, games, and activities to keep pre-teen brains busy for hours at a time. There's something for every interest, from word searches and crosswords to sudoku challenges and logic puzzles. The themes and illustrations are designed specifically to appeal to the budding interests of elementary school girls. $14.99 on Amazon Rubik's Cube A true classic travel toy, the great thing about Rubik's Cube is that the fun isn't over once you've figured out how to solve it. The goal then switches to how fast you can solve it. Or learning to solve it with one hand. Or examining all the sides and then trying to solve it with your eyes closed. It's not for all kids, but those who do fall for Rubik's iconic puzzle may develop a lifelong passion. $11.25 on Amazon (was $12.99) Story continues below advertisement Road Trip Games: 50 Fun Games to Play in the Car This beautifully illustrated deck of travel activity cards can be a real lifesaver when your kids start making you realize just how much of a confined space your car really is. Each card contains rules for simple games—like I Spy and Never Have I Ever—that can be enjoyed by both kids and adults. Just pull one out, read the instructions, and let the fun commence. $28 on Amazon (was $33.5) You may also like: 50 Scratch-Off Adventures and Family Night Games for Kids & Adults – $54.99 Hasbro Gaming: Jenga Classic Game – $24.99 Mattel Games Pictionary Board Game – $20.98 Foldology Foldology turns origami into a game. Each sheet of paper needs to be folded in a precise way to create a picture. Printed folding lines serve as a general guide, but you'll need to work out the specific folds required to complete each image. It's packaged as a pad of 100 sheets, with the easiest ones on top and the toughest at the end. $30.31 on Amazon (was $32.49) Story continues below advertisement Melissa & Doug Take-Along Magnetic Jigsaw Puzzles If your tiny tots love jigsaws, this pair of magnetic farm-themed puzzles is a must-have for your next road trip. It's smartly packaged in book form. The mixed up pieces are magnetically attached to one page, letting kids examine them as they choose which ones to place on the puzzle board on the opposite page. Genius. $13.99 on Amazon Scratch & Sketch Extreme Fantasy Art Fantasy-loving tweens and teens will find hours of creative fun in this art activity book. Use the included fine-tipped stylus to trace along the white lines of each intricate drawing, revealing the dazzling metallic tones beneath. Bonus: 20 blank pages at the back of the book let kids scratch out their own freestyle fantasy drawings. $17.99 on Amazon Little Sticker Dolly Dressing Snow Princess How do you make a princess story even better for young readers? By letting them customize the young royal's regal fashion as she walks in the snow, gathers winterberries, and goes ice skating. This little book is filled with cute illustrations and more than 200 stickers for kids to peel and paste to make the story their own. $10.95 on Amazon Story continues below advertisement Would You Rather: Travel Edition Would you rather have your kids spend hours staring at a screen playing Pokemon or have them interact with the whole family and use their brains to noodle out the best answers to fun questions (like whether it would be better to live your whole life outside or inside)? We know which one we'd choose. $6.99 on Amazon You may also like: Happy Salmon by Exploding Kittens – $30.00 Taco vs Burrito – $19.97 Pressman Charades for Kids – $9.97
Buzz Feed
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
If You're Committed To Scrolling Less, Here Are 32 Screen-Free Activities That'll Capture Your Attention
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. Shopping · The internet is a scary place these days, so here are some things to keep you busy that *don't* involve scrolling. 1. The Kanoodle Ultimate Champion game that'll provide a *much*-needed reprieve from endless screen time — it's an updated version of the TikTok classic you might already be familiar with. This one has 500 2D and 3D puzzles as well as a timer to really put your skills to the test. 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 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 $14.86. 2. Murdle, Volume 1 — a compilation of murder mystery–themed logic puzzles from the creator of Murdle, which is a daily puzzle site similar to Wordle but with a heaping side of murder mystery fun! You'll use your deductive (and detective) skills to solve the puzzle with the provided clues and nab the perp. It has four levels of difficulty to keep you on your toes. See how it works on TikTok. There are 100 puzzles total, and four different levels: For Elementary puzzles, you need to find the suspect, location, and weapon. For Occult Medium puzzles, the added challenge is that the murderer always lies, and the other suspects tell the truth! For Hard Boiled puzzles, you also need to find motive! And for Impossible puzzles, you have to discover all four elements and deal with the lying witness statement from the murderer. Sounds like fun! Plus, you're also given a logic grid for each puzzle to help you solve it! Promising reviews: "The puzzles are a lot of fun but the characters, storylines, 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 a while!" — Liz Gately " MURDLE is quite possibly the coolest and most fun I have had with logic puzzles in a while. It activates my inner J.B. Fletcher as my mind compiles the clues and sleuths out the answers. The various levels of intrigue allow the amateur sleuth in us all to develop into a top-notch armchair detective. I cannot think of a better way to spend a rainy, sunny, and/or any day than with a little crime-solving." — Highly Caffeinated Book Reviewer Get it from Amazon for $8.71. And if (when) you end up needing more puzzles, don't worry — there are three volumes already, plus bonus books. There's also a brand-new Murdle Jr. for Kids available now! 3. A buildable Lego succulent set if you'd love to add some pops of plant-like color to your space *without* the responsibility of caring for a live one. There are nine plants in the set that you can display together or solo, so you can place the finished products all around the house if you wish! It comes with 771 pieces to create nine different LEGO artificial succulents! Promising review: "I LOVED playing with Legos as a kid and have recently been having a blast trying out some of their offerings for adults. This set was super fun to put together and looks so pretty! Everything is so well done, from the gorgeous instruction manual to the amazing, unique Lego pieces for this set. If you're looking for a peaceful and entertaining way to kill some time, this is a great choice!" — Leah Get it from Amazon for $39.99. 4. A copy of Burn After Writing when your ideal night is spent curled up at home in a cozy robe with a thought-provoking activity in hand — no scrolling required. You'll go through a series of questions and experiments to help explore your feelings in a meaningful way. Promising review: "I first saw this book on TikTok and decided to look more into it. I purchased four total because I know some people holding onto things that are difficult to let go of. It's a great way to look at things from a different perspective and truly hold yourself accountable to different things in your life. I love what it stands for and I look forward to when I burn mine after I'm done. Self love, self care, and meditation for a better state of mind tomorrow is always the goal. I definitely recommend it to those susceptible to change and the willingness to try things differently. You're so much more than what's been done to you and someone's inability to see your worth does not decrease your value. Choose you for a change." — Brent Helm Get it from Amazon for $7.70. 5. OR The Book of Myself: A Do-It-Yourself Autobiography in 201 Questions to help commemorate your fave experiences so you can look back on 'em later. If you want, you could even share these with future generations of the family! I can just picture you in your rocking chair holding this book and saying, "Back in my day..." Hachette Books This book is a kind of DIY memoir — it goes through three phases of "Early," "Middle," and "Later" years, and has 201 different prompts based on your memories, experiences, and views on the world. Prompts include things like what you would have switched careers to midway through if given the chance, or a present you got from your parents that sticks in your memory, or who you think the funniest person in your family is. This also makes for a lovely gift for family members, so you can all preserve each other's memories. Get it from Amazon for $14.31 or from Bookshop (to support local bookstores) for $18.60 (originally $20). 6. A beginner's sushi-making kit both newbies and seasoned sushi lovers will appreciate. Now you'll have the basic tools they need to meld your go-to ingredients and enjoy a scrumptious spicy tuna roll whenever the craving hits — yes, even at midnight! 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. Promising review:"The entire Bamboo Sushi Kit is absolutely well made, easy to use, easy to clean, high-end restaurant quality, and durable. I t was very nicely packaged, and instructions [were] clear, in-depth, and very easy to follow. No one (myself included) in my household has ever made sushi before but (thanks to the enclosed instructions), there were no issues making it. My daughter did an awesome job utilizing these products to make 'FISH-FREE SUSHI' with Pickled Ginger on top, was delectable! Loooooove it!" — Liza Get it from Amazon for $9.99. 7. The cutest beginner's crochet kit your hobby-loving self will appreciate, especially if you like to start small so you don't get overwhelmed. It has everything you need to see it through *and* step-by-step tutorials to guide you along the way. The kit includes a yarn needle, easy peasy yarn, pre-started yarn, a crochet hook, stuffing, eyes, and video instructions. The Woobles is an Asian-owned small biz selling the cutest beginner crochet kits! You might recognize them from Shark Tank! Promising review:"I have tried to learn how to crochet with YouTube in the past without success. This kit is fabulous and the online videos are excellent. The project itself was fun. The skills I learned are worth every penny I paid for this kit. I will be buying more to do myself and gift to others!!" — Katt978 Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in seven options). 8. A mini Bob Ross paint-by-numbers kit so tiny and precious, you'll probably have to buy one for everyone you know. It includes three different numbered canvas designs, a mini brush, seven paint bots, and an easel to display your completed masterpiece with pride! Amazon, The kit comes with three paintings — two landscapes and one portrait of Bob. It also includes seven paint pots, a miniature paint brush, miniature easel, full-color, fold-out sheets with detailed instructions, and 32-page book on Bob Ross with painting tips. 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 $6.80. 9. Small Batch Bakes because you can absolutely pick up a new cooking hobby without feeling like you're drowning in leftovers by the end of it. This is perf for anyone who lives alone or simply prefers small-batch cooking with a LOT less mess. It contains a variety of sweet (and some savory!) recipes that serve between one and six people with minimal equipment needed. Helpfully, this book measures in grams *and* tablespoons, so you can bake however you prefer. Get it from Amazon for $12.36 or Bookshop (to support local bookstores) for $23.24 (originally $24.99). 10. A complete candle-making kit, which may result in you wanting to start a small business because of how fun and fulfilling it is. Rather than scrolling to find a *single* candle to spend your hard-earned money on, you could create SEVEN of your own! It even comes with dried flowers to elevate the ~aesthetic~ of your candle. The kit consists of a melting pot, seven soy wax packets, one black tin, two metal tins, four glass candle jars, seven fragrance oils, 10 dye blocks, labels, 10 wicks, 10 glue dots, 25 labels, three sets of dried flowers, two centering devices, two gift labels pipettes, a digital thermometer, and stirring spoon. Promising review:"This is definitely the most luxurious candle making kit I have ever used. Literally everything you need is in this box! This product is not only gorgeous but so much fun! The instruction book is easy to follow and walks you through step by step on making the candles. The included essential oils smell wonderful. It is a nice touch that you also get dried flowers to decorate your candles. And to top it all, you get numerous options of beautifully designed labels to be used with the candles you make. It is just an awesome set. I will definitely order again." — Dovile Get it from Amazon for $47.45 + (available in four styles). 11. A beginner's embroidery kit for adults for a fun new activity to keep your hands busy while engaging your mind. You could even do it while listening to a true crime podcast and claim that you were *actually* productive. 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). It's fun, simple and it's going to look very cute next to my collection of cacti!!" — Abby Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in 20 different patterns). 12. OR! A transparent embroidery kit using see-through mesh that'll look so elegant hanging in your bedroom, bathroom, or anywhere that needs a touch of floral fun. A screen-free activity that ends in a pretty piece of home decor? Yes, please! The Cherry Blossom US / Etsy It includes one 6" embroidery hoop (optional), illustrated linen fabrics, two embroidery needles, one set of embroidery cotton threads, and instructions. The Cherry Blossom US is a North Carolina-based small biz. Promising review: "This was amazing! I've never done anything like this before and the instructions were easy to follow and helpful. I can't believe how good it turned out! I will be doing another one!" — Emerson Dodge Get it from The Cherry Blossom US on Etsy for $16.19+ (originally $17.99; available in nine designs, four hoop styles, or without a hoop). 13. A 5-pound bucket of Crayola Air Dry Clay if you've always wanted to try pottery but you'd prefer to start small so you don't get intimidated. This is perf for making a trinket tray as a gift or some candle holders just in time for a dinner party. Once you pull the clay outta the bucket to shape it, it'll air dry and harden on its own. No oven needed OR waiting days to see your masterpiece! You get 5 pounds of Crayola Sculpting Clay in a resealable bucket! If you wanna take your activity to the next level, you can color your project with Crayola Project Paint or Crayola Acrylic Paint! Psst — a lot of reviewers use silicone or plastic molds to get specific shapes! Promising reviews: "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 "The kids and I have made so much with this. It's so fun! It is not really heavy clay and dries really quickly. We have painted it (or not) and I have also sprayed it with a clear sealer and it turned out great both ways. I do not have any complaints about this product and will probably purchase more in the near future." — T&Z Get it from Amazon for $10.62 (also available in two other styles and in a value size). 14. OR a beginner-friendly mini pottery wheel kit so you can channel Demi Moore in Ghost and really dive right into the pottery world at home. You'll have everything you need to begin crafting some lovely pieces with your bare hands. Whether you make a jewelry dish or a coffee mug, you'll proudly shout, "I made that" whenever you see it. 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 try 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 $59.99 (available in green or purple). 15. A paint-by-sticker set, which consists of 12 vintage-style poster paintings that come to life when you peel and place the stickers on the page. You'll basically take a quick trip around the world from the comfort of your humble abode. Bonus: The pages are perforated so you can display your stunning posters on the wall when you're done. Amazon Each comes with 12 posters and the stickers to complete them, including iconic travel posters from gondolas in Venice to the pyramids in Cairo. Get it from Amazon for $11.23 or Bookshop (to support local bookstores) for $15.80 (originally $16.99). 16. Or a customized pet paint-by-number — maybe you don't wanna waste your time on an activity that doesn't somehow include your fave four-legged creature! You can even frame your artwork and proudly display it in your home as a reminder to everyone who the real head of household is. It includes a blank canvas, 48 specialty pet colors, brushes, and tech tools to make one 8" x 10" painting. The company provides the paint and a code to use their tech to turn any pet photo into a "paint by number" template, so you just need a printer to generate the image! Also, this was one of Oprah's Favorite Things in 2023 — check out Oprah's 2024 picks on Amazon's gift shop! Promising review:"This was so much fun! I tried three different photos in the tool they give you. It shows you a preview of each painting, which is really helpful when deciding which image to go with. Not every picture came out as good, so definitely try a few! Easy to use, and fun to paint — excited to frame it! Actually have some paint left over and will try to do another one!" — Jonathan Kebert Get it from Amazon for $39.99. 17. An efficient and visually appealing reading journal you'll wonder how you ever existed without, especially if you're an avid reader. It has space for 52 in-depth book reviews and offers various challenges and lists for Books I've Read, Finished, Favorites, Did Not Finish, Lent, Borrowed, and more! Kunitsa Co. is a small business that specializes in reading, exercise, and food journals. Promising review:"This book journal had plenty of room for all the book reviews and so much more. It has pages for daily reading tracking, pages for reading goals, pages for DNF books, favorite books, loaned-out books, and tons of review pages all you have to do is feel it out. It's perfect!!!!" — Cody McNeal Get it from Amazon for $22.95+ (available in six colors). 18. A mushroom growing kit, aka a match made in heaven for anyone who prefers to grow and cook their own food. Once they're ready to eat, simply roast, sauté, or air fry 'em right up so you can add that mouthwatering umami flavor to all your fave meals. Simply open it, place it near direct sunlight, spray twice daily with the included mister, and in 10 days you'll be harvesting your own mushrooms right outta the box! Each crop produces three to four servings of mushrooms, and each box can grow up two crops. 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 Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in two styles). 19. A SUPER bright Lite Brite: Disney edition, a blast from the past that'll teleport you right back to childhood. You'll keep your hands *and* mind busy without scrolling. Plus, it's designed with a new snap-on grid that places the template underneath so your art really shines through. It comes in other cute options, like a Pokémon edition and a Hello Kitty edition! The Disney edition comes with 900 mini pegs in many colors and 12 HD designs, including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Dumbo, Cinderella, Goofy, Donald Duck, Toy Story's Woody and Buzz, The Little Mermaid, Pluto, Simba, Tinkerbell, and the classic Disney logo. There are four LED light modes and it's powered by three AA batteries or micro-USB (not included). Promising review (for the Disney edition):"This Mickey Mouse Lite Brite was such a nostalgic find! It brings back great memories, and the kids absolutely love it! The lights are bright and vibrant, making each design really pop. It's so fun to create different pictures, and it keeps everyone entertained for hours. The Light Brite works perfectly, and it's a wonderful activity that we can all enjoy together. Highly recommend for both kids and adults looking for a fun, creative way to spend time!" — Daniella Villanueva Get it from Amazon for $24.98+ (available in five styles). 20. A compact watercolor palette because sometimes all you need is a soothing activity like painting to take your mind off the internet. This one has 100 colors to choose from, with shades ranging from neon to pastel to metallic. You also get a blank swatch card so you can get an idea of what each color looks like before you begin. Start hand-making your own greeting cards OR pair it with a watercolor workbook for some fun projects. It comes with the 100 shades in a compact case, a sketch pencil, a sponge, a swatch sheet, and three water brush pens. Check out a swatch video of the palette on TikTok, and if you're looking for watercolor tutorials using this very palette, you can check out this TikTok tutorial to help you paint a sunset. Promising review: "I'm starting to hate Tiktok because it's making me buy all these products, but I absolutely love this one!!! I travel for a living and love to paint and this set is wonderful. I love that it comes in a metal tin, so I don't have to worry about it breaking, like most plastic ones. The colors are vibrant and I love that there are so many within the container. The container itself is the size of two make up eye palettes, so you can definitely fit it in a purse or backpack. It comes with a swatch section too so you can paint the colors and compare later on when you paint. I'm a huge fan now of this brand." — pixxi88 Get the set from Amazon for $25.49. 21. A tiger face punch-needle kit when you're feeling feisty and would love to make a piece of art that'll have you going "RAWR!" as soon as you finish it. This is a fun, relaxing activity that'll be super rewarding when you see the final result! You get one fabric with preprinted pattern on a wooden base (40 x 40 cm), one wooden punch needle, one set of embroidery cotton threads, glue, and a needle. It also comes with detailed instructions with a stitch guide. Tina House Boutique is an Australia-based small biz that makes embroidery kits. Promising review: "It's my first punch needle project, I started two hours ago and I am very happy. It's easy and fast to learn, the punch needle is nice to use, the wool is very soft and the colors are nic e. Looking forward to the finished piece! Definitely recommend." — funambuline Get it from Tina House Boutique on Etsy for $56.66 (originally $87.17; available in three colors). 22. Hues and Cues that may just be the perfect board game for the color-obsessed person seeking a challenging new activity. You'll use one- and two-word clues for players to try and guess the hue from 480 colors. The closer the guess is to the target hue, the more points you get! Amazon This WILL lead to heated arguments about what color Barney is. Promising review:"Easy to learn, impossible to master — you can never quite tell what the other person is thinking! Hues and Cues delivers on its promise as a simple and entertaining game with a beautiful board and a fun concept." — Ian Laird Get it from Amazon for $19.99. 23. A succulent monster needle-felting kit even total novices will appreciate because any gremlin is a cute gremlin, am I right? It'll be hard to mess these lil' dudes up, and if you do, you have at least four opportunities to get it right! You'll be so busy perfectin' your very own monster (a plant you can't kill, by the way!) that you'll totally forget about screens for a bit. Amazon It comes with four clay pots, complete character instructions, high-quality carded wool roving, four felting needles, and a felting foam pad. 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 Get it from Amazon for $28.99 (available in six kits). 24. A teeny-tiny DIY cheese kit packed with the essentials so you can learn to make FOUR batches of delectable ricotta and farmer's cheeses! And it'll only take 30 minutes, which makes it an excellent hobby for those with a short attention span. Each kit comes with a cheesecloth, citric acid, flake salt, instructions, and "email support for life" — all you need to do is add milk! 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. 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 25. Or this delicious DYI mochi ice cream kit that can make up to 32 pieces of your favorite sweet treat, which will probably become a repeat activity after you experience the tastiness firsthand. You'll be a mochi ice cream expert in no time and can keep using this kit to experiment with new flavor combos in the future! Uncommon Goods It includes a silicone mold, round dough cutter, matcha green tea and cocoa powders, potato starch, and step-by-step instructions. You'll just need to add your water, sugar, and your preferred ice cream! Promising review:"We have gotten a lot of these types of kits over the years. This one was simple to use. My daughter is 14 and was able to completely make these on her own with minimal mess and total success. Oftentimes, these types of kits are frustrating or don't turn out or need a lot of my guidance – this one did not! Win win win! And they taste delicious – and we now know how to make more if we want to." — ithoughtit Get it from Uncommon Goods for $35. 26. A DIY terrarium kit — what better way to keep yourself occupied than forming your very own lil' ecosystem from the ground up? You'll probably feel more connected to the earth, and you don't even have to leave the couch to do it! The kit comes with everything you need to get started, including an adorable glass bubble vase to proudly display your terrarium in. The kit includes a 5" glass bubble vase, dirt, Spanish moss, activated charcoal, three succulents (approximately 1"–2'' in diameter), decorative rocks, reindeer moss, and an optional miniature animal! Partyn with Plants is an Ohio-based Etsy shop that makes terrarium kits, fairy garden kits, and more. Promising review:"This is absolutely adorable. It's my first terrarium, and I think I am hooked. The shipping was quick. Everything came packaged well! So fun to put together!" — Kendra Foust Get it from Partyn with Plants on Etsy for $44.99 (originally $49.99) 28. A Silk + Sonder subscription that'll encourage you to keep track of pretty much everything going on in your life *without* your phone! You'll get a brand spankin' new planner each month filled with guided prompts, dated calendars, and wellness trackers. Your stress levels (and screen time) are about to go wayyy down thanks to this thing. Silk + Sonder Silk + Sonder is a small business founded by Meha Agrawal, a former software engineer who developed the planners as a way for people to stay emotionally and mentally connected with themselves through self-guided structure and creativity. Promising review:"I started S+S to try and get my anxiety and depression better managed. I was struggling with a pretty bad depression period and wanted to be more proactive. It has kept me accountable and given me a mindfulness outlet which was much needed. I noticed a big change even just in the first week of having my first journal. Now, I am going to stick with it for a while longer! LOVE my Silk + Sonder Journals!" — Lindsey S. Get it from Silk + Sonder at $33.20 /month (originally $34.95; available in 1-month, 3-month, and 12-month plans). 29. A glass mosaic tile coaster kit because store-bought coasters simply do not compare to the DIY versions! Your coffee table will get soo many more compliments with these vibrant beauties on display. This will be a fun activity for artsy folks who are getting a tad bored with their typical outlets, like coloring books and crocheting. Each set comes with two square wooden coasters, four round wooden coasters, mosaic granules (enough for four coasters), protective gloves, craft glue, sealant, a stirring spoon, mixing bowl, and sponge. Promising review:"This is a very fun hobby to do at home both by yourself or with friends or family. It's fun and pretty simple to make. Just need to be very steady with your hands and take time. I received many compliments when I showed them to everyone. I might buy more later and do it again. I totally recommend it if you want a little hobby to do." — Lilylove75 Get it from Amazon for $22.99. 30. A DIY macramé wall hanging kit if you're looking for an activity that will quickly escalate to one of your fave hobbies. And you get a gorgeous piece of wall art out of it! This is a great way to keep your hands busy for a hot minute so that scrolling is the last thing on your mind. You might even look up after a few hours and be like, "Umm, where's my phone?" Cord Plus Quartz / Etsy It includes a beginner knot guide with step-by-step picture instructions to the eight basic macrame knots (available as a physical booklet or a QR code) a 9" wooden dowel, and all the pre-cut cord you need in the color you choose. Cord Plus Quartz is a Nevada-based small biz that specializes in macramé wall hangings, patterns, and DIY kits. Promising review:"This was my first macramé project and it was much easier than I thought it was going to be. I really liked making it. I appreciated having cords that were pre-measured and cut, it made it so much easier to get started." — Rachel Get it from Cord Plus Quartz on Etsy for $28 + (originally $35+; available in two styles and 16 colors). 31. A beginner's wood carving kit, which is a wonderfully satisfying activity you've probably thought about trying at least once. It comes with two wooden blocks, a carving knife, and all the supplies you need to start. Glue the pattern to the wood, carve along the lines, sand it down, and add finish! Being able to show off the completed birdie will be more than worth it. Each kit includes two wood carving blocks (one cherry and one basswood), a carving knife, sharpening supplies, finishing supplies, a template, and three types of sandpaper. Promising review:"The box is packed full of goodies. Fun carving kit! The quality of the wood and the knife look fantastic. I'm excited to begin my wood carving journey. The booklet includes step-by-step instructions on how to carve the bird, tips for carving safely, and even show you how to wrap your fingers to keep them safe. Kit has sandpaper and beeswax included to give the finishing touch to the bird. There is also a tutorial video to help you out! Very satisfied." — Jesi L. Get it from Amazon for $32.99. 32. A pickling starter kit so you can be extra adventurous with your newfound fermenting obsession — you can get into delicious kimchi and sauerkraut or try your hand at the more traditional route with cucumbers and red onions. The possibilities are endless! Amazon The kit includes two recipe cards, the Perfect Pickle Spice, kosher salt, a wide-mouth quart jar with a lid and gasket, and a wet-erase marker. Fermentaholics is a small business that specializes in pickling and kombucha starter kits. Promising review: "This kit is great for first-timers or experienced, and makes DELICIOUS pickles, or pickled anything for that matter. Pickles, carrots, onions, asparagus. The instructions are easy to follow and understand. Will be buying as gifts for my pickle-loving friends and more for myself. Makes me want to try the other products this company offers." — KelF Get it from Amazon for $16.49. Reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.
