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Raise your hand if you can't sit still when you're stuck at home.
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by Jasmin SuknananBuzzFeed Staff, by Evelina Zaragoza MedinaBuzzFeed Staff1. Develop elegant-looking handwriting that'll make people think your homemade card was store-bought — all thanks to this hand lettering book.
Amazon
You can also get a set of eight calligraphy pens to get started with your fancy new book for $14.89.
Promising review: "Not only is this introductory book beautifully put together, but the author also helps you to build your own beautiful style! She provides easy-to-follow guides and plenty of room to practice. Overall, she provides the tools a new hand-lettering artist needs in their toolbox and references for different alphabet styles that I continuously look at to practice lettering. I’ve been practicing lettering for a while and have picked up a couple of books here and there to practice with, but this book really took my hand lettering to the next level physically and with confidence. I also really appreciate that the author used good quality paper to practice on as I’ve used other books with poor quality paper that has ruined some of my pens. Definitely recommend this to any and especially new hand letterers!" —Melissa
Get it from Amazon for $21.99.
2. Brew your own personal batch of kombucha that might give the bottled, store-bought ones a run for their money. It's much easier than you think when you have a kombucha brewing kit with all the essentials, including cultures and pH strips.
The kit includes everything you need but the water: a one-gallon brew jar with a lid, pH test strips, a pipette, a temperature gauge, brewing instructions, organic cane sugar, loose-leaf black tea and oolong tea, a reusable cotton tea bag, a cotton cover and rubber band, a wet erase marker, kombucha cultures and liquid starter, and a post-brewing guide.
Promising review: "I've been wanting to try my hand at making kombucha for a few years now but was afraid of making it wrong and becoming deathly ill. Also, I admit, the Scoby kind of freaked me out. One of the blogs I follow recently reviewed this kit and I decided to go for it (and besides, paying upwards of $3.50 per bottle at the store was getting ridiculous). I am so happy I bought this kit! I'm currently brewing my second batch as my first batch came out awesome! I made a ginger/orange flavor and a strawberry/lemonade flavor from that first batch and they taste even better than what I can buy at the store. And no more fear of the Scoby! I actually enjoy looking at it daily to see what new changes have occurred overnight. I think it's safe to say I will never buy store-bought kombucha again!" —Cheflene
Get it from Amazon for $44.99+ (also available as a deluxe kit).
3. Organize your life using a bullet journal set (complete with reusable stencils) if most normal planners just don't cut it for you. The beauty of the bullet journal is you can create a system that's tailored to your unique lifestyle and interests.
The kit includes a notebook, 15 Fineliner pens, five reusable stencils, six sticker sheets, six Washi tape rolls, and one black gel pen.
Promising review: "This is my first bullet journal and I cannot begin to explain how great this product is, the journal itself feels amazing and the pages are thick too so I won’t worry about the pen bleeding thru. When I would buy other journals I wouldn’t know where to begin but with this, I know what I want to do! For the price, it’s unbelievable what you get!" —Alysha Foster
Get it from Amazon for $26.99 (available in six notebook colors).
And in case you want to learn more about bullet journaling (even if you know nothing at all!) check out this nifty explainer on bullet journals.
4. Strengthen your body and relax your mind with just your laptop and a few clicks on over to YouTube for some yoga videos. Yoga With Adrienne is a popular channel with easy-to-follow instruction for all skill levels.
Yoga With Adriene
She does a 30-day yoga journey, 20-minute yoga practices, and yoga for targeting specific concerns like cramps, vertigo, chronic pain, tension relief, and more. Learn it from Yoga With Adrienne on YouTube.
And if you need, get an extra-thick yoga mat to cushion your hands, knees, and feet when executing poses from Amazon for $21.98 (available in seven colors). Or check out our picks for the best yoga mats.
5. Revisit a fun childhood past time making friendship bracelets with this pack of embroidery floss. I don't know about you, but I used to sit in front of the TV and spend hours making fun bracelet patterns.
Amazon, amazon.com
If you've never made a friendship bracelet before, here's an easy-to-follow video on how to make a simple chevron-patterned bracelet.
Promising review: "These are definitely worth it considering the quality and shades of colors — you get colors from light pastels to black. It's easy to make bracelets with these and they don't fray." —Emily patricia ulatoski
Get a pack of 50 from Amazon for $6.99.
6. Whip up your very own special hot sauce tailored to your spice preferences with a hot sauce making kit. Whether you're a spice aficionado or just always stick to store-bought, the kit gives you everything you need to easily create your own bottle.
The kit includes three glass bottles, four squeeze bottles, a 2-inch funnel, an apple cider vinegar bottle, a spice blend, two pairs of gloves, five pH strips, and bags of dried Ancho Pasillas, Chipotle, Habanero, and Ghost Pepper chiles.
Promising review: "I bought this product as a gift for my s/o since he loves to cook and loves all things spicy. We were not disappointed!! The packaging was cute and making the hot sauce was something fun and different to enjoy together. Having this kit it made it so easy!!!!!! All of our friends heard about our hot sauce-making adventure and want to know where to get a kit for themselves. Everything is included — tiny glass storing bottles, the spices, little squeeze bottles, and tiny fill-in labels. He absolutely loved this gift and I can’t believe I got it for the price that I did, considering everything that’s included." —Sam
Get it from Amazon for $59.95.
7. Read up on how to be a better plant parent if you've ever been guilty of accidentally killing your green babies. How Not To Kill Your Houseplant can help you create the little greenhouse of your dreams.
Amazon
Promising review: "This is a really great guide to houseplants. I am an experienced outdoor vegetable gardener, who has never had much success with houseplants. The only one I've ever been able to keep alive is George, my un-killable Aspidistra (Iron Plant). Now I have a little forest of air cleaning plants, succulents, retro 70's plants (rubber plant, and swiss cheese plant), and even two indoor banana trees — all healthy and happy. Even George is happier than ever, with new leaves. Thank you!" —Jo
Get a hardcover copy from Amazon for $13.35 (also available as a Kindle version).
8. Pick up a language you've always wanted to learn using the Duolingo app. No, you don't need to take a college language class and no, you don't need to revisit your high school French notes. Just download the free app!
Duolingo / Google Play
You can choose from over 30 different languages including Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese, Russian, Swedish, Hebrew, Swahili, Vietnamese, and more. The app is kinda like a game where there are levels to advance to and trophies to earn, so you certainly won't get bored and throw in the towel!
Get it from Google Play or the Apple App Store for free (offers in-app purchases).
9. Practice making cute beanies, scarves, book covers, and more with a set of crochet yarn and hooks. Nothing makes time fly faster than cable-stitching yourself a nice, soft infinity scarf.
Amazon
The set comes with not one, not two, but SEVEN downloadable e-books to teach you what you need to know to get started (and you can check out the Bella Coco YouTube channel for more tutorials and inspiration, including a playlist for absolute beginners). The set includes 24 balls of acrylic yarn, two crochet hooks (sizes H and J), and two weaving needles.
Promising review: "I'm a beginner at crocheting and these are the perfect size for a four-row granny square. The yarn is very easy to work with, and it came with the perfect size hooks for a newbie like myself. I've glanced at the books, and they look like they are helpful." —S. Tiller
Get it from Amazon for $17.97.
10. De-stress by creating dozens of ~sweet-smelling~, Pinterest-worthy bars of soap. This cool soap-making kit includes molds, fragrances, and soap base so you can have endless fun.
Amazon
The kit includes shea butter soap base, four fragrances (grapefruit mint, cherry blossom, lavender, and vanilla hazelnut), four liquid dyes, two plastic molds, a pouring pitcher, two stirring sticks, a mixing bowl, and four soap boxes.
Promising review: "I was looking for a craft project to do with my 9-year-old nephew on rainy summer days and found this kit included everything needed for soap making. He opened the package and was so excited we were making soap in the first five minutes! The instructions were easy to follow and the colors were beautiful. We loved the lavender and grapefruit mint scents. The end product was lovely. I'm glad I ordered extra soap base because he is now on a mission to make soaps this summer for all his holiday gift-giving." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $49.99.
11. Teach yourself a coding language since it seems like everyone and their mother is adding JavaScript as a skill on their resume (and for good reason, too). Thanks to Codecademy, you won't have to regret not majoring in comp sci.
Codecademy, instagram.com
Before I actually took a comp sci class in college, I used Codecademy to learn HTML and CSS. I didn't think I could effectively retain anything from just online learning, but because Codecademy makes you repetitively use what you've just learned — and gives you hints, automatic feedback, and ways to test your code — I was actually keeping the info in mind. I was able to apply what I learned to blogging and when I actually did enroll in comp sci that semester, I had a leg up on the basic HTML portion of the semester.
Codecademy features 13 different coding languages to choose from including HTML & CSS, Python, PHP, C++, C#, and more. You can also learn by practicing a variety of coding subjects including data science, design, web development, game development, and more.
Learn it from Codecademy for free or try Codecademy Pro for $19.99/month.
12. Concoct your very own cloud, alien, and mermaid slime (and more!!) at home with a DIY slime-making kit. If you've ever played with slime before, you know that it's way too easy to become obsessed with stretching and molding it (guilty).
The kit includes (Borax-free) laundry detergent, two bottles of white glue, two bottles of clear glue, a bag of foam beads, two vials of color-changing powder, two vials of pearl pigment, fruit decals, two vials of glow-in-the-dark powder, a vial of instant snow, six glitter jars, five bottles of food coloring, three packets of air-dry clay, two measuring cups, storage containers, four spoons, and mixing sticks. You also get more than eight slime recipes including cloud slime, galaxy slime, mermaid slime, fruit slice slime, glow-in-the-dark slime, color-changing slime, and alien egg slime.
Promising review: "My daughter loves making slime. I bought this because I was tired of all dealing with the different recipes she found on YouTube. This kit has everything you need. There are many unique colors and things you can add to the slime. The included measuring cups and mixing bowls are nice so you don’t have to use your cooking utensils for the slime. I would buy this kit again." —Stylish Intellect
Get it from Amazon for $22.79.
13. Become a killer ukelele player with this beginner kit if you've always wanted to learn an instrument but don't want to spend hundreds of dollars for a guitar or clarinet.
The kit includes a ukelele, a carrying bag, an instruction guide, access to free online lessons, and access to a smartphone app and tuner.
Promising review: "I bought this for my pops as a Christmas gift so he could start learning to play the ukulele. It's great for beginners! The box it comes in is great, it's sturdy, and the carrying case is of good quality. The directions for tuning were a little confusing so we ended up YouTubing it, but there are great videos out there! If you are serious about learning the ukulele, this is a great starter, but buy a tuner!" —Lindsey
Get it from Amazon for $69.99+ (available with either a concert or tenor ukelele, and with or without an instruction kit).
14. Up your stick-figure drawing game and transform into an artist with a step-by-step book. You'll learn techniques for creating more detailed animal drawings.
Amazon
Promising review: "I bought this book for my 6-year-old twin granddaughters. But I love it too! We are all learning to draw animals this way. One of my granddaughters is a fan of horses and she drew a passable horse based on the instructions. I will be using this book for a long time, and so will they. In fact, once you see how it's done, you can figure out how to use the same technique for different animals that aren't in the book. Just visualize the parts of the animal and the proportions of the parts to each other. Draw the basic shapes, then add the details. I recommend this highly." —Ginger CookieGet a paperback copy from Amazon for $8.98+ (also available for the Kindle, in library binding, or as a spiral bound book).
15. Or you can just learn how to draw anything you can think of with a book of 642 things to draw. This way, you can have at least 642 hours of artistic fun.
Promising review: "I got this book because I had tried some of the now famous adult coloring books without much success. Most of them ended up making me feel more anxious, because you are so constricted and have to really concentrate to perfectly fill in all of those tiny little areas. This book is sort of the opposite of that. There are no rules. You don't feel as though it has to be perfect or a work of art. If you mess up, it's OK because you can erase it. Sometimes you just go with the flow and use the mistake to create something different than what you had originally planned." —Breanna
Get it from Amazon for $14.55.
16. Master your mind using a meditation app. Headspace features exercises for any experience level so anyone can learn how to use the power of their mind for productivity, dealing with stress, and even personal growth.
Headspace
The app features meditation exercises for a variety of concerns including work, sleep, stress, anxiety, and focus. There are even meditation exercises for kids. (You can learn the basics for free; after that, subscriptions start at $5.83/month; a monthly subscription is $12.99.)
Get it from Google Play or the Apple App Store for free.
Read about a BuzzFeeder's 30-day journey where she used the Headspace app (among other things) to try to calm her anxiety.
17. Make your very own scented candles for home decor or mood lighting for a spa day. This candle-making kit gives you everything you need if you're always spending money on fun candles everywhere you go.
Amazon, amazon.com
The kit comes with everything you need to make four candles: dye blocks, fragrances (cinnamon and vanilla, lavender, clean cotton, and coconut lime), wax, a melting pot, a thermometer, candle tins, cotton wicks, glue dots, warning labels, stirring sticks, bow tie clips, and instructions.
Promising review: "I get tired of spending money on candles so I decided to try this kit. I wanted to make something for my coworkers for Christmas stocking stuffers, and this fit the bill! This kit arrived right on time and within MINUTES I was busy making candles. It actually took me more time to open the box and pull out everything included than it did to begin the process. Super easy and everything you need comes in the kit. I did order extra wax because I knew what was initially included wouldn't be enough once I got started. Now I want to make candles for everyone I know. I highly recommend!" —Mary A. Manuel
Get it from Amazon for $49.99.
18. Become a ~master of illusions~ by learning a card trick or two. Mismag822 has a YouTube channel dedicated to card trick tutorials so you should be getting quite a few oohs and ahhs very soon.
19. Practice your pasta-making skills with a ravioli press that makes it easy for you to stuff your pasta squares with whatever you want. If you can't go out to an incredible Italian restaurant, bring the restaurant to your kitchen!
Amazon, amazon.com
The press makes 12 raviolis at once (and also comes with recipes for perfect homemade pasta dough and mouthwatering meat-filled ravioli). You can also use it for stuffed cookies or teeny, tiny pies. Anyway, please invite me over after you get this.
Promising review: "This little gadget was great. I thought it would be something to get used to, but I was able to make perfect raviolis the first try! For the price, you just can't beat this ravioli press. I don't know why anyone would buy the super expensive attachment for the Kitchenaid when this is just as easy —probably more so." —PFamily
Get it from Amazon for $19.68.
20. Or become a master chef of your own off-road creations with this cookbook that teaches you how to not use cookbooks. And you don't even need a culinary degree.
Amazon
Promising review: "I bought the original 18 years ago and have bought three since (binding falls apart — alas). I have a very large collection of cookbooks, but I go back to the original over and over and over. I have now read the updated version (okay, I've read it three times now). It is every bit as good and adds pieces here and there that update to today. I have cooked a couple of recipes already, and they do not disappoint. The idea of knowing you can plan ahead is a good theme and carried out well. I miss her dessert section but the original is still around so I can go there if I need to. I will continue to cook out of both editions. I would point out three things though — the updated book has pictures, a great bread recipe, AND the pages wipe clean!" —Amazon Customer
Get a hardcover copy from Amazon for $25.99 (also available for the Kindle).
21. Snap your way to ~incredible~ photos without having to shell out hundreds of dollars on a DSLR camera. iPhone Photography School posts videos teaching viewers how to improve their photography skills and take great photos on just their phone. In other words, you're a few YouTube videos away from the Insta feed you've always envied.
iPhone Photography School / YouTube
Some v. cool techniques you can learn include photo editing, perfectly focusing the camera on your phone, finding the best angles, and more.
Learn it from iPhone Photography School on YouTube.
22. Thread your way to a masterpiece using an easy-to-follow embroidery set. If staying at home has you feeling a little gloomy, this particularly colorful pattern might help a smile ~blossom~ across your face.
Amazon
The kit includes one dark blue reserve aida (that's already patterned), an embroidery hoop, embroidery threads in 17 colors, two embroidery needles, a pair of scissors, and an instruction book.
Promising review: "This was my first stab at embroidery since the one project I did as a Brownie about a million years ago where the only thing I remembered was the french knot. It comes with plenty of thread to get the project done and have some leftover. The scissors aren't very useful as I couldn't get them to cut any of the threads and just used a small pair of scissors I keep in my desk. The instructions are clear with plenty of pictures which was so so helpful for me. The darker fabric with bright flowers on it is quite striking and I got several oohs and ahhs when I showed it off after I was done. I would definitely recommend to anyone thinking about trying embroidery." —Liz James
Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (also available in white).
23. Increase your word knowledge with a book of 50 of The New York Times' Monday crossword puzzles. The easier puzzles might make you feel like a ~vocab. pro~ and the harder ones will motivate you to step up your game!
Amazon
Mondays, of course, are the easiest ones of the week, and they get harder as the week progresses!
Promising review: "I love this thing! The print is nice and large and the spiral binding is super nice. The paper is still newspaper-y which makes it feel like a newspaper crossword without having to lug around a newspaper. I use erasable pens and they erase great. The boxes are plenty big enough for the letters and the crosswords are all appropriately 'Monday' difficulty. A great thing to have! Can’t wait to finish it and move on to Tuesday!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $11.69 (also available in Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday).
24. Redecorate your entire home with beautiful bouquets you can learn how to put together all on your own with some flowers from the grocery store. Team Flower has a YouTube channel dedicated to teaching people how to pick the best colors and flowers for gorgeous arrangements.
Team Flower / YouTube
Cradle bouquets, centerpieces, and boutonnieres are just some of the arrangements you can learn to make.
Learn it from Team Flower on YouTube.
25. Grow your own herbs at home with this indoor garden starter kit. It's perfect if you love to cook with fresh herbs or have always wanted to try your hand at gardening but haven't had the space.
Amazon
Promising review: "My teenage daughter has taken up cooking and we thought this would be a good gift to encourage her new hobby. Everything she needed was included and she was able to plant this on her own. It's already starting to sprout and she is excited to start using her own home-grown herbs soon!"—Courtney
Get if from Amazon for $32.97.
26. Relieve some anxiety with this Drinking Animals coloring book that not only provides cute pictures of animals drinking, but also gives you a co*cktail recipe on each page!
Color Me Naughty
27. And finally, sing your heart out with your family members or roommates as your Idol judges. With a karaoke microphone that connects to your playlist via Bluetooth so you can belt out your all-time favorites, there's no way you won't hear that coveted phrase: "Welcome to Hollywood."
Read our full write-up of this karaoke gadget.
Promising review: "Oh my gosh I love this! Got mine in the mail yesterday and ended up playing with it for about five hours last night LOL. It connects via Bluetooth so you can connect it to your phone — the music and your singing comes out of the microphone's speaker. It has volume control for your voice and for the music and also echoes. You can put an SD card into the bottom of it and record yourself or connect it with an audio out to record on one of those karaoke apps on your phone. With being able to find just about any song on karaoke via YouTube you could easily have your own karaoke parties at home! If you have a smart TV then add the YouTube channel to stream from there. The search menu is super easy to use." —Ferretocious
Get it from Amazon for $30.99+ (available in 10 colors).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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