28 Cool Things That'll Also Help You Learn Something

School's back in session. Except you don't have to wear pants. (Thank goodness.)

1. A Nightmare Before Christmas mini cross-stitch kit if you're super crafty but haven't quite struck into cross-stitching yet. (It's super fun!)

Amazon

Promising review: "This is a great kit perfect for any cross-stitch or Nightmare Before Christmas fan. It contains a booklet with instructions and four patterns, the needed thread, three pieces of canvas, the holder, and two needles. It's a really awesome set. The instructions were easy to follow, and I managed to already finish one of the designs." —witchykitty39

Get it from Amazon for $7.07.

2. Or a cross-stitch kit for the times that just so happens to be an easy entry point for the v rewarding hobby I adore. You can do it!!!

Ivie Stitches / Etsy

Includes instructions, color pattern, thread, fabric, hoop, needle, and felt for backing.

Promising review: Such a cool pattern! As my first attempt at cross-stitch, I struggled more with my technique at first, but this kit was super easy to follow and had everything I needed! 10/10 would buy again. Also the shipping was fast and the packaging was super cute and made me feel like I was getting a present!" —Melissa Mueller

Get it from Ivie Stitches on Etsy for $20.

3. A Jeopardy trivia book to pay respects to Alex Trebek while you work on your own skills. I can't wait to tune into your game show debut.

Amazon

Promising review: "I'm normally bored by crosswords and word-search puzzles after a short time, but these have a twist in that you have to answer five Jeopardy-type questions in order to get all the clues for the puzzles. And they aren't necessarily easy, although if you don't know the answer, you can generally figure it out. I have enjoyed a number of the Brain Games series, and this is one of the best." —Ginger Russell

Get it from Amazon for $8. 

4. Or a Jeopardy 2022 daily calendar (RIP Alex Trebek) for testing your knowledge in smaller doses.

Amazon

Each question has a different wager so you can track your winnings for the year.

Promising review: "The Jeopardy calendar is a family favorite. We've played our own form of the famous TV show for about 10 years using the calendars' answers/questions. They are perfect for our whole family." —Ms Western Virginia

Get it from Amazon for $14.39.

5. A soy wax candle–making kit so you can see what goes into making your fave fragrance delivery systems. Who knows, maybe this'll become your thing in 2022 and everyone will get a handmade (by you!) candle for the 2022 holiday season!

Amazon

The small kit includes 20 wick glue dots, 20 pre-waxed wicks, 2 candle tins, 2 gift boxes, 1 wax pouring pitcher, and all-natural soy wax flakes. 

Promising review: "My boys had a great time doing these. It even comes with two boxes should you decided to gift the candles but we kept them. We added lavender in the wax, it was great!" —Isabelle Harpey

Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in two sizes).

6. A 100 Wines scratch-off bucket list to help expand your flavor palate while serving up as some new wall art that'll really get some convos started with guests.

Amazon

Get it from Amazon for $16.45. (And check out more fun scratch-off lists, including a 100 Beers Bucket List, and 100 Yoga Poses List.)

7. Or a scratch 'n' sniff book duo to help you hone your wine and whiskey knowledge.

Amazon

Promising review (for the wine book): "I came across this book on a friend's coffee table. I thought it was a joke at first, but as I flipped through, I was so impressed that I had to have my own. It's an incredibly simple breakdown of the basic flavors and scents one might detect in wines (fruit, wood, earth, etc), and describes which ones you'd find in reds vs. whites. My friends and I bought some new wines to taste and flipped through this book to try and pinpoint the flavors listed — it was a blast. Again, it's very short and simple, but it's a great gift idea." —Anonymous

Promising review (for the whiskey book): "I gave this to my dad, who is a seasoned scotch drinker, sort of as a joke. He actually loved it and got to experience a few smells he wouldn't have access to in his day-to-day life. It's well thought through and entertaining as well as interesting." —Packet Roe

Get them from Amazon for $37.53 or buy the wine or whiskey book separately.

8. The Omsom Bundle, which is really just fancy talk for flavorful Asian dish starters (aka, the sauces, aromatics, and seasonings) to keep stashed in your pantry for heavy lifting. Each comes with recipes you can easily follow along. Just add protein and veggies! Turns out that cooking is a delicious way to kill some boredom (and hanger).

Omsom

Cofounders and sisters Vanessa and Kim Pham started Omsom after stints at startups and in consulting. As the kids of Vietnamese refugees, they were inspired by all the from-scratch Viet dinners they watched their mom cook growing up. With Omsom, they aim to bring lots of flavor to your pantry with their pantry starters that'll help you make some amaaaazing Asian dishes. Each starter serves two to three people. (Fantastic news for lazy people like me who buy a spice once, and then let it expire.)

This bundle will give you some major kick for your buck. It includes the entire Omsom collection of six cuisines with 12 starters total, including: one Southeast Asian Omsom Sampler with Vietnamese, Thai, and Filipino starters and one East Asian Omsom Sampler with Japanese, Korean, and Chinese starters.

Promising review: "Delicious and easy dinner. I love the flavors because they are nostalgic and delicious and make mealtime a breeze with my kids." —Suzanne R.

Get it from Omsom for $55.

Have an Instant Pot? There's a sampler for that.

9. Hand Lettering 101 if your penmanship has been compared to that of a doctor's or a chicken's, and you were so rudely reminded of it when filling out holiday cards for people on your list. Recipients won't even know what's coming the next time you send out a card.

amazon.com

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 awhile 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 $16.43.

10. Or a calligraphy guide in case you wonder "but how do they do it?" anytime a fancy invite comes in the mail. Well, you're about to find out!

Printable Wisdom / Etsy

Printable Wisdom is a Wylie, Texas–based shop that specializes in hand-lettered decor and gifts.

Includes a calligraphy guidebook (instructional pages, two sample alphabets, practices pages, personal calligraphy exemplar page, guided projects with examples, freestyle project pages) and calligraphy brush pen.

Get it from Printable Wisdom on Etsy for $33.

11. A wax seal stamp kit in case you'd like to feel like you're in a period piece when sending your pals some snail mail. The kit has all the supplies you'll need to get started!

amazon.com, amazon.com

Each package includes 720 pieces of wax seal beads in 24 colors, one wax seal stamp, one wax seal warmer, one sealing wax spoon, one set of tweezers, 10 tea candles, and two metallic pens.

Promising review: "After having numerous 'super satisfying' wax stamping videos recommended to me on YouTube, my curiosity about the craft was piqued. I have been interested in wax stamping ever since. I finally caved and purchased this kit to kind of get my feet wet and see how I'd like it. From the moment I melted my first bit of wax and stamped it, I was hooked. I love that it's very simple yet the possibilities for creativity are vast. I have already added more stamps to my collection and I am not stopping anytime soon. I love it! I have no complaints about this kit at all!" —Dave Frehley

Get it from Amazon for $33.99.

12. An unofficial Disney Parks cookbook and drink recipe book to help whip up some Disney treats of your own. Yep, you can make your OWN Dole whip.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review (for the cookbook): "Bought for someone’s Christmas gift and the cookbook is absolutely adorable and perfect for Disney lovers. The recipes are separated into chapters by park, and it includes a map of where in the park you can go buy the item. There are both sweet and savory recipes and the recipes for the iconic turkey legs are in here! I personally liked that there were recipes for the parks in California since I probably will never go to those parks but can still try the food." —Amanda K

Get the cookbook for $11.99 and the drink recipes for $11.89.

13. A Klutz Lego Make Your Own Movie Activity Kit with everything you need to make your own Lego movie! Feel free to pull in your kid (or a kid you know to help)...or keep this a strictly adults-only activity!

Amazon

Promising review: "My son got this for a Christmas present and it was hands down the best gift. He has made so many cute films using the props in the kit. He has also become very curious about how movies are made and the different jobs people have to make a movie. Highly recommend this a gift for a curious kid." —Wünderbar Mutti

Get it from Amazon for $24.99.

14. A 52-week gratitude journal with prompts you can answer to help count your blessings on the reg...and then maybe even learn something about yourself!

Amazon

Promising reviews: "Just started using this journal after being in a bit of a funk at the start of this year. I researched so many different journals but this was the only one that I felt was simple, didn't make too many 'demands' on my time, was straightforward, and was exactly what I was looking for. It's a simple concept and I've only been doing it for a week but I find myself looking for things to be thankful for, find myself adding lines below the three provided and writing in the margins...all because I want to!" —silkeymilkey

Get it from Amazon for $6.99. 

15. An exotic veggie grow kit that'll give you bragging rights and, well, some tastier meals! It has everything you need to start, except the water. Time to learn about lemon cucumbers. Yep, they're a thing!

Amazon

Each kit comes with four packets of exotic vegetable seeds, four burlap grow bags with waterproof lining, four potting soil disks, four bamboo plant markers, gardening shears, and a lined wood box that doubles as a planter. The seeds included are for non-GMO romanesco broccoli, dragon carrot, rainbow Swiss chard, and lemon cucumber.

Promising review: "This is the cutest darn thing for garden lovers! I ordered the  set for my retired brother and sister-in-law and it was a hit! I decided I wanted one too and when the vegetable one came out I ordered it right away. It’s the 'Cat’s Meow'! It’s very attractive in comparison to the regular ole hunter-green plastic seeding trays that don’t fit anywhere but on the floor and leak every time they’re watered. The snippet tool is a sweet bonus. I will be buying more of these as gifts." —Tom J.

Get it from Amazon for $32.90.

16. A Dungeons & Dragons starter set so you can dip your toes into the popular game and see what all the fuss is about.

Amazon

This kit comes with an e-book, 1,000 pre-generated characters, a map, and more to help you get started. If you're already familiar with DnD, check out the latest adventure book from Matthew Mercer for some fresh ideas.

Promising review: "I am brand new to DnD and this starter set is amazing and walks you through the first steps into a whole new world. This specific set comes with so many extra features like several sets of dice so you and your friends can start right away, and so many digital downloads that give you characters, monsters, and even a DM screen to help the DM get started right away. Thank you so much for an awesome set to an epic game!" —Kevin Brown

Get it from Amazon for $37.99.

17. A hot sauce–making kit that'll pump up your love of all things spicy to a whole other level that'll make you and your fam sweat.

Amazon

It comes with seven bottles (three glass and three squeeze-bottles), a 2-inch funnel, apple cider vinegar, spice blend, two pairs of gloves, five pH strips, peppers, instruction card, and labels.

Promising review: "I bought this product as a gift for my S.O.; he loves to cook and loves all things spicy. Recently he had ordered ghost peppers and didn’t know what to do with them. So I started researching hot sauce kits and came across this one. 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 have 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, considering everything that’s included. 10/10 would recommend" —Sam

Get it from Amazon for $49.95.

18. A dip powder kit to try your hand (lol) at the salon service that seems to seriously eat into your budget. You've got the time to give it a go, might as well! PS: Reviewers say the color stays chip free for weeks.

amazon.com

It comes with a base coat, an activator, a topcoat, five color powders, a nail file, a brush, and instructions.

Promising review: "This product is great! As someone who is CONSTANTLY getting their nails done (dipping powder) at salons, it has been hard to do so because of COVID-19. I was looking for an inexpensive kit with neutral colors that I could use. This starter kit has been an absolute lifesaver during these unprecedented times. It is so easy to use! I finished off my nails with a gel top coat and cured it under the UV light that I had from a while ago. Overall it's an amazing product — very satisfied!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $24.98.

19. A pasta maker because every time you go to your fave Italian joint the housemade noods are so good that your eyes roll back in your head. Y'know, that doesn't have to be limited to your table in the back corner!

amazon.com

Promising review: "I bought this to make some fettucine. So easy to use it's not funny. I didn't use the pasta recipe in the book but used my own. Easy to assemble...put handle in first section to thin it out followed instructions and got to level 5 thickness (perfect). Then moved handle to the other section where I put through the fettuccine bit. Would definitely recommend this to anyone. This is the second time I have ever made pasta (first time I prepared and rolled myself and the rolling took forever. This machine saved masses of time when I didn't have to roll. Fast delivery and packaged well. We also googled many pasta makers and this one had top ratings." —Jo from New Zealand

Get it from Amazon for $84.95+ (12 pasta type attachments available).

20. A punch needle art workshop that comes with a box of materials and a tutorial from artist Arounna Khounnoraj of Bookhou.

The Crafter's Box

This is the perfect way to get in on the practice of rug hooking without going all out at a craft supply store, getting intimidated, and then never completing the project. (It happens! But it doesn't have to happen.) Plus, have you seen all the mesmerizing TikToks of folks making rugs? Now that can be you!

Get it from The Crafter's Box for $85.

21. A kimchi fried rice recipe kit so you can whip up your fave takeout dish yourself. I can't even imagine the emotional and physical satisfaction this is going to give ya.

Umamicart

Umamicart is a small online grocery store founded by Andrea, who is self-described as a "first-gen, third-culture kid." She was born and raised in Spain to Chinese parents who immigrated there as adults, then made her own move to NYC 10 years ago. She has long connected with her culture through food (her parents owned a Chinese restaurant) and her goal with Umamicart was to create a place to find traditional and staple Asian ingredients in one place.

The recipe kit includes Kadoya Pure Sesame Oil, Organic Green Onion, Bing Gre Cabbage Kimchi, Sunchang Gochujang, Assi Roasted Black Sesame Seeds, and Wang Korea Seasoned Seaweed Snack (16-pack). Plus, obviously, directions!

Get it from Umamicart for $58.49.

22. A beginner embroidery kit with everything you need to craft up your own creation. (Nope, you won't have to drop a small fortune to get all those supplies! Which would be even worse if it turns out embroidery isn't your thing.)

Amazon

The kit comes with illustrated fabric you can follow as a stitching guide, an embroidery needle, embroidery floss, and an embroidery hoop for each of three designs. So really, you just need some scissors and time to get cracking on your project!

Promising review: "I'm brand new to embroidery so I wasn't sure what to expect. I started out learning the stitches but ended up improvising with the pattern. The straight stitch and full straight stitches looked terrible so I undid some of it and created better-looking leaves. The contents of this set is good. I just wish the patterns were better quality (not the cloth, just the design). I'm going to hang these in my office when I'm done with the third one." —Megan

Get it from Amazon for $22.99).

23. A palm-reading guide that'll also fit in the palm of your hand (or bag) so you can practice on the go on all your friends.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: "I bought this, the tea leaf book, and a palmistry hand and I have to say it lived up to my expectations. Very informative, and looks great with my collection! I had previously owned the tarot kit and I knew I had to have this to go with it. A wonderful addition to my collection, and great for my tiny dorm room. The book jacket was in great condition, but be careful combining orders as the jacket on my other order came slightly bent. Overall, I am very happy with this!!!" —Meagan

Get it from Amazon for $10.48.

24. A no-knead bread kit for a fruitful way to produce lovely, lovely carbs without the cumbersome part.

Dough Dealer

Dough Dealer is a woman-founded company whose founders were inspired when a friend brought a homemade loaf of bread for dinner. Then they baked hundreds of loaves of bread to get the *just right* recipe for us, the lucky customers!

This ~foolproof~ kit has measured ingredients and easy directions to make the the perfect airy and crisp loaf. The process takes 15 minutes of active work plus 3 hours 45 minutes resting, rising and baking. So lots of hanging out time for you!

Get it from Dough Dealer for $19.99.

25. A dinosaur Woobles kit to help you FINALLY learn how to crochet. (Don't worry, this is beginner level.) Raise your hand if you've been intimidated to crochet. ::raises hand::

Woobles

Kids as young as 9 can work on these kits, but they're also great for adults! Woobles is an AAPI-owned EdTech/crochet business with kits of beginner or intermediate amigurumi kits.

Promising review: "Fred is adorable! 🥰 The instructions were so easy to follow and he turned out great — now all of my friends and family want me to make them Freds too. 😅 I loved this kit!" —Lauren B

Get it from Woobles for $30 (available with or without a crochet hook).

26. A bubble tea–making kit for anyone who's looked at a cup of boba and said, "Ehhh, I could never make this at home." Sorry, but that was a lie!

Uncommon Goods

Includes two flavors of tea (classic black and rooibos chai), tapioca pearls, and two reusable stainless steel straws.

Get it from Uncommon Goods for $40.

27. An entry-level wall hanging–weaving kit to try your hand at some wall art that isn't another framed photo. I used this kit and was able to make two gorgeous pieces as a first-time weaver!

We Are Knitters, Elizabeth Lilly / Buzzfeed

This was a quarantine activity over the holidays last year. I set up shop with the loom on one end of the dining room table and found it so satisfying to zone out to some podcasts while working on this. The materials are super high quality and I had lots of leftover yarn from one project. So I made two! Plus you can use the loom over and over again for other projects.

Get it from We Are Knitters for $114.

28. And an easy-to-use Melissa & Doug wooden multi-craft weaving loom in case your kids want to get in on the fun. Because, well, why wouldn't they?!

Amazon

For ages 6+.

Includes adjustable wooden loom, oversize wooden needle, craft materials, illustrated design booklet, and 91 yards of rainbow yarn! 

Promising review: "I purchased this for my granddaughter hoping she would be able to develop a hobby. It was fairly easy to put together and we got started right away. Two days later, she had finished a work of art so beautiful that her aunt offered her $50 for it. It’s pretty small but it graces my daughter's wall with its cool textures and colors. I just went online to purchase one for myself! This wall hanging is the envy of our whole family now and everyone has placed an order with our budding new artist. Love it! You should buy it, and some special yarn. You won’t be disappointed." —Linny B

Get it from Amazon for $37.78. 

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.