In a world saturated with digital screens, many Canadians are rediscovering the tactile joy of hands-on hobbies. A curated list of 27 unique kits offers creative outlets for every interest, from mindful art projects to culinary experiments, available through retailers like Amazon and Etsy.
Mindful Art and Creative Expression
For those seeking a relaxing artistic escape, several kits provide a perfect entry point. The Reverse Coloring Book flips the traditional concept on its head, offering 50 pages of watercolor art where users add their own lines. Perforated pages allow for easy framing of finished work. A reviewer named Carley C. notes it helped her think outside the box and recapture the fun of childhood doodling. It retails for $8.
Paper Peony Press offers A Beginner's Guide to Calligraphy for $25. This Texas-based publisher's book is praised for its thorough instruction on base strokes, posture, and pen angle, making it a standout for novices. For a more whimsical puzzle experience, The Secret Soup Magic Puzzle ($23) features an interactive story and surprise ending that delighted reviewer Brittany.
Other artistic kits include a beginner's embroidery kit for $10, complete with all necessary supplies, and a diamond painting coaster set with eight sparkling cat designs for $10. For a nostalgic craft, Shrinky Dinks sheets ($15) allow users to create stained-glass-effect keychains and trinkets.
DIY Science, Food, and Home Projects
Hobbyists with a scientific or culinary bent have numerous options. The National Geographic Geodes Science Kit ($32) includes four crystal-filled geodes to crack open, appealing to the inner rock nerd. Back To The Roots' Mushroom Growing Kit ($22) lets users grow oysters mushrooms right in the box, with reviewer Steph Card reporting a delicious harvest within days.
For foodies, Urban Cheesecraft offers a DIY cheese kit on Etsy for $22, complete with lifetime email support. A beginner's sushi-making kit ($10) provides mats, chopsticks, and recipes, while Uncommon Goods sells a DIY hot sauce making kit ($40) to craft six different sauces. Baking enthusiasts can explore Small Batch Bakes ($15), a book perfect for smaller households.
Home and garden projects are also popular. The Click & Grow Indoor Herb Garden Kit ($125) simplifies indoor gardening with smart technology. A flower press kit ($30) helps preserve bouquet memories, and a string art kit ($30) provides everything needed to create unique wall decor.
Journals, Games, and Unique Pastimes
Guided journals continue to be a hit for self-reflection. The Book of Myself: A Do-It-Yourself Autobiography ($13) uses 201 prompts to help document a life story. The viral Burn After Writing journal ($8) encourages introspection, and the destructive prompts in Wreck This Journal ($16) offer a playful, cathartic experience.
For active fun, the Tiki Toss ring game ($20) is a crowd-pleaser for gatherings, and the Stealth Core Trainer ($180) turns planks into an engaging video game. Tech upgrades include the waterproof Kindle Paperwhite ($160), and readers can track their literary journey with a bright Book Club reading journal ($23) from Lamare.
Other unique finds include a beginner-friendly vintage-style tarot deck ($45) from Eighty Eight Miracles, a 5-pound bucket of Crayola Air Dry Clay ($12) for sculpting, and a starter's weaving loom kit from Wool Couture Company (starting at $42 on Etsy) for creating tapestries. For family fun, a unicorn slime-making kit ($32) offers tutorials for over 100 slime varieties.
These 27 kits demonstrate a thriving market for hands-on, creative hobbies. They offer Canadians accessible ways to learn new skills, reduce screen time, and find joy in making something tangible, whether it's a pressed flower, a perfect sushi roll, or a page from their own autobiography.
