Sure, screen time can be cathartic, but if you’re looking for ways to feel more creative and balance your downtime offline with an analogue hobby, you’re in good company. Studies suggest that 65 per cent of young adults feel happier when they spend less time online and crafting at home is booming globally among all generations.
Check out these top 10 fun and creative hobby ideas and all the benefits they have to offer you – and all $10 or under.
1. Engage Both Sides of Your Brain With Origami
The art of origami almost feels like magic – turning a single piece of paper into anything from a bird to a flower. Origami engages both the creative and logical sides of your mind by blending following instructions, hand-eye coordination, problem-solving, imagination and artistic creation. Research also suggests origami has positive benefits for those with Alzheimer’s, ADHD, anxiety, autism and depression. Start crafting your paper creations with this 100 pack of origami paper, offering 10 vibrant colours to get you started.
What to Try: Kadink Origami Craft Paper 150 x 150mm 100 Pack $3
2. Express Your Creativity With Painting
There’s a lot of creative freedom you can explore when you pick up a paintbrush. Whether you’re tapping into the abstract style of Pablo Picasso or wanting to capture the romance of reality like Caspar David Friedrich, painting is a limitless medium for you to experiment. This watercolour paint set has everything you need to get you started. The complete set includes a pencil, pad of paper, brushes, paint and a mini palette.
What to Try: Royal & Langnickel Essentials Watercolour Paint Set 15 Piece $8
SEE ALSO: How to Make Textured Art That’s Truly Unique
3. Boost Your Brain With Mind-Bending Puzzles
Puzzles are one of the easiest and most cost-effective hobby ideas – and they have a positive effect on brain function and health too! Just like exercise keeps your body strong, activities like jigsaw puzzles and brainteasers help improve and maintain cognitive health. This mixed puzzle book has 200 different puzzles to improve your vocabulary, critical thinking and much more.
What to Try: Lake Press Colour Block Puzzle Book Mixed Blue $6
4. Practise Your Penmanship With Calligraphy
Calligraphy and lettering is a beautiful craft and a versatile skill you could use for everything from card-making to custom stationery. It requires patience, focus and a steady hand, meaning it helps to maintain your concentration and engages your motor skills. Grab a colourful brush pen and check out this inspirational guide to start perfecting your penmanship.
What to Try: Pentel SES15C Sign Brush Pen Burgundy $4
5. Craft a New Skill With Yarn
Yarn crafts have been riding a resurgence ever since the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns in 2020: but why have they maintained their popularity? Probably because of their feel-good benefits! Both knitting and crocheting boast many mental health and cognitive upsides, including boosting dexterity and problem solving. Plus, with flourishing online communities and clubs, it’s the ideal social hobby.
Whether you want to create some granny squares with a crochet hook or practice your purl stitch with a pair of knitting needles, all you need is your tools, some yarn and a helpful how-to guide.
What to Try:
- Born Aluminium Crochet Hook 4.5mm $3
- Born Aluminium Single-pointed Needles 4mm $3
- Born 8 Ply Yarn 100g Pale Blue $2.75
SEE ALSO: My Creative Process With Crochet Artist Katelyn Leonardo
6. Stay Focused With Diamond Painting
Add a bit of sparkle to your five to nine and try your hand at diamond painting. Meditative and relaxing, diamond painting is a fun hobby idea that anyone can do. It engages your focus, fine motor skills and reduces your screen time. This crystal canvas measures 20mm by 28mm, making it the perfect size to get started. Its lemon drink picture will whisk you away to a tropical island in your mind, but there are plenty of other stunning designs you can add your shimmer to.
What to Try: Craftsmart Crystal Canvas 28x28 Lemon Drink $8
7. Meditate With Mindful Colouring
Mindful colouring is a great screen-free relaxation activity. Some studies even relate it to a form of meditation, which can help reduce stress and improve resilience. This colouring book will help you reap all those benefits, and its beautiful coastal and cityscapes will take your imagination off to vibrant and new places. The book boasts 30 different designs for you to brighten up and, if there’s one that really speaks to you, the sheets are detachable so you can easily remove and display.
What to Try: Born 9x9" Adult Colouring Book Coastal Cities $10
SEE ALSO: Why You Need to Try Mindful Colouring for Adults
8. Improve Your Mood With Journalling
Whether you’re starting your day or winding down, take some time to note down your thoughts. Not only is this a great way to disconnect from digital distractions, it’s also proven to be a powerful tool in improving mood, alleviating stress, improving emotional clarity and much more. This soft cover notebook gives you 160 pages to jot down anything you want, from treasured memories to daily affirmations. Its A5 size makes it easy to take with you, wherever the day might take you, and its stylish lavender palette gives a calming appearance.
What to Try: Otto A5 Colour Block Notebook 160 Pages Lavender $7
9. Clear Your Mind With Sketching
Learning to draw is not only a useful skill to practise, but it is also wonderful for concentration, fine motor skills and memory. Even doodling has been cited as a great way to improve focus and gain mental clarity. If sketching sounds like an exciting hobby idea to you then this 21-piece sketch kit has everything you need to get started. With 18 different drawing tools, you’ll be able to practise with different graphite pencils and test out various types of charcoal. Plus, its sharpener will keep you on point and its kneadable eraser will clean up your final masterpiece.
What to Try: Born Sketch Set 21 Pack $10
10. Finetune Your Fine Motor Skills With Needlecrafts
From embroidery to cross-stitch – needlecrafts are the perfect creative hobby to help you disconnect. It engages your imagination, focus, dexterity and fine motor skills, requiring precision and concentration. This embroidery kit has everything you need to make your first piece, including a hoop, needle, thread and a beautiful floral pattern. And, if you find needlecrafts are your calling, there are plenty of other patterns to try!
