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 itspublishingpartners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
Scroll down for fun games, activities, crafts, and more.
1. A flying orbthat floats and hovers like it came straight off of the pages ofHarry Potter. It has flashing lights and will boomerang right back to you when you toss it.
Promising review: "Fun toy! I bought this for a 7-year-old boy for his birthday! He absolutely loved it. This was his favorite gift and it wasn't put in the bottom of the toy box!" —Michelle B Rawlins
Get it from Amazon for $32(available in seven colors).
2. A mess-freemicrowave s'mores makerso you can make delicious, gooey s'mores in seconds! What's better than chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers? I can't think of a better trio.
Promising review: "This is a very cute gadget. I saw this on aTikTokand fell for it lol. I'm glad I did. My kids and I have so much fun making instant s'mores. They're done in about 30–40 seconds with literally no clean up. The marshmallow doesn't melt over so you basically can just run hot water over it to remove a few crumbs from crackers and be done." —Penelope
Get it from Amazon for $14.50.
3. An origami puzzle game with challenges that you can do alone when you're spending a solo night in but you've already caught up on all your fave shows. You'll have to figure out how to fold each puzzle to make an image appear. You don't need any previous origami experience — this set includes 100 puzzles in five difficulty levels.
Promising review: "These are a great time filler when waiting for appointments, when sitting in boring meetings, when watching a movie and finding your hands need something to do. I keep it with me for any time my hands are free and needing to be filled. Definitely a worthwhile purchase." —Jonna
Get it from Amazon for $13.99.
4. Or, ashape-shifting puzzle cubethat will keep you captivated while you manipulate it into over 70 different shapes. It's like origami, but with magnets.
Amazon
You can also collect all 12 puzzle box designs to connect several magnetic cubes to build even larger structures and sculptures.
Promising review: "I was hesitant about spending $25 for this toy and even more concerned when it showed up and I saw the size, but this got the award for favorite Christmas gift. Both my 9-year-old and 12-year-old play with it constantly!" —Blair001
Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in 19 designs and in packs of two and four).
5. A beginner-friendly diamond painting coaster setso you can have a creative activity that'll also help you make something stylish and practical. There's even a glittery cat version that's purr-fect for cat lovers.
Promising review: "The designs and colors are the same as shown on Amazon. Finished coasters sparkle, and the vibrant colors create eight very cute cats. There were plenty of beads to complete the project and adhesion was excellent. Letters and numbers were sharp and easy to follow. I am delighted with these coasters." —PackLeaderJ
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in five styles).
6. A hilarious Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza card game— it isn't as complicated as its name, I promise. Not only is it easy to play but it's also fun for the whole fam. Reviewers warn that you may laugh uncontrollably.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Pass out all the cards to the players and keep all the stacks face down. Everyone takes a turn putting a card down in the middle, while saying "taco," "cat," "goat," "cheese," and "pizza," in that order. If the picture on your card matches the word that's said, everyone races against each other to slap their hand on the central pile of cards. Whoever is last must take the pile of cards and add them to their stack, and the person who runs out of cards first wins!
Promising review: "The title says it all! You must buy this game if you’re looking to get your kids off their butts, computers, phones, or TV! My children sat for hours, five to be exact, just playing this and laughing. It was a lot of fun for my husband and I to hear them not fighting and doing something together. Loads of fun!! We even loved playing with them!! 🥰🤘" —Melinda Haiden
Get it from Amazon for $9.84.
7. A Pictionary Air Harry Potter drawing gameif you're a family of wizards who are ready to live out their dream of attending Hogwarts. Players will be able to choose a Hogwarts house and draw images in the air (that'll appear onscreen) using a wand for their teammates to guess.
Amazon
How it works: Download the free Pictionary Air app, and the active player will appear, along with their sketch, on the screen of your smart device. Players can cast gameplay onto their TV with compatible streaming devices.
Promising review: "I bought this as a gift for my 9-year-old nephew. We played it immediately. The kids were able to get the app and figure out how to play within a few minutes. We played with ages ranging from 9–50, and we all enjoyed trying to guess what was being drawn. We loved the wand. As one other review mentioned, the cards seem to be very easy or very difficult. We all thought it was lots of fun, and I may have to get one for myself now!" —JC
Get it from Amazon for $13.87.
8. A Lego succulents setso you can create some gorgeous greenery for your home without needing a green thumb. Not only will this set keep boredom at bay, you'll also have a fun display for your desk or coffee table when you're done.
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!" —Lena
Get it from Amazon for $39.99.
9. A Kids Against Maturity card gameto create an unforgettable and hilarious family game night experience. This includes 600 question-and-answer cards filled with "age-appropriate toilet humor and funny innuendoes" that'll have everyone laughing out loud. The player with the funniest answer is the winner — it's time for the family comedian to shine!
Amazon
Promising review: "OMGoodness, this is a hilarious game! It's very easy to play, much the same format as Apples to Apples, if you're familiar with that game. No boring rules to learn; just open the box and play. We played this with various ages and had a great time. I am 53, my son is 23, and my niece and her husband are 30 with a 10-year-old son. The innuendos went over the 10-year-old's head (perfect!) but there was enough fart and poop humor to keep him, and us, giggling. If you're uptight, this is probably not the game for you. If you don't like wind-breaking humor, you might want to 'pass' on this game. But if you want to laugh your butt off with the family, this is a must-have addition to your game night rotation. Laughter is a great stress reliever." —chattyone2
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
10. The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbookfor anyone who wishes they could live at Disney World and feast on all of the food and treats on a regular basis. It's filled with Disney-inspired recipes for Dole Whip, Mickey Pretzels, caramel popcorn, and more.
Promising review: "Beautiful hardcover cookbook with so many yummy Disney recipes from the parks! There is lots of Disney foodie history in it, plus recipes that look easy to follow with high quality ingredients. There are fun maps of each of the parks inside where the food is located from, which makes it fun. As an avid Disney fan I have never seen a cookbook like this." —Nicole
Get it from Amazon for$6+(available in paperback and spiral-bound versions).
11. A 500-piececozy retreat jigsaw puzzle so you'll have an activity to keep you busy when you feel like hibernating indoors with the AC cranked up during those brutally hot summer days.
BTW: Add a puzzle mat to your cart so you can save your progress and complete your puzzle at your own pace without having to take up space on a table or losing pieces. It allows you to roll up your puzzle while keeping the pieces together and intact.
Promising review: "This puzzle was everything I imagined for a nice night indoors. Made some tea, put on a Christmas movie, and got to work. The pieces are larger than you think so work on the ground or a larger table. Worked on it for two days, and it was so calming after a busy week." —Victoria
Get it from Amazon for $20.83.
12. A splurge-worthy rechargeable laser tag setbecause it's a fun game the whole gang can play. It'll turn your basem*nt or yard into a fun battle zone.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
The set includes four rechargeable guns, four rechargeable vests, and one charging station. You can play approximately eight games per charge. The cool LCD screens on the vest keep count of how many lives you have and the vest vibrates when you get shot, aka tagged. Play with up to four teams and eliminate your enemies to win the game. Recommended for ages 8+.
Promising review: "Super fun!! This was my kids' (and their dad's and uncle's!!) favorite Christmas gift this year. They loved it and had so much fun playing laser tag. Glad I got this slightly upgraded version with all the bells and whistles. It was easy to set up, easy to use (even for my younger guys at ages 5 and 6) and so much fun. Great way to get outside and get some exercise, or you can turn off the sound and still use it inside without getting on mom’s nerves too much as well ;) battery life is awesome. Love it!! Great gift!!!!" —EJ NZ
Get it from Amazon for $199.99(don't forget to clip the coupon for $50 off!).
13. A beginner's sushi-making kitif your idea of fun is mastering a new skill in the kitchen. This kit will teach you the basics you'll need to know to whip up homemade sushi like the pros.
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.it was very nicely packaged, and the instructions were clear, in-depth, and very easy to follow. My daughter did an awesome job utilizing these products to make 'FISH-FREE SUSHI' with picked ginger on top. It was delectable! Finally, I highly recommend this set. It comes at a small cost but don't let that deter you — the quality and overall aforementioned features is undoubtedly above and beyond excellent, thus (IMO), it is the perfect product! Loooooove it!" —Liza
Get it from Amazon for $8.98.
14. Betrayal at the House on the Hillso you and your friends can explore a haunted house and work together to survive a nightmare. But beware — the game can turn players against each other. This game features 50 scenarios, for endless stories that can unfold each time you play.
Amazon
Promising review:"Fun family game! We love this game. It’s not the quickest game to learn, but it is tons of fun. It’s set up so that every time you play this game, it’s different. Different characters, items, omens, bad guys, etc. That’s one reason we love it: It’s not the type of game you play a couple of times and then get tired of it. Every time is different. We love taking it to friends’ houses for game nights." —Taylor
Get it from Amazon for $26.99.
15. A "F*ck I'm Bored!" activity book for adults that's filled with coloring pages, word searches, puzzles, games, and more to keep you entertained. It's small enough to carry with you anywhere so you'll have something to do when you battery is low or you don't have Wi-Fi and you're in need of fun distraction.
Promising review: "Hysterical and incredibly entertaining! This is a GREAT activity book for passing time — the fact that it's designed for adults is great because it does stimulate your brain while the raunchiness makes it hysterical. Best purchase I've made in a long time! Definitely recommend!" —Heidi
Get it from Amazon for $8.49+ (available in a paperback or spiral-bound version).
16. Classic Jengabecause it's a game that never goes out of style for a reason. This strategic stacking game will provide hours of entertainment. Plus, reviewers say it's easy to learn and fun for the whole family.
17. An all-in-one box dive bar murder mystery gamethat'll allow you and your team of detectives to work together to figure out the suspicious death of a bar's owner. Together, you'll have to solve puzzles, decode secret messages, and find evidence to figure out the mystery.
Promising review:"So much fun! Thewholefamilyplayed, even the 8-year-old. It took us about an hour to solve. I was a little worried about the appropriateness for the little one, but it was not graphic. It made for a greatfamilyfun night." —Kindle Customer
Get it from Amazon for $26.99.
18. Aset of magnetic board games so you will be able to play classic games anywhere without the pieces sliding off. It's perfect to take with you during a flight, a road trip, while camping, and more so you'll never be bored no matter where you are.
Amazon
This set includes 12 games: Checkers, Chess, Chinese Checkers, Tic-Tac-Toe, Backgammon, Snakes and Ladders, Solitaire, Nine Men’s Morris, Auto Racing, Ludo, Space Venture, and Racing.
Promising reviews: "I loved this product while traveling on the road. With three kids, we needed something to keep them occupied and this did the job well!" —Animal lover
"Got these for the grandsons for a 12-hour drive. They're 14 and 7, and both enjoyed them." —hazel h
Get them from Amazon for $24.99.
19. Pretty Simple Lettering, a step-by-step guide to calligraphy that's ideal for beginners. It'll help you learn to master seven lettering styles from cursive to block lettering and different ink types. Reviewers say it's both fun and relaxing, perfect for a cozy night in.
Promising review: "I’ve tried several instructional books on hand lettering. This book is the best by far. I won’t say the names of the other books but suffice it to say they are all at the top of the list when you search for hand lettering. It is the only book that gives practice for the base strokes and also discusses posture and how to hold the pen and at what angle to the paper. It is also a lovely book to work with; nice art work/illustrations. I recommend this book to other beginners out there!" —Karen Rorick
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
20. A Pimple Pete gameif you and your crew are obsessed with Dr. Pimple Popper-inspired videos. Players will have to wiggle out and pop pimples without upsetting Pete or they'll get sprayed in the face with water and lose the game.
This game includes a Pimple Pete Head, a spinner, 18 Pimples, one mega zit plunger, and instructions.
Promising review: "This game is gross and weird, my kids absolutely love it. Its fun to play and they get to get squirted with water too, which they love. All around fun and gross, perfect for kids." —James King
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
21. The Reverse Coloring Bookbecause it's like a classic coloring book, but with a twist. Instead of coloring in the lines, you actually get to add lines to colorful images instead.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Each book includes 50 pages of watercolor art for you to add lines, along with suggestions for what to add if you want a jumping off point. Bonus: the pages are perforated so you can easily tear them out and frame them!
Promising review: "Changed my life. So I get anxious doing the adult coloring books. This was so much fun and made me really think outside of the box. I'm not the best at drawing but I felt like I was when I was a kid doodling in my textbooks in school." —Carley C.
Get it from Amazon for $9.90.
(Psst — check out these cult-fave black fine point pens for $8.99 on Amazon for a good doodling option!)
22. Otrio, a twist on the classic Tic-Tac-Toe that will become your family's new favorite game to play together. Family game night just got an upgrade.
Amazon
To win, players must get three circular pieces of their color in a row in either ascending or descending order; get the same-sized pieces in a row; or get three concentric pieces in the same space, but beware of other players attempting to block you!
Promising review: "Perfect game for all ages. My 8-year-old daughter, 12-year-old son, and 70-year-old mother enjoyed playing together for hours." —A. Rosen
Get it from Amazon for $47.98.
23. Small Batch Bakes, a book filled with recipes for cakes, buns, cookies, and more that are the perfect portion for anyone who lives alone so you won't end up with a too much leftovers. It helps you make delicious desserts and snacks for one to six people using minimal equipment so you won't have a ton of dishes to do afterwards.
Amazon
BTW: This book measures in grams *and* tablespoons, so you can bake however you prefer.
Promising review: "Great recipes that turn out right every time. This is now one of my most used cookbooks; can’t say enough good things about it." —Lisa Jarvis
Get it from Amazon for $16.59.
24. A string art kitif you've seen string art all over your feed lately and you're ready to give it a try. Reviewers love that it comes with everything you'll need and it's easy to do — because you shouldn't trade boredom for frustration. Plus, when you're done, you'll have a work of art to display that you can be proud of.
Amazon
The kit comes with a crafting board, small hammer, a holder, nails, glue, screws, cotton string, a frame, a pattern, and a detailed instruction manual, so there's no need to buy other supplies.
Promising review: "These instructions are easy to follow — I finished it in two hours. This was so much fun and I love my finished results! It looks so beautiful. It was a gift for my friend. I would buy it again and recommend it to others." —Nicole
Get it from Amazon for $29.99(available in ten styles).
25. Or astarter's weaving kitthat'll help you create stunning tapestries for your wall or to give as gifts. If you feel intimidated, don't worry, reviewers confirm that it's great for beginners and includes clear instructions.
Wool Couture Company
Wool Couture Company is a UK-based Etsy shop established in 2014 that specializes in knitting, crochet, weaving, and macrame craft kits.
You can get one of three kinds of kits: a Basic Kit, which comes with a loom and instructions; a Starter Kit, which comes with a loom, two weaving needles, instructions, a mounting bar for hanging, and a cotton ball of warp to hold your work; and a Quintessential Kit, which comes with everything in the Starter Kit, plus the merino wool for weaving.
Promising review: "It’s simple to use, the wool I received in the set is of a high quality and the service was smooth and communicative. Can not recommend this highly enough from a first-time weaver." —DivineDerbyshire
Get it from Wool Couture Company on Etsy for $39.84+(available in various styles and with or without yarn).
26. ADIY cheese kitbecause it comes with everything you'll need to learn how to make four batches of cheese in just a half hour. I mean...what better way to fight boredom than to make a delicious snack?
Urban Cheesecraft/Etsy
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. Each kit comes with a cheesecloth, citric acid, flake salt, instructions, and "email support for life" — all you need is milk.
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
Get it from Urban Cheesecraft on Etsy for $12(originally $15).
27. A flower press kitthat'll help you preserve flowers from your garden or ones you've collected during your last nature walk. You can use the dried flowers for scrapbooking, card making, decorating, and more.
Promising review: "This is my first time flower press and I am very happy and satisfied with this item. I love the logo design at the front and how it’s the right size for any beginner or expert. The wood and tweezers are high quality for the price. Highly recommended!" —Krissy H.
Get it from Amazon for $29.99.
You, trying to get your whole family on board to solve a murder mystery game:
NBC
Reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
