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Just a few things to keep you company until we can all get back outside.

If you're sick and tired of your friends being, well, sick and tired, then here are a few at-home activities that'll help you pass the time until everyone's back in tip-top shape. From a stress-relieving Coco Wyo coloring book and a mini Bob Ross paint-by-number kit to the new Nintendo Switch 2 and a Lego flower bouquet, fun times are on the way!

Promising review: "I absolutely LOVED this book from the creative activities to the photos of the art — chef's kiss!! The photos of the crafts and trinkets were so well thought out and just so visually appealing. The breakdown of each activity was also very easy to understand and insightful." —lepetit

There are 100 puzzles total, and four different levels of difficulty to tackle —each puzzle features a logic grid to help you solve it!

Promising review: "The puzzles are a lot of fun, but the characters, story lines, and other details take the Murdle experience to another level. I have no idea how the author came up with such creativity! You can Murdle solo or with friends. I look forward to future volumes, but this one will keep me busy for a while!" —Liz Gately

If you want to keep the fun going you can *also* snag Murdle: Volume 2 and Murdle: Volume 3 for more puzzling.

WS Game Company Store is a small business that sells classic board games with a twist — they all come in aesthetic, bookshelf-friendly packaging. If Mystery Date isn't your thing, you can check out one of the many other games they sell. 

Promising review: "My older sisters had this game when I was young. I bought this to play with my daughters and granddaughter. They loved the game. We had such a great time playing it on our trip. Great packaging! It was easy to pack and travel with. Great idea!!!" —billy e

The kit's three paint-by-number canvases include two landscapes and one portrait of Bob. They'll also get an instruction sheet and a mini book all about Bob!

Promising review: "I have to admit I was skeptical because of the price and size. However, I got these for my husband for his birthday (he loves Bob Ross), and what a find!! We had so much fun mixing colors and painting. Would definitely recommend. The fact that they are small makes them even more special. I wish there were more to paint!" —slb m

Get it from Amazon for $8.76 and check out the coloring book version!

Promising review: "Purchased a few of these to give as birthday gifts this summer for 9–11-year-olds and it was a HIT every time. Who doesn't love Squishmallows? I like that many of the newer Squishmallows are represented in this set's charms. We also have a larger set that I bought for my own daughter about six months ago, but it only had the 'classic' squish as charms, this one is much cuter and has more variety in terms of beads." —Jenny M

Each kit includes two wood carving blocks (one cherry and one basswood), a carving knife, sharpening supplies, a template, and three types of sandpaper.

Promising review: "The company is very supportive and their kit is great. It has everything you need to start working with wood. Additionally, I have really appreciated the professionalism and customer service received from them." —Sam

Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (clip the 20% off coupon on the product page for this price). 

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). 

I own Coco's Cozy Corner coloring book and love using it to unwind after a chaotic day of chasing around my toddlers. The Girl Moments iteration is just so cute, it'll likely be my next purchase after I finish the one I have!

Promising review: "I absolutely love this book! The illustrations are beautifully detailed, and the paper quality is outstanding. It's a great way to unwind and get creative. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys coloring!" —Sorianny

I ordered this ahead of the first (of many) 2026 snowstorms to play with my almost 4-year-old and it was so much fun! The board was way longer than I anticipated, so we played on the floor, which was fine. The setup was very simple, as were the rules. I appreciated that the game's search part is a team effort, where everyone looks for the image together instead of introducing my kid to a cutthroat, competitive game right off the bat, haha. We had a blast and have played a bunch of times now!

Promising review: "Not only did our kids (4- and 6-year-olds) love this game, but so did the whole family (including parents and grandparents). The 6-foot game board is simple to set up, and there's a character for everyone (up to 6 players). You take turns spinning the spinner and trying to get to the end of the board before Maleficent casts her evil spell (she gets closer each time the spinner lands on her wand). When you spin or land on a Mickey, you get to pull a card, turn the timer, and the whole group searches for the matching item(s). One of the nice things is that the items are simple and allow the players to get creative. For example, the item might be 'hat,' and then you can search for hats, crowns, etc. We've played twice and we're 1-1 against Maleficent. Can't wait to take her on again soon!" —Skyler H.

MNM Impressions Co is a small business based in Missouri that sells handmade wooden items.

Promising review: "Item matched description and met expectations. Super cute bookmark idea. I paired this with a page holder for a reader-themed white elephant gift exchange, and the recipient loved it." —Ashley

Get it from MNM Impressions Co for $4.15+ (available in two sizes).

Tina's House is a Sydney, Australia–based small business. 

Get it from Tina's House on Etsy for $54.90+ (available in three colors).

Promising review: "This game is so fun! My husband and I pick one card, and if the question is a little more difficult, we put it on the fridge and give each other time to answer. Has added a little more genuine conversation into our weeknights raising two girls." —Derrek & Abby

D&D is known for providing hours of playtime; perfect for being stuck indoors! This starter kit comes with character class boards, immersive handouts, dice, maps, tokens, a combat tracker, and cards for magic items, spells, monsters, and more!

Promising review: "This is an expensive starter set. It is also one of the best starter sets I've seen and I go back to the Moldvay and Cook era. It is a heavy box filled with the best collection of fold-out maps I've seen. I think the maps are very well done and offer a great variety of small caves/dungeons to use for years. Add in a set of dice, some cards, and quality premade characters, and it's a winner. I was somewhat reluctant to pay $50 for a starter set. But this starter set can truly keep a handful of players going for a long time. Come to think of it, I may just need to buy a second copy so I have these maps well into the future." —Eyeofvecna

BuzzFeed Home and Garden Editor Sally Elshorafa has and loves this book! She said, "This book rules! There are SO MANY STICKERS of all sizes, so you never really run out of ways to use them. J'adore!"

Promising review: "The stickers are unique and beautiful. The pages on the back of the stickers are equally as stunning. Get it!" —k80

Get it from Amazon for $23.70 (also available in a second version).

Also check out a Taylor Swift Eras-inspired sticker book.

The Cherry Blosson US is a North Carolina–based small business. 

Promising review: "This is the cutest embroidery kit! I purchased this for my mom who's just been placed in a nursing home, and she loves cross-stitching. I can't wait for her to see this. I know she'll love it!" —Janae

Get it from The Cherry Blosson US on Etsy for $15.29+ (available in nine designs).

Promising review: "This model has been such an enjoyable build. As of now, I am not completely finished. Having put in around 20 hours, I'd say I have another 8 hours to go. The pieces are all vibrantly pre-painted, except for one large base piece. The glue and tweezers that come with it are perfect for the job. The cloth I had gotten for the couch was not large enough, but I improvised by using another color cloth (that also came with the kit) for the seat. The attention to detail in this little study is just first-class. I even recognized books that I have read/purchased in the past within this model! I have no experience building wooden kits, and I still managed to do this one perfectly with minimal struggle. I will certainly be buying more Robotime models in the near future; the greenhouse one is next :)!" —B.R.J.G.

Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in eight other styles).

It has 25 projects that'll each take less than 30 minutes to complete. Heads up that you'll need to grab a watercolor paint set, too.

Promising review: "This workbook is perfection. So well made and explained for beginners in the watercolor world. So entertaining yet challenging for more advanced watercolor enthusiasts. I ordered this book as well as some new watercolors to practice with, and from the moment I opened it, I was obsessed. I absolutely love Sarah’s designs. As someone who hasn’t painted in years and has not much experience, I found this book to be so helpful. It was so easy for me to start painting again and remember how much joy I feel while I am doing so. Its instructions, tips, and stunning color combinations definitely helped awaken my creativity a little more each day. 10 out of 10! 🎨🫶🏼" —Ale

The kit includes the yarn and needles. The PDF pattern will be sent to your email. 

Cooking Gift Set is a small business. The kit comes with six tart rings, a piping bag, three nozzles, a coupler, a candy thermometer, a baking mat, and instructions (thankfully).

Promising review: "I just tried this product for the first time the other night. It was so easy, I couldn’t believe it! The dough recipe that came with it turned out so delicious. I am very pleased with this kit. I can’t wait to make more tarts." —capy

There's enough clay to make 20 projects. Make It Real is a small business that sells kid-friendly art kits. 

Promising review: "This mini pottery wheel was great for my daughter, and we had a blast playing with it. It was a bit of a learning curve at first, but we figured it out. I wish the pottery we made could be bigger. Maybe this is just a beginner's kind of device, but it sparked my interest so much that I want to get something larger now and do some real pottery. Overall, it was worth it." —Jason Custodio

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two styles). 

There are also postcards, letters, and other knickknacks to help you solve the mystery. Check out a TikTok about the book here.

Promising review: "I rarely post reviews; there doesn't ever seem to be anything I can add that hasn't already been said by some other reviewer. That's probably true in this case as well, but I'm not letting it stop me this time. S. is truly a delight. I haven't been this excited by a book in ages. S. is the first non-ebook I've purchased in a very long time, and I'm loving every minute I spend with it." —Corey Punches

The 78 press-out cards come with illustrations based on the classic Rider-Waite-Smith deck. Grab some colored pencils here!

Promising review: "This little coloring book is delightful! I love the idea of coloring your own cards — putting a little more of 'you' in the 'energy' of the cards. It's soothing and relaxing to color away while contemplating the meaning of the card. I haven't colored all of them yet. I'm taking my sweet time and enjoying the process of creation! The cards come perforated around the edges to help you push them out. They color well." —asha_kira

I got this for my mom, who, upon waking up each morning, pulls out her phone to try and solve Wordle. She was SUPER excited once she started to flip through it — and I like that it just might get her off that tiny screen for a few. It's also pretty enough to function as a coffee table book. We love a two-for-one!

Promising review: "I bought Puzzle Mania for a little brain break and got totally hooked. The puzzles are clever, surprising, and super satisfying — you get that little dopamine hit every time you solve one. I loved it so much I immediately ordered more as gifts. It’s one of those rare, no-fail presents that works for everyone." —Justin C

Promising review: "I have the Star Wars and Marvel books in this series, but this one is the best! When you are doing the mazes, you can actually imagine riding the ride, even more if you add some music. The mazes are challenging, even for an adult, but very fun and definitely doable. What I like most about this book is the transition between the queue when you go up and down stairs, and go through tunnels and bridges, but then you 'board' the ride vehicle, and the maze gets all spaghetti-like! Amazing." —JC

Get it from Amazon for $13.46 (also available in Marvel and Star Wars themes).

I have both of these cookbooks and have made many delicious things from them (the mac 'n' cheese is SO good). The recipes are easy to follow and are fun because they're written exactly as Chrissy would explain them. There are lots of recipes from her mom and John, too. Go on, treat yourself to both copies.

Promising review: "I bought this book for two reasons. I love Chrissy Teigen, and I love to eat. The first recipe we tried was the Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe, and it was delicious. The recipe was clearly written, easy to follow and the whole family loved it." —Deborah

Get them from Amazon: Cravings for $11.17, Cravings: Hungry for More for $15.65.

...and the celestial design on the front is stunning, if I do say so myself.

Promising review: "This book helps you understand that it’s okay to be completely honest with yourself. The book itself was in great condition with clean pages. I can’t wait to venture more into this lil' journey with myself. ♥️" —Molls

Promising review: "Bought this as soon as I got the email that it dropped on Amazon! Love this series and will continue to purchase them. Was it the most challenging puzzle? No, but that didn't take away from the fun of putting it together. Great artwork, wacky pieces, two posters, you just can't go wrong with a magic puzzle!" —Jennifer Lawton

This is one of many puzzles from the Magic Puzzle Company, so there are lots of other ~puzzling~ possibilities once this one's finished!

Promising review: "I’m 17 and I loved this. In the intro, it says the page instructions are all up to interpretation, so if it says 'spill your drink' or something, you can take that literally or choose to paint on it with something such as tea or coffee that’ll look like brown watercolor. I love that it’s bizarre prompts, but that you have wiggle room if you don’t want to do anything too wild. I would recommend this if you’re just looking for something fun or if you’re going through some challenges, this is really helpful to distract/express/push yourself!" —Marlee

Here's a TikTok that shows how to play. In short, you pick a 2D or 3D puzzle from the guide and set it up to match the image. Start the timer and work to solve the puzzle with the remaining pieces. When done, stop the clock to record your time. Friends can challenge each other or you can play solo to try and beat your own best score. It requires AAA batteries, so be sure to grab some!

BuzzFeed contributor John Mihaly has this to say about this game: "We love the classic version in our home, and it's been in heavy rotation since we got our hands on it. The object of the game is to finish a puzzle using all 12 Kanoodle pieces. The 2D version lies flat, while the 3D version (you can play both with this set) requires you to build a pyramid of pieces. Simple, fun, and challenging (harder puzzles reveal fewer pieces to start)."

Promising review: "Very easy to use and fun for all ages. Great gift idea and is small and compact, so you can take it anywhere with you!" —Jocelyn

The bouquet includes 15 stems with a mix of flower and leaf varieties, including roses, snapdragons, and poppies, and it uses elements made from plant-based plastic. My 3.5-year-old is Lego-obsessed and had a blast working on these with me! They appear intricate, but, honestly, weren't hard to put together at all (and I'm a Lego novice)!

Promising review: "Buy this for anyone in your life who loves gardening, and you are guaranteed to see their face light up when they open it up. Got it for my mom on her birthday, and she thought it was the coolest gift ever." —Greg

Get it from Amazon for $48.49 and check out the entire Lego Botanicals collection!

Promising review: "So in love with these cards! Perfect gift for any Disney lover. The box they come in is nicely made and embossed, and the playing cards are very elegant looking. Bought two packs originally and loved them so much I ordered two more for gifts." —Kim Muchmore

Get them from Amazon for $12.99 (also available in a Villains theme).

I've been lucky enough to test this baby out since it was first released in June 2025, but I hadn't been able to write up a review because, until recently, it was CONSTANTLY out of stock EVERYWHERE! Finally, it appears to be available (phew), so you can *also* get your hands on it and join me in my daily gaming fun. You can easily link your old account to your new system, so no need to fret about the games you've already been happily playing for years. Your eyeballs will be so pleased with the new, bigger, brighter screen, and you're going to LOVE being able to play the new Mario Kart World virtually with your friends and family. I'll report back with more details as more new games become available, but so far it has definitely felt like a worthy investment. My husband and I have been arguing over who gets to play Donkey Kong Bananza after the kids go to bed... we might need to buy a second one.

Promising review: "This is my first time getting a Nintendo Switch, and I have honestly been using it non-stop since I got it. It’s so much fun and definitely worth the investment — I can tell it’s built to last for years of gaming. The battery life has been great; I haven’t had any issues at all, and a full charge lasts me several days of casual to moderate gameplay. I also love how versatile it is — it can be used in handheld mode, docked, or on a tabletop — it really adapts to how I want to play. Overall, it’s an amazing console that’s perfect for both gaming at home and on the go." —Ashanttii Studio

Get it from Amazon for $449.99+ (also available with a Mario Kart World bundle or a Donkey Kong Bananza bundle).

Learn about the Nintendo GameChat feature here!

Promising review: "Out of the box, you see why HORI is a respected brand in the third-party space. Works right out of the box, has an awesome stand, or you can plug it right into the Switch 2. Also comes with a 3.5mm right-angle adapter, just in case it gets in the way of your headphones. Awesome product." —Seth

My husband and I (he more than me) would consider ourselves to be rather avid gamers. Growing up, PlayStation was always my console of choice, so I was super excited to get my hands on a newer model as an adult. It's honestly all it's hyped up to be! There are *so* many games to play now, it's overwhelming to even try to choose. That being said, our first foray into the PS5 was through Baldur's Gate 3 (which was 2023's Game of the Year winner). The experience was out of this world, honestly. The picture was so clear and the gameplay was seamless — even while playing alongside one of our friends. We always tend to get a lot more use out of it when the weather gets colder (and, ideally, our kids sleep all night).

Promising review: "The PlayStation 5 Pro takes gaming to the next level with ultra-sharp 4K visuals, smoother frame rates and stunning ray tracing. The PSSR AI enhancement makes games look incredible, and the 2TB SSD provides ample storage. It’s sleek, quiet, and feels premium. Delivery was quick and packaging was perfect." —Uzzam Soomro

Get it from Amazon for $499.99 (also available in various bundles).

Check out a TikTok of the mini Kindle in action. 

Promising review: "This is such a great Kindle! It’s lightweight, the perfect size for going in a purse or bag, and the matcha is SUCH a great color. I already have a Paperwhite SE that I love, so I decided to get this Kindle for travel purposes. The battery life isn’t as great as my Paperwhite, but it still lasts me a while with daily reading! It fits perfectly in my hands and makes reading very comfortable. The only thing it is missing is the warm light option, but that is not a deal breaker for me. If you are looking for a lightweight and comfortable Kindle, this is the one for you." —Christine Heath

Get it from Amazon for $109.99 (available in black and matcha, and with or without an ad lock screen). 

I debate buying this game whenever I wander through my local Barnes and Noble, but I know my kids would never give me the chance to play in peace. It looks so fun though! The more books you collect in the game, the more points you get — AND you have to do so strategically and in an organized way to win. I like that it's a game that can be played solo or with up to four people (and that it would look pretty on my shelf).

Promising review: "The artwork immediately grabbed my attention (aside from the title, of course), and the gameplay is both clever and relaxing. It really captures the joy of organizing your shelves and showing off your collection. I love how it’s strategic without being stressful — every round feels fresh, and it always sparks conversation. It's definitely a must-have for people who LOVE BOOKS and take pride in their collection." —B&N Home Office

Get it from Barnes and Noble for $44.99.

Promising review: "I love board games, particularly more adventurous and more adult ones, but getting my wife to play them with me is like pulling teeth. This one is very easy to learn but a challenge to master, making it accessible to casual board gamers and enjoyable for hardcore enthusiasts. Each play-through is different depending on the characters each player chooses, the strategy they use, and the cards drawn at random. Can't wait until they release expansions with new villains." —Phil

Get it from Amazon for $29.99 and check out the "Wicked to the Core" expansion, the "Filled with Fright" expansion, or the "Perfectly Wretched" expansion for more fun.

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

This piece is by Heather Braga, a Shopping editor (and mom to two toddlers) who covers a variety of topics including things that'll make parents' lives (hopefully) easier, exciting gadgets, cozy products (think: home goods and fashions that'll make you want to snuggle), and any magical Disney item that crosses her path.

Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.