What with our wet summers and inadequate holiday facilities, we Brits have had to become masters at spending time indoors. If there were a World Championships in indoor hobbyism, we could expect to finish in a battling 4th place at the very least.
This article brings together a panoply of hobby equipment, kits and puzzles, all of which can be ordered online and delivered to your door, or to a loved one. We’ll cover everything from art supplies and synthesizers to home brewing and embroidery.
A new hobby can be almost like a portal to another world. We hope the suggestions in this article will lead you somewhere exciting.
Kintsugi Repair Kit by Sandy Leaf Farm
The Japanese art of kintsugi – where broken objects are fixed with golden glue – is based on the philosophy that things can become more beautiful through their imperfections. We think that’s rather lovely. This set comes with enough glue ingredients to fix several objects, plus two bowls to practice on.
£15 | Not on the HIgh Street | Buy it now
Mini Bottle Terrarium Kit
It’s never been more critical to help small businesses stay afloat and survive through the Coronavirus crisis, and one of the best places to show some love is Etsy. The site is packed with small companies and sole traders who can often get things delivered to your door more quickly than bigger companies who are backlogged with orders for weeks.
When it comes to kits, we’re taken with this terrarium kit which sends everything you need to create a tiny garden in a bottle. You can opt to order this with or without a plant, but everything else - glass bottle with cork, sand, stone, activated charcoal, soils and a PDF guide - come included in the price. Sent with First Class Royal Mail.
Shop more terrarium kits at Etsy
reCAP Mason Jars Fermentation Starter Kit for Food Lovers
Fermented foods are incredibly good for your gut and overall health, so if you’re looking for easy access whenever you want, then look no further. This kit is ideal for anyone looking to make small batches of everything from kombucha to kefir and kimchi. Get started with the help of an instruction guide, three recipes and a packet of raw Himalayan Pink Salt.
National Geographic Volcano Kit
Containing all the materials you need to make your own erupting volcano, this kit makes a great indoors pastime for all, whether you have kids, live on your own or are seeing self-isolation through with housemates.
While it’s technically designed for kids we reckon it will equally delight and engage older age groups. The kit includes plaster, volcano mould, paints and paintbrush, eruption powder and two volcanic rock specimens (geode and pumice).
Currently on a 2 for £15 offer, shop more craft kits at Argos
Espresso Martini Cocktail Kit
Just because you’re staying home more it doesn’t mean you have to forgo cocktail hour entirely. Get the inside track on making one of the most popular drinks on London bar menus, an espresso martini with this cocktail kit from Taste Cocktails.
The adults-only made to order kit contains everything you need for a home-based drink and will allow you to sharpen your mixology skills in time for your next house party. A fun pick-me-up to have delivered to someone special.
Subversive Cross Stitch: 50 Designs for Your Sassy Side
Staying cooped up indoors for long periods of time is enough to fray anyone’s nerves, which is probably why we’re so tickled at the idea of this cross stitch book. Made to help you healthily funnel your anger and frustration into salty and occasionally expletive-laden designs, they’re as far from your nan’s cross-stitch as you can get. Once complete, they’ll make lovely gifts for all your pals.
Shop all cross stitching kits on Amazon
Settlers of Catan
For those of you who are pining for the simple pleasures of colonising the planet and stewarding its natural resources, here’s a board game that brilliantly simulates the aforementioned experiences. Settlers of Catan is a fun, compulsive game for all ages. It’s a cult classic for good reason.
£44.99 | John Lewis | Buy it now
BYOB Brew Your Own Beer Kit with Dead Ringer IPA
Home-brew a batch of critically acclaimed Dead Ringer IPA (6.8%) with this all-in-one brew-your-own-beer kit. The kit contains almost everything you need for the brewing process, including a glass jug fermenter, an auto-syphon, and a recipe kit with steeping grains, malt extract, yeast and hops. All you’ll need to add is a large stockpot and some empty beer bottles.
£40 | Beer Hawk | Buy it now
Ginger Fox Cactus Origami Kit
This kit contains a stock of colourful card, and instructions on how to fold it into five desktop-size cacti. If you’ve ever found yourself wishing for a risk-free opportunity to handle a cactus for an extended period of time, here it is.
£10 | John Lewis | Buy it now
JAXJOX Reversible Yoga Mat
Whether you use it for yoga or another form of floor-based exercise, a yoga mat is a must-have for working out from home. Treat yourself to a good one, like this JAXJOX reversible yoga mat with its wipeable, anti-slip surfaces.
£59.99 | Argos | Buy it now
UGears Chronograph Timer Wood Puzzle
You have time on your hands; now get your hands on time, in the pleasing wooden form of UGears’ chronograph timer wood puzzle. This fully functioning mechanical model is a fascinating diversion for casual users and horologists alike.
£35 | John Lewis | Buy it now
Hobbycraft Mixed Pencil Set (44 Pack)
Bring a little colour to your quarantine with this versatile mixed pencil set. The contents include colouring pencils, watercolour pencils, pastel pencils, sketching pencils, metallic pencils, a sharpener and an eraser: everything you need to create a bright new world.
£8 | Hobbycraft | Buy it now
Antique Stork Embroidery Scissors
Here’s the perfect gift for the embroiderer in your life. These beautiful handmade scissors are made the old-fashioned way at a workshop in Sheffield. They are suitable for working with fine fabrics, wool and threads.
£30 | Ernest Wright Ltd. | Buy it now
Korg Volca Keys Analogue Loop Synth
This super-cool instrument from Korg is the perfect introduction to making music with a synth. You can use it to play melodies and write beats in a range of characterful analogue tones, recording your compositions as you go.
£131.75 | Gear4music | Buy it now
King of Tokyo (Second Edition)
Here’s another tabletop classic for the board game lovers among you. King of Tokyo is a vibrant, unpredictable dice-based game, where each player chooses a monster and battles for control of the city. Much like Settlers of Catan, it’s fun for all ages.
£22.99 | Zatu Games | Buy it now
Hazel & Blue Calm And Cosy Soy Candle Making Kit
We’re feeling more relaxed just looking at this thing. The Calm And Cosy Soy Candle Making Kit gives you all the ingredients and instruction needed to make eco-friendly candles at home. Personalisable labels are included too, so you can easily differentiate your own exquisite candle from your partner’s shoddy one.
£26 | Not on the High Street | Buy it now
Verdict:
While all of the items featured here could help ensure time at home is well-spent, our favourite is the Kintsugi Repair Kit by Sandy Leaf Farm. Not only does the kit facilitate a useful and enjoyable activity; it also teaches us the valuable and timely lesson that there’s plenty of beauty to be found in damaged things.
