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Ever thought about learning a foreign language? What about counting cards? Now that we’re all stuck inside, it’s the perfect time to pick up easy hobbies for during snow day that won’t cost a fortune in supplies and tools.
For real, though, these hobbies will only run you $10 or less (some slightly more after shipping), and they’re a blast to do by yourself, with your family, or with a roommate.
If you find other inexpensive hobbies to do at home that are fun, feel free to drop them in the comments!
Oh, and download the KCL app for better ways to save every day.
1. Learn to say “hello” in every foreign language for free.
Bonjour! If you’ve ever wanted to parle Francais (or any other language, for that matter), now’s the time.
Download DuoLingo and start learning today. The app is free, and you can play tons of fun games to enhance your learning, too. Bonne chance!
2. Make your own stress ball “Wilson” at home.
Who says stress balls are just for kids? I’m feeling the need to relieve some stress, plus I’d like a sympathetic friend to talk to around here. (Like Wilson in “Castaway.”)
Lowe’s DIY kids projects are fun, easy for adults who are not craft-inclined, and you can find the instructions for multiple projects on their site for free.
You may need to purchase materials for certain projects, but most only require items you probably have lying around the house.
3. Buy a henna tattoo kit and ink up your body.
This 50-count henna tattoo stencil pack will help you draw up your best tattoos ever — and it’s only around $10 before shipping. Plus, it’ll shock the heck out of your family and friends, or at least the grocery delivery person. (Don’t worry, it washes off.)
4. Read “10 Amazing Black Jack Tips” for free and master Blackjack.
Aiming to walk out of the casino with loads of cash after the lockdown is lifted? I know I am.
If so, learn to master the game by reading “10 Amazing Black Jack Tips” for free with your 30-day trial at Audiobooks.com.
5. Explore your inner artist with adult coloring books.
No, these aren’t explicit coloring books — just some good, clean fun.
Order “Color Me F*cking Calm” for around $8.99 from Target and you’ll learn how calming it is to color between the lines (or outside, no judgement) of mesmerizing designs.
You can find tons of these coloring books online for adults, and they’re real stress relievers!
6. Quick pickle your own vegetables and feast on them later.
Ever wanted to pickle your own pickles? Now’s the time.
You’ll need:
- Mason jars
- Vinegar
- Your preferred fresh veggies (cucumbers and green beans work really well for this.)
If you don’t have any jars, buy a 6-count box of 8 oz mason jars for just $5.99 at Michaels, or a 3-count box of 16 oz mason jars for the same price (less if you can use a promo code).
If you need bigger gallon-sized jars, you can order a 128 oz mason jar at Target for just $15 or snag 16 gallon-sized jars at ULINE for $16.
Then, follow these steps:
- Buy a vinegar base. Distilled white vinegar is the cheapest (just $3 at Walmart), but you can also use apple cider vinegar ($6) or red wine vinegar ($7), too.
- Mix water with your vinegar and heat in a saucepan (and add spices if you like)
- Add sugar and salt and stir until they dissolve
- Place your preferred cut-up veggies into your jar
- Pour your vinegar mixture over your veggies so that they’re completely submerged
- Let it marinate for one hour (or more for better flavor)
RELATED: Places to Get Indoor Gardening Supplies Online
7. Make your own almond and nut milk at home for under $10.
For this, just buy a nut milk bag for $8. You can also use cheesecloth or even a handkerchief in a pinch.
Assuming you have raw almonds, blend them with water, and pour the contents into your milk bag.
Next, squeeze out the contents into a bowl. What’s left over is the milk, but you can also reuse the pulp for other recipes, like vegan almond pulp brownies, vegan chocolate chip cookies, or even your own vegan crackers!
8. Make your own birdhouse for $5 and/or start bird watching for $10.
Yes, you can buy wood and tools and carve one yourself OR you can follow this easy one-hour birdhouse making tutorial using your birdhouse kit from Michaels for $5.
If you’re feeling adventurous, get your Steve Erwin on and order Effin’ Birds on your Kindle for just $5.99 — it’ll help you identify all the new birds stopping by!
9. Create your own zen sand box or sand art vase for $8…
Sand is supposed to be very zen and relaxing. Buy Color Zone Sand Art for $7.99 and start making your own vases filled with colorful sand.
Or you can also dump out the sand into an old shadowbox or pie tin and gently rake it with a fork while contemplating the universe.
10. … Or start your Christmas crafts early.
You know how every year you wonder how the holidays got away from you? Then you resolve to make your gifts next year, starting early? Welp, now’s your chance. Check out this post I did a few years back about Dollar Store Christmas crafts, like these cute mason jar tealight holders, and get going!
11. Make your own spring wreath for $10.
If you’re feeling extra festive, you can craft your own wreath at home.
You’ll need:
- 18-inch wire wreath frame – $5
- Ribbon – $1.50
- Floral Wire – $2.99
From there, clip your own greenery from pines or other evergreen trees and shrubs outside to adorn your wreath, and use other crafty materials around the house to decorate it.
12. Use your wine cork collection to make a cute heart for $6.
Right now, it’s wine o’clock somewhere every hour of the day, so why not make the most of your wine drinking habit to create a chic cork heart? You can use it for a trivet, a wine bottle coaster, or hang it on your wall.
Just buy a single shelf liner from Walmart for $6, draw a heart shape on it, and hot glue your corks to the shelf liner. Easy! That’s assuming you have enough corks lying around (guilty as charged here).
RELATED: Companies That Offer Wine Delivery Right to Your Door
13. Craft your own coronavirus mask for $5.
For this, you’ll need:
- 100% tightly woven cotton fabric, like dish towels or T-shirts
- One pack of shoelaces per mask
- Needle and thread
- Sewing machine (if you have one)
- Scissors
- Pins (or paper clips)
Then, follow these 10 steps:
- Wash and dry fabric on high, then fold in half
- Measure and pin two 9.5″ x 6.5″ squares
- Cut along the measured (or pinned) lines you made, making sure to cut through both layers
- Cut shoelaces in half so it makes four equal-size pieces
- Attach the cut sides of the laces to the corners of your fabric with pins
- Lay the second piece of fabric on top, pattern-side down, and pin the pieces of fabric together
- Sew a ¼” border around the perimeter, except for a small opening in the middle
- Reverse the mask so it’s right side out
- Create three folds in the fabric and hold them in place with pins
- Sew the perimeter of the mask
This makes more sense with visual instructions, which you can find in the related link below.
RELATED: How to Make a Fabric Face Mask in 10 Easy Steps
Don’t scroll up — here are your links:
Places to Get Indoor Gardening Supplies Online
Companies That Offer Wine Delivery Right to Your Door
How to Make a Fabric Face Mask in 10 Easy Steps
UP NEXT: Save More With These Home Hacks!
