11 Exciting Crafts & Activities Like Puzzles

Few things are better than escaping into a much-loved hobby at the end of a long day. Engaging in activities like puzzles can lower your stress levels, improve memory, enhance problem-solving skills, and much, much more. As many of us may have experienced after pulling them out during quarantine, they’re really lots of fun! Plus, they provide a sense of accomplishment. If you have been doing jigsaw puzzles for a while but are tired of assembling puzzle pieces and looking for a new way to unwind, we have some great suggestions. From creating beautiful art with diamond art kits to learning a new activity like knitting or crocheting, here are a few of our favorite ideas.

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1.  Diamond Painting

Diamond painting is a lot like doing puzzles in that you strategically put small pieces in place to form a larger picture. The primary difference is that instead of searching for and fitting each of the pieces together in a specific place, you simply match resin diamonds (called drills) to their coordinating symbol on a self-adhesive canvas. Sounds easy? It is! Anyone can create these beautiful mosaic artworks without any artistic skills. Think of diamond painting as an exciting activity that combines all the best aspects of puzzles, paint-by-numbers, and cross-stitch into a relaxing hobby that has taken the crafting world by storm. If you’re a puzzle enthusiast who loves the satisfaction of completing different types of puzzles, you will love diamond painting.

Check Out Our Diamond Painting Kits!

By purchasing a kit from Diamond Art Club®, you will receive all the diamond painting supplies you need to complete your first masterpiece and then some, including a color-coded canvas with pre-applied adhesive, extra sparkly resin diamonds in a variety of brilliant colors, a diamond painting pen with a twistable putty cartridge, extra putty, multiplacers, a diamond drill tray with stopper, resealable baggies for storing your loose drills, and an inventory sheet with pre-cut sticker labels to help you stay organized. Each kit also comes with detailed, printed instructions, but learning how to paint with diamonds is a breeze! Once you have grasped the basic technique, completing this type of art is a relaxing and rewarding way to enjoy your free time. Dedicate some self-care time to diamond painting by yourself, or invite others to join you and benefit from a social bonding experience. There’s nothing quite as thrilling as seeing hundreds of tiny diamonds transformed into a breathtaking work of art. 

If you want something a little different than our standard canvas kits, try some other diamond painting products! Choose from a variety of items, like our Mini Dazzles™, which feature small, captivating images of sparkling enjoyment. Or, give our Sparkle Pals™ a try! These diamond art figurines showcase your favorite licensed characters and can be completed in just one hour. If you want to add a touch of sparkle to everyday items, consider our Diamond Painting Stickers or Hanging Signs. Finally, our Diamond Painting Cards are a quick and fun activity that makes for a great gift to show someone some love!

2. Word Puzzles

If you enjoy solving jigsaw puzzles, switching to word puzzles is an excellent way to change things up. Crosswords, word searches, and cryptograms are all outstanding options that will engage your mind, broaden your vocabulary, and keep boredom at bay. They aren’t the only types of word games that are worth checking out, though. If you are tired of traditional crossword puzzles and want to try something new, try putting your brainpower to the test with logic puzzles, ciphers, or even rebus puzzles. Brain teasers and riddles are fun, too, and will put your critical thinking skills to the test.

3. Knitting or Crocheting

Like putting puzzles together, knitting and crocheting enable you to make something beautiful using your hands. But, instead of carefully arranging cardboard pieces to form an image, you follow a pattern and link various stitches to complete a soft, woven item. In the end, you’ll have a unique textile that you can either give to someone special or enjoy for yourself. And one of the best things about taking up one of these hobbies is that they are portable. Pack up a knitting bag, and you can enjoy your hobby just about anywhere. The same certainly cannot be said for jigsaw puzzles!

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4. Cross-Stitch

Think cross-stitch is just a boring pastime for graying grandmas? Think again! This traditional handicraft has seen a significant resurgence in popularity over the last few years, and its comeback has resulted in the publication of new patterns featuring every type of imagery imaginable. Modern cross-stitch is a fun, light-hearted hobby that is a wonderful option for anyone looking for a new crafting activity. And, like working with the pieces of a puzzle, it keeps your fingers busy. Whether you are a beginner when it comes to needle arts or you have some experience, you’ll have no problem finding patterns to suit your skill level. 

Discover 7 Hobbies and Crafts Like Cross-Stitch

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5. Building Models

Take your game up a notch — instead of working on two-dimensional puzzles, try your hand at building a three-dimensional model. Whether you love cars, planes, or architecture, there are model kits on the market to match your interests. Building blocks and brick sets aren’t just for kids anymore. There typically isn’t any glue needed since click-together sets now allow you to create replicas of characters and scenes from film and television shows like Star Wars, Sesame Street, and Friends. Similar to working on puzzles, constructing models engages the brain while easing stress and enhancing problem-solving skills. And if replica trains and architecture aren't quite your thing, no worries, try your hand at 3D models that are seasonal decor! Think illuminated, diamond painting gingerbread houses that will last for many seasons to come - the perfect alternative to messy and perishable traditional models.

6. Gardening

Planting a garden is excellent for both your mental and physical health. And, in certain ways, it’s comparable to doing puzzles. When you plant a garden, you have to plan the space and figure out which plants to place near each other. You also need to consider how much room each plant needs. Plus, you may need to use your critical thinking skills to overcome issues like pests, weeds, and diseases. You will also need to spend time thinking about things like fertilizers, pruning, and moisture levels. Because of this, planting a healthy garden is a lot like arranging the pieces of a puzzle. Only in lieu of a pretty picture when you’re done, you’ll have lovely, green plants and loads of fresh veggies, herbs, or flowers to enjoy. 

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7. Number and Math Puzzles

Explore number and math puzzles to give your brain a dynamic workout. Sudoku is a timeless classic that challenges reasoning and logic skills in a 9x9 grid. KenKen is another grid-based puzzle for arithmetic lovers, and Kakuro is similar to a crossword puzzle but provides numerical challenges that test logic and addition skills. Cryptarithms are puzzles that combine numbers and words. To solve one, you’ll need to decode math expressions using digit-letter assignments. Lastly, logic grid puzzles challenge critical thinking skills and are perfect for anyone who loves unraveling challenging scenarios. No matter which one you choose, these puzzle activities are perfect for number lovers and are great for keeping your math skills sharp! 

8.  Board, Card and Video Games

Board games and card games may not be the first things that come to mind when you think about activities like puzzles, but they are excellent choices when you’re looking for engaging activities you can enjoy with friends and family. Plus, their strategic nature makes them similar to puzzle games in many ways. 

Board games foster thinking ahead and create dynamic scenarios that engage players in problem-solving and tactical decision-making. And a simple deck of cards can provide hours of engaging entertainment — even when you are alone! Video games can provide cognitive benefits, and there are plenty of digital strategy and puzzle games from which to choose. No matter what type of game you decide on, playing board, card, and video games can enhance cognitive skills while giving you a much-needed break from traditional puzzles. If you’d like to explore games from a more craft-related or DIY angle, consider making your own! There are now DIY kits that enable you to design your own game — or you can make your own up from scratch using materials you have lying around the house. Get creative and have fun! 

9. Quilting

Quilting is another craft that shares many similarities with doing puzzles. Like arranging puzzle pieces, quilters must carefully plan and piece together fabric swatches to create intricate patterns. The process of selecting fabrics, cutting precise shapes, and assembling them into a cohesive design exercises many of the same skills used when completing jigsaw puzzles. Quilting enthusiasts often find the same sense of satisfaction in completing a quilt as puzzle lovers do in finishing a challenging jigsaw.

Like puzzling, quilting projects have various complexities. As a beginner quilter, you might start with a simple patchwork design pillowcase. As your skills develop, you can progress to more intricate patterns and techniques like paper piecing or applique. This progression mirrors the way puzzle lovers usually start with simple jigsaw puzzles before moving on to more challenging ones and three-dimensional designs. No matter what pattern you choose for your first quilting project, you’ll find joy in the process of making something beautiful from individual pieces. 

10. Origami

Even origami — the Japanese art of folding paper to create intricate designs — can be a satisfying and enjoyable hobby for puzzlers. Origami requires concentration, spatial reasoning, and following step-by-step instructions. As you fold a flat piece of paper into intricate designs, you will find yourself solving a three-dimensional puzzle with each crease. Origami ranges from simple designs for beginners to complex models that challenge even the most experienced crafters, so you should have no trouble finding projects to suit your skill level. 

11. Scavenger Hunts

If you enjoy puzzles but crave more physical activity, scavenger hunts are an exciting alternative. These hunts combine elements of problem-solving with exploration and adventure. Participants must decipher clues, solve riddles, and navigate to specific locations to uncover further clues, which makes scavenger hunts a perfect activity for puzzle enthusiasts who enjoy a challenge. 

Scavenger hunts take place in various settings. From city streets to nature trails, they offer all sorts of fun ways to explore new places and make exciting discoveries while exercising your problem-solving skills. If you’re looking for a departure from the traditional scavenger hunt, try an escape room. Instead of finding clues to lead you to a prize, you’ll search for hints to help you figure out how to free yourself from the space. There’s usually a time limit, which adds an extra challenge to the puzzle. 

Closing Thoughts

If you enjoy hobbies like puzzles but are looking for new ways to pass the time, diamond painting, along with the suggestions above, are some excellent options other crafters love! They certainly aren’t the only ones, though. Anything that takes your mind off the stress of daily life and helps you relax is perfect. Try your hand at something you’ve never done before, like diamond painting, and you may just be surprised to discover that you have a new favorite diversion. Depending on which activity you choose, you may even discover a new favorite way to spend time with the people who mean the most to you.