15 popular arts-and-crafts kits adults will love
These kits are perfect for all the spare time you now have
Credit:
Bramble Berry / Kissbuty
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From the moment I presented my second-grade teacher with a sculpture made from used toilet paper rolls, I knew I had received my calling in life: to be a crafter. Over the years, I bought countless arts-and-crafts kits and delved into all kinds of recreational hobbies, from knitting to cross-stitching and now quilting.
There are so many things I love about crafting. You get to be creative without restrictions, you end up with something really cool that you can keep forever, and you pass your time in a way that makes you feel super productive. Plus, once you master a new craft, you get to brag about it on Instagram (and to your mother, if you’re me).
If you’ve always wanted to get into crafting but never really knew where to start, now’s your time! Arts-and-crafts kits aren’t just for kids anymore. These highly rated ones are designed to be enjoyed by adults looking to expand their crafting skills.
1. For crafters who love variety: Adults & Crafts
Always wanted to get into wood burning, but not sure where to start? Good news.
Adults & Crafts provides all you need to fuel your hobby whether you’re a beginner or an enthusiast. With this subscription service, you receive a comprehensive kit each month and get to try your hand at skills such as wood burning, clock making, or candle making. If expanding your repertoire is top of mind, Adults & Crafts should be on your list.
Fans love Adults & Crafts not only for the variety of projects they can create, but also for its customer service. Multiple reviewers call out the excellent communication regarding shipment status and question response rates. Kelsey B. explains: “I cannot express how flawless Kevin and team made this process. I received emails on the status and updates regarding shipping and what not. The kit was delivered so organized and definitely with first-timers in mind. The instructions were super detailed and helpful.”
Sign up for a monthly Adults & Crafts subscription for $33 a month
2. For knitting enthusiasts: We Are Knitters
Kits from We Are Knitters come with everything you need to get started on a new project.
Knitters rejoice—there’s a service out there that sells everything you need for your next great project in one snazzy kit. We Are Knitters sells kits for blankets, cardigans, and tees, all complete with an exact amount of yarn (no waste!), knitting needles, a sewing needle, and a pattern.
Our editor Courtney Campbell tried We Are Knitters and loved it, saying the directions were easy to follow and the video tutorials were helpful, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned stitcher. The company also produces crochet and needlepoint kits, if those hobbies are more your bag.
Shop knitting kits at We Are Knitters
3. For homemade decor lovers: KiwiCo Maker Crate
The Kiwi Maker Crate comes with projects fun for all ages.
The Maker Crate from KiwiCo is similar to Adults & Crafts, but it’s geared toward crafts that double as home decor, such as punch-needle pillows, terrazzo clay organizers, and macrame planters. Maker Crates are suitable for teenagers and adults alike, so they make a great choice for parents looking for an activity to share with older children.
Get the Maker Crate from KiwiCo for $29.95 a month
4. For collectors of stationery: Annie’s CardMaker Kit-of-the-Month Club
Stationery-lovers will enjoy this kit from Annie's.
There’s nothing sweeter than opening your mailbox to see a card from one of your favorite people. Instead of relying on Hallmark for your next greeting, create your own with the help of a cardmaking kit. Annie’s Cardmaking Club comes with all the materials you need to make 8 to 10 individual cards, which you can customize for a specific event or send just because.
Reviewers love the quality of the materials and instructions that come within each kit. J’Lu explains: “I have been into card-making for many years. Not only is it a therapeutic lift, but it has been amazing to see what talent we all have hidden. It brings the creativity out to explode into beautiful finished pieces of art.”
Join Annie’s Cardmaking Club for $19.99 a month
5. For learning calligraphy: Let’s Make Art Lettering Subscription Box
It's time to finally learn calligraphy.
When I got married, I thought it would be cool to teach myself calligraphy so I could write our invitations. Did I learn it? Absolutely not. But I needed something more than a can-do attitude and YouTube playlist. This Lettering Subscription Box from Let’s Make Art comes with lettering tools, paper, and practice sheets, as well as instructions that detail a step-by-step process for learning a new font. If you love it, you can receive a new box every month to help you expand your lettering abilities.
Sign up for a monthly Lettering Subscription Box from Let’s Make Art for $35
6. For the one with the green thumb: It’s By U
Ever thought about arranging your own flowers?
Receiving a beautifully arranged bouquet once a month is a lovely pick-me-up, but do yourself one better and learn a new skill. Subscription service Its By U teaches you how to arrange flowers by sending you a kit that comes with pre-cut blooms and vases. You can choose whether you want arrangements once or twice a month. And once you’re done organizing your flowers, you have beautiful bouquets to place around your home.
Reviewer Lauren C. loved the Warm Industrial kit she received, saying: “My flowers arrived looking bright and welcoming. I followed the simple directions and let them hydrate before putting in the Industrial Trio vases. I have gotten so many compliments on them and the vases. It was so easy and has made a huge impact at my work station! I might have to go from monthly to every two weeks!”
Get a flower arrangement kit from It’s By U starting at $49.95 a month
7. For the quilter: Fat Quarter Shop
Get started with quilting by using one of these kits.
I got a sewing machine for Christmas, which means for the past few months, I’ve been completely immersed in the quilting world. Fat Quarter Shop comes up again and again as a great resource in the quilting community—it’s well known for its repository of patterns, as well as its wide selection of quilting fabric. But if you’re looking for project basics, it also sells quilting kits that give you everything you need to start a new project. You can get kits for quilts and table runners, ranging in price from $35 to over $100.
Shop quilting kits at Fat Quarter Shop starting at $35
8. For the crafter who enjoys organized chaos: Pour art starter kit
Get messy with a pour art kit.
If you want a craft that will make your home look like an artist’s studio, look no further than Pour Art. It’s like painting, but less structured—it involves taking acrylic paint, adding a solution that makes it more watery, and pouring it on a canvas. The results can be stunning, and don’t require fine arts skills—just a steady hand and a good eye. (Be forewarned: This is a craft you’ll want lots of space to complete.) If you’re getting started for the first time, consider a kit that includes paints, canvases, and gloves, as well as a guide that walks you through the process of pour art.
Reviewers note that this kit is great for beginners who are looking to get into pour art, as it comes with all the materials you could need to get started. They also stress the importance of looking into a book or video tutorial that comes with step-by-step instructions for how to start, as this kit does not come with one.
Shop the Acrylic Paint Pouring Kit from Amazon for $49.99
9. For a fragrant ambiance at home: A candle-making kit
Forget buying candles—make your own with this set.
If Yankee Candle is the mall store that draws you in, this is the craft for you. My mother decided to create her own candles last year, so she bought this kit and proceeded to make every single family member (and our spouses) a new candle.
This kit comes with everything you need to make your own candles at home, and once you’ve mastered the basics, you can move on to buying replacement wax, scents, and even bases (my mother used coffee cups with sassy sayings).
Get the Complete DIY Candle Making Kit Supplies by CraftZee from Amazon for $54
10. For the nerdy crafter: ‘Star Wars’ crochet kit
That's no moon...it's a crochet Darth Vader!
I’m a sucker for any project that blends my two true loves—crafting and “Star Wars.” I received this kit as a gift and, not being a crocheter, enjoyed how easy it was to pick up. Each kit comes with a booklet of instructions for making any of a dozen characters, and enough yarn to create two. Then you just need to buy more yarn (and harness the power of the force) to complete your collection.
Get the “Star Wars” Crochet Kit from Amazon for $17.68
11. For the perfectionist: A needlepoint starter kit
Needlepoint is a great beginner's craft.
Embroidery is one of those crafts that requires patience and precision. It’s one of my favorite crafts for gift-giving, as you can customize your creation for the person and their interests. If you’re looking for an easy way to start, pick up a kit from Amazon that has a pattern printed on the embroidery backing, making it much easier to trace your design. These kits cost less than $10, so if you mess it up, you won’t feel guilty about having to start again.
Amazon reviewers note these kits are great for beginners as they feature simple patterns that are easy to follow. Some mention that you end up with extra string, allowing you to get a jump-start on your next project (or add a little flourish to your current one).
Get the Kissbuty Embroidery Starter Kit from Amazon for $9.99
12. For the pet parent: Cat hair craft book
Thank goodness—something you can finally do with all that cat hair.
Surely you don’t know anyone obsessed with their cat enough to craft with their hair, right? Well now you do: Hi, my name is Kate, and my two cats shed so much that I would 100% consider crafting with their excess hair. This book was made for people like me, who live in the overlapping spot of the venn diagram of cat lovers and craft enthusiasts. Within its pages, you’ll find projects that require little more than the cat hair that’s likely all around your home. It covers everything from cat toys to picture frames (no, really), and claims all projects take under an hour.
Reviewers seem to buy this book for just about anything but crafting (like as a White Elephant gift or a coffee table book), but most seem to agree that it’s also quite thorough as far as a crafting guide goes. W. Armstrong writes: “When I first saw this book, I thought it was a gag but was curious, so I ordered it. I was completely and pleasantly surprised. I save my various animals fur when I brush them but have just ziplocked them and set aside as a memento when the sad day comes that you lose them. I've now got some amazing ideas on how to display the hair with love and affection.”
Get “Crafting with Cat Hair: Cute Handicrafts to Make with Your Cat” from Chewy for $9.71
13. For the fragrance lover: A soap-making kit
Look how gorgeous these custom soap bars are!
Soap making is an intensive process, but once you see how gorgeous these bars turn out, you won’t mind. If anything, you’ll be more concerned about whether you should use your new soap or display it prominently in your bathroom as decoration. These soap-making kits from Bramble Berry include all the dyes and ingredients you’ll need to make your own artisan soaps at home.
Shop soap making kits from Bramble Berry starting at $45.99
14. For the one who enjoys a spa-like soak: A bath-bomb making kit
Make your own bath bombs as a fun art project.
Sure, you can just buy bath bombs, but where’s the fun in that? This kit from Amazon allows you to make 12 individual bath bombs at home, but you’ll need to pick up your favorite scents in the form of essential oils and food coloring to make them really pop. You can gift them, keep them, or save this kit for a fun activity at your next girls’ night.
Reviewers love how easy the kit is to use but stress that users should follow the instructions closely for the best results.
Get the Bath Bomb Making Kit from Amazon for $39.95
15. For the beauty enthusiast: Lip balm kit
Ever made your own lip balm before?
A craft that doubles as a beauty product? That sounds magical. This lip balm set from Uncommon Goods is great for those looking for a unique craft to occupy their time—were you even aware you could make your own lip balm?
Reviewers give it 4.5 stars on Uncommon Goods, noting they love the mint-cocoa smell and all-natural ingredients of beeswax, sunflower oil, and spearmint essential oil.