Looking to unplug from your phone? Here are 16 hobbies, games and crafts our editors love

If you’re looking for ways to unwind, get some stress relief or spend quality time with loved ones, a hobby is a great way to add some fun and relaxation to your routine. With countless board games, craft kits and outdoor activities to choose from, it can be tricky to find activities that spark your interest while still being beginner-friendly. So, to get inspiration, I reached out to the CNN Underscored team for games, craft kits and hobbies they love and rely on to disconnect from the stress of the day.

Whether you’re looking to stay off your phone for a few hours or learn a new skill, here are our editors’ favorite games, puzzles and hobby-themed kits that are perfect for unwinding.

Nautilus Puzzles Van Gogh 'Sunflowers' Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle

Recently, puzzling has become one of my go-to activities with friends and family. It's a fun way to spend time together and unwind while sitting around the table and chatting. This wooden jigsaw puzzle is one of my favorites: It's just the right amount of challenging, the pieces feel sturdy and the colors are bright and vibrant. I especially love how each piece is unique and some are shaped like sunflowers, Van Gogh, a vase and other creative, art-related shapes. It makes the experience feel more whimsical! — Stephanie Luna, editorial coordinator

Sunday Club Subscription

I’m the type of person who has trouble relaxing (it always feels like there’s something more productive I should be doing), but Sunday Club really helps me slow down. The service sends you newspapers filled with all kinds of games, puzzles and brainteasers, and I've really enjoyed sitting down with a pencil and working through those activities while I drink my coffee on weekend mornings. — Amina Lake Patel, home and gifts editor

Yellow Mountain Imports Chinese Mahjong Set

I’ve been getting into mahjong this year and love how tactile the game is; however, the tiles are bulky and can take up a lot of space. This travel-friendly set is slightly smaller than your average mahjong tiles and it comes with a convenient carrying case. As a novice player, I was happy it also came with clear instructions and reminders for gameplay. — Sophie Shaw, fashion and beauty editor

Spin Master Tetris: The Board Game

I never imagined Tetris making for an entertaining board game, but after several raucous play sessions with friends, I can confirm that it does. Tetris: The Board Game title brilliantly translates the addicting brick-busting action of the original into a strategic turn-based contest in which you try to create lines using the series' iconic shapes (and send debris to your opponents to mess up their flow). There's a really devilish sense of satisfaction that comes with blocking your friends from racking up high scores, and because you draw blocks randomly, no two games play out exactly the same. It's an easy recommendation for family game night, though it may put some of your relationships to the test. — Mike Andronico, senior tech editor

Worthofbest Rhinestones Bedazzling Kit

Bedazzling random things has been all over my Instagram feed, so this past winter, I decided to give it a whirl, as I was spending so much time on my couch anyway. This timed well with the retirement of the beloved Metro Card, so I decided to tackle this as my first challenge, and now I have it displayed in my home. The activity was so soothing, and as a perfectionist Virgo, it scratched my precision itch. Now I need to figure out what to bling out next! — Tamara Kraus, senior lifestyle editor

Posca Canvas Paint-by-Number Kit in Sea & Sky

I love doing paint-by-number kits because they're so relaxing. And this particular one from Posca is more exciting and mess-free compared to other kits I've used. It comes with two pre-drawn canvases and eight colorful Posca markers. I did one canvas on my own while relaxing and watching a movie, and the other with friends as a nice way to decompress and chat while we painted. Plus, once you're done with the kit, you can reuse the Posca markers for other art projects in the future. — Stephanie Luna, editorial coordinator

Wool and the Gang Juna Top Beginner Crochet Kit

I’ve been looking for a way to cut down my screen time for some time now, and given that I’m always looking for fun and interesting pieces to add to my wardrobe, crochet felt like a good fit as a new hobby. I found Wool and the Gang’s crochet kits after a quick Google search and loved that the crochet patterns felt like pieces I would actually wear in my daily life. This beginner kit has been easy to follow, and I appreciate that the directions and online videos clearly illustrate the different kinds of stitches needed to complete the project. The kit comes with everything you need to get the job done, and though it’s a bit higher of an upfront cost, I’ve found the brand’s guides a lot simpler to follow compared to other crochet patterns I’ve attempted. Plus, the convenience of having all the materials in one package and the excitement of new projects being dropped on the regular makes it even easier to decide what to create next. — Jillian Tracy, associate editor

Nex Playground

At a time when console gaming is getting more complicated and expensive, there's something refreshing about the Nex Playground, a compact, camera-powered cube in which your body is the controller and every game will get you moving. I've had a blast slicing melons in "Fruit Ninja," swaying to the beat of modern pop hits in "Starri" and knocking down buckets in "Basketball Knockout," all of which feel surprisingly responsive for a system that doesn't rely on any controllers or external sensors. And while it's built for families, it's not just a mere kids toy; I was able to get a legit workout, thanks to titles like "Box Flow Fitness."

On top of being a great way to stay active, the $299 Nex Playground is a great alternative to the PS5 and Xbox Series X for any younger gamers in your life, especially since those platforms continue to balloon in price. I look forward to many more hours showing it off to my friends and nephews (and using it by myself to work up an easy sweat in the living room). — Mike Andronico, senior tech editor

Nocs Provisions Field Issue 8x32 Binoculars

These are great beginner bird-watching binoculars because of how much value they offer for the price. They’re more compact than the competition but still provide impressive visuals, so you’re getting portability without sacrificing quality. And if you’re self-conscious about being a rookie birder, I love that these binoculars actually carry some confidence-building swag. The colors don’t make the optics work better; they’re just fun! — Joe Bloss, associate testing writer

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Hasbro Scrabble Slam Card Game

As a writer, naturally, I’m a fan of word games. This fast-paced, portable spin on Scrabble keeps me on my toes. The goal is to race against other players and use up all of your cards, changing the starting four-letter word one letter at a time. — Sophie Shaw, fashion and beauty editor

Bam Bird Boutique Classic Mahjong Travel Tile Set

I recently started getting in to mahjong; in fact, I just wrote an entire gift guide about it! I received a version of this stunning travel tile set last year, and it's so lightweight and easy to take on the go. And trust me: The sound of the tiles shuffling is so soothing. — Tamara Kraus, senior lifestyle editor

Kubiya Games Heart Tangram

This puzzle game is simple, yet can be deceptively challenging. The goal is to create the shape on the card using the wooden blocks. It comes with two sets of the pieces so you can play against a friend, but I also find it almost meditative to just play by myself. — Sophie Shaw, fashion and beauty editor

Loops & Threads Aida Cloth Cross-Stitch Fabric

I've been using Loops & Threads embroidery tools for years now, and I love how this fabric is sturdy yet easy to cut, so it works for different-sized projects and it lasts me a long time. I also recommend the Loops & Threads bamboo hoop since it comes in multiple sizes, and the colorful floss. I used all three tools to make this floral embroidery project I have hanging on my wall. It was the first embroidery project I ever made, and I still use the same tools, as they're easy to work with. — Stephanie Luna, editorial coordinator

Moleskine Classic Softcover Notebook in Squared/Grid

The wide range of high-quality, affordable notebooks from Moleskine makes them not only a great entry point for beginner journalers but a great value. The brand offers them in an array of colors, designs, styles and sizes sure to suit anyone's needs, and while I personally love a squared and gridded page for bullet journaling, lined and blank Moleskines are great for diary-style journaling and sketching or decorative journaling, respectively, too. — Daniel Toy, copy chief

General Tools 370-6 Horseshoe Magnet

Painting my nails is one of my favorite ways to decompress and relax at the end of the day. I love experimenting with different colors and nail art, so this horseshoe magnet has been one of my most-used recent additions to my nail tool box. I use it with my magnetic nail polishes, such as the pink to orange color-shifting ILNP Misfit shade, to get a velvet effect. Simply rest your finger on the magnet for a few seconds after applying each coat to get that velvet, color-shifting effect. I also recommend a magnetic wand for a sharp stripe nail color design. Some of my favorites to achieve a magnetic line design are Mooncat's Pandora's Box polish and the Bloodbender color. — Stephanie Luna, editorial coordinator

Arcade1Up 'NBA Jam' Deluxe 2-Player Home Arcade Cabinet

I've had this beauty of an arcade machine in my home for almost two years now, and it still gets play to this day. Arcade1Up's "NBA Jam" Deluxe is a largely faithful replica of the cabinet I've dropped a lifetime of quarters into since childhood, with arcade-accurate artwork, reliable controls and access to three versions of the game ("NBA Jam," "NBA Jam Tournament Edition" and the highly underrated "NBA Hangtime"), complete with online play. I particularly love this two-player variation, which is extra slim and fits nicely into my small apartment. More crucially, "NBA Jam" is still a blast to play today, as made evident the my many sessions I've spent yelling over slam dunks with friends. If this stand-up model is out of your budget, there's also a compact $150 Countercade version that's perfect for any tabletop. — Mike Andronico, senior tech editor

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CNN Underscored editors and writers ensure every product included in an article is thoroughly vetted and something we ourselves would feel comfortable buying and using. Our team has many decades of collective experience researching, testing and recommending products across every category — from fashion and food, to home goods and health, to electronics and everything in between — and we’re committed to using that expertise to help you make the most of your money and live a better life.

For this article, CNN Underscored editorial coordinator Stephanie Luna asked the CNN Underscored team for their favorite games, activities and hobbies that help them unwind and decompress.

Some information for this report was gathered via edition.cnn.com.