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I’ve been known to delete Instagram from my phone for weeks on end, only to reinstall it to respond to DMs from my loved ones. It’s a nice respite for me to get out into the world, so l love this new trend of “grandma hobbies” as a way to decrease doomscrolling. One of these “grandma hobbies” includes creating an “analog bag,” a catchall to hold books, crafts, and other at-home hobbies that don’t involve your phone. Here are 24 products to build yours.
A box of assorted cards for every situation…
2026 is the year I want to bring back letter writing, and this set from Rifle Paper Co. is helping me do just that. It comes with 15 gorgeous cards for birthdays, thank yous, or if you just want to send an uplifting note. I love that the box is actually sturdy enough for storage, with tab dividers to keep everything organized.
A snail mail subscription…
As I’ve mentioned, 2026 is the year that I don’t mind spending a tiny bit more on things that help me get offline. This snail mail subscription is around the price of a single latte and comes with artwork, stickers, and other inserts you can use for scrapbooking or journaling.
A fidget toy and puzzle in one…
Last year, one of my biggest resolutions was to be able to pick up a Rubik’s Cube in any position and solve it. Addicted to doomscrolling, I wanted to do it as a tactile way to break the habit. I can confirm that I did successfully accomplish that goal, so now I use it as a great fidget toy to keep on hand for meetings or stressful moments. Its small size means you can easily fit it in your own analog bag, too.
A guided journal for slowing down…
I knew Ordinary Habit for its frameable, design-forward puzzles (I’m particularly loving these mini 100-piece ones). The small, women-owned brand just launched this For Now guided journal. It’s gorgeous and has prompts for list-making, doodling, reflections, and more. Want more stationery recs? Check out my latest story here.
An editor-approved tote to hold all your hobbies…
Lands’ End’s iconic Pocket Canvas Tote is my tote of choice. It has multiple pockets and compartments to keep things organized without having to put everything in pouches. But what I like most is that it’s sturdy without being overly stiff. You can use it to house your crafts and analog hobbies, for farmer’s market runs and errands, or for commuting.
A nonintimidating journal for remembering your day…
Leuchtturm1917 is famous for its dotted journals, but I’ve been eyeing this slightly guided option. It has slots for you to jot down a couple of lines a day over the course of five years, which makes documenting your life (and looking back on it) nearly effortless.
A watercolor guidebook for beginners…
No matter how crafty you are (or aren’t), these guidebooks from Emily Lex Studio are so much fun. Each book follows a different theme and comes with pre-drawn guides and instructions on how to paint each illustration. Another solid option if you’re entering a screen-free year.
An adult coloring book that isn’t overly detailed…
One Skimm’r put us on to these in our newsletter series, (Not So) Silly Little Treat, and they’re perfect if you’re wanting to color something that isn’t complicated. Each page of this mini book has one very basic picture. They come in countless themes, so pick a set and get coloring. It’s our new favorite midday break.
A crochet kit for beginners…
Yarn crafts are so back and ideal if you want to do something with your hands that doesn’t involve scrolling. These kits from The Woobles allow you to make an adorable mini plush toy. You can pick from iconic characters like Harry Potter, Snoopy, and more. If you’re looking to get into the hobby and feel intimidated, try this brand out. You’ll get everything you need, from yarn and needles to stuffing.
An at-home clay kit that doesn’t cost a ton…
Pottery is yet another hobby having a resurgence, but classes can get incredibly expensive. Because of that, Sculpd became a fast favorite amongst the team for its easy at-home kits that provide everything you need, from air-drying clay and glazes to tools. The instructions are simple to follow and we love checking out their Instagram for inspiration.
A screen-free version of all your favorite New York Times games…
New York Times game devotees will appreciate this hardcover version of their favorite in-app puzzles. From Wordle to Spelling Bee, the Times has pulled together an analog iteration of their fan-favorite games. Just grab a pencil.
A marker set, which is key for any analog bag…
Whether you use it for the coloring book listed above or for freehand sketching of your own, any at-home artist deserves this set of double-sided, vibrantly colored markers. The brush side of the markers is great for looser strokes, and the angled chisel side offers tighter control. The full set includes 48 smudge-free markers that can even be refilled with fresh ink when necessary.
A coloring book that can be sent around the world…
Coloring books aren’t just for kids, and this set of color-me-in postcards proves just that. For friends who like to relax at home on the weekend, this is a fun, chill activity to have on hand. Each card has a cutesy illustration on the front, and a blank back perfect for personalized notes.
The paint-by-numbers kit we keep going back to…
The number one reason we love Paint Anywhere’s Paint by Number kits: The designs are so chic we actually want to display them in our homes. Each kit starts at $32, depending on the size you go for. You’ll get all the brushes and corresponding numbered paints you’ll need to complete the project. If you’re a beginner, we recommend starting with their mini-sized prints.
Mini candles that’ll burn for 20 minutes so you can unplug…
Think of them as an easy way to dedicate a set amount of time to yourself and step away from your phone, other people, and work. As the candle burns, do something that centers you: work out, read, stretch, or meditate. Once the candle burns out, you can step back into your daily responsibilities with a much clearer mind.
An easy way to shop indie bookstores online…
If you can’t make it to your local bookstore but still want to support it, look to Bookshop. Our Reads editors recently placed a big order and loved that they were able to select their local bookstore of choice while shopping on the site. Once you select your go-to bookstore, they’ll get full profit from your purchase. And yes, Bookshop literally has everything.
An underrated brain game that we’re calling this year’s biggest trend…
Hear me out: I really think word searches are going to have their moment this year. Especially with the Traveler’s Notebook craze of keeping a bunch of books in one stack, the word search is an easy addition to that rotation. This one is filled with 100 puzzles featuring stress-relieving words, which I can definitely get behind.
A cult-favorite game that’ll have you forgetting about your phone…
There’s nothing a little Monopoly Deal can’t fix. This card version of the classic board game allows rounds to be played in as little as 15 minutes. In order to win, you have to collect three property sets of cards. Perfect if you want a quick break, since all you need is two players.
An adorable upgrade to mancala…
Mancala is another one of those games that’s both underrated and addicting. To play, you’ll evenly distribute four pieces into each slot. Then, each player will take turns moving stones into each slot counterclockwise until one side is empty. The side with the most pieces is the winning side. This version from Bando is a design-forward version of the game with a gingham print and fruit-shaped pieces. Keep it in your analog bag or display on your coffee table.
Guidebooks to junk-journaling and memory-collecting…
One of my most healing, wholesome Instagram follows is Martina Calvi, a creator known for her scrapbook and junk-journaling spreads. Within the last couple of years, she’s released two books: one with junk-journaling prompts for beginners and one all about collecting random things like postcards, receipts, and other materials to help you retain memories.
A hardcover planner to keep everything in one place…
One of the biggest ways to go analog this year? By putting your digital calendar to paper. Our editors all rave about Papier’s variety of journals and planners, and this dated one is structured, while still feeling flexible. It has month-to-month views, spreads for goal setting, and weekly spreads for keeping track of important events.
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