After spending all day in front of a screen, the last thing I want to do is gaze into another screen. Or two. And yet, I do. I enjoy unwinding at the end of the night with a show—or I want to hang out with my kids as we watch something, even if the episode isn’t exactly my cup of cold brew—but I often find that I need to keep my hands busy.

Otherwise, I’ll find a random chore to tackle first (attack of the shoulds!), or I’ll start second-screening. Sometimes, I work on being fully present, but there are other times where I try to find a win for everyone: a little creative project that helps refuel me without requiring me to totally disconnect from the rest of my family.

Can you relate?

I’ve found a happy medium is looking for an easy craft that doesn’t require my full, undivided attention but still feels rewarding to tackle. It’s something you can work on that’s for you—not part of your to-do list—and ideally work on in small bursts without totally losing your place. I’ve also learned there’s a wide berth in what’s considered an “easy” craft, so after tackling a ton, here are the ones I’d recommend for makers of every stage—along with what you should know before trying it yourself.

Psst: If there’s a craft I’ve left out, please let me know! You can comment below or DM me: @lifebetweenweekends on Instagram.

1. Emily Lex Studio Watercolor Workbook

• Learning Curve: Almost none
• How Long Does It Take? Up to 30ish minutes per painting

Sometimes you want to paint something pretty—or at least attempt it—but you don’t necessarily want to hang it up. Skip the canvas; start with this ultra-portable notebook. The paper is heavy, so your paint doesn’t bleed through the pages, and each spread features a different sketch and basic instructions to help you bring the image to life. I have the baking one, but next up, I plan on tackling her beach workbook, as well as this floral number.

Note: You’ll need to provide your own paint brushes and paint set, as those are not included. This $20 set has everything you need without taking up much space.

2. Jonathan Adler Punch Needle Kit

• Learning Curve: About 10 minutes to get the technique, then it’s almost muscle memory
• How Long Does It Take? 20 hours (but you can start/stop at any time)

My current project! While I was daunted by the 20-hour time commitment listed in the instructions, the activity itself is so simple and easy to start and stop at any time that I can work on it in small batches. It’s basically like a stabbier version of paint by numbers or tracing, so you can easily hold a conversation or hang out while you do it. (It’s great for getting any aggression out at the end of the day, in that sense.)

Once you get the canvas taut on its hoop, you basically thread a punch needle and stab, stab, stab to trace and fill in the canvas. It’s oddly soothing, though after 40ish minutes, my hand tends to get a little sore. My grip may be a bit too intense though.

3. Makesy Starter Candle Kit

• Learning Curve: Minimal; you just follow the instructions
• How Long Does It Take? 30ish minutes

I’ve been into candlemaking for the past six years, and while I’ve gotten into customizing every aspect of the process, there are a few simple kits that make the process as simple as microwaving popcorn. This one requires a smidge more effort and focus—melting the wax in the pouring pitcher via double boiler (so definitely no second-screening here!), then adding in the wax, stirring and pouring. Still, pretty simple—with a very satisfying end result.

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4. Woobles Crochet Kit

• Learning Curve: Medium; expect to have some rounds of trial and error
• How Long Does It Take? 2-3 hours (but you can start/stop at any time)

I’ve tried to learn to crochet a few times, and by far, the Woobles offer the best tutorials I’ve come across. Each kit comes with a QR code that you scan, offering a short, pause-able video for each step. (That’s crucial, because if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to stop and rewind certain bits to ensure you’ve got the stitching technique down.)

That said, this does have a learning curve that can be frustrating, particularly if you want something you can immediately zone out and tackle. But once you get the basic stitches down, it starts to become rhythmic, and you can crochet while hanging out with your kids or waiting for an appointment.

I started with Lana the Alpaca (from the brand’s Advent Calendar) and now I’m working on Pierre the Penguin (both beginner projects), and my goal is to order Chattermax from Bluey—a beginner+ project) next.

5. Mini Paint-by-Numbers Kit

• Learning Curve: None; just patience to fill in those tiny spots
• How Long Does It Take? less than an hour

I know what you’re thinking: Paint-by-Numbers kits are for kids. But Michaels has launched a line of mini kits with ornate frames that have a whimsical-yet-elevated spin. They’re actually things you’d want to hang up afterward, with intricate enough detail that nobody realizes they’re paint-by-number. (In fact, multiple people have asked me where I got my tiny swan painting.)

The frame can stand up, but it also has a heavy-duty magnet for hanging too, and best of all, this project is like a massage for your brain. You can zone out and let your mind wander as you go, and it takes less than an hour to complete. It’s the perfect naptime project, honestly.