For some digital detox, look to the latest in craft kits

Digital diversions may have us tethered to tech, but screen fatigue is real. Even my digitally-native, young-millennial kids prefer printed books these days. And a recent weekend together at home had us busting out some craft kits.

There might have been Netflix in the background, but everybody’s hands were busy with markers, paper clay and pompoms. We all agreed that being hands-on creative, instead of tapping with our fingers, was a simple and satisfying distraction we wanted more of.

Many people, apparently, can relate. Among the innovative gadgets and gizmos at recent toy and consumer products fairs were lots of booths offering kits that explore art, science and a lot in between.

Several newly launched craft kits caught the eye of James Zahn, senior editor of The Toy Insider. One is Purple Ladybug’s groovy Prismic art, geared toward crafters age 12 and up.

“These 3D ‘puzzles’ are essentially works of art,” said Zahn. Six styles are available; you fold and connect the pieces to form a sparkly lantern, USB-powered light string included.

“My 14-year-old daughter and I have enjoyed building these together," he said.

Zahn also mentioned a collab between two well-known toy brands: On its 50th anniversary, Playmobil has teamed up with Crayola to relaunch the Playmobil Color collection. You can use Crayola markers to color plastic clothing and vehicles for Playmobil's little figurines. Zahn himself is drawn to the Hot Rod or Motorbike set.

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of Sanrio’s Hello Kitty character.

Among the related new toys: The Woobles’ Cuteness Overload Bundle has crochet projects to make Kitty, her friends Cinnamoroll and My Melody, plus extras like a milk bottle, rose and star. Crochet tutorials are geared for left and right handers.

“Pottery as a classic craft picked up steam again during the pandemic,” Zahn says. “Blue Marble’s National Geographic Hobby Series Pottery Wheel is one recent intro that’s showing some staying power.”

The kit comes with everything kids and grown-ups need to throw a pot or figure, but it uses air-dry clay, so there’s no need for a kiln or oven.

No wheel here, but Ooly’s Creatibles Air Dry Clay Kit has 12 lumps of colorful clay plus three plastic sculpting tools; once you’ve made your creation, it just needs a few hours to sit and dry.

And is there a category Taylor Swift hasn’t touched?

“Proving that classic play patterns always come back into vogue, the Swifties have put friendship bracelets back on the map,” says Zahn. Cra-Z-Art’s Shimmer Sparkle Fashion Bead Bracelets come with embroidery yarns, elastic cord, alphabet beads, pony shapes, and iridescent, frosted and metallic beads.

Lindsey Gaimei of The Dalles, Oregon, started a laser engraving business in her garage several years ago, which soon morphed into a shop making homemade craft kits. “When the pandemic hit, we wanted to create something for families to enjoy from the comfort of their home,” she said.

Her Woodsy Craft Co kits come with laser-cut wood figures, pompoms, string, markers and other bits to create decorative garlands. The Wilderness Kit has wildlife and pine trees to color and string; other kits feature themes like mushrooms, feathers and llamas.

Marisa Jones Issa of Los Angeles likes the convenience of craft kits for her 10-year-old daughter.

“Samantha’s obsessed with slime,” Issa says. “She just received a National Geographic Mega Slime & Putty Lab Kit for her birthday, and it included DIY ingredients as well as small containers for the slime and putty. A kit’s much easier for parents! When she makes slime from scratch, I find glue or shaving cream or contact solution all over the place.”

The slime lab kit comes with magnetic, fluffy, color-changing and bouncy putties as well as a glow-in-the-dark slime lab.

Issa likes its source, too: “With the Nat Geo label, I know she’s also learning about science.”

For budding stitchers, there are wee embroidery hoop kits with stencils of mushrooms, cats, deer, flowers, birds and a ladybug.

Skillmatics’ Foil Fun gives kids a canvas background of sea, forest or outer space, and an array of colorful foil stickers to design a scene.

For adults, the self-expression and satisfaction of crafting can be something of a stress-reliever.

KiwiCo has some kits for older kids that adults might enjoy assembling. There’s a bubble machine, a walking robot, a remote-controlled snake and light-up wire-art kits, among other offerings.

You can decorate your own playing cards with a kit from Kikkerland. The back pattern’s whimsical doodle is by Spanish artist Hector Serrano; the front is blank, so you can personalize it with supplied markers.

Also at Kikkerland are kits to make an old-timey, wind-up music box, with cylinders that play tunes like “Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star” and “Frere Jacques.” There's also a kit to make a harmonica.

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New York-based writer Kim Cook covers design and decor topics regularly for The AP. Follow her on Instagram at @kimcookhome.

For more AP Lifestyles stories, go to https://apnews.com/hub/lifestyle.

This product image released by Purple Ladybug shows a Prismic art kit in the shape of a dog . The 3D puzzle is geared toward crafters age 12 and up. (Purple Ladybug/The Toy Insider via AP)

This product image released by Playmobil shows the craft kit for Playmobil Color: Fashion Show Designer with Clothes and Accessories. (Playmobil/The Toy Insider via AP)

This product image released by Blue Marble/The Toy Insider shows Blue Marble’s National Geographic Hobby Series Pottery Wheel kit. (Blue Marble/The Toy Insider via AP)

This product image released by Cra-Z-Art/The Toy Insider shows the Cra-Z-Art’s Shimmer Sparkle Fashion Bead Bracelets kit. (Cra-Z-Art/The Toy Insider via AP)

This product image released by The Woobles/The Toy Insider shows crochet craft projects featuring Sanrio’s Hello Kitty characters. (The Woobles/The Toy Insider via AP)

This product image released by The Woobles/The Toy Insider shows a crochet craft project featuring Sanrio’s Hello Kitty character. (The Woobles/The Toy Insider via AP)

This image released by KiwiCo shows components for a remote controlled snake. (KiwiCo via AP)

This product image released by KiwiCo shows components for a walking robot kit. (KiwiCo via AP)

This image shows a display from the Snowflake Kit, one of Woodsy Craft Co’s kits which include felt balls, markers, thread and an array of themed lasercut wood decorations. (Kim Cook via AP)

This product image released by Blue Marble/The Toy Insider shows items from Blue Marble’s National Geographic Mega Slime & Putty Lab Kit. (Blue Marble/The Toy Insider via AP)

The eldest son of President-elect Donald Trump arrived in Greenland on Tuesday for a private visit that heightened speculation that the incoming U.S. administration could seek to take control of the mineral-rich Danish territory that's home to a large U.S. military base.

The Danish state broadcaster reported that Donald Trump Jr.'s plane landed in Nuuk, capital of the vast and icy Arctic territory that has some 57,000 residents. Local media broadcast footage of him walking across a snowy tarmac.

In a statement, Greenland's government said Trump Jr.'s visit would take place “as a private individual” and not as an official visit and that Greenlandic representatives would not meet with him. Greenland is an autonomous territory that’s part of Denmark.

Trump Jr. is in Greenland for a day trip to shoot video content for podcasting, according to a person familiar with the plans who was not authorized to speak publicly.

Mininguaq Kleist, permanent secretary for the Greenland foreign affairs department, told The Associated Press that authorities were informed that Trump Jr. would stay for about four to five hours.

Neither Trump Jr.'s delegation nor Greenlandic government officials had requested a meeting, Kleist said.

The visit nonetheless had political overtones. The president-elect recently voiced a desire — also expressed during his first presidency — to acquire the territory in the Arctic, an area of strategic importance for the U.S, China, Russia and others.

The world’s largest island, Greenland sits between the Atlantic and Arctic oceans and is 80% covered by an ice sheet.

“I am hearing that the people of Greenland are ‘MAGA.’ My son, Don Jr., and various representatives, will be traveling there to visit some of the most magnificent areas and sights,” the president-elect posted on his social media site Monday night, referring to his “Make America Great Again” movement.

“Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our nation,” Trump wrote. “We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside world. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!”

Greenland’s Prime Minister Múte Egede has called for independence from Denmark, saying in a New Year’s speech that it would be a way for Greenland to free itself from its colonial past. But Egede has also said he has no interest in Greenland becoming part of the United States, insisting that the island is not for sale.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Tuesday that the future of Greenland would be decided by Greenland, and called the United States Denmark’s most important ally.

Denmark’s King Frederik X has been asserting the kingdom's rights to Greenland as well as the Faroe Islands, a self-governing archipelago located between Iceland and Norway in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Last month, the king changed Denmark's coat of arms to include fields that represent Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Greenland is represented by a silver bear with red tongue. The royal announcement noted that since 1194, the royal coat of arms “visually symbolized the legitimacy and sovereignty of the state and the monarch.”

“We are all united and each of us committed for the Kingdom of Denmark,” the king said in his New Year’s address, adding: “all the way to Greenland.”

During his first term, the U.S. president-elect mused about purchasing Greenland, which gained home rule from Denmark in 1979. He canceled a scheduled trip to Denmark in August 2019 after its prime minister dismissed the idea.

Reviving the issue in a statement last month as he announced his pick for U.S. ambassador to Denmark, Trump wrote: “For purposes of national security and freedom throughout the world, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.”

Trump’s eldest son has become a prominent player in his father’s political movement and has served on his presidential transition team, helping to select the people who will staff the incoming White House.

FILE - Donald Trump Jr., speaks at a campaign rally, Nov. 5, 2024, in Grand Rapids, Mich. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

FILE - A view of the village of Kangaamiut in Greenland, Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)

FILE - People walk in the town of Aasiaat, in western Greenland, located on its namesake island in the heart of Aasiaat Archipelago at the southern end of Disko Bay, in Greenland, Saturday, June 29, 2024. (Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)

FILE - A view of the Danish fleet's frigate Triton, off the village of Attu in Greenland, Monday, July 1, 2024. (Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)

FILE - A child plays in front of a residential block in Sisimiut, Greenland, Tuesday, July 2, 2024. (Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)

FILE - Local residents walk in the settlement Attu, in the Qeqertalik municipality, western Greenland, Monday, July 1, 2024. (Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)