10 best DIY activities to busy your hands & stop doomscrolling

Lately, I’ve been hunting for the best DIY (do-it-yourself) activities to have fun with. This is because I’ve been trying to avoid doomscrolling and stop my brain from rotting even further. Instead, I fill up my time with physical activities such as arts and crafts, which stop me from using my phone.

If you’re looking for somewhere to spend your time meaningfully, creating items of your own instead, I’ve got these 10 best DIY activities and where you can do them.

What makes the best DIY activity in my opinion?

• Cost: Some DIY activities are on the costlier side while others are more budget-friendly.
• Culture Pass eligibility: For even more budget-friendliness, some DIY activities allow SG culture passes to be used.
• Uniqueness: I’ve picked DIY activities which are more unique than the average doodling/painting (no shade, I do those activities too)

I didn’t number these DIY activities by quality, so pick the activity which best suits what type of DIY activity you would like to participate in. Most of these studios require advance booking as well. Get ready to head out to these 10 best unique DIY activities and have fun!

1. DIY Pixel art light box lamp: Cute Prawn Studio 

Cute Prawn Studios is a studio based in Singapore that specialises in 2D animation, comics, and merchandise. They also opened up Cute Prawn Labs, a DIY workshop space meant for art. Their first DIY activity focuses on pixel art, paying homage to their animation and comic background. They have 2 workshops for ages 12 and above: Pixel art light box lamp, which costs S$50 during their Jul promotion and S$70 from Aug onwards and Mini pixel art light box lamp, which costs S$60 during their Jul promotion and S$80 from Aug onwards.

I chose the ‘Pixel art light box lamp’ workshop for S$50 with all materials included, such as the rechargeable light box lamp itself, and the tiles needed for your pixel art. When I walked into the lab, there was a wall full of pixel art designs available for choosing. After what felt like endless deliberation, I finally chose my pixel art of choice and used the colourful tiles to arrange my pixel art lamp in the design I chose. I was given 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete my lamp, but if you choose the mini pixel art light box lamp, it would be 3 hours and 30 minutes. My final art piece is a unique mosaic tile lamp that isn’t only aesthetically pleasing, but also functional and useful.

100D Pasir Panjang Road, #05-10, Meissa 118520
+65 8521 5575
By appointment only.
Wed to Sun: 10am – 1pm & 2pm – 6pm
Closed on Mon & Tue
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2. DIY decoden activity: Pluto Studio

I finally got to try out decoden at Pluto Studio, where I paid a flat studio fee of S$20. I’ve been longing to try decoden as I really like the fluffy, over-the-top look with all the charms on the colour decoden cream. The studio fee includes 1 hour of access to their studio space, unlimited usage of their myriad of decorative charms, 1 decoden cream bag with your colour of choice and other shared decoden tools.

The other materials you may need, such as boxes, hair clips, and others to decorate, range from S$0.50 to S$20, depending on what you pick out. I picked out a heart-shaped box, which cost an extra S$12. I had prior experience using decoden cream, so it was slightly more manageable for me to pipe and control the cream how I wanted, but for my friend who had never tried piping decoden cream before, it was harder for her. I highly recommend watching some tutorials on decoden before coming to your appointment, as the DIY activity workshop is entirely self-guided.

#03-27 Queensway Shopping Centre, Singapore 149053
By appointment only.
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3. DIY tufting activity: TUFT CLUB

TUFT CLUB is a beginner-friendly DIY activity workshop where you can create your very own fluffy rug using wool yarn and a tufting gun. Prices range from S$70 for a 30x30cm rug, S$110 for a 50x50cm rug and S$150 for a 70x70cm rug. All materials are provided as well; TUFT CLUB has 140+ yarns in different colours and materials, so there is definitely enough variety for you to make your perfect rug.

I chose the 30x30cm rug workshop, which lasts for 2 hours and costs S$70 and went with my friend, which in hindsight was a great decision, as the tufting gun is quite heavy in my opinion and my arms started getting sore, so it was great to have a friend to be able to switch back and forth. I started off by picking my design of choice and using their provided projector to sketch out my image, then I matched their yarn colours to the colours in my design and started tufting it out! The expert tufters then did their magic and put the finishing touches to our rug. I received my tufting project within 4 weeks at no additional cost, as free delivery is included in the session fee.

57 Circular Road, #03-01, Singapore 049412
+65 8023 0237
Mon to Fri: 10am – 7pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 10pm
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4. DIY glass flowers activity: The Assembly Space

I really like flowers, but they are ephemeral, and I often feel sad when I have to inevitably throw them away after they start to wilt. Well, The Assembly Space solved this struggle for me with their everlasting glass flower lampwork DIY workshop! Lampworking is a type of glasswork where you melt smaller glass rods to manipulate the glass into the form you want. The Assembly Space offers 2 types of glass flower lampwork workshops: ‘First Bloom’, which is more structured with standardised flower arrangement and colour palettes, and ‘Full Bloom’, which allows for more creative freedom and exploration.

Despite being a first-timer, I wanted to be adventurous and create a glass flower that is truly my own, so I opted for the ‘Full Bloom’ lampworking class, which costs S$158 for 1 person and S$300 for 2 people. It lasted 2 hours and 30 minutes and was guided, but I got to personalise my very own flower with the colours I chose. I made 6 petals and 2 leaves, but it varies on individual pace and speed, so take your own time and have fun! The Assembly Space also provides a free vase, and I kept my glass flower in it as it makes for great decoration.

For a budget-friendly option, The Assembly Space accepts SG culture passes for their ‘First Bloom’ classes, which would cost S$56 after redemption of S$100 culture pass credits.

1 Syed Alwi Road, #04-01 Song Lin Building
+65 8805 3765
By appointment only.
Mon: 11am – 4pm
Tue: 10am – 3pm
Wed & Thu: 11am – 4pm
Fri & Sat: 10am – 4pm
Closed on Sun
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5. DIY moru doll making activity: Ina Kraft Studio

If you like all things soft, fluffy and cute, Ina Kraft Studio offers a Moru Doll DIY activity workshop at S$22 per Moru doll. Moru comes from the Korean word (모루), which translates to ‘pipe cleaner’ or ‘wire’, which is the flexible material used to craft these adorable dolls. I felt like Dr Frankenstein picking out the material I wanted my Moru doll to be in, with my options being either a fur or fleece material. There was a wide variety of colours, probably around 20 for each material, and I eventually settled on a blue colour to fully commit to the Frankenstein vibe I was feeling.

I was then guided on how to twist and bend the pipe cleaners to build my own Moru doll from scratch, after which I added accessories to my very own creation. 3 free accessories are included with each Moru doll. If you wish to doll up your Moru doll even more, extra clothes and accessories are available at S$2 to S$3 per item. While I chose to leave my Moru doll more like a plush toy, there is also a free ball chain keychain provided if you wish to attach your doll onto your bag and parade it around.

80 Changi Road, Centropod, #03-08, Singapore 419715
+65 8849 8185
Tue to Sun: 11am – 5pm
Closed on Mon
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6. DIY glass decal activity: The Cozy Cabin

When I think of glass decals, the first thing that comes to my mind is those window art glass sticker kiosks in malls where you pick out your desired illustration and fill the outlines with a variety of colours, and the staff oven-bakes your creation. (Someone please tell me they know what I’m rambling about). Well, I rarely see those kiosks around anymore, but I discovered The Cozy Cabin, which offers glass cup decal DIY activity workshops that last for 1 hour and 30 minutes for S$40. This DIY activity is suitable for ages 8 and above, so it’s kiddo-friendly as well!

I was given unlimited glass decals with various designs on them, such as flowers. There are also plain coloured glass decal papers for you to layer behind the designs for a pop of colour. For the ultra creative, you can ditch the decals with designs pre-printed on them and customise your own design by combining shapes. For example, I made a poodle using their brown decal paper by cutting 3 circles, 2 of which are smaller for the dog’s ears and 1 bigger circle for the face. The Cozy Cabin offers a variety of cup options, some requiring top-ups ranging from S$3 to S$5.

66 Tannery Lane, #05-04B Sindo Building, Singapore 347805
+65 8801 1216
By appointment only.
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Workshops in Singapore: Celebrate creative birthdays, bachelorettes & anniversaries

7. DIY Candle-making activity: Miyo candle

Miyo candle makes candles with striking similarities to actual edible desserts. Their candles are not only pretty, but functional and, of course, smell great. Miyo candle has a variety of classes, all of which pander to the sweet-toothed. They have candle-making DIY activity workshops for yummy treats like lattes, souffle pancakes, petit cakes, pudding parfait, jelly ade and ice cream cones.

8. DIY Arcade machine: RetroCade SG

RetroCade SG brings the arcade right to your house with their ‘Build Your Own Arcade Machine Workshop’. For a workshop fee of S$500 for 1 person (or player), you walk away with a 32cm(w) x 31cm(d) x 42cm(h) customised arcade machine. The DIY activity takes approximately 3 hours. The workshop is beginner-friendly, with no soldering needed, only a screwdriver.

I was guided by an experienced maker on every step from assembling the cabinet to setting up the wires and speakers, as well as wiring the very buttons and joysticks I would be playing on. Literally every piece of the arcade machine was built by me (along with some help), making this a very personal experience. I was also taught how to operate the machine and how to install games and set up different themes. Some popular games I downloaded were Street Fighter, Sonic and others.

Woodlands Street 13, Block 166 HDB Woodlands, Singapore 730166
+65 8893 4492
Mon & Tue: 10am – 4.30pm
Wed: 9am – 5pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 12.30pm
Closed on Thu & Fri
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9. DIY Needle Felting activity: ANTINORMAL

As a lover of all my little trinkets and keychains on my bag, I felt compelled to try out ANTINORMAL’s ‘Pok-a-Kid: Needle Felting Workshop’, as I don’t have a felt keychain yet and wanted to try out the process of making my own. The DIY activity workshop costs S$65 and lasts for 3 hours and 30 minutes.

During the activity, I picked from a variety of base shapes and colours for my own felt ‘kid’. I then used the needle provided to poke the wool together to bind the fibres for a firm, sculpted shape. My felt ‘kid’ was looking a little too basic for my liking, so I actually layered different colours together to breathe more life into my creation. Despite originally wanting to make a keychain, I actually decided on making my felt ‘kid’ into a necklace as I felt that was much cuter and more unique.

195 Pearl’s Hill Terrace #03-64, Singapore 168976
By appointment only.
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10. DIY Kintsugi activity: Gold & Behold

Gold & Behold is a DIY activities workshop that specialises in modern Kintsugi. If you’re wondering what Kintsugi is, it’s an ancient Japanese art of embracing imperfection by repairing broken pieces with lacquer. The lacquer is used to mend the breaks and fractures and then dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. The imperfections are highlighted instead of hidden with this technique.

‘The Healing Art of Modern Kintsugi’ workshop costs S$168.88 and includes all materials, such as a slightly imperfect piece of pottery, tools and hand-mixed pigments for the lustre. The workshop starts off with breaking the already imperfect piece of pottery. Something I like is that you can’t control how the pieces break, which reminds me of life itself: you can never control how things go all the time. I then put the pieces back together using epoxy resin mixed with their hand-mixed powders. If you tend to be a control freak like me, this might sound off-putting right now with all the uncontrollable factors, but there’s actually something cathartic about Kintsugi, and I felt relaxed after the activity.

48 Hillview Terrace, #05-02A, Singapore 669269
By appointment only.
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How to choose the right DIY activity in Singapore

Choose based on the type of project you want to take home and how much time or budget you have. Pluto Studio, Ina Kraft Studio, ANTINORMAL and Miyo candle are suitable for shorter, lower-cost sessions, while TUFT CLUB, The Cozy Cabin and Cute Prawn Studio offer practical items that take longer to complete.

If you want to learn a specialised craft, The Assembly Space provides guided lampworking, while Gold & Behold introduces the reflective process of modern Kintsugi. For a larger commitment, RetroCade SG lets you build a working arcade machine from scratch. As most DIY workshops require advance booking, the right choice depends on your interests, budget and the experience you want to create.

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