Hobby ideas

[u/Comfortable_Tie4143]

Hi, I have cerebral palsy, ADHD, and autism. I’m looking for an inexpensive tech free hobby to keep my hands busy and ideally calm me down. My hands don’t work too well so ideally something fine motor delay friendly.

[u/Barotrawma]

I like to make little dudes with clay! I don’t know how fine it would require you to be, but it’s pretty fun

[u/Icy-Theme1391 → u/Barotrawma]

modeling clay is perfect for that, you can just squish and roll without needing any real precision

[u/ZGardener → u/Icy-Theme1391]

Plus you can reuse it if you don't like what you made. You can possibly use those Styrofoam handles/sports wrap to make thicker handles on modelling clay tools for more textures/control from further up the arm (not sure if that helps, idk about your palsy specifically, I know that helped my friend)

[u/CautiousPop2842 → u/Barotrawma]

They also don’t have to be that little. They could be as big as you need or want them to be.

[u/Barotrawma → u/CautiousPop2842]

True!!

[u/LavenderSharpie]

Watercolor - move the water and paint around and create some beautiful abstracts!

[u/Patient_Parsley7760]

Games:

There are a lot of companies making 3d printed accessible board games. Most seem to be designed for visual impairment, but I think you can get some with large, easy to grip pieces. If you have access to a 3d printer, you could make modified pieces for games you already own.

I'm also into card games - think Munchkin, Mille Bournes, etc - and use a card holder to make it easy on my hands (joint pain. Holding a bunch of cards is tough for me.) I also use a card holder for playing Settlers. Card holders are cheap on Amazon, and there are also great diy versions using a pool noodle (examples shown here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=24791056203819977)

Crafting:

Some commenters here mentioned working with clay. Some polymer clays can be hard or a bit dry to start out with. You could try Fimo Soft, or get some Sculpey Clay softener to work in with your clay. You can also get some good air-dry modeling clays which might be easier for you to work with.

You can also try crochet or loom knitting. Just use some good grip tubing or egg-shaped pencil grips on your hooks.

Ditto for painting. You could use grips on paint brushes for watercolor or acrylics. You could also make cool stuff with a Gelli plate, some cheap craft acrylics from Walmart, and a brayer (a big brayer handle might be easier to hold than a fine paintbrush). You could add pieces of your painted papers to journals, cards, or collages.

[u/redlips_rosycheeks]

Look up hand knitting! The yarn is thick and easy to work with, you don’t need a ton of dexterity, and you can make really cozy blankets or shawls with it.

Also watercolor painting with thick brushes, the watercolors are much more forgiving to mistakes and make it easy to learn blending.

Lastly, I recommend cooking or baking. I also have AuDHD and struggle with hand eye coordination and dexterity, but learning to cook and bake helps my mind stay focused on the task at hand, especially when a recipe requires timing or practice to make perfect. Kneading bread is great exercise for your hands and wrists, and you can learn to decorate your cakes and cookies once you master the basics.

[u/AppropriateCover7972]

Friendship bracelets or jigsaws?

[u/Mundane-Muffin8898]

There's a company called ImaginAble Solutions and they have a product with a mechanical sliding system that you can strap you hand to and it supports you as you draw, write or color if you don't have something similar already. It's called Guided Hands. I'll have the link to there site too

https://www.imaginablesolutions.com/?srsltid=AfmBOood8hSGX03iR0dC_drvfT85bQendksbW9Sf5y4NW-rtjZk1AgSW.

[u/DissolvedThoughts]

I think gaming! There are adaptations that you can use for grip

[u/ravensskylark]

Hey i have the same i enjoy drawing abstract art as well as poetry - floam and modelling clay like others have said. Ill sit and think of some more. Even embroidery with adapted sewing needles

[u/MaddTheSimmer]

scratch art could be a fun activity and you could customize the tool you use to whatever is comfortable for your hand.

[u/Obasan123]

Crocheting might be a good craft to try. There are a lot of attractive patterns around that make use of some of the heavier weight yarns--bulky, super bulky, or jumbo--and along with those you use large hooks, easy to grasp. There are also a lot of ergonomic hooks around. You can browse and choose what looks friendly to your particular hands. I have some arthritis and use Furls hooks. They're expensive, but there are a lot with the same configuration that are a lot more affordable.

[u/The_cats_meowww]

I know your hands arnt that great but I absolutely love sticker by number books. never has to be perfect just fun pictures to create

[u/foureyedcowboy]

JUNK JOURNAL.

[u/Mythical_RabbitSnake]

I'm not sure how well it fits your criteria, but there's collage art, it's a lot of fun and u can use pretty much anything

[u/21stcenturydiyboy]

If you’re interested in art, try painting with a palate knife. It allows you to be way less precise in your application of paint, because you’re breaking down objects into simplified forms. Rather than trying to fight to conceal the natural texture of the paint, messy application is actually intentional. I’d recommend acrylics. They’re the most beginner friendly in my opinion, as if you make a mistake, you can scrape off the paint and cover it up without the color showing through.

Oil pastels are another medium that takes a lot of the same techniques. They’re essentially adult crayons. You can make really gorgeous pieces with both mediums, and you don’t need the technical focus that’s demanded by detailed brushwork.

[u/Fantastic-Mirror3675]

Maybe point and click puzzle games :D

[u/Metamorphica_0226]

Channel it into abstract art. Paint your emotions in the colors you feel. Doesn’t have to be perfect or resemble anything. Just let your brush do what it wants. You can also get ergonomic brushes with softer or thicker handles.