Welcome to Day 2 of my 2026 gift guides! Today, we’ve got the perfect starts and additions for someone (or yourself) who is looking to start an analog bag. If you haven’t heard of an analog bag, it’s tote or bag filled with screen-free, hands-on activities designed to replace smartphone scrolling and reduce digital dependency! (What a time to be alive).
one: first up, Murdle! Murdles are mysteries that you can solve with logic based on the clues. It starts easy and then each section compounds on difficulty and variables to solve for (hints and answers in the back). It’s a fun thing to bring with you on the go, and a great brain teaser to do at the end of the day.
two: these Lifelines FlowArt Activity Pads are so fun! My personal favorite of the Lifelines offerings are the ‘Dot-by-Letter’ Coloring Books! It comes with double sided markers in a carrying case that lock in to the back of the book so you never lose them! Each page is a blank canvas with letters assigned to a color (you can look up the colors they recommend or pick them on your own). They also come in mini’s if you want to use them as a stocking stuffer. So fun!
three: I discovered Q-less on TikTok and quickly added it to my own analog bag. Invented by a cute older gentleman named Tom, Q-less is a dice word game where you roll the 12 lettered dice to make words that connect. It’s so fun and I always carry it along with me in my purse.
four: I feel like a Kindle is a given for any analog bag. I am very much team BYKE (Bring Your Kindle Everywhere) and it makes a great addition to any analog bag. I got this one last Christmas and being able to load books from the Libby (library) app and read anywhere you want, anytime you want (without distraction).
five: Okay, for anyone who loves sketching or painting with watercolors, this Luchetti True-Flat™ Sketchbook is a great option to add to an analog bag or gift to an artist in your life. What’s cool about this sketchbook is that it’s “gutter-free” meaning it lays 100% flat (not common), making it easy to watercolor or sketch seamlessly from edge-to-edge!
six: And of course, if you’re getting a sketchbook, you might as well get some watercolors to tote along with it. :)
seven: I was gifted a copy of The Artist’s Way last year, and I think it is a great exploratory add to anyone’s analog bag, as it encourages you to write, journal or create everyday — perfect for someone who is looking to get creative, but unsure where to begin.
eight: Along the same lines, a journal is a great addition to an analog bag. This Five Minute Journal is a great place to begin.
nine: Or, if you’d prefer to not have a prompted journal, this plain journal is a very aesthetic addition to your bag (and would be a great companion for #7!)
ten: Any analog bag needs some sort of activity book. This one contains logic puzzles, sudoku, mazes, word searches, crosswords, acrostics, coloring, and more!
eleven: If you know me, you know I NEVER leave the house without a deck of cards in my bag. you just never know when the opportunity for a quick game will strike! This deck of cards from Bando is cute cute.
twelve: I feel like an analog bag is synonymous with crafting. if you don’t knit or crochet, but want to get into something artsy, this beginners embroidery kit from Clever Poppy is a cute way to get started!
thirteen: This mini lego set is slightly off the beaten path, yet still very analog. How fun?!!
fourteen: Annnd, finally, last but certainly least — everyone with an analog bag needs a cute caddy to hold all the analog things?! I love this canvas tote, which also includes a zipper and a few compartments for pens, needles, etc, etc.
That’s all for this one! Any items you’d add? Sound off below. See you tomorrow!
