What Is Similar to Paint by Numbers? 7 Creative Alternatives

What is similar to paint by numbers? A quick answer

What is similar to paint by numbers? Diamond painting is the closest alternative, followed by colour-by-numbers, embroidery, cross-stitch and other guided art kits. Each gives you a pattern to follow, small repeated actions to focus on, and a finished piece to display without starting with a blank canvas.

Diamond painting replaces paint with small resin pieces placed on a printed design, creating a raised, sparkling texture. Colour-by-numbers uses coloured pencils, pens or watercolours on marked sections, while embroidery and cross-stitch use thread and fabric for a softer, tactile finish. Watercolour by numbers offers a guided painting process with lighter washes and a different level of control.

You can also keep the same hobby feeling by choosing a different canvas size, adding paint by numbers accessories, or making the project personal with a custom paint by numbers kit from a photograph. Opt for a close match if you want the familiar rhythm of numbered sections, or try thread, textured pieces and watercolour for the same calm concentration with a different finish.

Diamond painting: the closest cousin

Diamond painting is probably the closest alternative to paint by numbers because it uses the same guided, step-by-step process. You place small resin “diamonds” on a sticky canvas with a special pen, matching each colour to a numbered chart. The image appears gradually, giving you a clear task for each session and a finished piece to display.

The main difference is the feel of the work. Paint by numbers uses brushes and liquid acrylic paint, while diamond painting involves picking up and pressing down individual beads. It makes very little mess, requires no water, and gives the finished picture a raised, sparkling texture. The focus shifts from filling painted sections to placing precise pieces in the correct spaces.

This suits adults who enjoy tidy materials, repeated movements and careful detail, or anyone wanting a break from brushes. If you like the structured pattern but prefer painting, a geometric floral mandala paint by numbers kit offers a similarly calm project with colour and brushwork.

Colour by numbers and other guided art kits

Colour by numbers is a close, low-mess alternative: you follow printed outlines and numbered sections with coloured pencils or markers instead of acrylic paint. The work is quiet, portable and easy to pause, so it suits a small table, a train journey or a short evening session. Pencils give a softer finish; markers cover areas more quickly and with stronger colour.

Watercolour by numbers follows the same guided system with watercolour paints and a brush. The finished image looks lighter and more translucent, with visible paper showing through in places. It needs less equipment and builds up less texture than acrylic painting, though you still need water and somewhere to let the paper dry.

Both options remove the pressure of starting with a blank page. You pick a numbered section, apply the matching colour and build the image gradually. They can also be quicker to finish than a larger acrylic canvas, and the lighter materials make storage simple. For a similar guided starting point, see our Paint by Numbers for Kids & Beginners collection, which includes straightforward designs and familiar numbered steps.

Embroidery and cross-stitch kits: pattern-following with thread

Embroidery and cross-stitch kits give you the same guided, step-by-step approach in textile form. A counted kit usually contains a printed chart, coloured threads, fabric and a needle. You work through the chart square by square, placing each stitch in the right colour and position. Cross-stitch is built from small, even crosses; embroidery may call on several stitch types for lines, outlines or raised texture.

If you enjoy paint by numbers, the rhythm will feel familiar. Every small action fills part of the design, progress is easy to see, and the finished piece can be framed or given as a gift. What changes is the material. Thread sits proud of the surface and feels good under your fingers, and the work asks for a little more hand control because you are steering a needle through fabric rather than loading a brush.

Choose this if you like texture and quiet repetition. The kit packs down small, so it travels well: fabric, threads and needle fit in a pouch, and you can add a few stitches while listening to a podcast, as long as the light is good enough to read the chart and handle the needle safely.

Custom photo kits: the same hobby, but personal

A personalised kit keeps the familiar numbered-canvas process while giving you a subject with personal meaning. You send us a photograph, and we turn it into a pre-printed canvas with numbered sections, matching acrylic paints and brushes. You then follow the colour guide in the same steady way as with a standard design.

The main difference is the emotional connection to the image. A favourite family moment, pet portrait or memorable place can give you a clear reason to keep going when the painting becomes detailed. It can also make a thoughtful gift for someone who enjoys guided creativity and would value the finished picture.

Choose a clear, well-lit photograph with the main subject easy to see. Images with strong contrast and limited background detail usually give the painted areas clearer definition. Custom photo kits are exempt from the 14-day right to cancel because they are made to your chosen image. See the Custom Paint by Numbers collection to choose this option.

Refresh the hobby: new canvas sizes, frames and accessories

Before trying a completely different hobby, consider changing the format of your next kit. A simple adjustment can make the familiar process feel fresh again.

• A smaller canvas suits a shorter project and takes up less space, while a larger size gives the image more room for fine details and longer painting sessions.
• With 12 canvas sizes available, you can choose a format that matches your table, storage space and available time.
• An optional frame means your finished painting is ready to hang straight away, saving you the trouble of sourcing one separately.
• Practical accessories can make each session more comfortable, including replacement brushes, a magnifier for small sections and an easel to support the canvas at a useful angle.
• A different brush can help with narrow areas, while a magnifier can make small numbered shapes easier to read in steady lighting.
• Changing the subject can renew your interest without requiring you to learn a new technique; the Japanese Red Bridge and KOI Carp kit offers a detailed scene to work through.
• You can see tools and helpful additions in our paint by numbers accessories collection before choosing your next canvas.

How to choose your next creative hobby

Choose your next craft by the part you enjoy most: brush movement, clean working, rhythmic stitching or a personal finished picture. Your preferred pace, available space and patience will usually point you towards the best fit.