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By Samantha Collins•Last Updated August 15, 2025

Comprehensive Guide to Unlocking and Using DIY Recipes in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Introduction to DIY Crafting in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

DIY crafting is a core mechanic in Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH), enabling players to create furniture, tools, dÃ©cor, and even food items using a system of collectible recipes known as DIY recipes . Mastering the process of acquiring and utilizing these recipes is essential for building and personalizing your island. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to get DIY recipes, explains the role of the
Test Your DIY Skills
kit, and offers actionable steps for maximizing your crafting potential.

Understanding DIY Recipes and Their Importance

DIY recipes are special crafting instructions that allow players to create a variety of items by combining specific materials at a DIY workbench. Once a recipe is learned, it is permanently stored in your in-game DIY Recipes app for easy access. Recipes range from basic tools to elaborate furniture and, since the 2.0 update, include cooking instructions for preparing meals and drinks [1] . The ability to craft new items expands your creative options and is essential for progressing through the game.

Primary Methods to Obtain DIY Recipes

1. Completing the DIY Workshop

Every player starts their crafting journey by completing Tom Nook’s DIY Workshop, which introduces the basic mechanics and rewards you with your first set of recipes. This step is mandatory and forms the foundation of your crafting knowledge [1] .

2. Message Bottles on the Beach

Each day, a message bottle washes ashore on your island’s beach containing a random DIY recipe. Some islands may receive more than one bottle per day, especially if you visit mystery islands using Nook Miles Tickets. This daily activity is a reliable way to incrementally grow your recipe collection [4] .

3. Learning from Villagers

Villagers often craft items inside their homes. When you see a villager at their crafting table, talk to them; they will offer to share the recipe for the item they are currently making. This interaction also occurs in the morning, afternoon, and evening, so check in frequently to maximize opportunities [4] .

4. Balloon Presents

Colorful balloon presents drift across your island every 5-20 minutes. Shooting them down with a slingshot can yield furniture, bells, or DIY recipes. While the contents are random, balloons are a consistent source of new recipes, especially during seasonal events [4] .

5. Purchasing Recipe Packs

Tom Nook’s Resident Services terminal (Nook Stop) offers recipe packs for purchase using Nook Miles. Early in the game, you can purchase the “DIY for Beginners” and “Test Your DIY Skills” kits, each containing multiple unique recipes. These packs are a fast-track way to expand your crafting knowledge and unlock more complex items [1] .

6. Seasonal and Event Recipes

During in-game events (such as Bunny Day or Cherry Blossom season), special recipes become available through event-specific activities or from villagers. These limited-time recipes often require event-exclusive materials and offer unique dÃ©cor and furniture options [1] .

7. Cooking and Food Recipes

With the 2.0 update, cooking became a major part of ACNH. Cooking recipes can be obtained by:

Purchasing the “Be a Chef! DIY Recipes+” expansion from the Nook Stop terminal
Learning from villagers seen cooking in their homes
Finding recipe bottles on the beach or balloon presents
Completing specific tasks, such as catching certain fish or harvesting crops [2]

Cooking requires a kitchen item to prepare recipes and uses ingredients like fish, vegetables, and fruit.

What is the ‘Test Your DIY Skills’ Kit?

The Test Your DIY Skills kit is a purchasable recipe bundle available after completing the basic DIY workshop. For 2,680 Nook Miles, players unlock a set of intermediate recipes, including more advanced furniture and dÃ©cor options. This pack expands your crafting possibilities and is essential for building a more personalized island aesthetic. While availability may vary with game updates, this kit remains a central way to quickly access a broader set of crafting instructions [1] .

Step-by-Step: How to Get More DIY Recipes

To maximize your recipe collection and ensure consistent progress, follow these actionable steps:

Attend the DIY Workshop: Begin with Tom Nook’s workshop to unlock the basics and receive your first recipes.
Check Beaches Daily: Search for message bottles each day and on every mystery island you visit.
Visit Villagers: Look for villagers crafting in their homes at different times of day. Speak with them to receive their current project’s recipe.
Shoot Down Balloons: Carry a slingshot and regularly scan the sky for balloon presents, especially during new events or seasonal periods.
Purchase Recipe Packs: Spend Nook Miles at the Resident Services terminal to buy available recipe sets like “DIY for Beginners” and “Test Your DIY Skills.”
Participate in Events: During seasonal events, complete event-specific tasks and collect special materials to learn exclusive recipes.
Expand via Cooking: Unlock cooking with the “Be a Chef! DIY Recipes+” and experiment with new ingredients and kitchenware to discover food recipes.

Real-World Examples and Case Studies

Many players report significant expansion of their DIY catalog by consistently searching beaches and interacting with villagers. For example, during the Bunny Day event, daily participation allowed players to unlock a complete set of festive recipes in under a week. Similarly, shooting down balloons during the Cherry Blossom season yielded rare recipes that are now highly sought after on online trading platforms [5] . Players who actively combine multiple methods-such as purchasing kits, beachcombing, and social interactions-tend to fill their recipe app faster than those relying on a single approach.

Potential Challenges and Solutions

Challenge: Duplicate recipes become more common as your collection grows.

Solution: You can gift duplicate recipes to friends or trade them online through reputable Animal Crossing communities. Many players use social platforms to swap recipes and complete their collections.

Challenge: Some recipes are event- or season-specific and may only be available for a limited time.

Solution: Stay informed about upcoming events through the official Animal Crossing website or community news sources. Mark your calendar for event periods and prioritize recipe collection during these windows.

Alternative Approaches to Recipe Collection

In addition to the standard methods above, players can:

Join online trading forums and discords dedicated to Animal Crossing recipe swaps
Visit friends’ islands to check their villagers and message bottles
Use in-game amiibo cards to invite specific villagers, increasing opportunities for unique recipes

While these require external coordination, they can significantly accelerate your progress and help you acquire rare items.

Key Takeaways

Unlocking and mastering DIY recipes in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a multi-faceted process that rewards patience and engagement. The Test Your DIY Skills kit offers an immediate boost to your crafting abilities, but ongoing participation in daily activities and special events is essential for a complete recipe collection. Remember to stay active in your island community, leverage multiple collection methods, and collaborate with other players to maximize your crafting potential.