10 Free Classes You Can Take from Your Couch

Have you ever wished you could build a rustic wooden table, or brew a refreshing IPA or paint a thought-provoking piece of artwork?

Well, thanks to the internet, all your wishes can come true. With online courses, anyone can become an instant expert on just about anything – or at least obtain enough information to fake it in front of their friends. Here are 10 free classes that don’t require an admissions essay.

Crash courses: Quick introductions to a new skill that can be completed in a single afternoon

What is Woodworking? A Total Beginner’s Guide

Offered by: Woodworking for Mere Mortals

Duration: 13-minute intro and plenty of other videos

What you’ll learn: Remember that birdhouse you built in shop class decades ago? Well, that high-level craftsmanship doesn’t just disappear! While nailing down all the tools you need to begin woodworking may seem like a daunting task, watching these videos can be Step 1 in building your new hobby.

Succulent Terrarium 101

Offered by: The Sill

Duration: Four-part course

What you’ll learn: Having a green thumb is not a prerequisite. The Sill, a popular plant-delivery service, provides a little background on botany, along with step-by-step instructions and a few tips about building a tiny succulent sanctuary. The site offers a starter kit to purchase, or you can use the tools you learn and pick out all you need at your local nursery.

Brewing 101: Brew Real Beer

Offered by: Udemy

Duration: 1 hour, 34 minutes

What you’ll learn: It’s becoming easier to find a hazy IPA in this country than a Whopper, with craft breweries now outnumbering Burger Kings. If you’ve bought into the brewery craze and always wanted to tap into your beer-making skills, this course will walk you through the process and recommend equipment you need to start making your own home brew. 

Professional Family Portraits (with Kirk Tuck)

Offered by: Craftsy

Duration: 1 hour, 36 minutes

What you’ll learn: Anyone can take a family photo with their phone and post it on social media with an amusing comment. But staging a group picture – with the perfect setting and lighting to capture a moment that lasts a lifetime – is still an art form. Tips from Kirk Tuck, a professional photographer and author, will make sure you don’t miss out on your next family photo opportunity.  

Fly Fishing Lessons

Offered by: Orvis

Duration: 14 chapters

What you’ll learn: Whether you’re new to the fly-fishing game or are already a master of the roll cast, Orvis provides tips for all levels. With the introductory video, you’ll learn two basic knots and the essentials you’ll need to get started in this addictive activity. (No instruction is provided on how to craft the most elaborate and outlandish fishing story.)