Games and hobbies
Games and puzzles
See all Games and puzzles reviewsThe Best Card Games
by James Austin
Card games may be the simplest kind of game, but that doesn’t mean they’re lacking fun or innovation. We’ve tested 28 card games to find the best of the best.
The Best Board Games
by Wirecutter Staff
Thousands of board games are released each year. We share some staff favorites that require more strategy, have deeper narratives, or are particularly beautiful.
Board Games We Love for Kids and Families
by Courtney Schley and James Austin
These games can introduce kids to new genres, help them build skills, and offer provocative and age-appropriate challenges, engaging themes, and distinctive designs.
Holiday and seasonal crafts
See all Holiday and seasonal crafts reviewsThe Best Tie-Dye Kits
by Taryn Mohrman
Make gorgeous, vibrant tie-dye shirts with our top pick, the Tulip One-Step Tie-Dye Kit.
You Don’t Actually Have to Hard-Boil Your Easter Eggs
by Taryn Mohrman
There’s no rule that says you have to boil your eggs before you dye them for Easter.
The Best Easter Egg Dyeing Kits
by Taryn Mohrman
We tested six Easter egg–dyeing kits, including those with natural Easter egg dyes, and found three that are easy to use and result in bold, vibrant colors.
Music
See all Music reviewsThe Best Ukulele for Beginners
by Brent Butterworth
The Kala Satin Mahogany is our favorite starter uke for beginners. It sounds good, is easy to play, and comes in concert and soprano sizes.
The Best USB Microphones for Musicians and Podcasters
by Freddy Gerngross and Brent Butterworth
Monoprice’s Dark Matter Sentry is an excellent all-purpose USB microphone that sounds great, offers an array of features, and comes at an affordable price.
New Portable Cassette Players Transport You Back to the ’80s. But Do You Really Want to Go There?
by Brent Butterworth and Arriana Vasquez
We checked out the new generation of portable, Walkman-style cassette players to find out if an old-school audio format could really replace streaming services.
More Games and hobbies Posts
14 Great Gifts for Book Lovers
by Samantha Schoech
Since most bookworms acquire their own actual books, these gifts inspire, support, and enhance the joy of reading.
The Best Metal Detector
by Tim Heffernan
You might strike gold. But you should know what you’re getting into first.
The Best Wearable Sleeping Bags to Keep You Warm
by Annemarie Conte
Wearable sleeping bags are the perfect way to keep your arms free and your core warm while hanging outside or even working a desk job in an underheated room.
The Best Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite Accessories
by Haley Perry
Whether on the go or connected to your TV, accessories will make your Nintendo Switch experience easier and better.
I Can’t Get Enough of These Steel Tubs in My Garden
by Jackie Reeve
Behrens steel tubs lend flexibility and style to my garden. Mine have remained rust-free for three springs in the PNW, and are affordable enough to collect.
The Best Removable Wallpapers
by Katie Okamoto
After months of researching and testing removable wallpapers, we found the three best peel-and-stick papers with endless patterns to choose from.
The Best DNA Testing Kit
by Brishette Mendoza and Amadou Diallo
If you’re okay with the privacy risks that accompany a DNA testing service, AncestryDNA is best for exploring your ethnicity or finding contemporary relatives.
The 3 Best Speed Cubes (And Why the Rubik’s Cube Isn’t One)
by James Austin
Speed cubing turns the iconic fidget toy into a competitive challenge. We tested 14 cutting-edge cubes to find the best options for all skill levels.
Jigsaw Puzzles We Love
by James Austin
Jigsaw puzzles are a great way to pass time on a rainy day, during a screen break, or at a family gathering. These are a few of our favorites.
How to Pick the Best Chess Set
by James Austin
Chess can be intimidating but buying a set doesn’t have to be. We talked to one of the last chess-shop owners in NYC to get tips on how to select one for you.
The Best Two-Player Board Games
by James Austin
To find the best one-on-one games, we talked with experts and play-tested 36 high-rated titles.
The Best Drones for Photos and Video
by James Austin and Signe Brewster
After testing 33 drones, we found the DJI Air 3 to be the best for most photographers and videographers.
The Best 3D Pen
by Signe Brewster and James Austin
3D pens can help you turn an idea into tactile reality with just a few gestures. After testing 14 pens, we’re sure the 3Doodler Flow is the one to get.
The Best 3D Printer
by Dave Gershgorn
The Bambu Lab A1 Mini is the fastest and easiest-to-use 3D printer we’ve found that is also compact enough to fit on a desk.
The Camp Snap Camera Is Great for Kids. There’s Just One Big Problem.
by Arriana Vasquez
The Camp Snap camera is cheap, rugged, and fun to use—especially for younger photographers. But a few significant flaws kept us from completely falling in love.
Automatic Settings Are Boring. Bring Mood to Your Photos With These Easy Color Adjustments.
by Phil Ryan
Adjusting color can make your photos pop in ways that automatic settings never could. Here’s how.
5 Offline Games We Love for Camping (That Are Also Great for the Backyard)
by James Austin
Camping has many joys—hiking, relaxing by a fire, appreciating trees—but sometimes nature’s inherent entertainment needs an assist. We have five great games to do just that.
The Best Gear for Cornhole, Bags, Sack Toss, or Whatever Y’all Call It Where You’re From
by James Austin
After surveying professionals and tossing their recommendations around ourselves, we chose the GameChanger Steady 2.0 Cornhole Bags for our own backyard games.