Games and hobbies

After surveying professionals and tossing their recommendations around ourselves, we chose the GameChanger Steady 2.0 Cornhole Bags for our own backyard games.

Learn an alien language. Identify local wildlife. Take care of a digital pet—and yourself. These apps can be fun and helpful additions to your kid’s phone.

The Roland FP-10 is our favorite budget digital piano for beginners because it offers the most realistic feel and sound among models in its price range.

Fujifilm’s QuickSnap Flash 400 and Kodak’s FunSaver one-time-use cameras will give you reliably great color results at your next party or gathering.

Looking for a fun project to keep your hands busy while binging the latest season of your favorite TV show? Try these cute, easy craft kits.

Skip the cinema this summer and enjoy a movie night in your backyard.

Spring is almost over, but there’s never a bad time to clean or organize in a video game—and your back is less likely to ache when you’re finished.

We’ve tested 14 top-rated telescopes over the years, and we’re certain the Celestron NexStar 5SE provides the best functionality for a dedicated beginner.

If you’re a crafter who needs to cut materials like cardstock or vinyl, we think the Cricut Explore 3 is the best electronic cutting machine.

Even though they’re everywhere on TikTok, you still shouldn’t stick ear cameras into your ear. Use them to hunt for Lego Minifigures instead.

We tested eight pickleball paddles for players looking to buy their first serious paddle. The Paddletek Bantam EX-L is our top pick.

Start your vinyl music journey here with our picks for turntable, receiver, speakers, and more.

No matter what kind of turntable and audio gear you have, it is possible to get them working together. Here’s how.

If you’ve discovered a passion for vinyl, a few affordable accessories can make a positive difference in your turntable setup.

Shopping for your first higher-end, dedicated turntable can be a confusing experience. We explain the important features to consider.

Crossword-solving elites don’t use any old pencil to fill out a grid. Here’s why the Pentel Twist-Erase III mechanical pencil is a go-to for scores of solvers.

The best strategy games pit you against your friends in an intense battle of wits. These are six of our favorites.

Friendship bracelets are everywhere. Our tips will save you time and money if you’re trying to make a bunch.

Roll-and-write games use simple tools—dice, a scoresheet, and a pencil—to create devilishly competitive and brain-twisting battles. Here are five favorites.

Fantasy sports can seem intimidating, but ESPN Fantasy, with its useful features and user-friendly layout, is the best option for most beginners.

Winter isn’t done yet, but there’s good news: These video games are ready to hang out with you inside until it warms up out there.

Break out the board games! Here’s a selection of our favorite cheap(ish) picks for players of all ages.

We played five different through-the-mail mystery subscription games to see what makes them stand out.

If you want to enter the fold of the origami world, here’s what experts recommend you need, from paper to guides.

If you’re serious about recording high-quality music or podcasts, a great USB audio interface—like Focusrite’s Scarlett 2i2 or Vocaster Two—is a vital tool.

Palworld is the first video game blockbuster of 2024—but it’s not what it seems.

We tested electronics kits with kids ages 7 to 12 and got feedback from parents and makers to find the most engaging ways for kids to learn about electronics.

Along with traditional Lunar New Year cleaning and decluttering, building the Lego Money Tree has become an annual ritual for my family.

Drawing tablets are nearly indispensable for creating art on a PC or laptop, and models such as the Huion Inspiroy 2 M are great for beginners and veteran artists alike.

Part restaurant-management sim, part underwater action-adventure game, Dave the Diver is the rare video game we’d recommend to everyone.

An electronic cutting machine can expand your crafting repertoire, from personalized greeting cards to custom T-shirts.

Make the most of your chill time at home with Wirecutter-approved games, Lego sets, puzzles, and more—for kids and grown-ups.

Whether you have a dedicated camera or a smartphone, getting in a good position, holding still, and using a slow shutter speed will help get you the best shot.

Our resident Lego obsessive tested nine sets of the flashy, fake flora. Here’s what to know before you make (or give) your own garden of earthly delights

These are our favorite Lego sets for adults, from van Gogh to The Lord of the Rings.

Wirecutter’s favorite games of 2023 include family favorites and new adventures.

After months of research and straining our vocal cords, we think the Tonor K20 Wireless Karaoke Machine is the best karaoke machine for most people.

Building a gingerbread house isn’t as easy as it looks, but these tips will help you avoid shoddy construction.

We spent over 15 hours building gingerbread houses to help you have a stress-free construction and decorating experience.

Mudpuppy makes some of the most engaging jigsaw puzzles and games we’ve tried. And they’re all on sale right now for 30% off.

Lego can truly be loved by generations.

Wrapping paper is pricey and often not recyclable. Here’s how to make inexpensive gift wrap dupes like newspaper and craft paper look fabulous.

A cozy bookshelf stuffed with titles will always make my heart flutter—but waking my Kindle from its slumber has started to bring me that same surge of joy.

Here’s how to find a long-lasting, low-maintenance replica Christmas tree.

Wirecutter staff members have long been buying—or making—Advent calendars featuring Lego pieces, jams, lotions, and more.

Sushi Go is easy to learn but hard to master. It’s as fun at family game night as it is at a bar with friends.

If you’d like to give your prints the best chance of lasting for hundreds of years, we have a few techniques recommended by professional archivists.

These notebook and notepad picks offer a satisfying writing experience with different types of pens and pencils.

Whether you love superheroes or simply want to explore the streets of New York City, Spider-Man 2 is the video game for you.

Halloween can be any time of the year when you’re playing our favorite spooky games.

Halloween can be a tactical nightmare for parents, unless they pack the fright stuff!