Ethan Walker

I have spent more hours than I can count snapping rods and connectors together over the years, and the best K’NEX sets still rank among my favorite building toys for kids and adults alike. There is something uniquely satisfying about watching a pile of colorful plastic pieces transform into a working roller coaster, a stomping … Read more

There is something deeply satisfying about holding a beautifully crafted box that refuses to open. Our team has spent the last several months testing, solving, and occasionally swearing at more than a dozen puzzle boxes to bring you this guide to the best puzzle boxes available in . Whether you are searching for a wooden … Read more

Tangram puzzles have been frustrating and delighting brains for over 200 years. I have spent the last several months testing dozens of tangram sets with my family, friends, and a few patient coworkers to find the absolute best tangram puzzles available right now in . A tangram is a classic Chinese dissection puzzle made up … Read more

Nothing kills a backyard barbecue faster than running out of things to do. That is where the best patio game tables come in — they keep the party going for hours without anyone reaching for their phone. Whether you want a competitive foosball match, a relaxed game of pool under the stars, or a quick … Read more

Speed cubing has exploded in popularity over the past few years, and the hardware has gotten insanely good. The best speed cubes today turn faster, cut corners more cleanly, and feel more refined than anything available even five years ago. I have spent hundreds of hours testing cubes from GAN, MoYu, D-FantiX, and others to … Read more

I have spent the better part of the last year twisting, pulling, and (occasionally) tossing across the room more than 30 metal puzzle sets looking for the ones actually worth buying. Some snap together in minutes, others had me stumped for days, and a few went straight into the donation pile. The best metal puzzle … Read more

Finding the best inflatable obstacle courses in means sorting through dozens of models that all promise backyard greatness but deliver very different experiences. I spent weeks comparing 12 of the top-selling units, digging through thousands of customer reviews, and matching spec sheets against real-world use to figure out which ones actually hold up. What I … Read more

Nothing ruins a sunny backyard afternoon faster than a bocce set with chipped balls and a ripped carrying bag. Our team has spent months testing different bocce ball sets on grass, sand, and proper clay courts to figure out which ones actually hold up and which ones fall apart after one weekend. After rolling over … Read more

Picture this: a warm afternoon, a gentle breeze, and a chess game stretching across your patio table. That is exactly the kind of experience the best outdoor chess tables are built to deliver. Whether you want a permanent concrete chess table for a community park, a portable giant chess set for backyard barbecues, or a … Read more

I spent three months rolling putts on eight of the most popular indoor putting surfaces on the market. Some of them surprised me in a good way. Others went straight back in the box. Putting accounts for roughly 40% of all strokes in a typical round of golf. That makes it the single highest-percentage club … Read more