We researched and tested the best STEM toys available, considering each toy’s age range recommendation, educational value, safety considerations, required materials, and necessary supervision. Our favorites include explore kits from Snap Circuits, puzzles from Mudpuppy, and rockets from 4M. Here are the best STEM toys. You may need to provide some initial instructions to introduce young ones to circuitry basics to get them up and running. Once your kids complete all of the 300-plus experiments in the supplied manual, they’re free to use their creativity to make their own designs....

Some of the best options for a child at age 3 are ones that allow for free play, according to Colleen Mason, a kindergarten teacher with her Master’s in Early Childhood Education. “Open-ended toys that allow for many different uses or encourage children to tell stories and narrate their play are best at this age,” she tells The Spruce We tested and researched the best options considering the recommended ages, complexity, and educational value....

Our top pick, the Duluth Forge Dual Fuel Ventless Gas Fireplace Insert, has an oxygen depletion sensor and remote control and can heat a large room. Enjoy heat and flames on demand with one of these top gas fireplace inserts. You can slide the Duluth Forge Vent Less Gas Fireplace into your existing masonry fireplace (with appropriate ductwork) or build a fireplace to suit this insert exactly. Its remote control makes starting a fire as simple as pushing a button: Unlike a wood-burning fireplace, there are no matches or fire starters needed....

After speaking with Mannes, we researched dozens of fly traps, evaluating their effectiveness, ease of use, method of capture, and value. Our top recommendation, the Starbar Fly Terminator Pro, is a heavy-duty trap that’s best for the outdoors and can catch up to 35,000 insects. Here are the best fly traps to use in any season. The 1-gallon jug-style trap is a serious remedy, designed for what the manufacturer calls “medium-level” fly issues....

To help with your search, we spent hours researching the best kids’ bikes, considering a child’s age, size, and strength level. Our favorite picks include a balance bike from Woom complete with safety features, a steerable tricycle from Radio Flyer, and high-quality options from Schwinn, perfect for mountain biking. From a basic first bike to a more specialized ride, here are our picks for the best kids’ bikes. “The best first bike for a child is a balance bike,” Kristen Bonkoski, the founder of Rascal Rides says, adding that they aren’t just for toddlers: Bigger kids should start on a balance bike if they haven’t mastered pedaling yet....

We researched and tested dozens of models, evaluating ease of use, safety features, and overall value. Our top recommendation, the Great CircleUSA Heavy Duty Wood Chipper Shredder, has an excellent reduction rate, is easy to use, and comes with an attachable vacuum for mulching. We want to emphasize strongly that when operating a chipper shredder, it is vital to wear safety goggles and ear protection—prolonged exposure to a typical 100+db output can damage your hearing—and follow all safety precautions....

We evaluated screwdriver sets based on durability, completeness, and ease of use. Our favorite, the Craftsman 17-Piece Set is a comprehensive, quality set that will handle just about any task. Here are the best screwdriver sets for a variety of uses around the home. With 17 durable screwdrivers in an array of sizes, this Craftsman set has you covered for repairs, installations, and more. It is one of the highest rated screwdriver sets online, with the vast majority of customers awarding it five stars....

We researched and tested the best ergonomic office chairs, evaluating support, comfort, settings, and overall value. Our top choice is the Office Star Pro-Line II ProGrid High Back Managers Chair, which provides significant support, has adjustable features, and is relatively affordable. Here are the best ergonomic office chairs. Our best overall pick is the Office Star ProGrid High Back Managers Chair, which has a mid-range price and a high-quality construction that provides significant lumbar support....

Our top pick, the LG LSGL6335F Smart Wi-fi Enabled ProBake Convection Oven, has a large cooking surface, a built-in griddle, easy-clean function, and smart features that make it stand out. Here are the best gas ranges. The combination of smart features and user-friendly functions makes the LG LSGL6335F 6.3-cubic-foot Smart Convection Gas Slide-In Range a popular pick for a gas stove. This option has features like a convection oven with an air fryer function, plus a 20,000 BTU power burner for high heat cooking or rapid boiling....

1. Do You Need a Humidifier? Consumers often make humidifier buying decisions simply based on how they feel or what they see happening in their home. A home that is too dry can be uncomfortable, and it can also damage furniture and any wooden string instruments. A hygrometer or humidistat measures humidity levels. Once you determine that your home may need more moisture, find a humidifier that meets your preferences when it comes to convenience, maintenance, and price....

We home-tested 10 popular models employing different means of trapping and disposing of rats and other vermin, concentrating on effectiveness, ease of use, capacity, and occupant disposition. Our top choice is the Rat Zapper RZC001-4 Classic Rat Trap, which proved the most effective and user-friendly. Here are our choices for the best rat traps. The purple, tunnel-shaped trap is completely opaque, so you never need to see the results of its use, which it accomplishes through high-voltage shock....

Linen fabrics are washable but you may see clothes that have a dry clean only tag. If the linen garment is structured like a jacket or is lined, you should heed the dry cleaning instructions. While the linen fabric is washable, the inner linings or materials used to help a jacket keep its shape may not be. Water and agitation may cause those materials to shrink and become misshapen. That damage can not be reversed....

This year, Black Friday falls on November 26 and is followed closely by Cyber Monday on November 29—be sure to mark your calendars. And Wayfair’s sales start early this year. You can find 60 to 80 percent off through November 24, and then free shipping and hourly flash deals on Black Friday through Cyber Monday. Some of Wayfair’s most popular items, like their Mercury Row Loukianos Sectional and Welford Shag Area Rug, are among our favorites—and already are on sale....

Azaleas shrubs are best planted in the spring or early fall as container-grown nursery plants. Growth rates vary by species, but most are fairly slow-growing. A one-gallon plant normally will flower in its first year but may take as much as 10 years to reach its full size. Azalea (and rhododendrons) contain andromedotoxin and grayantoxin, substances that are quite toxic to humans and animals. Ingestion of plant parts can cause a variety of symptoms, ranging from simple digestive distress to cardiac arrest....

The Composition of Drywall Drywall panels, also known as wallboard, plasterboard, gypsum board, or Sheetrock, is commonly thought to be simply mineral gypsum sandwiched between layers of paper. But while gypsum does indeed comprise the bulk of drywall panels, there are actually a number of other ingredients included: Cellulose Up to 10 percent of drywall’s composition is comprised of cellulose, found in the paper facing on both sides of the drywall panel....

This piece of furniture in its present form was devised by the French in the 17th century, and the name might have come from the Latin word “armorium,” which was a chest for storing armor. The earliest armoires date to medieval times when they were known as presses. Usually built of oak, a press had shelves for storing linens or clothes. Over time the look changed, as new features such as drawers and doors were added....

Microfiber is an extremely popular material for cleaning tools, as it’s incredibly absorbent, captures dust and dirt more effectively than cotton, and can be reused multiple times. Given this long list of benefits, it’s no wonder people—myself included—are intrigued by the Microfiber Wholesale Professional Microfiber Mop. This seemingly simple mop claims to deliver professional-grade cleaning power using only water—sounds too good to be true, right? I wanted to see if this popular product is really the only floor-cleaning tool you’ll ever need, so I put it to the test on some truly grimy floors....