Emily Parker

I learned the hard way that a backyard practice net changes everything. After spending 18 months driving 25 minutes to the range twice a week, I set up a net in my garage and watched my handicap drop from a 14 to a 9 in one season. The cost of the net paid for itself … Read more

Looking for the best washer toss games to elevate your next backyard cookout or tailgate party? I have spent the last three summers testing washer toss sets with my family, neighbors, and a small but very competitive group of friends at the local park. Washer toss is one of those classic outdoor games that packs … Read more

Kan Jam is a four-player flying disc game that turns any backyard, beach, or tailgate into a competitive arena. Two teams of two throw and deflect a regulation disc into slotted plastic goals set 50 feet apart, racing to 21 points. I have spent the last several weekends playing every Kan Jam set I could … Read more

I have hosted roughly 40 outdoor gatherings in the last three years, from birthday parties with 8 kids to neighborhood block parties with 60 adults, and I can tell you from experience that the difference between a forgettable cookout and a legendary one almost always comes down to one thing: the games. After our team … Read more

There’s something about sitting around a backyard fire pit on a cool evening that turns an ordinary hangout into something memorable. I’ve spent the past three months testing the best fire pits on the market, burning through roughly 12 cords of wood and countless propane tanks to figure out which ones are actually worth your … Read more

Finding the best propane fire pits used to mean digging through hundreds of listings and guessing which one would actually throw enough heat to keep your group comfortable. I spent the last 30 days testing 10 models in my backyard, on my apartment balcony, and during a weekend camping trip so you don’t have to … Read more

I’ll never forget the first time I lit my old stone fire pit and watched my neighbor wave a towel at me from her balcony, eyes watering. That was the night I started hunting for the best smokeless fire pits, and three years later, I have personally tested 12 models across two backyards, three camping … Read more

I spent 45 days testing eight different zero gravity chairs across my patio, pool deck, and even dragged one into my living room. After 30+ hours of actual sitting, reading, napping, and yes, even doing some questionable work meetings from a fully reclined position, I have opinions. The best zero gravity chairs earn their spot … Read more

I spent 60 days on lakes, rivers, and bays testing the best inflatable kayaks on the market for , pumping up each one and paddling them through real conditions. I dragged them across rocky shorelines, packed them into the trunks of compact cars, and yes, I even flipped a couple to see how they handled … Read more

I’ve spent the last six months running filaments through three different FDM printers – a Bambu A1, a Prusa MK4, and an Ender 3 V2 – printing brackets, planters, cosplay helmets, and at least 40 phone cases. After roughly 38 kilograms of melted plastic and more failed first layers than I care to count, I … Read more