Reviews by BritannicaStoryboardBack-to-School ShoppingCurated byReviews by BritannicaBack-to-school season is (finally) upon us. While it may be a relief for some parents and students, we can't forget how much goes into getting kids (and adults) ready for the new school year. Check out our lists below of the best items that everyone needs before embarking to their new classroom. Affiliate links may be used below.
Reviews by BritannicaStoryboardBug-Free SummerCurated byReviews by BritannicaNothing ruins a BBQ or night out quite like getting attacked by mosquitoes. Even just thinking about those pesky bites is enough to make someone start itching. Female mosquitoes need your blood to reproduce. After taking your blood, mosquitoes inject saliva into your skin that triggers an immune response that causes you to itch, explains Eva Buckner, PhD, medical entomology extension specialist at the Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory at the University of Florida. Affiliate links used below.
Reviews by BritannicaStoryboardHow to Stay Cool on Hot Summer DaysCurated byReviews by BritannicaSpending time outdoors in the summer is a great way to boost your mood, as sunlight is known to help humans produce serotonin. However, with the hot and humid heat wave approaching, it's important that you stay hydrated and cool. Squishy, bouncy, and soft, inflatable water toys are a good way to stay entertained and cool on a hot summer day. Check out our other recommendations for staying cool. Affiliate links are used below.
Reviews by BritannicaStoryboardBest Father's Day GiftsCurated byReviews by BritannicaFather's Day is on June 19 and if you haven't bought a gift yet, here is your (very gentle) reminder to do so. Check out our editors' recommendations below to help you get inspired. Affiliate links used below.
Reviews by BritannicaStoryboardHow to GardenCurated byReviews by BritannicaHome gardening, whether it’s in a tight urban space or a spacious backyard, is growing in popularity each year. It’s becoming a healthy hobby adopted by people who are looking for more control over their food sources, who want to beautify an indoor or outdoor space with vibrant colors, or who are just looking to test their green thumbs and enjoy some screen-free downtime. Affiliate links used below.
Reviews by BritannicaStoryboardMemorial Day SalesCurated byReviews by BritannicaGood news for deal-hunters: Memorial Day sales are already live on most major store websites. Memorial Day 2022 officially is on Monday, May 30, but you can enjoy the discounted prices early. That means you can score up to 70 percent off electronics, home goods, toys, cookware, and more. We’re rounding up all the best deals you can score this holiday, so be sure to check back often as we update the list. Affiliate links used below.
Reviews by BritannicaStoryboardBest Graduation GiftsCurated byReviews by BritannicaGraduation is an important milestone, which is why the grad deserves a truly special gift to celebrate their hard work and accomplishments. The best graduation gifts are generally the ones that are just as practical as they are thoughtful, or in other words, something actually useful. Affiliate links used.
Reviews by BritannicaStoryboardIt's AC Unit SeasonCurated byReviews by BritannicaIn the summer months, the gentle hum of an air conditioner is pretty much ubiquitous in the United States. In fact, according to the Energy Information Association, 87 percent of American homes have air-conditioning. But there was once a time when the idea of manufacturing a cool environment was met with skepticism and sometimes outright mocking. Affiliate links used below.
Reviews by BritannicaStoryboardLow-Maintenance HouseplantsCurated byReviews by BritannicaPlants are a wonderful addition to any home. They liven up a space, and studies have shown that they can even make you feel happier and less stressed. If you have trouble keeping plants alive, the problem might not be that you’re cursed. You could just be working with finicky plants. Beginners should try starting with tougher houseplants to gain confidence and skills (yes, remembering to water a plant is a skill). Affiliate links used below.
Reviews by BritannicaStoryboardCan You Use AirPods on an Airplane?Curated byReviews by BritannicaThere are few prospects more upsetting than jamming an ill-fitting, airline-provided set of headphones into your ears for a long flight, especially when you have your own perfectly capable set of wireless headphones. Somehow, most airplanes have not yet mastered Bluetooth technology, leaving you out of luck. Or are you? As it turns out, you can use your non-wired headphones on flights—you’ll just need a little bit of help from a Bluetooth adapter. Affiliate links used below.
Reviews by BritannicaStoryboardTop-Rated Espresso Machines Are On SaleCurated byReviews by BritannicaIf you're in the market for a high-quality espresso machine, look no further than Amazon, which just dropped a secret sale on some of our favorites. While an at-home espresso machine does not always include the commercial-grade bells and whistles of a restaurant machine, we suggest being sure to purchase one with a proper coffee extraction system that can leverage water at a high temperature and with high pressure. Affiliate links used.
Reviews by BritannicaStoryboardHistory Books for KidsCurated byReviews by BritannicaChildren’s picture book biographies are not just good reading—they’re an experience. They give children a glimpse into how big the world really is, and the possibilities that exist. Although biographical selections featuring women have increased in recent years, there are still many stories that haven’t been told. But children’s books can help mend the gap. Affiliate links used.
Reviews by BritannicaStoryboardAt-Home CompostingCurated byReviews by BritannicaThat brown banana languishing on your countertop does not belong in the trash: it’s meant for some delicious banana bread, and the peel is meant for the compost. For thousands of years, humans have recognized the importance of composting, which, as Environmental Protection Agency spokesperson Enesta Jones explains, is a method of decomposing organic waste into material that can be added to soil to help plants grow. Affiliate links used.
Reviews by BritannicaStoryboardYou Need a Rice CookerCurated byReviews by BritannicaAs a staple crop for nearly half the world’s population, rice is one of the planet’s most versatile grains. Present in just about every cuisine and culture from east to west, rice serves as the basis for a wide range of national specialties, comfort foods, and everyday meals. It comes as little surprise that modern technology has made it easier to make a perfect batch of rice without taking your stockpot to the stovetop in order to get fluffy grains. Affiliate links used.
Reviews by BritannicaStoryboardHistory of Chia PetsCurated byReviews by BritannicaIn 1999 the New York Times undertook an ambitious public project: they built a giant time capsule sculpture filled with the most iconic objects from the 20th century. The time capsule is meant to be opened in the year 3000 (an optimistic goal, given our record of human tomfoolery). Among the miscellany inside the capsule, such as a can of Spam and a Betty Crocker cookbook, there lies a Chia Pet, waiting for its next life among modern advances like flying cars and planes with adequate legroom.
Reviews by BritannicaStoryboardWhy Does Your Skin Get Dry on Airplanes?Curated byReviews by Britannica“Your skin dries out on a plane because the humidity is very low, which causes your body to expel moisture, which eventually causes your skin to become dehydrated,” explains Dr. Nayan Patel, CEO of Auro Pharmaceuticals and adjunct faculty at the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy. “For dry skin, this means even drier skin, while for oily skin, it increases oil production because your skin is trying to overcompensate for dehydration.” Affiliate links used.
Reviews by BritannicaStoryboardBest Sun ProtectionCurated byReviews by BritannicaAsk any dermatologist what their ultimate skin care rule is, and they’ll usually tell you it’s to wear broad-spectrum sunscreen on a daily basis. “Broad-spectrum” refers to sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays, which contribute to skin damage in different ways. While UVA rays are responsible for breaking down collagen and elastin in the skin—leading to premature fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging—UVB rays cause sunburns and skin cancers. Affiliate links used.
Reviews by BritannicaStoryboardHow to Play PickleballCurated byReviews by BritannicaThe best part of pickleball may be its origin story. It was invented by three bored yet enthusiastic dads on Bainbridge Island, Washington state, in 1965 (a sure formula for genius or rank mischief). Just the word “pickleball” sounds like an extended dad joke: goofy, lighthearted, and—most importantly—fun as heck. Affiliate links used.
Reviews by BritannicaStoryboardThe Perfect Cup of CoffeeCurated byReviews by BritannicaWhether you prefer an espresso or a cup of hot drip coffee, we have you covered. The team at Britannica Reviews has interviewed the experts, done the hands-on testing, and even thrown in a tip (or two) so you can master the art of the perfect cup of coffee at home. Affiliate links used.
