Kate Etue, Author at Cool Mom Picks

These 3 great children’s books help introduce your kids to Kamala Harris

It’s official: Kamala Harris is Joe Biden’s pick for Democratic VP candidate and (speaking for all of us here, honestly), we couldn’t be more excited about this historic choice. While many of our kids are already fans of hers, a lot of children who...

We tried an at-home gel manicure kit. Here’s how it went. | Damn you, social media ads

by Kate Etue | Beauty + Cosmetics

During the Covid pandemic, we’ve seen people do some wild things to get their nails done. There have been the women doing manicures through the mail slots in their front doors. There’s the mobile manicure truck that’s cruising around New York. And,...

4 funny novels for summer giving us the comic relief we desperately need right now

by Kate Etue | Books for Adults

I don’t know about you, but I’m either needing to project my primal scream into Iceland or get a really good, belly-aching laugh in with a funny new summer novel. We’re in the final stretch of summer at my house before school starts (whatever that...

When can your teen register to vote? Here are the rules, state by state.

by Kate Etue | Doing Good, Tips + Tricks

Some of us have older teens who are really excited to vote this year. But because each state manages their own voting policies, it can be confusing as to how, when, and where to register to vote. We all know that if you’re 18 on or before election day — November...

This brilliant mask self-portrait art project is one every teacher needs to assign before school starts.

by Kate Etue | DIY

This back to school season will be different from any we’ve seen, because no one knows what the heck fall will look like regarding COVID. Let alone next week. What we do know however, is that kids will be (and should be!) wearing masks in public, whether...

Check out these 4 fun games that my older and younger kids like playing together.

by Kate Etue | Toys + Playthings

For my kids, their siblings have been their only playmates for months. And hey! Now that we’re heading into yet another weekend during Covid, that means finding a few more family activities. Our default is to sit around the table and play card games or board...

8 things to think about if you’re considering homeschool because of COVID-19 this fall, from a homeschool mom

by Kate Etue | Tips + Tricks

With school districts all over the country releasing their preliminary plans for school this fall, I’m hearing so many parents trying to determine whether or not their kids are going back full-time. The requirement between states and districts varies greatly,...

10 of the coolest backyard water toys we’ve found, to help kids beat the heat this summer

by Kate Etue | Toys + Playthings

Happy summer, friends! If you’re facing pool closures or limits in your neighborhoods this summer (gah!) then you’re likely looking for some fun backyard water toys to help your kids enjoy the summer months without melting while they’re outside....

3 excellent educational videos about Juneteenth for kids. Watch and learn.

by Kate Etue | Entertainment + Media, Tips + Tricks

I’m trying to do a better job of raising anti-racist kids, and I believe that starts with learning more about the history of the Black experience in America. An essential part of that education is the understanding of Juneteenth, a holiday that I was certainly...

Hi! We’re Kristen + Liz!

Kristen Chase + Liz Gumbinner of Cool Mom Picks

We started Cool Mom Picks in 2006 to help make life cooler, more meaningful, and more fun for parents of all kinds.

Trivia: It was called Cool Mom Sh*t for the first two days. (Yeah, we rethought that.)

We had no idea our site would grow to become a major lifestyle network, that we'd end up sharing our finds with the TODAY Show and Martha Stewart, that we'd be able to make a real difference for so many small businesses and women-run companies, or that we'd end up with an incredible community of the coolest readers on the planet. (If we do say so ourselves).