Stop everything and watch Bill Nye’s super-simple explanation of how face masks protect us right now
By now, we should not need to be “arguing” the need for mask-wearing in public. The science out there is abundant! But when it comes to my own kids (who get a little more leeway than obstinate adults), I have found that providing a solid reason for...
HandlePop: Because we don’t want to touch those supermarket cart handles much either.
Update: Unfortunately this Kickstarter was cancelled in mid-July. We’ll be out shortly with some great alternatives! Anyone else feel like they’re playing high-stakes poker every time they grab a shopping cart by the handle? I know I can wipe the handle...
4 cool mask accessories to make wearing a face mask a little more comfortable
If your ears ache like crazy right now, you’re doing something right, mask-wise. But good news! With these accessories, you can make wearing a face mask a whole lot more comfortable, and for glasses wearers, a whole lot less foggy. Plus, if your state is like...
KJ Dell’Antonia on how to be a happier parent in a pandemic. Is it even possible? | Spawned Ep 202
This much is clear about parents right now: We’re stressed. We’re tired. We’re anxious. We’re sad. We’re coping in any way we can, all while taking care of our kids’ feelings too. So the big question is, is it selfish to want to...
10 books to help kids and teens cope with anxiety during Covid 19. Because it may be getting harder, not easier.
Anxiety had already been a concern for many of our kids before the Covid pandemic hit, and as we all know, the current situation isn’t helping. All of us are having to navigate an entirely new way of life right now, and it can be particularly hard on kids. Their...
These customizable face masks help support families in need.
With the CDC recommendations that we now where face masks in public, I made a few myself – no sewing involved! – and purchased a couple from a few local businesses who have pivoted their businesses during this Coronavirus pandemic. But when I saw these...
The world’s easiest DIY face mask tutorial, no sewing required.
I have spent the past week grappling with whether or not to make my own face mask and upgrade from the bandana I’ve been wearing over my mouth and nose when I head out for groceries. The thing is, I don’t sew. This post last updated April 6 with new...
All the best free classes and memberships online right now: Get fit, learn a language, read a book, have family movie night…
We’ve all been seeing our social feeds fill up with amazing “OMG THIS IS FREE RIGHT NOW!” posts from friends, and it’s hard to keep track of it all! Between the online story time for kids, the Club Quarantine virtual dance parties, the museum...
7 gym alternatives to help keep you sane and fit during the quarantine.
My local YMCA is shut down for the foreseeable future, which means I’ve been on the hunt for handy gym alternatives I can try at home. While a simple walk (or run) outside works perfectly fine, if you’re missing the extra zing you got at your gym or...
The most reassuring, helpful, and detailed expert tips for talking to kids about Coronavirus and managing their concerns | Spawned Special Episode 193
As the COVID-19/Coronavirus outbreak has increased, and life as we know it seems to be changing by the second beyond our control, parents are really struggling. A lot. I knew right away we needed to have a conversation with Dr. Ken Ginsburg, pediatrician and...
Beyond canned foods and toilet paper: A family guide to unexpected items to stock up on in case of a quarantine
Let’s be honest: We don’t each need 600 rolls of toilet paper on hand right now. Not that that’s stopping some people! But after a really stressful week of a COVID-19 scare involving a quarantined relative in D.C., it did put the situation in stark...Hi! We’re Kristen + Liz!
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).
We did.
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All New!
Doing Good: Get To Know…
Covid Support + Quarantine Help for Families
* Our complete Covid-19 and quarantine archives
* Expert tips for talking to your kids. Very reassuring!
* Helping teens who are struggling
* Quarantine birthday party ideas in the age of social distancing
* Board games to play over Zoom or Facetime
* Meal planning tips during quarantine to stretch your budget and your time
* The best ways to clean and disinfect your phones and gadgets. Keep doing it!
* 10 books to help our kids + teens cope with anxiety
* Safety tips for ordering take-out and delivery
* Simple ways to connect with our own moms and grandmas when we're apart
“Who else is giving up on screen time limits right now?”
“What are you all doing with rhubarb right now?”
Work with us!
