Kids - Cool Mom Picks

3 new books for kids about climate change that inform, uplift, and help us move forward

by Caroline Siegrist | Books for Kids, Doing Good

I know I’m not the only parent struggling with how to talk with their kids about climate change. So I was thrilled to discover these hopeful kids’ books about climate change, each of which educates without inducing panic or despair. A tall order if you ask...

14 magnificent children’s and YA books for Hispanic Heritage Month

by Kate Etue | Books for Kids

September means new backpacks and football kickoff and pumpkin spice latte month (*insert eyeroll), but mid-month, September becomes Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15). So we put together some of our very favorite children’s and YA books...

The new Queer Eye LEGO set is not just about building, but building people up.

by Liz Gumbinner | Toys + Playthings

I could not be more excited that LEGO just announced a new LEGO Queer Eye set featuring The Fab 5 Loft that’s coming out October 1. (No pun intended. Seriously I just caught that on the re-read.) haven’t been this excited since they came out with the Women...

9 things we wish we knew when our kids were babies. Oh, do we ever.

by Cool Mom Staff | Baby, Kids, Tips + Tricks

There’s so much we wish we had known when our kids were babies, and we were stressed, anxious, or just entirely clueless. All normal feelings when you’re juggling a new baby or toddler! But hey, maybe we can help you out a little here. So in addition to...

The one trick to make sure your child’s face mask fits properly, to comply with the brand new CDC recommendations.

by Liz Gumbinner | Health, Fitness + Wellbeing, Kids, Tips + Tricks

After 18 months (sigh) it’s now clear that we’re past the point of “any mask is better than nothing” for preventing Covid spread, especially with the Delta variant here. In fact, just this weekend, the CDC issued new, specific recommendation...

5 must-read children’s books about 9/11, featuring heroes and helpers

by Kate Etue | Books for Kids

I’ve been looking for books about 9/11 for children because with the 20th anniversary of that horrific morning here this year (and it’s hard to believe that), I want to be sure my kids to really understand the importance of this day. You may want to read...

7 cute rain jackets for little kids…all under $30

by Caroline Siegrist | Kid Fashion

This school year, I’m not spending a lot of money on rain jackets for kids. Who’s with me? I don’t know what it is about rain jackets specifically, but my kids misplace them with abandon. Soccer practice, play dates, the Y…you name it, one of...

What is Labor Day? This book (and its read-aloud video) is a perfect way to explain.

by Liz Gumbinner | Books for Kids

I’m not sure how many kids have ever really asked what is Labor Day? It’s become synonymous with the unofficial end of summer, a three-day weekend, barbecues, and yeah, mattress sales. So much so, we kind of blow past it without the typical tributes and...

The worst parenting advice we got: 10 tips you definitely want to ignore as a new parent

by Cool Mom Staff | Baby, Kids, Tips + Tricks

Raise your hand if you’ve ever gotten terrible parenting advice! Wait, all of you who have kids? Ha, yes. Of course all of us have. It’s like a rite of passage for new parents. But the good thing is, with some perspective and guidance (thanks to BTDT...

A very clever back to school gift for young women and menstruators

by Kristen Chase | School Gear

My daughter came home this morning with a sweet little gift from her friend’s mom: an adorable locker kit full of essentials for young women and menstruators. So brilliant, right? I had actually thought about putting together a little bin with some snacks,...

Here’s the one brilliant tip that got my reluctant teen reading more. And, the books that helped.

by Kate Etue | Books for Kids, Tips + Tricks

My kids devoured books when they were little. Now that they’re teens, the stars of YouTube and Discord seem to be a bigger draw than the classic characters of literature I wish they would spend their time with. (Of course, calling them “classic characters...

8 cool fidget toys that aren’t spinners, to help kids of all ages get the wiggles out.

by Caroline Siegrist | Toys + Playthings

Move over, fidget spinners! Thanks to all the new fidget toys that our kids are loving, you spinners have just been relegated to the junk drawer. (Say hi to those dead batteries for me.) In fact,I think these are even more fun than their predecessors. By now most of...

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).

We still love what we do every single day. And we're so glad you're here.