20 cool backpacks for teens this year | Back to School Guide
When we look for cool backpacks for teens, it’s not enough for them to just be, you know, cool. As kids head to middle school or high school— especially after a whole year at home more or less (sigh) — they need bigger, sturdier backpacks, better shoulder...
23 ways to celebrate the Fourth of July for kids (even if you don’t feel like waving a flag).
While 4th of July is a time to celebrate freedom and the best of America, lately I know so many of us are having a hard time feeling celebratory. It’s hard to feel like waving a flag when many of our rights are under attack right now, including those of us who are...
The best summer camp care package ideas for tweens and teens: A helpful list from a mom who’s been sending them for 9 years
We are still celebrating the return to summer camp around here. And I am celebrating the joy of putting together summer camp care packages for my tweens and teens! The chance to run around with friends, swim, be silly, stay up too late, fill up their MadLibs with...
What is Juneteenth? 6 great children’s books (and other resources) that explain this important holiday.
If you want to learn more about Juneteenth as we approach its anniversary, or just want to be sure its history and relevance has a place on your bookshelves, we have found some terrific children’s books about Juneteenth to help. After all, I know a lot of us...
Another free download we wish we didn’t need: A Kids Book About School Shootings
The fact that a book called A Kids Book About School Shootings even exists should tell you exactly how big a problem this has become in the years since the horrific Columbine school shooting over 20 years ago. As we shared in today’s post How to talk to your...
RuPaul’s new Little People Collector set sashays down the runway today.
Fans of RuPaul, you’d better work on getting your hands on this new, fabulous set from Fisher Price’s Little People Collector because it could sell out faster than you can say Sashay! Shante! This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a...
The new Simone Biles x Athleta Girl collab is a lot more meaningful than you might think.
I can’t think of a better role model for young athletes (and young people in general) than GOAT gymnast and mental health advocate Simone Biles, so I was thrilled to see the new Simone Biles collaboration with Athleta Girl. The collection for girls 6-16 features...
The Crayon Project: Helping get more inclusive school supplies into every U.S. classroom.
Two years ago, Crayola introduced the Colors of the World crayons, which included a veritable rainbow of 24 skin tone crayons that not only celebrate diversity, but create an opportunity for kids to learn respect for others and more fully represent themselves. The...
Presenting your kids’ new favorite play clothes, especially at these prices
This is a sponsored message for Generation Joy When parents say we need need basics for our kids, we don’t mean basic basics. They have to be soft and comfy so kids wear them, high-quality and durable so kids can wear them a lot, and of course stylish. Because...
The new LEGO Muppet minifigs have us singing Mahna Mahna
Calling all chaos Muppets, order Muppets, and general fans! LEGO is launching a new line of Muppet Minifigs, including some of our most favorite and iconic Muppet friends. Kermit! Grover! The Swedish Chef! And yes, my personal favorite, Miss Piggy, plus a few more....
Give your kids behind-the-scenes access with Laurie Berkner’s Fan Club
My teens have grown up watching Laurie Berkner’s fun-filled music videos on Nick Jr, and spent many afternoons dancing to her greatest hits like Victor Vito and I’m Going to Catch You. They’ve fallen to sleep listening to her gentle lullabies playing...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.)
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