Penguin Minis are the coolest, tiniest way to read your favorite YA books.
As a life-long bookworm, I am always looking for ways to get my three teens to put down their phones and read more books. Sound familiar? Then check out the coolest, new-to-me concept in book publishing: Penguin Minis. These novels for teens and tweens are turning the...
The best children’s books of 2019 to read in 2020: All the lists in one convenient place.
It’s time to make your 2020 reading list! This is our fifth year to round up all the year’s best-of lists of children’s books, all in one convenient place for you, so you can have quick access to dozens of ideas when you’re at the bookstore or...
Your kid’s craziest story ideas could win the Roald Dahl’s Imaginormous Challenge. Here’s how.
As a mom of three, I have loved few things as much as hearing the crazy stories my kids have dreamt up, or reading the creative things they choose to write on paper. And so I am super psyched to hear about a contest that rewards kids for their most imaginative story...
A modern Christmas story that will be a new family favorite for years to come | Sponsored Message
This is a sponsored message for Candlewick Press There’s nothing like a magical story to get kids into the Christmas spirit, which is why you’ll be so glad to have Dasher, a new book with a female protagonist (yay!) from New York Times bestselling author...
Illustoria is the perfect gift for your favorite thinking kid.
As the holidays get closer and our annual search for off-the-beaten path gifs for kids gets more intense, I’m so delighted to recommend a subscription to Illustoria. A magazine “for creative kids and their grownups,” it makes an amazing gift for kids...
Finding Kindness: A beautiful new children’s book with a message the world needs | Sponsored Message
This is a sponsored message on behalf of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group Kindness comes in all shapes and sizes, which is exactly the lesson kids will learn reading the newest book from New York Times-bestselling author Deborah Underwood. Finding Kindness...
What is Indigenous People’s Day? Great resources for talking to your kids, because Native American history is American history.
Today is the day that’s been traditionally celebrated as “Columbus Day” in the U.S., but knowing now what we know about Christopher Columbus, the holiday is fast transforming into Indigenous People’s Day for many. If you’re wondering what...
Roll with It: The best full-of-heart read for kids since Wonder
I’ve been looking for that next great heartwarming book to read to my kids after having fallen in love with Augie in RJ Palacio’s Wonder a couple years back. So when I saw my friend Jamie Sumner’s new book Roll With It in stores this week —...
2 great books about raising activist kids: Cool Mom Picks Book Club selection 10
This go round, we’re going to change things up a bit in the Cool Mom Picks Virtual Book Club, because I’m going to be talking about two selections that I know are relevant to so many parents these days. In light of the recent Climate Strike marches around...
5 wonderful new books for kids celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. You’ll love reading along too!
Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 – October 15 each year, and our favorite way to honor the occasion is by sharing some of our very favorite children’s books honoring Hispanic heritage. So this year. I’ve picked five brand new books that celebrate...
Brain Pickings introduces Art Pickings, featuring the most incredible artwork for children’s rooms and beyond.
Those of you who are also fans of Maria Popova’s Brain Pickings may know that it’s one of our own favorite sites too. We include their list of favorite children’s books on our own annual lists of the best children’s books lists of the year....Hi! We’re Kristen + Liz!
We started Cool Mom Picks in 2006 to help make life cooler, easier, more organized, 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).
But we did.
And we still love what we do every single day.
We're so glad you're here.
Our Podcast. (It’s won awards and everything!)
Coronavirus Support + At-Home Learning Help for Families
* An ongoing list of the most trusted Coronavirus websites and resources
* Expert tips for talking to your kids. Very reassuring!
* What to buy beyond toilet paper and canned food
* Pantry-stocking tips from someone who's trained her whole life for this
* The best ways to clean and disinfect your phones and gadgets
* Safety tips for orderinng take-out and delivery right now
* 15 awesome podcasts to keep kids engaged
* 7 gym alternatives keeping us sane
* Homeschooling 101: Tips for newbies
* How to create a homeschool schedule that works for you
Doing Good: We’re Supporting…
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“Please share your tips for setting up a new iPhone for my 12 year old!”
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Cool Gifts for Everyone. Who Are You Shopping For?
* Coolest Gifts of the Year for Teens + Tweens
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