The soccer balls that let kids show off their skills and their style
It’s amazing how few companies are making sports equipment targeted to girls — unless it’s pink or purple or covered in glitter. So I loved discovering KAOS Soccer, a company that blends serious soccer credit with edgy modern design. Not that...
The coolest Funko Pop figures coming in 2019, including the one that made me cry
We have quite the growing collection of Funko Pop figurines, and last week at Toy Fair, there was one that actually made me tear up: A beautiful patina Stan Lee Funko Pop. Maybe because it feels less like a fun figurine and more like he’s being preserved forever...
These edgy-cool craft kits let kids make their own handmade gifts
One of the great new trends at Toy Fair 2019 this week was the explosion of really thoughtful, creative craft kits. As you all well know, we’re big fans of craft kits as gifts for kids, especially when craft kits enable kids to make their own gifts for friends...
The new Oliver Jeffers space tattoos by Tattly let kids wear the moon and stars
We’ve been fans of Oliver Jeffers for years, and now kids (or young at heart parents) can wear his dreamy illustrations right on their arms, ankles and foreheads with the new Tattly collection of Oliver Jeffers space-themed temporary tattoos. The designs come...
The Barbie same-sex wedding set: Why it needs to happen | Thinking: Parent
Could Mattel be developing a Barbie same sex wedding set? Well, yeah. They could. And they might. And I am here for it. We’ve been writing for so long that in all things — especially for our kids — diversity matters. Inclusiveness matters....
This baby and toddler subscription is like a 3-year Montessori education | Sponsored Message
This is a sponsored message from Monti Kids Kids learn through play. And this is the season so many parents, grandparents, and caregivers have play on our minds. Enter Monti Kids, the only at-home Montessori learning toy subscription program that’s designed and...
We found wonderfully diverse dollhouse dolls: Multicultural, multiracial, differently-abled and more.
If a dollhouse is on your kids’ holiday wish lists, don’t forget to include some dollhouse dolls so that they can get right to the business of playing (while you clean up wrapping paper). But unlike dollhouses which come in lots of different styles, from...
Black Friday shopping: 6 holiday toys to have on your radar this weekend | Sponsored Message
This is a sponsored message on behalf of the toys seen here Hitting the stores this Black Friday? Whether you’re braving the crowds or shopping the virtual shelves, you’ll want to keep these 6 fun toys on your radar for your holiday gift lists. From STEM...
5 gifts to help kids develop valuable skills: Top holiday toys from Lakeshore Learning | Sponsored Message
This is a sponsored message from Lakeshore Learning Kids love toys — all kinds of toys — and parents love those toys when they get kids excited about learning and building skills they need through play. In fact, learning through play is how kids learn...
12 fantastic Hanukkah gifts for kids that are cool, not corny
Hanukkah comes early this year — December 2! — so it’s time to start gathering up ideas for cool Hanukkah gifts for kids. While of course every toy, game, accessory or gift can be wrapped up for Hanukkah, I love that we’ve been able to track...
How buying one of our favorite kids’ toys on Veteran’s Day will support deployed military families in a great way.
Each year on Veteran’s Day, we love finding new organizations that support the families of military service men and women. And wow, I am so thrilled to learn about United Through Reading and their 40 Million Stories campaign. This non-profit gives the more than...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 still love what we do every single day. And we're so glad you're here.
All the Best Children’s + YA Books to Read this Year
The Best Gifts for Kids by Age
Our Podcast. (It’s won awards and everything!)
Best Baby Gifts of the Year
5 New Dinner Ideas Each Week
Tech Tips for Parents
Doing Good: We’re supporting…
