6 cool ways to support indie bookstores right now. They need it…and we need them.
I’d like to put in a plug for supporting indie bookstores right now, even if it takes a little extra effort. I’m seeing a lot of people trying to get through this looooong February (what’s that even about?) by recommitting to reading. I mean hey,...
Add a little magic to your Valentine’s Day with Justin Willman
I’ve been searching for fun ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day with my kids since the typical school parties and gatherings aren’t happening. Thankfully, Cool Mom Tech has a bunch of great ideas for having a virtual Valentine’s Day party...
Stream our playlist of great kids holiday music, for tunes you haven’t heard 10,000 times already
Right about now, I’ve heard enough Run Run Rudolph to last me to next Christmas, and I’m itching to mix up our holiday music playlist with some old favorites and new-to-us tunes. So, as my gift to you, I’m sharing a brand-new Cool Mom Picks Spotify...
Stop everything and watch Debbie Allen in Dance Dreams: The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker on Netflix.
The day it was released on Netflix, I watched Shondaland’s Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker, the new documentary about Debbie Allen Dance Academy and their annual production. Before I knew it, I was crying. While I danced as a child, I was never a ballet...
Explaining Hanukkah to kids: Start with this PBS documentary
Living in New York, I kind of take for granted that everyone knows what Hanukkah is, and we don’t need help explaining it to our kids. But last night on Twitter, I came across a thread started by a curious mom asking for documentaries or other resources to help...
We found the very best Schitt’s Creek gifts for all the fans on your holiday gift list
Well of course we had to share our favorite Schitt’s Creek gifts this year! After all, you might realize that one of favorite holiday gift recommendations each year are the up-to-the-minute pop-culture gifts, like Fleabag gifts in 2019, 90’s TV pop culture...
Roald Dahl’s The Witches is great campy fun, and don’t believe anyone who says differently.
As a movie buff, I tend to be skeptical of reboots. Especially reboots of movies like Roald Dahl’s The Witches which became an instant Halloween classic in the 90s. But the 2020 version, now on HBO Max, is more of a reimagining than a reboot. And a needed one,...
How to throw a Mandalorian watch party with your family that still feels like a party
I’m throwing everything into a Mandalorian watch party when season two launches on October 30th (whoo!). because to 2020, we haven’t had many reasons to celebrate. Of course, I’m using the word “party” loosely here — I’ll be...
Safe trick-or-treat alternatives for a very 2020 Halloween. It can still be fun, promise!
It’s official: I’m writing about safe trick-or-treat alternatives after weeks of putting it off. The CDC has even officially recommended against trick-or-treating during COVID-19, at least in the traditional way, and oof. I need some safe trick-or-treat...
10 books kids and teens should read before they become movies and TV series in 2020.
This year, even though we haven’t been able to go to actual movie theaters, we’re still seeing plenty of great movies from home. Yay for film companies adapting! And yay for me spending less than $50 to get everyone popcorn! If you’re big on reading...
The best presidential election resources for kids: Reader Q&A
Q: I’m looking for good resources for talking to my 11- and 12-year-olds about the presidential election, like candidate platforms that are kid-friendly reads. – Monica, via our Spawned Podcast Community. A: Well, this certainly sent me down an enjoyable rabbit...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.
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