11 favorite school supply organization hacks and tips | Back to School Guide 2019
While we’re talking fun school supplies, we have to discuss a few smart school supply organization hacks, tips and tricks Because while we love sharing the coolest backpacks of 2019 and other gear throughout our Back to School Shopping Guide, what do we do with...
Paris with teens: 8 of our favorite off-the-beaten-path attractions and activities
Our family of four with two teenagers recently returned from a five-day trip to Paris. While we did hit most of the major attractions — the Louvre, Notre Dame, Versailles, and of course the Eiffel Tower — we also found some fun, less touristy places to...
Can holding a potato help prevent car sickness?
Earlier this year, I read somewhere that holding a russet potato can help prevent car sickness. I had no idea how or why, but I thought it was worth a shot. Because if you have kids who get car sick, you know that you will try anything. Like…anything. On a long...
How to answer all your daughter’s questions about menstruation and periods. (That goes for you too, dads!)
The stigma that still exists around periods and talking about the menstrual cycle is ridiculous — but getting better. No judgment, by the way. It’s ingrained in much of our culture not to talk about this stuff which (surprise!) makes it hard to talk about....
17 great high school graduation gift ideas that kids will actually want. Besides cash.
With high school graduation time here, I’ve been getting so many questions from friends about appropriate high school graduation gift ideas that kids will actually want. So I’ve been asking around, and the answer is most often, “cash.” Followed...
I turned off my binge shows (eek!) and tried going to bed earlier for one month. Here are 7 things that happened.
I am tired all the time. Like, I’m a parent. You are probably a parent. You get it. And yet, entertainment junkie that I am, I found myself staying up until midnight (or later!) catching up on every darn MA-rated show and movie each night, after the kids were in...
Here’s the allowance system that has worked for my family.
I’ve tried many different allowance systems and allowance apps over the years with my four kids, but it wasn’t until I tried this new approach at the beginning of 2019 that I was able to stick with something for longer than a month. If you’re looking...
Social media, sexuality and school shootings: Tips for 10 hard talks every parent will have with their kids
I’ve happily left the diapers-and-bottles behind, and I’ve entered the parenting stage that involves a lot more talking about the important issues in my kids’ lives — and in the world around them. As hard as it can be sometimes, and I’ve...
The 20 most affordable travel destinations for families right now. Pack your bags!
As you may know, one of our top tips for affordable family travel, especially on an extended trip, is to rent an apartment or home instead of forking out big bucks for a hotel — let alone renting two hotel rooms, if you’ve got a bigger family. Linda even...
How does Disney’s Disability Access Service card (DAS) work? This mom lays it out for you.
I recently described my 10 tips for a Disney vacation with a special needs child, to help you ensure that the trip is as magical for all of you. But I wanted to give more details about the totally free Disability Access Service (DAS) card for those of you looking into...
10 super easy, totally free ways to help support your favorite independent publishers + keep that content free for you!
It’s hard out there for an independent publisher. But here we are, like we have been for the past 13 (whoa!) years, putting out out stories, offering tips, and uncovering cool finds that we really hope our readers enjoy — all while making sure it remains...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.
Our Podcast. (It’s won awards and everything!)
Be a savvier digital parent in 15 minutes or less
Follow us on Instagram
Pamper Them Babies!
Doing Good: We’re supporting…
“What’s your random advice about something food related?”
