board games Archives | Cool Mom Picks

The new UNO Braille deck lets sighted and visually impaired families play together

by Liz Gumbinner | Doing Good, Toys + Playthings

Seems like Mattel is having a heck of a month in terms of innovation in inclusivity. Because they’ve just announced the release of UNO Braille, an UNO deck developed in partnership with the National Federation of the Blind that’s going to allow more...

How to play Crokinole: The best game you’ve never played

by Kristen Chase | Toys + Playthings

After someone I follow on Instagram mentioned that her family had a blast playing the game Crokinole, I decided to Google it, having never heard of it myself. What kind of board game buff am I? Not a good one, apparently. Well, as I’ve learned over the last...

Some of our favorite Secret Santa gift ideas for the whole family

by Kristen Chase | Holiday Picks

One way I always bring all of my family together over the holidays is with a Secret Santa gifting tradition. Truth be told, it’s the most affordable (and let’s be honest, fun) way to exchange gifts with a large family over the holidays. I generally try to...

This weekend’s GameStop PRO DAYS sale can save you a ton on these hot holiday gifts | Sponsored Message

by Cool Mom Staff | Toys + Playthings

This is a sponsored message from GameStop If your family has video games, gaming systems, or pop culture tees and gifts (hey there, Fortnite fans!) on their holiday wish lists you’re going to want to check out this weekend’s huge GameStop PRO DAYS sale....

Make family night more…disgusting with these 7 popular gross-out games

by Kate Etue | Toys + Playthings

“Gross” is really having its moment. Last year we saw the pimple popping game as an alternative to fidget spinners, and I have to admit, it made me gag. Now, we’re seeing a new trend in kids’ toys: gross family games. They are seriously ew. But...

7 great new family board games that take 30 minutes or less to play

by Kate Etue | Toys + Playthings

Raise your hand if you’ve ever “accidentally” bumped your kid’s Candyland piece toward the finish to speed up the game? Hey, I get it. I often like (or need) family board games that are fast to play, too. And it doesn’t change as your...

These 5 social justice themed board games can help you (and your kids) be the change you want to see in the world

by Marsha Takeda-Morrison | Doing Good, Toys + Playthings

These are tough times, which is why now, more than ever, we need to remind ourselves – and teach our kids – to keep up the good fight about all the things we care about. But it can be exhausting getting inspired if you’re on a steady diet (by choice or not) of 24/7...

Where to find the stunning new A Wrinkle in Time board game. Wow.

by Kate Etue | Toys + Playthings

Are your kids as obsessed with Madeline L’Engle and Meg and Charles Wallace and tesseracts (and Oprah!) as ours are right now? If so, you may want to pre-order A Wrinkle in Time: A Daring Adventure game. Liz spotted USAopoly’s beautiful new board game at...

A custom board game for preschoolers can help you win best birthday gift ever.

by Kate Etue | Toys + Playthings

My board-gaming family geeked out just a little this week, getting our hands on our very own personalized board game, Our Family’s Race Across the U.S.A. For my kids, a new board game is always fun…but one with their own photos as the game pieces? Minds...

Amazing Card Games for Family Game Night | Editors Top 10 of the Year

by Cool Mom Staff | Editors Best of the Year, Kids

This year we featured a few super cool card games that we just can’t stop playing with our own families. And no, we’re not talking Go Fish or Gin-Rummy! So we decided the awesome family card game trend deserves a spot on our Editor Top 10 Picks of the Year...