educational kids' toys Archives

The best interactive toys for kids: 6 I love in every price range

by Liz Gumbinner | Tech CMP-Style, Toys + Playthings

As I’ve written here before, RetailMeNot is basically my must-visit destination before I make any purchase online. Because hey, coupon codes. So I was thrilled when they asked me to write an article for them sharing my own picks for the best interactive toys to...

Where to find the iconic Eric Carle + Magna-tiles sets that just launched today.

by Kate Etue | Toys + Playthings

We love some Magna-tiles around our house. My kids like to build cool structures with them, and I love how easily we clean them up (thanks to those magnets). So when we heard about the new Eric Carle + Magna-tiles collab, we got excited. Yes, cool art on awesome toys...

A special needs mom shares 4 great toys for kids with cognitive disabilities.

by Kate Etue | Toys + Playthings

With the holidays coming up, grandparents and friends are naturally asking for ideas for gifts for the kids, but when you are shopping for toys for kids with cognitive disabilities, it can make the gifting a little more challenging. For my daughter, play time is also...

Holiday tech gifts: 11 of the coolest STEM toys and gifts for big kids and tweens

by Cool Mom Staff | Holiday Picks, Kids

STEM toys and gifts are definitely high on lots of holiday wish lists this season, so we’re rounding up some of the coolest options for big kids and tweens. From cool STEM building sets to STEM subscription boxes, in every single price range (hey, we know that...

5 incredible deals on hot toys at Zulily right now. The holidays are coming!

by Liz Gumbinner | Holiday Picks, Toys + Playthings

If you’re looking to get a head start on holiday shopping — especially toys for all those kids on your list — you can score some truly fantastic deals right now thanks to our partner Zulily. And I can help! This parent-fave online retailer launches...

New LEGO Replay lets you donate your used bricks to kids in need. And it’s so easy!

by Liz Gumbinner | Doing Good, Toys + Playthings

I think you’re going to be as excited about LEGO Replay as I am. Because if your kids are like mine, they’ve accumulated a whoooole lot of LEGO bricks over the years. And there comes a point where maybe they don’t need them. Or at least all of them....

Worldgirls Dolls are here to help girls embrace their inner power. Yes!

by Kate Etue | Toys + Playthings

If you’re like me, you might be struggling to find a meaningful, inspiring doll choice for your kids on the shelves of the toy aisle in your closest big box store. But when I heard about the new collection of Worldgirls dolls, I got excited. This is the kind of...

7 important reasons that children need baby dolls — both girls AND boys

by Cool Mom Staff | Baby, Toys + Playthings

For years, we’ve written about the joy and beauty and specialness of baby dolls as gifts for our kids, from newborns to toddlers, even our school-aged kids. A doll can be a cherished best friend, a bedtime comfort, a travel companion, a tea party guest, and...

This baby and toddler subscription is like a 3-year Montessori education | Sponsored Message

by Cool Mom Staff | Baby, Toys + Playthings

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...

Black Friday shopping: 6 holiday toys to have on your radar this weekend | Sponsored Message

by Cool Mom Staff | Holiday Picks, Toys + Playthings

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...

Hi! We’re Kristen + Liz!

Kristen Chase + Liz Gumbinner of Cool Mom Picks

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).