free downloads Archives | Cool Mom Picks

Download this free, printable summer reading list challenge for kids of all ages. (Yes, summer is here!)

When I saw this printable diverse summer reading list challenge for kids over at the Oaxacaborn homeschool group on Facebook, I immediately had to share it. Schools here in Nashville have already dismissed for summer break —I know the rest of the country is...

A free lesson plan about Amanda Gorman’s inauguration poem will make for some great dinner table conversation tonight.

by Kate Etue | Thinking : Parent

My kids and I were glued to the TV last Wednesday, watching history take place on Inauguration Day. We were sobered by the national guard presence, excited about the achievements of our new VP Kamala Harris, and just so totally and completely relieved to see President...

Voting activities for elementary students: 9 fun, meaningful, and non-partisan ideas to get young kids involved.

by Christina Refford | DIY, Doing Good

It’s encouraging to see how many parents have asked us for voting activities for elementary students or any kids too young to vote this year. With the election just a few weeks away, our kids have surely heard us talking about different candidates, issues, and...

8 homemade Father’s Day cards from the kids. Keep tissues nearby. | Father’s Day Gifts 2020

by Christina Refford | DIY, Father's Day Gifts

Homemade Father’s Day cards are so perfect, whether they’re from kids old enough to manage their own craft supplies, or you know, “from the baby.” In fact we all feel like a homemade card should be part of any Father’s Day gift...

11 easy Father’s Day crafts for kids that celebrate #1 dads, rock star dads, and superhero dads. | Father’s Day Gift Guide

by Christina Refford | DIY, Father's Day Gifts

As we look for the best Father’s Day crafts for kids to make for their dads, grandpas and stepdads as part of our annual Father’s Day Gift Guide, one thing becomes evident: While not all dads have mustaches, or wear neck ties, or play golf or like bacon,...

How to explain social distancing to young kids: This free downloadable Princess in Black comic book helps

by Caroline Siegrist | Books for Kids

My three-year-old son still thinks the Novel Coronavirus is something he can defeat with a solid dropkick. (Oh, how I wish that were true, buddy!) But as cute as he is, his confusion about COVID-19 and quarantine best practices has created some real problems. And I...

This free printable Women’s History Month coloring page should cover your at-home history lesson and art class in one

by Kate Etue | DIY

When I saw this amazing free printable Women’s History Month coloring page from Here Wee Read, I geeked out and immediately messaged Liz. It’s such an amazing resource for those of us hoping to teach our kids more about important and diverse women who have...

The best homeschooling resources right now for newbies: ELA, science, math, and social studies home learning.

by Kate Etue | Tech CMP-Style, Tips + Tricks

With all the school closures right now, we know so many of you are looking for the best homeschooling resources. (Like, a lot of you!) We hear you! So first, I suggest you read my post on a homeschooling mom’s tips for teaching your kids at home during school...

We love these printable bilingual Valentine’s cards in Spanish, French, Chinese, Swahili and more.

by Liz Gumbinner | DIY, Valentine's Day

I really love the idea of kids handing out printable bilingual Valentine’s cards to their classmates. These days, knowing a second language is de rigeuer. (See what I did there?) Lots of our kids are growing up in bilingual households, they have grandparents or...

7 of the best free printable 2020 calendars to suit any taste. And yes, we said free!

by Kate Etue | DIY, Storage + Organization

2020 is already underway., and normally we’d have shared our annual list of our favorite printable calendars with you for the year. But with some of our kids back in school late this year, combined with and some of the recent stories on the news, we may be a...

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).

We still love what we do every single day. And we're so glad you're here.