Dear diary

by Cool Mom Team | Books for Kids

Childhood diaries are always depicted as the tool of brooding, angry, angst-filled goth girls; more Heathers than Clueless. Personally, my own first journal was filled with a lot lighter fare. And a whole lot of bad rhyming poetry and original song lyrics....

Moop, there it is!

by Cool Mom Team | Kids

In the summer, I tend to let my handbags go a little more casual and a little less structured. Messenger bags can do the trick, but frankly, I don’t want to look like a messenger. [don’t miss the giveaway after the jump!] That’s where Moop comes in....

A girls’ guide to middle school mojo

by Mir | Books for Kids

We’re heading into our second year of middle school, here, and it’s been… interesting. It’s definitely a whole different ballgame than elementary school, particularly for girls, who tend to morph into social piranhas pretty early.Is your little...

Spotting bargains across the pond

by Cool Mom Team | Toys + Playthings

Most of the online shopping I do at UK shops is of the window variety. As in, browsing only, do not pass go, do not add to my cart, do not pay international shipping. But sometimes I stumble on a sale so good, it makes it worth it to do more than drool. At the...

Kids’ Garden Activity Cards provide get-out-there inspiration

by Christina Refford | DIY, Toys + Playthings

I have no trouble getting my kids to go outside on a summer’s day, it’s getting them to stay outside when the siren song of kids’ cartoons and super-exciting video games beckon from the air-conditioned comfort of our home. That’s when I, the...

The secret is out on these princesses

by Christina Refford | Books for Kids

I’ve fought the princessification of my girls valiantly, as a mama who wants her girls to admire heroes who don’t wait around for some dumb prince to find their happiness. As you may guess, it didn’t work; they love princess everything, though I try...

Ballet for beginners – and their wistful moms

by Cool Mom Team | Books for Kids

As a budding young ballerina, I was simply in love with A Very Young Dancer by Jill Krementz. I used to just lose myself in those marvelous photos until the pages were as dog-eared as the copies in the used bookstores that now carry it. So when I saw the new Ballet...

For kids who walk around with a light bulb blinking over their heads

by Stephanie Slate | Doing Good

Earth Day is fast-approaching, but this isn’t just any Earth Day. This year happens to mark the 40th anniversary of the eco-celebration and to celebrate, Design Squad on PBS KIDS GO is launching the nationwide 2010 Trash to Treasure competition on April 5th....

Easy Readers

by Christina Refford | Books for Kids

Even though I homeschool, I’m more than okay with farming out some subjects. Especially if my kids will do them happily on their own, instead of fighting with me for an hour. So, when Headsprout asked if my five year-old beginner reader would like to test out...

Girls Gone Green – Get ready to be inspired

by Cool Mom Team | Books for Kids

I admit that when I first saw Lynn Hirshfield’s new book, Girls Gone Green, I mistakenly assumed it was a collection of tween and teen celebrities sharing how they use eco-conscious nail polish or consume locally grown avocados in their California Rolls...