Make a gratitude garland: a simple craft to help our kids be more thankful (and thoughtful) this holiday season
Being thankful and expressing gratitude always shifts our own mindset in a positive direction, especially over the holidays, so my family came up with a new tradition we’re excited about: a gratitude garland! I was inspired by my neighbor’s beautiful paper...
12 of the coolest Advent calendars this year, to make the countdown even more fun
I am usually a big advocate for letting Thanksgiving have its own precious time before shifting my focus on to Christmas. But, with Thanksgiving falling so late in November this year, those of us who celebrate Christmas will want to have a cool Advent calendar ready...
Holiday craziness and stress: Let’s sloooooow things down a little, please? | Spawned ep 174
If you feel like the holiday season came sooner this year — along with the holiday ads, the holiday sales, the Mariah Carey videos, and the holiday pressure, it’s not in your head. There are lots of reasons we’re feeling it more this year, and social...
Last-minute Halloween crafts, printables, pumpkin decorating, and party activities to keep the whole week fun.
If it’s not clear by now, we loooove Halloween around here! And if you need some ideas for party activities on Halloween night, or fun printables and craft ideas to keep the kids out of the candy stash for a few more days, take a look at these terrific ideas...
What is Indigenous People’s Day? Great resources for talking to your kids, because Native American history is American history.
Today is the day that’s been traditionally celebrated as “Columbus Day” in the U.S., but knowing now what we know about Christopher Columbus, the holiday is fast transforming into Indigenous People’s Day for many. If you’re wondering what...
80+ creative Easter egg decorating ideas: Your ultimate egg decorating resource!
For more than a decade now, so many of our writers have searched the web to compile the most creative Easter egg decorating ideas, from simple to wow, from traditional to modern, from designs for toddlers to designs for teens — and everything in between. And so,...
Passover roundup: Our favorite Passover recipes, kid crafts, and even a free printable Hamilton Haggadah
Happy first night of Passover, to our observant friends! And to the rest of you — well, here’s hoping you score a seder invite, because this is easily my favorite Jewish holiday. While Hanukkah gets most of the attention, Passover is a beautiful time to...
Home with the kids New Year’s Eve? These 12 festive (and easy!) ideas can make the night memorable.
These days, New Year’s Eve parties are more about me trying my very best to stay up till midnight (though 10 PM is more like it) and drinking sparkling cider with our kids as we watch the ball drop on TV. And, honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way....
12 acts of kindness you can do with your kids over the holiday break, to make the season about more than presents.
On the first day after Christmas, Santa will be back at the North Pole, the toys will all be unwrapped, and you’ll have at least a week to entertain your sweet, energetic children while they are home from school. If there’s ever a time to let the kids...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.
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Covid Support + Quarantine Help for Families
* Our complete Covid-19 and quarantine archives
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* Quarantine birthday party ideas in the age of social distancing
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