by Liz Gumbinner | DIY, Holiday Picks
I can see in my social networks this year that so many more of us are looking for homemade gift ideas for the holidays. It’s not just that homemade gifts allow us to save some money (well, depending on the gift of course!), but they allow us to give an...
by Liz Gumbinner | Entertainment + Media, Holiday Picks
Living in New York, I kind of take for granted that everyone knows what Hanukkah is, and we don’t need help explaining it to our kids. But last night on Twitter, I came across a thread started by a curious mom asking for documentaries or other resources to help...
by Caroline Siegrist | Holiday Picks
Let’s talk ways to “meet” Santa this Christmas this year, during Covid. Because my young son will want a Santa Claus visit this year, and I know he’s not the only kid, by a long shot! So I’ve been brainstorming alternatives to sitting on...
by Liz Gumbinner | Holiday Picks
Am I a fan of Elf of the Shelf? Not particularly. But I know lots of you are — including members of our own team. So when I saw this handmade quarantine bag for Elf on the Shelf on Etsy, well… come on. Join me in celebrating the ingenuity. And laughing....
by Kate Etue | DIY, Doing Good
With Thanksgiving looking so different this year, we’re really trying to focus on gratitude and gratitude activities, so that we’re spending more time feeling, well, thankful, instead of resentful. With my own Thanksgiving family plans cancelled —...
by Liz Gumbinner | Entertainment + Media
As a movie buff, I tend to be skeptical of reboots. Especially reboots of movies like Roald Dahl’s The Witches which became an instant Halloween classic in the 90s. But the 2020 version, now on HBO Max, is more of a reimagining than a reboot. And a needed one,...
by Kate Etue | Toys + Playthings
The truth is, I don’t need an excuse to play scary board games for Halloween with my. kids. We’re full-fledged board game geeks at my house, and all games are an option for us, any time at all. But with so many families looking for safe trick-or-treat...
by Liz Gumbinner | Entertainment + Media, Kids, Party Ideas, Tips + Tricks
It’s official: I’m writing about safe trick-or-treat alternatives after weeks of putting it off. The CDC has even officially recommended against trick-or-treating during COVID-19, at least in the traditional way, and oof. I need some safe  trick-or-treat...
by Kate Etue | Doing Good, Kids
Raising money for UNICEF at Halloween has become a tradition for many of our readers and their kids, and it’s a cause we’ve supported since the very beginning of our site. That’s a long time! So we’re thrilled to announce that this year, even...
by Kate Etue | DIY, Valentine's Day
Trying to find classroom activities for Valentine’s Day parties that are fun enough, cool enough, easy enough, and affordable enough isn’t a simple task. Plus, not every kid is comfortable with the “tell every kid in your class you love them”...
We started Cool Mom Picks in 2006 to help make life cooler, more meaningful, and more fun for parents of all kinds. Whether you found us from appearances on the TODAY Show, from a Google search, or from a friend, we're so glad you're here.
