kids' toys Archives | Cool Mom Picks

The best summer camp care package ideas for tweens and teens: A helpful list from a mom who’s been sending them for 8 years

We are completely celebrating the return to summer camp around here. And I am celebrating the joy of putting together summer camp care packages for my tweens and teens! After the year they have had, the chance to run around with friends, swim, be silly, stay up too...

11 of the best Prime Day 2021 Deals from brands we trust. No “ACKHYDRO” or “PROFORL7” or whatever.

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

Each year, we try to go through all the clutter and crap, and put together the best Amazon Prime Day deals for you. I mean, with all due respect to the “flash deals” on Amazon Prime Day that look like your Great Aunt Hilda just cleaned out her attic, This...

We found a new bike for kids 5-12 that’s made to grow with them — in smarter and safer ways than just raising a seat

by Christina Refford | Toys + Playthings

We’ve reached peak bike-riding season, but if you’ve been trying to buy a quality kids’ bicycle, they aren’t as easy to find in stock right now as you might thing. (Maybe because it’s peak bike-riding season?) That’s why a new line...

The coolest pool floats, from yachts and butterflies, to rainbow clouds for two (for all that safe social un-distancing we’ll be doing!)

by Kristen Chase | Toys + Playthings

When I saw the FUNBOY pool floats my pool envy grew three sizes, because, a flamingo? Flaming lips? A rainbow unicorn? I need to have these in my life right now. And not just because they’re freaking cool. They actually give back in an amazing way too. These...

The best subscription gifts for kids this year: 40+ ideas for every age, and every interest

by Kate Etue | Holiday Picks, Kids, Toys + Playthings

It’s final countdown to the holidays, which means last-minute gift ideas, which means subscription gifts for kids, which are always some of our favorites to give — last minute or not! Wwe know from experience that our kids love to receive boxes in the...

More than 50 amazing holiday gifts for kids under $15: Like, GOOD gifts. Not stocking stuffers.

by Liz Gumbinner | Holiday Picks, Toys + Playthings

Each year, we love putting together a list of affordable holiday gifts for kids under $15. With budgets tight for so many this year, it really helps to know that there are plenty of affordable gifts that still seem like big deals to kids, tweens, and even teens....

11 of our favorite new Advent calendars for kids to help countdown to Christmas

by Christina Refford | DIY, Holiday Picks

Every year (since 2008!) we’ve scoured the internet to find the coolest Advent calendars to help you — and your excited kids — count down to Christmas. In spite of all the hardships this year has thrown our way, or maybe because of them, I am...

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...

The new LEGO Brick Sketch kits are 3D puzzles made for framing. Fun!

by Caroline Siegrist | Toys + Playthings

Our house needs more tiny LEGO pieces like it needs a hole in the roof, but then the new LEGO Brick Sketches were finally released on the LEGO site. They’re so cute, I find myself actually wanting one.For me. The new kits are part building set, part puzzle, part...

10 of the coolest backyard water toys we’ve found, to help kids beat the heat this summer

by Kate Etue | Toys + Playthings

Happy summer, friends! If you’re facing pool closures or limits in your neighborhoods this summer (gah!) then you’re likely looking for some fun backyard water toys to help your kids enjoy the summer months without melting while they’re outside....

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.