outdoor fun Archives | Cool Mom Picks

Chance Basketballs give every move on the court more style. But that’s not all they do.

by Christina Refford | Toys + Playthings

Looking for a fabulous gift for an athletic kid this year? I’ve got you! Whether your teen can hit a three-point shot from half court, or your grade schooler is still trying to fling the ball high enough to touch the net, the next Lebron James or Sue Bird will...

10 ways to make the most out of the last weekend of summer, most of them free

by Cool Mom Staff | Living

With the final unofficial days of summer so close (wah!), we’ve got one more long weekend to milk the most out of the late sunsets with the family. So we’re bringing back this post from a few years back, when our editor Liz offered up 10 wonderful little...

We tried the first LED string lights with mosquito repellent built right in. How did we live without these?

by Kate Etue | Living, Party Ideas

I’m all about outdoor entertaining in the summertime — especially this year — except the one thing that hasn’t gone away are the mosquitos. Nothing kills a mood quite like your guests all slapping at themselves while trying to talk one another....

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 safe bike helmets for kids. As in, ones they’ll actually want to wear.

by Kate Etue | Toys + Playthings

The best kids’ bike helmet in the world won’t do any good if your kid doesn’t want to put it on, which is why yes, it matters if they think they have a “cool” bike helmet. We’re here to help! I’ve spent hours searching the...

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...

6 comprehensive bike safety tips for kids, from a serious biking family who knows

by Christina Refford | Tips + Tricks, Toys + Playthings

After such a long winter, it’s finally bike-riding season: Hooray! And, whoa are you all getting on those bikes! I’ve seen so many kids riding bikes in our neighborhood, that my son’s mountain bike team has doubled in size since last year. Bike shops...

5 wonderful new books about spring for kids! YES, it’s finally here!

by Kate Etue | Books for Kids

It’s spring! Or as this homeschool mom thinks of it, spring book season! So many of us are relieved to have made it through the brutal pandemic winter, and reap the rewards of longer days, warmer weather, outdoor grilling, maybe some backyard camping, and of...

If you’re smart, you’ll stock up on these things for winter before they run out. Again.

by Caroline Siegrist | Health, Fitness + Wellbeing

With winter around the corner, I know so many of us are in full prep mode. Or at least as close to full prep mode as we can be while also managing work, online school, and preventing a household COVID outbreak. Oof. So I’ve tried to take some of the leg work out...

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.