by Christina Refford | Toys + Playthings
We love balance bikes here at Cool Mom Picks because they do such a great job of teaching young kids how to get around safely on two wheels. I was sold on them after learning the hard way how challenging it is to wean a fearful child off of training wheels (oy, my...
by Cool Mom Team | Family Travel
It’s officially the season for travel (whoo!) and whether you’re planing it, driving, or taking the subway uptown for a picnic in the park, we’re all for getting out with the kids. A top question from our readers is always “but what do I...
by Christina Refford | Toys + Playthings
I often talk to the kids about why it’s so important to keep our neighborhood and parks clean by recycling or picking up trash we find on the sidewalk. And this Earth Day, I love that Cool Mom Picks favorite Green Toys is reminding us how important it is to take...
by Christina Refford | Toys + Playthings
Though it’s clear that the Olympic athletes we’ve been watching at the Sochi Winter Games all want gold, all three of Micro Kickboard’s new medal-hued scooters would be winners with my kids, regardless of what color they choose. All dressed up for...
by Christina Refford | Toys + Playthings
What are the best gifts for an 8-year-old boy? I’m looking for a big gift, in the $50-$100 range. —CMP reader, via Twitter Oh, you mean the kind of gift that makes a child pause while unwrapping, shout out with glee, and rush over to give you a big hug? Well,...
by Christina Refford | Toys + Playthings
Whether your toddler is ready for their first balance bike or you have a mini speedster on your holiday list, a ride-on toy makes an awesome “big gift” for either Hanukkah or Christmas. As the inadvertent ride-on-toy expert at Cool Mom Picks (what with...
by Liz Gumbinner | Toys + Playthings
Every so often, it’s fun to see how the rich and famous live, especially those with kids. Should you have a spare 10, 20, or 50k lying around, check out these unbelievable kids playhouses. Or hey, if you buy one yourself? Invite us over! Related: 7 cool playroom...
by Christina Refford | Toys + Playthings
When the weather turns warm, I am on the hunt for fun new ways to get the kids outside–and off their various electronic devices. My latest find may be low-tech, but it’s so high on fun, we’re all waiting in line for our turn to play. ...
by Cool Mom Team | Editors Best of the Year
We love nothing more than finding toys for kids that are handmade, or at least, don’t require an on and off switch and 300 batteries. Instead, our favorite toys of 2012 are all powered by the imaginations and little hands of kids. Liz LEGO Friends As one of the...
by Christina Refford | Toys + Playthings
The siren song of electronics has a huge pull on my tweens this holiday, so if I’m going to ask Santa to bring them something that doesn’t begin with an “i” it’d better be something pretty cool. I found something pretty cool....