party ideas Archives | Cool Mom Picks

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

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....

12 meaningful and creative adoption anniversary ideas shared by adoptive parents

by Kate Etue | Tips + Tricks

My family recently celebrated the fourth anniversary of our daughter’s adoption. It’s always a special day for us, in which we try to honor her heritage; we pull out photo albums, eat at a Korean restaurant, and send updates to her adoption workers. But...

New Year’s Eve at home with the kids: These 13 festive (and easy!) ideas can make the night memorable.

by Kate Etue | Party Ideas, Tips + Tricks

New Year’s Eve at home with the kids isn’t a new idea for this year. In general, New Year’s Eve parties for parents are more about trying our very best to stay up till midnight (though 10 PM is more like it) and drinking sparkling cider with our kids...

How to throw a Mandalorian watch party with your family that still feels like a party

by Caroline Siegrist | Entertainment + Media

I’m throwing everything into a Mandalorian watch party when season two launches on October 30th (whoo!). because to 2020, we haven’t had many reasons to celebrate. Of course, I’m using the word “party” loosely here — I’ll be...

Safe trick-or-treat alternatives for a very 2020 Halloween. It can still be fun, promise!

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...

7 special graduation ideas during Covid-19 for your 2020 grad. They deserve it!

by Christina Refford | Party Ideas, Tips + Tricks

Our Facebook groups have been asking for graduation ideas during Covid-19 and quarantine, and as a mom to a rising senior, and a high school grad last year, my heart goes out to all the 2020 grads. While school kids everywhere have had their lives and routines upended...

We love these printable bilingual Valentine’s cards in Spanish, French, Chinese, Swahili and more.

by Liz Gumbinner | DIY, Valentine's Day

I really love the idea of kids handing out printable bilingual Valentine’s cards to their classmates. These days, knowing a second language is de rigeuer. (See what I did there?) Lots of our kids are growing up in bilingual households, they have grandparents or...

Valentine’s hack to help make all those preschool classroom cards easier. For both of you.

by Liz Gumbinner | Kids

If you’ve got a child who’s excited to hand out Valentine’s cards to the classroom in preschool or daycare, but isn’t so great yet with the name signing — especially when it has to be done 18 or so times — here’s a clever...

This brilliant classroom activity for Valentine’s Day makes everyone feel the love.

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”...

Last-minute Halloween crafts, printables, pumpkin decorating, and party activities to keep the whole week fun.

by Liz Gumbinner | DIY, Holiday Picks

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...

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.