politics + activism Archives

Why it’s important for kids to read diverse books, with author Meena Harris | Spawned Ep 251

by Kristen Chase | Books for Kids, Doing Good, Podcast

With the recent news of the York Central School District book ban (only just a few hours from where Kristen lives, by the way), we thought it was important to re-share this amazing episode with the delightful, brilliant Meena Harris. She’s an activist,...

What is Labor Day? This book (and its read-aloud video) is a perfect way to explain.

by Liz Gumbinner | Books for Kids

I’m not sure how many kids have ever really asked what is Labor Day? It’s become synonymous with the unofficial end of summer, a three-day weekend, barbecues, and yeah, mattress sales. So much so, we kind of blow past it without the typical tributes and...

50 screen-free activities for kids to do over summer break, indoors and out

by Kate Etue | DIY, Kids

So many parents are looking for fresh ideas for screen-free activities for kids now that we finally turned a corner. I know I’m not the only parent with kids whose screen time increased significantly over the quarantine. It was their primary way to connect with...

Progressive 4th of July tees that you (and your kids) will love wearing long past Independence Day.

by Caroline Siegrist | Fashion, Kid Fashion

Let’s talk progressive 4th of July tees. We feature cool flag tees and clothing of all kinds every summer, but each year, there are more and more of us looking to celebrate the best of what this country can be and should be. “Freedom for all” is not...

Elected leaders need to do more than just “recognize” Juneteenth. Tell them to act on these 5 issues.

by Liz Gumbinner | Thinking : Parent

Today marks the very first Juneteenth since the US Senate unanimously passed a resolution to make Juneteenth a national holiday this week and it was quickly signed into law by President Biden on Thursday. It’s amazing! So many of us grew up never having heard of...

Why I’m supporting these brands and their cool Pride month products and collaborations.

by Liz Gumbinner | Doing Good, Living, Style + Beauty

I had a long talk with my (avidly LGBTQ+ supporting) teens this week about the overlap between Pride Month and brands. On one hand, there’s an argument about the “corporatization” of Pride Month, and the rainbow washing of products. On the other...

What was the Tulsa Race Massacre? Resources to help teach kids (and adults) of all ages

by Kate Etue | Doing Good, Kids, Thinking : Parent

May 30, 1921, marks one of the darkest days in America’s history. And yet the Tulsa Race Massacre isn’t an event I ever learned in school — and unfortunately most kids today don’t either. The Burning of Black Wall Street can be a hard day to...

7 outstanding high school or college graduate gift books: On stepping into the arena, dreaming with eyes wide open, and professional troublemaking (in the best possible way)

by Cool Mom Staff | Books for Adults, Books for Kids, Thinking : Parent

When my daughter graduated from high school five years ago, the headmaster gifted each graduating senior a book with a personal message inside. Her class received Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson. The following year, my niece’s...

7 incredible aspects of The American Families Plan you may not have caught. It’s a big f*cking deal (to paraphrase a certain current president)

by Liz Gumbinner | Doing Good, Kids

Watching President Biden describe some of the details of his American Families Plan this week — well, it’s made me emotional. It’s so much of what we’ve hoped for. And frankly, so much of what our own parents and even grandparents have hoped...

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.