Unique gifts for creative kids that I haven’t seen before? Reader Q&A

by Liz Gumbinner | Toys + Playthings

Hi Cool Mom Picks! Can you put together some unique holiday gift ideas for creative kids that go beyond the same craft kits I see everywhere? Thanks so much!   Ooh, I love this question. We know that all kids have creativity in them, so Cool Mom Picks is always...

Crayon Crunch: Personalized books get kids with special needs in the story too.

by Kate Etue | Books for Kids

We’ve mentioned before that only 3% of children’s books feature characters of color, and there are even fewer that feature kids with special needs. This makes me really sad for the millions of kids out there who want to open up a book and see someone they...

14 of the coolest art toys and gifts for kids of all ages: 2015 Holiday Toy Gift Guide

by Christina Refford | Toys + Playthings

If there is one gift we always hope our kids get unwrap this holiday, it’s an art toy or craft kit, or something that encourages and help develops their artistic sides. For us, toys that build on children’s natural creativity are as important to feeding...

14 of our favorite small shops and online children’s boutiques to help you #shopsmall for the holidays.

by Cool Mom Team | Baby, Kid Style, Toys + Playthings

Since the first November it launched several years ago, even long before American Express started sponsoring and championing the campaign, we’ve been staunch advocates for Small Business Saturday. And we’re still thrilled to mark on our calendars each...

14 of the best educational toys for kids of every age: 2015 Holiday Toy Gift Guide

by Christina Refford | Toys + Playthings

If you could use a little help picking out toys for the kids on your list this holiday, we’re about to make things a lot easier for you with a mini holiday toy gift guide, starting with the best educational toys for kids. This is the first in a three-part series...

Easy, fun Halloween papercrafts for kids that don’t require anything you don’t have in the house already. (You have scissors, right?)

by Liz Gumbinner | DIY

If your kids are like mine and Kristen’s, they started counting down to Halloween…oh, November 1 of last year. Now that they’re in full Halloween commando mode, I’ve been looking for some easy crafts to distract them from asking me for the...

21 of the coolest free Halloween printables for kids. Because we’re all for fun that costs zero dollars.

by Liz Gumbinner | DIY

As we start to get excited for Halloween around here — as in, endless costume discussions considering my girls have a new idea every 17 minutes or so — I’ve been distracting them with Halloween crafts projects, front door decor request, and coloring...

12 adorable winter jackets to keep your kids warm and dry: Reader Q & A

by PJ Feinstein | Kid Style

Hey, Cool Mom Picks: Any good recommendations for a waterproof winter jacket for my preschooler? I’m starting to realize it’s probably going to get cold on the East Coast fast! Thanks! – Leah, via the Cool Mom Picks Facebook page UPDATE: Please see...

More than 40 of the coolest Star Wars birthday party ideas for your little Padawan

by Christina Refford | Party Ideas

We imagine a whole lot of parents out there are starting to plan some amazing Star Wars birthday parties and are going to be looking for some creative, cool ideas. After all, in just a few months, Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens will be released and a whole new...

The motherlode of free construction party printables for your little builder

by Liz Gumbinner | DIY, Party Ideas

If you’ve got a construction themed party on the brain, well first, you have to check out the awesome DIY dumptruck cake idea we included in our post on how to 18 easy cake decorating ideas for a store-bought cake. Then, you have to sign up for emails from our...