Top rainy day activities for kids (or when the temp hits 110 in the shade)

by Christina Refford | DIY

When the thunderclouds roll in, digging up rainy day kids’ activities to keep the brood entertained indoors isn’t so easy. Especially when all they can think about are beaches, bikes and bothering each other. So we thought it was high time to revisit some...

Protecting kids from sunburn, petrochemicals, and shoddy package design

by Cool Mom Team | Beauty + Cosmetics

We’ve gotten our fair share of baby lotions and bath products from Little Twig as gifts and I must say, they’re often the ones I reach for first. I love the adorable packaging, but even more so I love the pthalate-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free products...

The Cool Mom Picks Summer Road Trip Mix Tape

by Christina Refford | Entertainment + Media

I’ve done enough seven-hour road trips with the kids to know that the right music can eliminate the fear of “are we there yet?” So before strapping the kids into their car seats, I spruce up our music collection with some new tunes for less money...

Home of the Brave, the Furry and the Grouchy

by Christina Refford | Entertainment + Media

With a little one who hates loud noises and falls asleep before 9, seeing big Fourth of July fireworks has become one of those “maybe next year” dreams we tell his older siblings. So we were happy to learn about PBS’ A Capitol Fourth which will have...

Go play outside!

by Mir | Doing Good

While I wholeheartedly support the idea of grandparents getting outside to play with the grandkids, don’t let the fact that this downloadable Go Play Outside guide is being offered through Grandparents.com dissuade you from checking it out yourself, mamas....

The plastic pail that’s all pail, no plastic

by Christina Refford | Toys + Playthings

When I find myself packing our bags for a beach side vacation, I always look for ways to cut back on the number of space-hogging things we’re taking. With the SandSac they can bring their sand pail and shovel without taking up too much precious luggage space. No...

Buh-bye macaroni art

by Julie | Toys + Playthings

Craft kits are perfect for moms lacking that creativity gene, but then there are moms like me who combine both lack of creativity with an aversion to clutter. Our kids happily create, but then we wonder what to do with the (precious and unique but totally useless)...

Free movies for kids all summer. As in, free. No catch. I swear.

by Cool Mom Team | Entertainment + Media

Call me frugal, or cheap, or just a big old party pooper, but there’s just no way I can rationalize taking three young kids to the movies these days when all they really do is gorge themselves on popcorn and bounce around in the big seats.But this...