tweens + teens Archives | Cool Mom Picks

What to see and do (and eat!) with teens in Boston…in the winter. Yes, the winter.

Winter in Boston with the family may sound…well, cold. It ‘s true that the sun sets earlier, and you have to bundle up when you go out, because, New England! Even so, Boston an excellent city for a getaway with teens any time, and that includes winter....

Penguin Minis are the coolest, tiniest way to read your favorite YA books.

by Christina Refford | Books for Kids

As a life-long bookworm, I am always looking for ways to get my three teens to put down their phones and read more books. Sound familiar? Then check out the coolest, new-to-me concept in book publishing: Penguin Minis. These novels for teens and tweens are turning the...

Insider tips for your Nickelodeon Resort Punta Cana vacation: How to get the most out of your trip

by Liz Gumbinner | Family Travel

Last year, I was invited to visit the Nickelodeon all-inclusive Hotel & Resort in Punta Cana on a press junket. The truth is, I hesitated a bit. I tend to be a more intrepid traveler, though I do love the convenience of all-inclusive beach resorts for family...

Our kids are sharing memes about WWIII. Here’s how to talk to kids about the fear of war.

by Liz Gumbinner | Thinking : Parent, Tips + Tricks

In light of this week’s rapid increase in tension between the US, Iran, and Iraq, my social feeds are packed with parents sharing similar sentiments as Asha Dornfest did on Twitter: My children and their friends are sharing WW3 memes to cope with their fear and...

The power and positivity of raising teens | Editors’ Best of 2019

by Cool Mom Staff | Editors Best of the Year

In the past, teenagers have had a reputation with parents that preceded them. Does the eyeroll emoji come to mind? Well in 2019, we saw the rise of an exciting movement that empowered parents raising teens to see them in all their awesome, creative, out-of-the-box...

Post-Hamilton Broadway for teens: Editors’ Best of the Year.

by Liz Gumbinner | Editors Best of the Year, Entertainment + Media

It’s no surprise to anyone who knows me or my kids that we are massive Broadway fans. We are so fortunate to live in The Greatest City in the World (name that tune), which allows us to see a lot of musicals. A lot. But my kids are hardly alone in asking for show...

Expert answers to your top questions about parenting teens | Spawned Episode 181

by Cool Mom Staff | Podcast

Like you, we’ve got lots of questions when it comes to parenting teens, which is why it was such a pleasure chatting with Dr. Ken Ginsburg, someone who knows an awful lot about parenting them. Along with being a parent himself, Dr. Ginsburg has years of...

24 gifts that give back beautifully to everyone on your list. Because any day can be #GivingTuesday if you make it.

by Liz Gumbinner | Doing Good, Holiday Picks

Each year, we love putting together some of our favorite gifts that give back in substantial and specific ways — not just some undetermined percentage of your purchase going to “charities.” While we definitely share these kinds of gifts that give...

Holiday tech gifts: 11 of the coolest STEM toys and gifts for big kids and tweens

by Cool Mom Staff | Holiday Picks, Kids

STEM toys and gifts are definitely high on lots of holiday wish lists this season, so we’re rounding up some of the coolest options for big kids and tweens. From cool STEM building sets to STEM subscription boxes, in every single price range (hey, we know that...

5 reasons this STEM toy should be at the top of your holiday shopping list

by Cool Mom Staff | Toys + Playthings

Every year, we keep an eye on hot holiday toy trends, and no surprise here, STEM toys are still a big ticket item for the 2019 holiday season. When we look for STEM toys, we particularly appreciate ones that teach kids STEM concepts by encouraging creative,...