25+ cool backpacks for teenagers in 2019 | Back to School Guide
Next up in our 2019 Back to School Shopping Guide, we’re sharing more than 2 dozen of our favorite cool backpack for teenagers in 2019. As kids head to middle school or high school, they need bigger, sturdier backpacks, better shoulder straps, laptop protection,...
27 very cool backpacks for grade school this year | Back to School Guide 2019
We’ve already shared our favorite backpacks for preschool and kindergarten, so next up in our 2019 Back to School Shopping Guide, we’re moving onto cool backpack for grade school! There are so many…honestly we had to stop ourselves from picking even...
Paris with teens: 8 of our favorite off-the-beaten-path attractions and activities
Our family of four with two teenagers recently returned from a five-day trip to Paris. While we did hit most of the major attractions — the Louvre, Notre Dame, Versailles, and of course the Eiffel Tower — we also found some fun, less touristy places to...
The lawn sprinkler made entirely from predatory humanoid alien parts
The trend of crazy inflatable lawn sprinklers and cool pool floats shows little sign of slowing down. But if rainbow and unicorn sprinklers aren’t quite up your kid’s alley, I wouldn’t be surprised if a predatory, inter-dimension humanoid lawn...
How to answer all your daughter’s questions about menstruation and periods. (That goes for you too, dads!)
The stigma that still exists around periods and talking about the menstrual cycle is ridiculous — but getting better. No judgment, by the way. It’s ingrained in much of our culture not to talk about this stuff which (surprise!) makes it hard to talk about....
17 great high school graduation gift ideas that kids will actually want. Besides cash.
With high school graduation time here, I’ve been getting so many questions from friends about appropriate high school graduation gift ideas that kids will actually want. So I’ve been asking around, and the answer is most often, “cash.” Followed...
Hello Kitty Native Shoes just made little feet even more happy this summer
I live in Brooklyn, land of Children Who Live in Native Shoes. (Sorry Crocs.) Whether you live among us or not, if you’re about to buy a pair of these fab, comfy, sneaker-water shoe hybrid shoes in time for summer, you have to check out their new collection of...
Barcelona with teens: 6 tips to make your family vacation worth the investment
If you’re considering traveling to Barcelona with teens or older kids, I can help! As a diplomatic family now living abroad in Germany, we have the amazing opportunity to live and travel around Europe. Traveling with kids at any age brings a certain set of...
Comparing 4 prom dress rental sites to save you time, money, and dressing room meltdowns
We all know that buying a prom dress can be an exhausting and expensive process, but after learning about these prom dress rental sites, I’m convinced it really doesn’t have to be. These rental sites all let you browse online, select a dress to borrow for...Hi! We’re Kristen + Liz!
We started Cool Mom Picks in 2006 to help make life cooler, easier, more organized, more meaningful, and more fun for parents of all kinds.
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New for 2019!
Join the Cool Mom Picks Virtual Book Club
The Yes Brain, by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson : August 13
How to Break Up with Your Phone, by Christine Price
The New Childhood, by Jordan Shapiro
How to Be a Happier Parent by KJ Dell'Antonia
Raising Empowered Daughters by Mike Adamick
Radical Kindness by Angela Santomero
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