websites for kids Archives

This may be the most fun way to help kids improve their reading + writing skills

by Cool Mom Staff | Tech CMP-Style, Toys + Playthings

This is a sponsored message from Night Zookeeper Over the past couple of years, parents have really seen the value of educational apps and websites to help engage our kids in core subjects. If their excitement for reading and writing could use a little nudge, Night...

2021 inauguration activities and events for kids and families: Lots of ways to watch, learn, and celebrate with your kids

by Liz Gumbinner | Kids

As we move on from the worst president of all time, some wonderful organizations are coming together to help us collectively process, plan, and heal. You can find the full schedule of official Biden-Harris inaugural events here, but there’s more inaugural...

The best presidential election resources for kids: Reader Q&A

by Liz Gumbinner | Entertainment + Media, Kids

Q: I’m looking for good resources for talking to my 11- and 12-year-olds about the presidential election, like candidate platforms that are kid-friendly reads. – Monica, via our Spawned Podcast Community. A: Well, this certainly sent me down an enjoyable rabbit...

Lincoln Center at Home offers the most amazing art classes and concerts for kids. Free! From home!

by Kate Etue | DIY, Entertainment + Media

Even those of us who are seasoned homeschoolers are feeling a little frazzled about how to fill our kids’ long, uninterrupted days at home right now. But I’ve loved the way our artist community has come out to support our kids and families in so many ways...

The best homeschooling resources right now for newbies: ELA, science, math, and social studies home learning.

by Kate Etue | Tech CMP-Style, Tips + Tricks

With all the school closures right now, we know so many of you are looking for the best homeschooling resources. (Like, a lot of you!) We hear you! So first, I suggest you read my post on a homeschooling mom’s tips for teaching your kids at home during school...

What is Indigenous People’s Day? Great resources for talking to your kids, because Native American history is American history.

by Liz Gumbinner | Books for Kids, Doing Good, Thinking : Parent

Today, the second Monday in October, is the day that’s been traditionally celebrated as “Columbus Day” in the U.S., but knowing now what we know about Christopher Columbus, the holiday is fast transforming into Indigenous People’s Day. If...

The US Negro Nurses of WWII | Women’s History Month Stories to share with your kids.

by Liz Gumbinner | Thinking : Parent

I believe if Women’s History Month gives you an opportunity to learn even even one single new story about important women in history who you didn’t know before — and then share that story with your kids — then that would be fantastic. So I...

All the best children’s books of 2018 from all the best best-of 2018 lists. Perfect place to kickstart your 2019 reading list

by Kate Etue | Books for Kids

One New Year’s resolution my family all agreed on was to read more books in 2019.(A resolution that seems to be going around amongst our staff!) So, in my favorite annual Cool Mom Picks post, I’m sharing all the best children’s books on 2018 lists...

Join us for a Twitter social to help combat online bullying. Because #ItsCoolToBeKind.

by Cool Mom Staff | Tech CMP-Style

Online safety and cyberbullying have surpassed the list of parents’ concerns over even drugs and alcohol. And we get it — we have kids who are online too and it can be a little scary to let them loose on the Internet. In fact, 28% of students have...

The online Diverse Book Finder: A must-bookmark resource for families.

by Liz Gumbinner | Books for Kids

As avid advocates of diverse books of all kinds, but especially diverse children’s books, we work hard to share carefully curated lists of children’s books. Our amazing writers have shared impressive lists of wonderful books about diverse families, notable...

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.