More coolness from recent weeks…
The best drugstore makeup for tweens and teens: Top picks from a pro
Now that some of our girls are starting to hit the age where they're asking about more than just a little flavored lip balm, we turned to an expert to offer us advice about makeup for tweens and teens. Because things have come a long way since we were all first...
The cutest baby sun hats to protect your baby’s skin this summer.
When it's brutally hot outside like it is now in some areas -- hello, summer! -- we start thinking seriously about protecting our littlest ones' skin from damaging UV rays. And, sunscreen can only do so much. It's important we find other ways to protect our baby's...
The Real Meaning of Father’s Day: Fathers
If you're lucky enough to have a fantastic father, grandfather, stepfather, or father figure or father of your children in your life. this one's for you. Happy Father's day cool dads. From Liz, Kristen, and everyone at Cool Mom Picks.
26 of the best car games and activities to keep kids happy without screens.
I was one of those parents who insisted that I'd raise the kind of kids who would play fun, screen-free car games on our family road trips, or perhaps watching the world whiz by while asking intelligent questions about all the sites and sounds around them. Sound...
The world’s cutest tableware for kids: We have a contender!
When my kids first started eating solids, they often reminded me of wild baby animals -- flinging food all over the place, trying to eat without using their hands, and getting all the gooiest stuff mashed into their hair. So I'm pretty impressed with the new kids'...
The new Athleta Girl clothing line: Is it worth the price?
I am an unabashed Athleta fan after being introduced to their clothes by a friend a couple of years ago. I practically live in them, mostly because I can wear them to workout and then for the rest of the day without feeling like I'm wearing gym clothes. Yes, perhaps...
The clever Bring Your Own Book game is our new favorite for family game night.
Now that my kids are old enough to play "real" games -- you know, the ones where I don't have to let them win -- I love finding new clever and fun options for when we all gather around the table to play. So I was really excited to learn about Bring Your Own Book, a...
These 5 charities are doing amazing things for dads this Father’s Day
If you've been following our 2016 Father's Day Gift Guide (go! Hurry!) we've been putting together all the coolest Father's Day gifts for all types of dads. But for a dad who's already got all the gear, gifts, and grill equipment he needs, we've always been fans of...
Sponsored Message: Nanit may be the biggest thing to happen to baby monitors.
This is a sponsored message from Nanit If you've ever lost sleep waiting impatiently for your baby to fall asleep -- or worse, woken your little one up when you've just peeked in -- you need to meet Nanit, a tremendous new advancement in baby monitors. In fact...
3 of our favorite board books for new dads that make awesome Father’s Day gifts
We all know chewable, sturdy board books are a great choice for babies and toddlers who are still in the oral fixation phase of development, but these books aren't always known for being the most stimulating for adult minds. Especially when kids demand the same book...
11 great ideas for last-minute Father’s Day gifts | Father’s Day Gift Guide 2016
While we've been talking about Father's Day gift ideas for a few weeks now, some of us (not naming names) still have some shopping to do. So we've collected plenty of our favorite ideas for you, from DIY gifts your kids can make at home to thoughtful gifts you can...
5 creative American flag t-shirts for kids that look perfect all year long.
In honor of Flag Day today, which commemorates the adoption of the American Flag, I rounded up some of my favorite interpretations of American flag t-shirts for kids. I know that when I was a kid, I absolutely adored my denim vest printed with the stars and stripes,...
Top dad bloggers share their best parenting advice for Father’s Day
With Father's Day right around the corner, we thought we'd hit up more than a dozen of our favorite dad bloggers for their own best parenting advice. We love each of these cool dads for using their powerful voices online to support other parents, so it's only fitting...
The best resources to help you talk to your children about tragedy, like the Orlando shooting.
This is an update of a previously published post It's been somber mood around here over the past 24 hours, as our hearts go out to the loved ones of the 100+ innocent people tragically murdered or wounded at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando on Sunday morning. My...
Here’s how you can follow Cool Mom Picks, Cool Mom Tech, Cool Mom Eats. We promise we’ll make it worth your while.
Whichever social media site is your guilty pleasure du jour, we’re there, making sure you don’t miss our favorite posts on parenting, fashion, apps, recipes, deals and discounts, and random awesomeness from around the web. Plus our favorite part: we love hearing from...
7 smart sleepaway camp essentials that help stave off homesickness.
If your little camper is heading off to sleepaway camp this summer, possibly for the first time (sniff), you'll likely receive from the camp a long list of all the essentials to pack -- extra socks, bug repellent, water bottles, headlamps. But, on top of all those...
12 cool first Father’s Day gift ideas for new dads | Father’s Day Gift Guide 2016
Each year, when we put together our Father's Day Gift Guide, we have an extra-soft spot when it comes to seeking out cool Father's Day gift ideas for new dads. There's something so special about commemorating the day for the very first time -- even (let's be honest)...
8 of the best teacher appreciation printables to help your kids say thanks
When we asked teachers what they thought made the best teacher gifts a couple of years ago, an overwhelming number of them said a personal note from their students was the one thing that really made their day. Yes, gift cards, classroom books, and handmade gifts are...
The best friend blankie your child is sure to love.
I have a soft spot for twee animal products in general, but when I received Lewis, the snuggly, adorable travel blanket with the sweet raccoon face, I found myself in a blissful, childlike state, wanting to run outside and climb the nearest tree. The Nomad Travel...
10 absolutely charming storybook birthday party ideas for kids
Looking for some inspiration for your child's next birthday party that goes beyond animated movies? You may not have to look any farther than one of the well-worn storybooks your child lovingly keeps by their bedside. In fact, we love the idea of a storybook themed...
11 truly clever tips and tricks for camping with kids to make it fun and easy. (Well, easy as possible.)
If you're up for the adventure, camping with kids can be a really fun, inexpensive way to get away for the weekend. While it’s admittedly not the best night’s sleep you'll ever get (though really, what parent gets a good night's sleep anyway?), I'm a big fan of the...