More coolness from recent weeks…
The most adorable cardboard playhouses for animal-loving kids.
If I had a dime for every time I walked into what was once a clean den or bedroom to discover it's been colonized by tiny pillow forts and sheet palaces, well, then I could buy one of these awesome, animal-shaped HULKI playhouses instead. After a hugely successful...
18 fun, free printable summer coloring pages for kids. Good ones!
Now that we're deep in the heart of summer, I find my kids like cooling down in the afternoons with some crafting time, and free printable coloring pages for kids often do the trick. Whether you're passing time, celebrating a summer birthday, going screen-free on a...
The 9 worst children’s TV shows that made my life a living hell: 2002–2009 Edition
We're happy to welcome guest columnist, Wendi Aarons. She's funny. When I was pregnant with my first son, way back in 2001, I had no intention of ever letting him watch television. Expose my precious baby’s developing brain to the mindless crap that spewed from the...
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...
26 fun 4th of July ideas to make the day a fantastic one.
Happy 4th of July everyone! Oh America, you look pretty great for 240. Here's our advice for making the most out of the holiday: (Top image: popsicle stick American Flag craft via A Pumpkin and a Princess) 1. Be safe out there. 2. Fire up the grill. 3. Make the best...
7 fantastic children’s books to pick up before they hit theaters this year.
My kids love to read. But they also love to go to the movies. Luckily, that makes our summer reading easy this year, since I'm going to encourage them to pick up some of the great children's books that are being adapted into movies this summer and fall. From classics...
6 of our favorite stylish, comfortable wedge sandals you can wear even if you’re chasing kids around
I'm so happy that wedge sandals are back in style! Because the best part of summer fashion is that it's all about being casual, breezy and relaxed, right? So, on the rare occasion when we leave the pool and I need to dress up a little more than my go-to flip-flops, I...
11 truly wonderful 4th of July crafts and activities for kids (and hey, maybe you too)
Since I've had kids, the 4th of July has become one of my favorite holidays. I like to keep it really simple with 4th of July crafts, lots of great summer food and treats to eat, maybe letting the kids run around while the grownups hang out at the pool or in the...
Cute organic baby bedding — and experts who will help you find a favorite — from Monica and Andy
Whether or not you remember it, there was a time that the only crib bedding options for new parents were matchy-matchy bed-in-a-bag sets or expensive bespoke bedding. So we're really thankful that now there are so many stylish options for our babies' nurseries. And...
Controversy over little girls and bikinis, and the new summer camp debate | Spawned episodes 44 + 45
If you've already binge-watched the entirety of OITNB and you're looking for a little entertainment, we've got you covered with two episodes of Spawned! And yes, that's kind of a pun. On the recent episode of Spawned with Kristen + Liz, we're discussing our post about...
Hot fashion trend: Fringe bikini tops hide your not-so-favorite trouble spots
Confession: I don't love my stomach. And while I really want to feel super confident sporting a bikini, I just never have been able to get there. That was until I discovered the fringe trend, which is a very cool way to still wear a bikini but keep my not-so favorite,...
7 expert tips for decluttering kids rooms when all else has failed
Let's be real: kids' room clutter is the gift that keeps on giving. And it's not just kids' bedrooms that are problems -- we always find the need to declutter our entryways, the kitchen, the bathroom, the garage, the area around the TV, every corner of...
The smartest way for new parents to save some money: Rent baby gear from Expectantly
Budgeting for a new baby can be overwhelming for many of us. You need clothes, diapers, a crib, a stroller -- the list goes on. And on. While some items like rattles and burp clothes are relatively inexpensive, others -- like a car seat and high chair or even crib...
Our favorite summer sandals for women and kids from the massive new Target sale: Most under $12!
This post presented in partnership with Target If you're not a total Target addict like I am (seriously, my daughter and I spent a good two hours in their Brooklyn store yesterday and I have the biceps to show for it), you may not be aware that they just kicked off...
Our new favorite stuffed animals from To The Market
We're already big fans of To The Market: Survivor-Made Goods, which produces the most gorgeous accessories, home goods, and toys. A couple of years ago, our editor Liz featured the store and its mission to support causes such as the fight against abuse, poverty, and...
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...
Common mistakes parents make when applying sunscreen on kids and how to fix them.
With four outdoor-loving kids and lots of pool and beach time on our calendar this summer, you can bet I am always stocking up on sunscreen. I'm pretty careful about when and how I slather it on, too, which is why I was surprised to see that I was making a few very...
Temporary safety tattoos: A life saver for parents of kids who like to wander.
We all know that theme parks, playgrounds, and big outdoor events can be pretty overwhelming places to bring younger children, especially if you have several to keep track of. And big distractions like fireworks, cotton candy, and costumed characters certainly don't...
Shark Week is coming! Get ready with our 10 favorite shark picks for kids
Though the Fourth of July may be the number one holiday of the summer, Shark Week comes in a close second. It's pretty popular among our readership because our kids get a good excuse to watch an entire week's worth of programming about our favorite toothy fish. And,...
5 free summer reading challenges for kids. Prizes included!
Even though I've got a couple of avid readers in my house, I'm always looking for ways to continue to encourage them to pick up a book. Thankfully, there are no shortage of summer reading challenges that offer kids a little incentive for their participation. Whether...
The 4-in-1 nursing cover that covers way more than you’d think.
We're typically not huge fans of nursing covers around here. Grabbing a baby blanket or muslin swaddler and tucking it into our bra straps always worked just fine for all of us when we felt the need to cover up a little more. But when I found out about the new Covered...