Spawned Parenting Podcast: Latest Episodes
The latest from Spawned, our award-winning parenting podcast
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More coolness from recent weeks…
The building blocks of our nation. Way more fun than that sounds.
I remember one of the first times I was interviewed by a media outlet, and they surprised me with an off-topic question: What's the best safe toy for a child? I paused, then stammered, "Uh...blocks." Not my finest moment. But the truth is, I do love giving blocks to...
The Doctor Who TARDIS play tent: because every kid needs a time machine in the living room.
If you're still looking for that one gift under the tree that will make kids scream "OH EM GEE!" (or is that just our kids these days?) this Doctor Who TARDIS Play Tent might do the trick. While it's not a classic kids' tent shaped like a teepee, we're pretty sure it...
A DIY Christmas tree dollhouse, also known as “how to put those Amazon boxes to good use”
If your house is anything like mine, you've got two energetic kids trapped inside by nasty weather and a huge stack of shipping boxes waiting for the recycling truck. Put them all to good use with this DIY project that creates an adorable Christmas tree dollhouse out...
Best gifts for 8-year-old boys: ideas that will get a big “wow.” Reader Q & A
What are the best gifts for an 8-year-old boy? I'm looking for a big gift, in the $50-$100 range. —CMP reader, via Twitter Oh, you mean the kind of gift that makes a child pause while unwrapping, shout out with glee, and rush over to give you a big hug? Well, small...
5 Tech Picks You Won’t Want to Miss
Here are 5 five of our favorite posts on Cool Mom Tech this week, just in case you missed them. 1. If you have not yet seen this hilarious parody video, it's so worth the couple of minutes. Promise. 2. Check out our review of the top 3 e-book subscription...
4 of the best of the latest kids’ music album releases: Recess Monkey, Charlie Hope, Mister G, and Lucky Diaz
If Santa is bringing a new MP3 player or you'd love to wrap up a few new cool kids' music CDs to give your little listeners, here are four cool new releases, by some of our very-favorite kindie artists: Recess Monkey, Charlie Hope, Mister G, and Latin Grammy-award...
Create Your Own Monster for Christmas
When my kids saw the Create Your Own Monster Kit, they couldn't wait to open the lid to unleash more than a dozen creatures into our living room. Fortunately, these colorful, snarling, lurching creatures don't leave a mess and are actually pretty good houseguests....
10 of the best Christmas cookies from around the world
Modern city gal though I think myself, I have a total weakness for traditional Christmas cookie swaps. There's something so cool about seeing the Christmas cookies from around the world that come from sometimes generations-old recipes from a melting pot of friends....
Crafty gift kits for the creative people on your holiday list
Have a budding Martha Stewart on your holiday shopping list? Go ahead and check them off — these sweet little craft kits from Purl Soho (the folks behind The Purl Bee) are just perfect. Knitting, embroidery, and other craft projects are all packed in perfect kits...
It’s beginning to smell a lot like Christmas: natural, affordable holiday edition soaps that make cleaning less of a chore
One of the little things I do over the holidays is swap out the grapefruit dish soap or lavender hand pump for something a little more festive. It's a simple way to make everything feel more holiday-ish the second we walk in the door. It used to be that only the...
Move over, Gingerbread Man: 7 delectable twists on that holiday fave
If you're anything like me, you've waited all year for a taste — or two or three — of gingerbread. Warm and spicy, the combination of molasses and holiday spice makes any sweet even sweeter. These seven gingerbread recipes, from cookies to waffles to whoopie pies, are...
Ever wished you could bathe in a peppermint mocha?
I love my peppermint mocha latte as much as the next girl, so it's a shame they're gone so fast that all I'm left with is a whipped cream mustache and fond memories. But when you combine the delicious scent of peppermint and cocoa with luscious body products backed by...
The best books for kids 2013: A round-up of the best 2013 round-ups of the best books for kids.
We wanted to find the best books for kids in 2013, but over 1350 books are published every week! It's easy to miss a story your kids would love. So we've rounded up 15 of the best round-ups on the internet from all kinds of writers, editors and bloggers, of this...
Sweet and simple: Apropos Roasters gifts and stocking stuffers
If you're like me, there's a bunch of people to whom you'd like to give a little something for the holidays, but they aren't quite up to the level of say, a cashmere sweater. I usually whip up some handmade holiday food gifts in the kitchen, but to save time this year...
Because Grandma’s walls could use a little gifting: beautiful custom photo canvases
It's no secret that the Cool Mom Picks team loves to find unique photo gifts for family, friends and teachers. While photo books are a great option for any price level, it's actually affordable and easier than you think to create custom photo canvases too. Because,...
Jewelry that feels as good to give as to get from the Kwagala Project
I've always said that one of my favorite categories in our Holiday Gift Guide are gifts that give back. We managed to pare it down to 14 this year, but honestly we could have gone on forever. And while you have probably heard of some of our favorite...
Hallmark rewards you for sending the cards you’d send anyway. Hey, thanks!
- Don't miss a $500 giveaway we put together just for Cool Mom Picks readers! - As big proponents of sending cards (and saving the ones we receive ourselves, for all of eternity), we're pretty excited to see just how many beautifully designed, modern cards are being...
A cool modern take on the holiday wreath that’ll never wilt or shed
I had a lovely Christmas wreath once. But then the cat got to it. You can only clean up so much pine barf before your door goes naked. And that's why I love this fabulous and unexpected take on the traditional door-hanging: it's natural, but not too natural. Our pals...
Jammies Pret-a-Porter: An extra-sweet stocking stuffer for an extra-sweet baby
I'm a sucker for cute packaging. Pair that with an even cuter baby outfit and you've got one adorable gift idea for any baby in your life who's too young for chocolate Santas just yet. Jammies Prêt-à-Porter is an all-in-one gift for a stylish baby, coming in its own...
Deck the house with the coolest Christmas printables, lots of them free
Liven up your Christmas decor this year by printing out some great printable holiday decorations without leaving the comforts of home. The best part: you won't need a degree in Paper Arts or a stash of obscure crafting supplies to get these pieces ready to display....
We know what the fox says. And we know his preferred ride: the special-edition stroller from Mamas & Papas
I know it doesn't technically appear in the Chinese Zodiac, but I really do think that 2013 was the Year of the Fox. That cute bushy tail. The little pointy nose. And, of course, the song that my kids won't stop singing. So I think Mamas & Papas have really hit...