Tips for styling cool back to school looks, and how to save while doing it

by Cool Mom Team | Kid Style

We’ve spoken here — a lot — about never shopping online without first searching for a discount code, and one of the first places we always turn for that is RetailMeNot.com. You too? Perfect! Because they’re our newest sponsor and we love that....

Kids and activities: When to start, when to stop, and everything in between

by Cool Mom Team | Spawned Podcast

With school starting, that means activities are starting up too, and both of us are a little overwhelmed about what to do with our own kids. (Also, Minecraft isn’t necessarily considered a viable skill that will get them a college scholarship. Or is it?) If...

Superhero Comic Kit: A BIG way for kids to write their very own BIG comics. Did we mention they’re big?

by Christina Refford | Books for Kids

Our superhero-loving kids are going to leap over a tall building to get their hands on The Superhero Comic Kit, an activity book that gives them the chance to write and illustrate their very own comic books. No super skills required, only an active imagination, which...

How to make your own photo-real gifts and gear: One cool trend you can totally DIY easily.

by Kate Etue | DIY

You may not have heard the term “photo-real,” before — I hadn’t — but you’ve most likely seen this trend all over boutiques, fashion spreads, and your kids’ own gear, since it’s been growing steadily for the past few...

10 ways to make driveway bike riding more fun for kids

by Christina Refford | Tips + Tricks, Toys + Playthings

It’s hard to feel like King of the Road when really, you’re King of Don’t  Go Beyond the End of the Driveway! With three kids and one long paved driveway, I’ve been there!  So, whether you live on a house on a high-traffic street, or you just...

My Big Art Show: the fun family card game that might turn your kids into art history whizzes.

by Kate Etue | Toys + Playthings

Two of my kids have now outgrown some of my own favorite childhood board games like Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders — classic versions only, please. (And yes, I admit I do like Candy Land. Don’t ask why.) My kids are now into the kind of strategy board...

10 cool backpacks and bags for LEGO lovers heading back to school

by Liz Gumbinner | Back to School Shopping, School Gear

While kids may not be able to bring that 647 piece LEGO x to school, it’s not to say they can’t bring bricks along in the form of a cool LEGO backpack or bag. There are quite a few neat ones to choose from this year for back to school — and even a...

How to turn your kid into a mermaid without surgery

by Liz Gumbinner | Baby

Summer may be ending but that doesn’t mean that mermaid season is over, at least if you have some mermaid-fanatic kids in your life like I do. So when I discovered Blankie Tails, handmade sleep-sack style blankets that look like shark or mermaid tails I...

What’s black and white and cute all over?

by Liz Gumbinner | Baby

How cool is this world map muslin baby blanket from Modern Burlap? I saw it and was instantly taken with this shop, that features some truly lovely baby gifts. Some nearly as cool as the map. (Ha. No, really lots of them are cool. It really is a great shop.) What...

Fun new parent gift: Peripop is a baby play mat, blanket, and floor cushion all in one.

by Stephanie Mayers | Baby

The nursery in our apartment was used by the previous tenant as a walk-in closet so as you can imagine, it’s small.  Every item our baby’s room has to earn its place by either looking great or serving us with high functionality. Ideally both. Sadly this...