The Ultimate 2023 Kids' Gift Guide: Our favorites for kids from 1-18

We’ve carefully curated the best gifts of the year for kids by age. Even those picky teens.

The latest from Spawned: Our award-winning parenting podcast

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More coolness from recent weeks…

Where the Real Stars Hang

Where the Real Stars Hang

If you’re a frequent reader of Cool Mom Picks, then you know we believe that being a cool mom transcends what kind of diaper bag you carry. For the past three years I’ve balanced my love of stuff with my work for the Starlight Starbright Foundation, a non-profit organization for seriously ill children and their families.

Nursing, the Rock ‘n Roll Way

Nursing, the Rock ‘n Roll Way

The nursing pillow: The number one item on every baby registry. The nursing pillow: The number one ugliest textile in my home. Finally, FINALLY someone has come up with a solution.

Who You Callin’ Cupcake?

Who You Callin’ Cupcake?

Cupcakes are one of the easiest treats to make, which is why they’re a mainstay at school bake sales. "But how can I make my cupcakes stand out from the bunch?" you ask, like the good 1950s housewife that you truly want to be.

A Recipe for the Perfect Gift

A Recipe for the Perfect Gift

I love that my crafty friends are willing to share their cute knit bootie pattern with me, however the illegible scribble on a piece of notebook paper just doesn’t do their creations justice.

Little Miss Can’t-Be-Matched

Little Miss Can’t-Be-Matched

You’ve surely heard the wisdom that if you buy socks for newborns and toddlers in a single color, such as white like I did, then you’ll never be without a matched pair. But just as you’re thinking you’ve outsmarted the dryer elves, along comes a bigger challenge – a two year-old with strong opinions on clothing, and white is definitely not all right.

On My To-Do List: 1) Find a Better To-Do List

On My To-Do List: 1) Find a Better To-Do List

Are you a member of the scrap paper/atm receipt/used envelope scribblers club? The first step to recovery is admitting that you have a problem. And considering my husband has a penchant for throwing away anypiece of paperthat is not attached to a spiral binding, I’m in desperate need of some list therapy.

Look Ma, No Sparkles!

Look Ma, No Sparkles!

My older daughter, Mimi, is a princess-kittens-glittery flowers kind of girl. I can’t convince her to don any clothing that doesn’t scream I AM A GIRLY GIRL, most often in some shade of pink. Rosie, however, is more tomboy than princess, which makes shopping for both of them at once a little challenging.

Take Me To Your Bathroom Sink

Take Me To Your Bathroom Sink

I’ve met kids who will eat raw oysters and kids who clear their plates without being told. But I have yet to meet a kid who likes to wash his hands. Maybe if the bathroom were a more child-friendly place, the odds would tilt in the favor of personal hygiene?

SHOOOOOOOOOOE!

SHOOOOOOOOOOE!

Every year the World Cup brings in a new spate of obsessive soccer fans, and this year my own baby’s daddy was among the casualties–er, ranks.

Dads-To-Be, Rejoice

Dads-To-Be, Rejoice

If your partner is anything like mine, his definition of hell is eight consecutive weeks of Lamaze class. Modus Five has come up with such a simple solution, it makes you wonder why no one has done it sooner.

Booking Agents

Booking Agents

Hurricane Katrina’s wrath was devastating for sure, but it also did damage in ways we don’t always think about. Consider the public libraries, for example. Seeing as how water and paper aren’t a very good combination, several libraries lost entire book collections–every single book–and desperately need to restack those stacks.

We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Fork

We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Fork

Maybe you’re a champ with the chopsticks now, but do you remember how hard it was to get the hang of it? I bet you stabbed your Moo Shu Pork at least once (or worse) before the nice server made you a set of tong-sticks so you could eat more than three bites an hour.

Whose Books Are These Anyway?

Whose Books Are These Anyway?

I’m happy to lend out my daughter’s 1,278 books, however, I can’t be bothered penning our name and phone number in every single one. But without some type of identifying mark, I have a feeling I’ll never see them again.

Babies + Chemicals: Not The Best Combo

Babies + Chemicals: Not The Best Combo

It seems that along with my bright wit and sparkling personality, my daughter has inherited my sensitive skin. And while I have found a few products that suffice, sufficing isn't good enough when it comes to my girl.That's why I'm delighted to have discovered...

Take That, Atkins

Take That, Atkins

As the old ad used to say, I love sweets but they don’t love me. And then I discovered the carbs that love you back: The absolutely 100% calorie-free goodness of Heidi Kenney’s felt creations at My Paper Crane Shop.

The Other Layettes Will Be Jealous

The Other Layettes Will Be Jealous

Yes, you can purchase a "layette" as a baby gift--a complete set of boring onesies, bibs, and Victorian-era booties that I'm not sure ever make it out of the box, let alone the house. And then there are those sets that just make your ovaries hurt.That's how...

Wait, So All Drummers Aren’t White?

Wait, So All Drummers Aren’t White?

As a woman of mixed heritage, I've often wondered how topromote diversity in our home when most of my toddler's toys and clothes feature white folks--you know, because all farmers, ballerinas andmusicians are white. Right. That's why I love the multi-culti selection...