14 cool, creative summer camp care package ideas for your happy campers

by Georgette Gilmore | Toys + Playthings

If your kids are headed to sleepaway camp — or already there — you’re probably already planning out a great summer care package, filled with items your kids will love, to help ease the anxiety, keep them busy during quiet hours, help them make...

Unicorn Vans in big kid sizes! Join us in freaking out.

by Kristen Chase | Kid Style

My girls have been eying those unicorn Vans forever (because who isn’t obsessed with unicorns right now?) but they’ve only been available in baby sizes. Until now. That’s right, they’re available in big kid sizes, and you know I’m...

12 fun, creative 4th of July crafts for older kids who have outgrown fingerpainting.

by Lexi Petronis | DIY

We’ve seen so many 4th of July crafts over the years, and admittedly, my own bag of craft tricks for the kids can use some freshening up. So I’ve scoured the web and tracked down some really creative (and relatively easy) 4th of July crafts for kids who...

Bandages to heal kids’ emotional boo-boos: Helicopter-y or helpful? | Thinking: Parent

by Cool Mom Team | Uncategorized

This post is written by guest contributor Anna Caudill, Executive Director of PALS (Post Adoptive Learning Services) and adoptive mom of two. Recently, Dutch bandage company Hanasplast created a limited time box of Hearts bandages designed to “heal emotional...

Every kid doesn’t deserve a trophy. But they might deserve a merit badge.

by Ellyn Exley Dvorkin | Tips + Tricks

Your kid may not be in Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts or the National Honor Society. But I still love this new take on old school merit badges by The Honor Society. It’s simply a collection of badges that encourage kids to do good, be good, and live good lives that...

6 fantastic children’s books celebrating LGBT families, because #LoveisLove

by Georgette Gilmore | Books for Kids

If there’s one thing we know for certain, it’s that all families should be celebrated, all the time. Because, love is love. So we pulled together these 6 excellent children’s books that celebrate LGBT families. The way it’s important for...

Speaking up is hard to do: The N-word, the culture of complicity, and why we have to say, that’s not okay.

by Liz Gumbinner | Uncategorized

This weekend, Senator Ben Sasse issued a response to address the (rightful) outrage around his Friday night appearance with Bill Maher. He stated that he should have spoken up when Maher unacceptably used the N-word. He tweeted that “just cringing last night...

How to make a DIY weighted blanket, and save yourself $100 (whoo!)

by Kate Etue | DIY

I have a couple of kids with on-and-off sleep issues, so I’ve been paying attention to the swell of discussion about the benefits of weighted blankets for children. These blankets, which are generally filled with anywhere from 5–10 lbs. of weighted beads, are...

The coolest summer activity books for kids. Because, this summer, there will be no such thing as “I’m so booooored!”

by Lexi Petronis | Books for Kids

As much as we’re looking forward to summer and all of the many kids’ activities that come with it, we have to say that it’s those long days of no activities that can be most stressful. That’s why we made this list of awesome summer activity...

15 of the funniest Father’s Day cards that will have him laughing til he cries

by Georgette Gilmore | Cards + Stationery

Father’s Day is coming up, which means we’ve been busy searching for the coolest, most unique and fun gifts for dads. And one of our favorite roundups we do every year is finding the funniest Father’s Day cards, because we’re suckers for a good...