I, along with probably many of you, had never heard of Spinal Muscular Atrophy, though it it is the number one genetic killer of children--1 in 40 people unknowingly carry the SMA gene. When I read more about SMA1, the most severe form o…
Every year at about this time, I start digging out my kids' closets, then the other closets, and before I know it, I'm on a veritable sort-and-chuck rampage. When the dust settles, I usually have an entire carload of garbage bags ready t…
It's been truly an honor to be a part of the More Birthdays campaign from our amazing sponsor, the American Cancer Society. Not only is it a cause near and dear to all of our hearts, but we're so impressed with the generous mega-stars an…
It's been just over a week since the earth shook just off the coast of Japan, and the devastation and loss has rocked us all. However I've been heartened to see how families and companies are so quickly finding ways to help raise money f…
Anyone who's been following the amazing efforts from our sponsor, American Cancer Society's More Birthdays campaign, knows that there's a pretty impressive roster of celebs and otherwise cool people getting in on the do-gooding and shari…
Never underestimate the power of craftiness. Etsy doesn't. In fact, they're banking on it in order to support More Birthdays , the American Cancer Society initiative. (Who also happens to be one of our favorite sponsors.) If you're in NY…
Lovely, Love My Family by the Roots is one of those songs that gets stuck in your head in a good way. My girls discovered it after watching it on Yo, Gabba Gabba! oh, maybe 6,000 times and it's been a favorite around here ever since. So …
These days, I'm lucky if I remember to get gifts in time at all these days, let alone have the wrapping paper on hand to wrap them up. But with an unbelievable number of birthday parties and special events crammed in my calendar, I'm det…
We were first introduced to the Children's Heart Foundation when we donated the proceeds from last year's color-your-own Valentine's Day card contest to their worthy efforts. So this year, we figured it was timely to remember their fanta…
Here's the bad news: In the next few days, Congress will vote on a bill that could completely eliminate all federal funding for public broadcasting. That's not an exaggeration. Here's the good news: There's still time to save Elmo. The g…
Despite light-up toys, dolls that talk, and, um, iPads, at the end of the day, nothing holds a candle -- or backlit touchpad screen -- to a good kids' book . It's a lesson my 3.5 year-old daughter has already learned, and I'm sure your k…
Oh the red, plastic upside down flower-pot-ish hats, and the throbbing techno beat -- Man did I love Devo back in the day. Frontman Mark Mothersbaugh has always been a visionary and an artist (maybe your kids know him from Yo Gabba Gabba…
Four is a magical age. And for us, it includes a daily account of closet gremlins and nightmares that involve an epic battle between Scooby Doo and armored Transformer/My Little Pony hybrids. I love the imagination. The fear of bedtime, …
See that gorgeous iPhone case over there? It's printed from original art and signed by the artist. Impressed yet? You will be. The artist's name is Anwar, and he's from Kuwait. He's also a child cancer patient. All of the lovely goods fr…
No matter how you choose to spend Martin Luther King Jr Day--either at a local event commemorating his contributions to society, by participating in a volunteer event on this Day of Service , or simply using it as an opportunity to start…
Tomorrow marks the 25th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr Day or, as many kids will tell you, a day off from schooooooool! And while sleeping in is definitely a benefit, there are loads of kid-friendly, educational activities going on…
It's clear we love bombarding you with ideas for adorable gifts that give back--but because we're picky, we look for the kind of stuff that's not just cool because it helps someone, but it's cool in itself. Well we love the idea that sho…
As we come to the end of an amazing year at Cool Mom Picks, we all have so much to be thankful for--our families, our friends, the fact that we get to do what we love. And of course, the support of the coolest readers on the planet witho…
I was in Starbucks this week--okay, a few times this week. ( What? It's Peppermint Mocha, season. ) And I was thinking about how much the people in my life like getting Starbucks gift cards over the holidays. Glancing at the display, I w…
Partridges, French hens, the splattered eggs of a dozen overactive geese. Forget 'em. If you want to say "I love you" with birds, go for the artistic, lasting beauty of paper lovebirds, another gift that gives back. Whether you'd like a …
This year, I planned on getting my holiday cards out with plenty of time and all of a sudden it's Christmas week . Good thing there's a service that lets me send out cards--really, professionally designed holiday cards--digitally. Not on…
People always say that nothing is for free, but here is something that really is: A customized letter to your child from Santa that you help create. And it will do more for other kids than your own. At Letter from Santa , add personal de…
The only thing better than connecting our readers with fabulous finds is knowing that those purchases do real good in the world. So we thought we'd take a look-see around Cool Mom Picks for some of our favorite picks that put your money …
Before I was a Mom, what seems like a lifetime ago (oh, a whole four years back), I worked for the Audubon Society . It was thrilling to be involved in a community that was so passionate about conservation and protecting the wildlife we …