Today, the second Monday in October, is the day that's been traditionally celebrated as "Columbus Day" in the U.S., but knowing now what we know about Christopher Columbus, the holiday is fast transforming into Indigenous People's Day. I…
As the kids get restless for Halloween, we're thinking about pulling together an impromptu pumpkin carving party to hold them over. It's the perfect way to kick off fall and get excited about the upcoming holidays. Even better, it's a lo…
It can be hard to figure out the best coffee makers that will work for your home, your preferences, your lifestyle, and dare we say your counter space? With so many brands let alone types of coffee makers out there, shopping for the best…
Having now gone through more than a decade figuring out the best lunch bags for kids, I've determined that insulated lunch bags are the way to go. Let's just say we've come a long way from the metal lunch boxes some of us used to carry, …
I've been looking for ways to store knives safely in my kitchen that will replace my knife block, ever since I've read all the reports about knife blocks requiring about once-a-month cleaning to keep nasty bacteria from growing in those …
Of all the things I've kept from the pandemic one is the habit of making our own lattes each morning, and brewing our own cold brew , Americanos and even caramel machiato-whatevers...right at home. It saves us money, it's kind of fun. It…
So many parents have learned over the past few years that setting up a study space at home is more important than ever. Maybe you homeschool , maybe your kids just need a dedicated space for homework , or maybe they've got virtual tutori…
It's back to school time, and if you're looking for school lunch ideas kids can make themselves, you've come to the right place! We're always looking for suggestions that ease the transition from the lazy mornings of summer to "hurry up …
With my oldest heading off to college this fall, I've been thinking about all the things kids should know before leaving home. And it's a lot. In fact I've found myself in a sort of panic mode wondering whether she knows some basics to h…
When we think back to school season, we're also thinking about those time-saving hacks we dust off to ease out of the summer groove and ready for our September (or August!) routines. While our Annual Back to School Guide mostly features …
I casually strolled into my kids' playroom and immediately spotted -- amid the Peppa Pig figurines, LEGO bricks, and 87 board books littering the floor -- a big wad of gum smushed into my brand new rug. That pretty much sums up life with…
It was time for us to bring back some solid tips for staying in a hotel with toddlers, babies or even older kids. Because this week, we all started seeing this "TikTok hotel hacks" article going around and sheesh! It seems the article wa…
Vegan and non-dairy eaters have a wonderful [not-so-secret] secret: They know how to make luscious whipped cream using coconut milk that tastes just as delicious as the original. You can use the creamy and flavorful topping any way that …
Most good cooks weren't born with smart kitchen habits. Getting comfortable in the kitchen takes time. Here are 7 smart kitchen habits that made us better cooks. If you're looking to up your kitchen game, we bet these can help. 1. Meal p…
Call us the handwriting brigade. Seriously. From day one, even with the advent of technology and the slow decline of handwriting instruction (let alone cursive, gah!) in schools, we've always made it our mission to encourage kids not to …
Our team at Cool Mom Picks jokes that we have a lot of children among us, but the truth is, we have quite a few divorces and separations among us too. That means we've had a lot of experience trying to achieve healthy co-parenting, havin…
So I have a problem y'all, and it is called strawberry season in Oregon. If you haven't heard of or tried the Hood Strawberry , it is the most incredibly delicious strawberry you will ever eat and you may want to book a vacation to the N…
We're big fans of those simple joys, like knowing you have spare batteries, a working pen, or a fresh new water filter replacement right when you need it. But unlike batteries, which you can just grab pretty much anywhere, it can be a ha…
I've entered the parenting stage that involves a lot more talking about the important issues in my kids' lives -- and in the world around them. Which is why we're sharing these tips for hard talks to have with your kids. There's somethin…
In our three-part Life Skills Series, we've shared tips to help you raise critical thinkers and to raise problem-solvers . Now, I'm excited to share ideas around collaborating and working together. Because what the world needs now (besid…
In the first post of our Life Skills Series, we shared tips to help you raise critical thinkers . And next up, we're talking about how to teach your kids problem-solving skills . As adults, we know how important they are in our everyday …
If one thing has become abundantly clear over the past few years, our kids are growing up seeing all kinds of problems we face in the world, and they're increasingly asking us what they can do, or how they can be part of the solution. Th…
Raise your hand if you've ever gotten terrible parenting advice! Wait, all of you who have kids? Ha, yes. Of course all of us have. It's like a rite of passage for new parents. But the good thing is, with some perspective and guidance, y…
We're all about trying to find enjoyable, cheap and easy ideas for date night at home, especially for those of us with kids who'd like a little extra help rekindling that proverbial spark when we're stuck sans sitter. Even if it's just a…