7 fantastic Android tablet apps for creative kids
If you've got a kid like mine, it's a full-time job just keeping up with her every growing interests, many of which happen to be digital. And no, I'm not necessarily talking about gaming and YouTube binge watching. From learning to code to creating digital art pieces...
The most perfect tear-jerker gift for teachers (or anyone on your A+ list)
When I've served my turn as room parent for my kids' classrooms, I've really tried to give the teachers what they'd actually like as a gift from the group. But, a completely sentimental, tear-jerker gift is always a nice touch too. Because these men and women spend so...
Why the new Local app could make you delete Yelp for good.
I admit, Yelp drives me crazy for a number of reasons. And now, just in time for the holiday shopping and travel, comes a truly viable app alternative. Let's say you live in Silverlake, you like comedy shows and galleries, and four of your friends have recently...
How to fix the iPhone bug that’s putting weird symbols in your texts.
There's a glitch in the matrix! Okay, not really, just that there's a bug in iOS 11 that for many people turns their letter "i" to a weird symbol. Thankfully, there's a quick fix until they come up with a fix in the next iOS version, which we hope will be soon. Now,...
Make a foster kid’s holiday dreams come true with Daymaker
We love finding wonderful ways that we can give back and help kids who need it most, especially during the holiday season, which is why we were happy to discover Daymaker. By connecting foster children with people like us via their gift-giving website, they're...
A new easy way for parents to teach teens responsibility and independence, through shopping online.
We know that parents of teens (us included!) are always searching for ways to help teach them responsibility, and slowly gain more independence. That's what they want, and well, it's what we want too, which is why we're so thrilled to team up with Amazon, who recently...
7 of our favorite family video games, because the holidays are coming.
The holidays are right around the corner, which for many of us means lots and lots of family time, well, beyond the eating, and the eating again. Whether you're hanging with your immediate relatives, or you're celebrating with your entire clan, we love finding ways...
21 of the coolest iPhone X cases. Because a new case is a must-have for this phone!
As I’ve said before, a new shiny phone requires a new shiny case. We’ve listed the hottest iPhone X cases listed here!
4 gadgets for laptop users to help with neck and shoulder pain.
Last year, I was having some issues with neck and shoulder pain, along with a side of vertigo (ugh!). After a discussion with a chiropractor and a yoga therapist, I decided to make some changes to my work set-up, which was probably causing a bit, if not all, of the...
This kid’s Halloween costume just won the Internet.
Unless you've been living under a rock, you probably saw the hilarious viral video of the Irish family trying to catch a loose bat in their kitchen. If you have not seen this video, I suggest you watch it right now. Trust us, it's funny! Well, no surprise, someone...
A new ad-free podcast app for kids that’s worth paying for.
We're big podcast fans in my house, and no, not just because we've got a Cool Mom Picks podcast (shameless plug for Spawned with Kristen and Liz). They're fantastic screen-free entertainment for the whole family. As more and more podcasts for kids keep popping up, it...
Could Han Solo really survive in carbonite? The new series Science and Star Wars has the answers.
My son is the type of kid who can't just watch Star Wars and enjoy it as a fun fantasy world. Instead, it gets his mind spinning: How do the AT-ATs really walk? Could Han really have survived being frozen in carbonite? How do the Bacta tanks work? Well, now we can...
Tech Tips & Tricks to Make Life (Way) Easier
Here’s how to customize the new Control Center in iOS 11 (and why you want to).
If you've upgraded to iOS 11, then there's a good chance you've stumbled upon the new Control Center. Well, given it takes up almost the whole screen now, it's pretty hard to miss. And if you haven't, we'll I think you're in for a treat. Because you can now customize...
2 new features to help make Instagram a safer place. Finally.
As someone who uses Instagram on an almost hourly basis (hey, it's work, too!), I was pleased to discover that just yesterday, they launched 2 new features to help keep users a whole lot safer. Here's the quick scoop on what they are, and how they work, because not...
How to make ombre text overlays: Instagram stories design tutorial
Leave it to my twelve-year-old-daughter to be way ahead of me on the Instagram design tricks -- in this case, how to make an ombre text overlay in Instagram stories. I fell instantly in love. Now we're not the types (ha) to spend hours making our fonts look perfect --...
Even More Coolness. Enjoy!
Amazon Key lets couriers deliver packages inside your home. Wait, what?
If you're not home to get your packages, Amazon can help with that, thanks to their new Amazon Key service where your courier will leave them right inside your front door. No, we're not kidding. The service hinges on your purchase (and installation) of a compatible...
Whoa, awesome Kindle sale. But you have to hurry!
If you've been waiting for a killer price on a Kindle e-reader (or want to stock up early on holiday gifts), now is your chance to grab a Kindle on sale! To celebrate the Kindle's 10th anniversary, Amazon is offering most of their popular e-readers at an awesome...
The new Hot Wheels game for Osmo. Now for boys and girls. Well, officially, that is.
Hot Wheels is getting a big tech upgrade, thanks to their newest partnership with a longtime Cool Mom Tech favorite, Osmo. You'll be able to recapture your living room floors from miles of winding plastic track, but still let your kids have the fun of their race cars...
The Women of NASA LEGO set is coming! Because the present is female, too.
Way back in February of this year, we wrote about forthcoming the Women of NASA LEGO Set which proposed wonderful mini versions honoring software developer Margaret Hamilton; NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson; pioneering astronauts Sally Ride and Mae Jemison; and...
The TBH app: What parents should know about this hot new app for kids
The TBH app has been blowing up over the past few weeks and just hit #1 in the App Store for iOS following the announcement that Facebook has purchased it. I've seen multiple articles referring to it a "kindness app" or an "anonymous compliment app" which sounds...
11 geeky Halloween costumes for kids and babies. Parenting done right.
I'm hoping at least one of my kids will choose one of these amazing geeky Halloween costume ideas -- which is to say that no, my kids still haven't made up their minds about their Halloween costumes this year. Hello, kids! Time for a decision! While cosplay isn't part...
Toca Life: Office – Our kids’ new favorite app that lets them be the grown-ups. For once.
We're longtime fans of Toca Boca around here, and their newest app, Toca Life: Office does not disappoint. Because if there's one thing my kids seem to want more than anything, it's to be a grownup. Related: Toca Boo: A fun Halloween app for kids The app lets them...
Here’s how to order food on Facebook. Yes, you can do that now.
Just this past week, Facebook launched a brand new feature allowing you to order take-out right from the restaurant's Facebook page. So, if you've ever gotten a hankering for some Chipotle guacamole or Five Guys burgers while scrolling through your news feed, you...
A new Kindle is here, and it’s waterproof!
We've seen (and owned) many iterations of Amazon's Kindle e-reader, but finally, after ten years of Kindle devices, they've launched a waterproof model, aptly named Oasis. Now, if you're like "Wait, there already was a Kindle Oasis!" you aren't losing your mind. This...
7 fun STEM activities for the whole family. Because we all need STEM, not just the kids.
It's fantastic to see the popularity of STEM over the last couple of years, with so many options that are truly inspiring kids to pursue their geeky passions. But we parents know that one of the best ways to get excited about something is to be excited about it...
Watch Levar Burton read Goodnight Moon to Neil Degrasse Tyson and swoon a little.
We love Levar Burton. Did you ever listen to our podcast interview with him? He's the best! We love Neil Degrasse Tyson. He's not yet a podcast guest, but we're still hoping, because he's also the best! One thing we're torn on though...Goodnight Moon. Yes, it's the...
The new Harry Potter jewelry line from Alex and Ani: Accio bangles!
Calling all your Harry Potter fans! Looks like Alex and Ani just launched a special Harry Potter line and we know a few of you (including us) will be very excited. Take a peek at a few of our favorites that we can't wait to get our hands on. Or, we can't wait to get...