How to boost your home WiFi (for online learning and beyond) | Out-Tech Your Kids Ep 14
If you've got a bunch of people online in your house all day like we do, we've got some suggestions - tips and gadgets - that might help give you a much-needed signal boost. The last thing you need is to get kicked off your work Zoom call or have your kids miss their...
Spruce up your online learning with cool free Zoom backgrounds from National Geographic
Anyone else tired of broadcasting their messy house over Zoom every day? I definitely was, so I was stoked to discover these cool virtual Zoom backgrounds for online learning from National Geographic. [Insert bad dad joke here about how we're already living in a zoo...
Toniebox, the new screen-free entertainment center for little kids
My son's just at the age he can start listening to stories on his own, but I'm not in a hurry to hand over my iPhone to keep him entertained. So I was intrigued to read about Toniebox, a new screen-free content box for little kids. The Toniebox works with figurines --...
The best tutorials to help you customize your iOS 14 home screen
If you haven't heard by now, the customization features on the new iOS home screen are alllll kinds of extra (i.e. you can turn your home screen into a Harry Potter tribute, Microsoft Paint throw-back, or neon color study). It's pretty insane. And intense. Just ask...
Our favorite tutorials to help you use G-suite tools for online learning
Since my son started remote learning, I've been looking for great G-suite tutorials to help me hone my skills, and I know I'm not alone. We're hearing from a lot of parents whose kids are using G-suite tools for their own online learning programs. While G-suite...
Alert! Baby Yoda Lego Set lets your child build The Child.
A smart part of me is a little worried that we're turning into the Baby Yoda blog here on Cool Mom Tech. But the bigger part of me is like "BRING IT ON!" which is why I'm so excited to share this new Baby Yoda Lego Set (top) that is now available for pre-order. When...
How to avoid eye strain and fatigue from too much screen time | Out-Tech Your Kids Ep 13
With kids doing online learning, and parents working (and screening ourselves), we thought it would be a good idea to tackle eye strain and fatigue on this week's episode of Out-Tech Your Kids. In just ten minutes, you'll get some helpful tips, product...
A baby Yoda stand for your Amazon Echo Dot? This is the way.
Calling all Mandalorian fans! We've found a new Amazon Echo that's worth its weight in Beskar steel: this baby Yoda clock stand Echo Dot! The stand lets your Echo Dot serve as a clock while also channeling our favorite silent-but-deadly alien, and I think it would...
What are the safest ways to clean your family’s phones? | Out-Tech Your Kids Episode 12
Considering we're still in the middle of a pandemic, and we've got cold and flu season right around the corner, we figured it would be helpful to talk about how families can properly clean their family's phones. They're super expensive, very precious gadgets in our...
Here’s what you need to know about Twitch Watch Parties (Think Netflix Party, but… on Twitch)
Just last week, Twitch launched Watch Parties, a feature that allows Twitch creators to watch Prime Video TV shows and movies with their communities. Whether you've got a kid on Twitch, or maybe you're looking for a way to watch your Amazon faves with friends and...
Smart tech tips to help with online learning | Out-Tech Your Kids Ep 11
For most of us, our kids will be engaging in some form of online learning this fall. So, we decided to poll our Out-Tech Your Kids Facebook Group members and get their favorite tech tips to help make the whole process a little easier. We hope they help you as much as...
The new 2020 Election Google Trends page will have you geeking out. (Or freaking out. Depends.)
Just yesterday, Google launched their 2020 Election Google Trends page, which allows you to see exactly what the rest of the country is searching for these days. And as a parent, IÂ bet civically-minded kids would love to learn more about what's happening in their own...
Tips & Tricks to Make Life (Way!) Easier
The best tutorials to help you customize your iOS 14 home screen
If you haven't heard by now, the customization features on the new iOS home screen are alllll kinds of extra (i.e. you can turn your home screen into a Harry Potter tribute, Microsoft Paint throw-back, or neon color study). It's pretty insane. And intense. Just ask...
Our favorite tutorials to help you use G-suite tools for online learning
Since my son started remote learning, I've been looking for great G-suite tutorials to help me hone my skills, and I know I'm not alone. We're hearing from a lot of parents whose kids are using G-suite tools for their own online learning programs. While G-suite...
Here’s what you need to know about Twitch Watch Parties (Think Netflix Party, but… on Twitch)
Just last week, Twitch launched Watch Parties, a feature that allows Twitch creators to watch Prime Video TV shows and movies with their communities. Whether you've got a kid on Twitch, or maybe you're looking for a way to watch your Amazon faves with friends and...
Helpful online resources to supplement school this year | Out-Tech Your Kids Ep 10
Whatever your child is doing for school this year, we know that parents are involved in the process. This year, you might be even more involved that ever. So, we thought it might be helpful to share some helpful online resources (7, to be exact), that will help...
5 of the best affordable headphones for kids and teens, which are perfect for online learning
With so many of our kids headed back to school this fall from the comfort of our living rooms (oof), we wanted to take a look at some of the best headphones for students who are remote learning this fall. There are a lot of factors we've thought about here—from...
How to boost your WiFi for easier online learning and homeschooling
Remote learning has enough obstacles without also having spotty internet. So I've been researching the best ways to make home WiFi faster and more consistent throughout the household (yes, even in that closet where I hide to watch Indian Matchmaking on Netflix). I've...
Shop at Apple this week, and help the National Park Foundation
If you're already planning on stocking up on your favorite Apple products for back to school like we are (new laptop for online school, anyone?), then this is the week to do it. Now through August 30, any purchase made using Apple Pay means you'll be supporting the...
Over 10 terrific reading apps for upper elementary and middle school kids
Back to School certainly feels different this year, with so much uncertainty and change to our normal school schedule. But one thing that will be certain is that our older kids will need to shake their brains out of summer mode and hit the books, be it with masked...
10 of the smartest and most interesting math apps for upper elementary and middle school kids
Whether your upper elementary or middle school student will be attending school full-time in person or will be in 100% virtual classes at home (or a mix of the two), I know that many of us are dreading one specific moment: that first time they ask for help with their...
What’s the best laptop for my kids? | Out-Tech Your Kids Ep 9
On this week's episode of Out Tech Your Kids, we're answering the question we're getting from SO many parents right now: How do I pick the right laptop for my child this year? Chromebook? MacBook? Something else? What kind of functionality do the kids really need for...
Free audiobooks for kids on Audible, just in case you missed it
Whether you're putting together your online learning program for the fall, or you need a little break from the KidzBop on your end of summer road trip, you'll be pretty stoked to know that Audible is still offering free audiobooks for kids. Yes, you read that...
Scam Shield gets rid of scams and unwanted robocalls, finally | Sponsored Message
This is a sponsored message for T-Mobile If you're feeling like you've been inundated with more scams and unwanted robocalls these days, you're not alone. Coronavirus scams actually increased 70% from just May to June, and Americans have lost over $80 million dollars...
How can I use tech to get my kids outside? | Out-Tech Your Kids Ep 8
If you're like us, then you're doing whatever you can to get your kids outside and enjoy the amazing weather before online school starts and the cold weather hits. Turns out, technology can be a great way to make that happen, which we know might seem a little...
9 must-have gadgets that make homeschooling a little easier
As a brand-new homeschool mom two years ago, I have to say I geeked out a little over my first "me" purchase: a laminator. Nerd alert, right? But seriously, it's one small gadget that I've used over and over and has been a huge help in my homeschooling. So, when...
Online learning this fall? Check out these 5 cool blue light glasses brands for kids
With school going online this fall, we're starting a whole new phase of parent-sanctioned screen time at my house, which is why I've been on the hunt for blue light glasses for kids. The jury's still out concerning exactly how much these glasses protect eyes, but I've...