Here’s what you need to know about Twitch Watch Parties (Think Netflix Party, but… on Twitch)

by Kristen Chase | Tips and Tricks

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...

Shop at Apple this week, and help the National Park Foundation

by Kristen Chase | Causes and Giving Back

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...

Free audiobooks for kids on Audible, just in case you missed it

by Kristen Chase | Educational Apps, Best Apps

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...

5 ways to use tech to document your family’s stories from the pandemic

by Kristen Chase | Tips and Tricks

When our state was put under a stay-at-home order back in the middle of March, 2020, I told my 11-year old that she should start writing in her journal every day because this was going to be a time in history that her kids and their kids after them would be hearing...

The OurStory app: Highlighting books with diverse content and by content creators from marginalized communities. YES!

by Kristen Chase | Websites We Love

Over the years, we here at Cool Mom Tech (and Cool Mom Picks) have believed in the importance of supporting diverse companies, products, and books, as well as sharing content from creators from marginalized communities. From POC-owned beauty brands to Black food...

Here’s how to make that Facebook Avatar that looks nothing like you.

by Kristen Chase | Tips and Tricks

If you’re like me, then your Facebook feed has been filled with everyone’s new Facebook avatar. It’s also been filled with people saying how they look nothing like them. And I have to be honest, I totally agree. So of course, I had to give it a try...

This Baby Yoda speaker is giving us the little spark of joy we needed today.

by Kristen Chase | Gear + Hardware

Did we mention that we have the coolest readers? Eric (aka EricSketch on Twitter) has been reading our site for quite some time now, so when we spotted this Baby Yoda Bluetooth speaker in his Twitter feed we were like “HOLY MANDALORIAN!” Let’s just...

Are my kids spending too much time on video games during quarantine? We asked a video gaming expert.

by Kristen Chase | Games + Gaming

With lots of extra time on their hands, my kids are spending a lot of that playing video games. And based on some of the discussions in our Out Tech Your Kids Facebook Group, I’m not the only parent who’s experiencing the same thing. But how do you know if...

Picture Home: A fun communal photo project to inspire everyday life at home

by Kristen Chase | Photography

If you’re in need of a fun little project to help focus your energy in a positive, inspiring way, we’re happy to recommend our dear friend Tracey Clark’s Picture Home. It’s a family-friendly, all-ages communal photo project with 31 days full of...

SchoolClosures.org offers free resources for families affected by school closures

by Kristen Chase | Websites We Love

Both Liz and I got word this week that our kids will be out of school for the rest of the school year, which means we’ll be doing this isolation schooling for another couple of months. Thankfully, resources like SchoolClosures.org have been popping up to help...