Tech Toys and Random Fun Archives | Page 17 of 19

Toys ‘R Us uses QR codes to help digital parents shop

by Cool Mom Staff | Tech Toys and Random Fun

‘Tis the season to purchase baby pools, slides, and sandboxes– oh my–but it can be hard knowing exactly which one will work best in your backyard space. So how smart of Toys ‘R Us to use the technology of QR codes to make shopping for big...

May the fourth be with you – Some of our favorite Star Wars picks for the kids

by Christina Refford | Tech Toys and Random Fun

We couldn’t get May the Fourth go by without a few of our very favorite recent Star Wars picks. (“May the Fourth be with you?” Get it?) After all, we have a whole entire category just for them, and even a Star Wars Pinterest Board, considering our...

Piquing our Geek — LunaTik Touch Pen Alloy

by Cool Mom Staff | Tech Toys and Random Fun

I thought that the stylus had gone out with the Palm Pilot, but after using my iPad more frequently or taking notes, I realize how handy one can be. Of course, it is yet another gadget for me to keep track of. That’s why I love this very clever new gadget from...

High-tech Doc Martens? Well, kind of.

by Cool Mom Staff | Tech Toys and Random Fun

These boots were not made for walking. Or running, kicking, moshing, stomping, or reliving your misspent youth for that matter. These Doc Marten Boots are just 2″ tall and actually, they’re made for digital storage. These 2″ tall black boots pop open...

Piquing Our Geek: iPad USB Flash Drive

by Cool Mom Staff | Tech Toys and Random Fun

If I have a complaint about the iPad (and believe me, I don’t have many) it’s the lack of USB ports. So when I saw this new gadget that’s coming out just for people like me, you can bet that I added it to my wish list stat. Touted as the only iPad...

Best camera for preschooler? Reader Q+A

by Christina Refford | Tech Toys and Random Fun

I’m looking into a camera for my 4-year old. Any recommendations? Thank you! Jeannine When it comes to cameras for a four year-old, the main thing I care about is durability since I know they will drop it at least once a session. But, I also don’t want a...

Social media, meet wrapping paper

by Cool Mom Staff | Tech Toys and Random Fun

If you’re a social media geek like me, you’ll understand why I cracked a smile the second I saw the #WhatIWishIGot / #WhatIGot wrapping paper. The outside represents “hope” (or greed, depending on the recipient) in which you can imagine your...

A great LeapFrog gift that isn’t the Explorer Tablet. (Yes, there are others!)

by Jeana | Tech Toys and Random Fun

Everyone knows by this point that the LeapFrog LeapPad has become the must-have tech gift for the holidays this year. We love it so much that we included it as one of our 10 hottest holiday tech gifts in 2011. It’s a great toy–but the truth are, so are...

Gaming in the dark

by Cool Mom Staff | Tech Toys and Random Fun

I happen to know a few people–not naming any names here–who could easily play Xbox 360 well into the wee hours of the night. For them, I found this super cool controller that would make an amazing holiday gift. With apologies to their parents. Or uh,...

Goodnight to the old lady whispering, thank you Steve Jobs

by Molly | Tech Toys and Random Fun

When my first baby was born, my mom–overcome with nostalgia–wrapped up my old tattered copy of Goodnight Moon, and gave it to my daughter. But with this latest take on the old classic, my favorite childhood read gets a facelift and a shove into the...

Film is suddenly useful again

by Delilah S. Dawson | Tech Toys and Random Fun

I recently came across some leftover rolls of 35mm film. When I showed my children, they made me feel approximately as old as a stegosaurus. “These used to hold pictures,” I said. “But where’s the cord to hook it up to the laptop?” my...

NEW: The podcast that helps you be a savvier digital parent in under 15 minutes a week

Hi! We’re Kristen + Liz

Kristen Chase + Liz Gumbinner of Cool Mom Picks

We started Cool Mom Tech in 2010 to help make our increasingly digital lives easier, more organized, more meaningful, and more fun, however old your kids may be.

We love that it's grown to become the go-to source for millions of parents who want commonsense info about tech delivered with a smile.

We even have the privilege of sharing our tips + tricks with The TODAY Show, CNN, HLN, GMA, Nightline, newspapers and magazines around the country, and our favorite -- regular parents who stop us at PTA meetings and ask us how old kids need to be to get a smartphone, and whether they really need to panic about Snapchat.

(Answer: It's complicated.)

We're so glad you're here! And we hope we can help you too.