Tech Toys and Random Fun Archives | Page 7 of 19

Can you teach coding to preschoolers? Here are three toys that will try

by Christina Refford | Tech Toys and Random Fun

Coding is certainly one of the new buzzwords in education, along with STEM, STEAM, and now, believe it or not, STREAM. And while a lot of learn-to-code apps toys, and games, like Robot School, Dash Robot, and Code Master, are targeted primarily to grade-school kids,...

A new go-kart for kids you control with your phone. Whoa!

by Christina Refford | Tech Toys and Random Fun

If your kids have a need for speed, and you have a need for keeping them safe, you have check out Actev Motors’ new Arrow Smart-Kart, one of the coolest ride-on toys I had the joy of seeing at NYC’s Toy Fair earlier this year. This high-end electric...

We’ve found 8 geeky coloring books for adults, for fans of Doctor Who, Captain Kirk, and Jon Snow

by Kate Etue | Tech Toys and Random Fun

By now we all know that the adult coloring books trend has taken over — just check any recent NYT Bestseller list. But if your inner nerd is wanting more than mandalas and nature scenes to help you get your zen on, check out these awesomely geeky coloring books...

A fun and squeezable way to communicate with your kids when you’re away

by Jeana | Tech Toys and Random Fun

Even though my kids don’t have cell phones yet, they love texting their grandparents and especially love sending them audio messages (which iOS 8 made very easy to do). Sure, grabbing my phone and sending a sweet I scored a goal at my soccer game today! is...

Just look what kids can make with the 3Doodler Start

by Christina Refford | Tech Toys and Random Fun

We went crazy for the incredibly cool 3Doodler 3D-printing pen when we first saw it back in 2013, but it wasn’t really a toy that our younger kids could safely use on their own. Until now. With the upcoming launch of 3Doodler Start, our kids can now get in on...

Eep opp ork, ah-ah, that means I love you.

by Liz Gumbinner | Tech Toys and Random Fun

Today we’re wishing all our favorite techie parents a very happy Valentine’s day with the help of some Jetson’s lyrics, and a collection of super cool handmade punk felt heart robots courtesy of Utah crafter, Ginny Penny who makes what she calls...

The Thimble STEM subscription box brings cool projects to your doorstep every month

by Jeana | Tech Toys and Random Fun

I’m amazed at the quantity and quality of STEM toys and projects for kids that keep coming out. Anything that parents view as educational and kids view as entertainment gets a thumbs up in my book, which is why I’m excited about a new STEM subscription...

Star Wars bouquets! Can we say this is the Valentine’s gift you’ve been looking for?

by Christina Refford | Tech Toys and Random Fun

Roses are red, violets are blue, but neither will put a smile on your Star Wars-loving valentine’s face like one of these quirky Star Wars Valentines bouquets from our favorite geeky shop, Think Geek. Just imagine handing your beloved a bouquet that includes...

Our 11 coolest new tech toys of 2015: Editors best of the year

by Cool Mom Staff | Editors' Picks of the Year, Tech Toys and Random Fun

Okay, so this is the post in our editors’ top picks of the year series we know a lot of our readers have been waiting for: The coolest tech toys of 2015. There are so many amazing trends we’re seeing here: Coding is becoming more accessible to even...

75 year later, View-Master enters the world of Virtual Reality. But was it worth the wait?

by Christina Refford | Tech Toys and Random Fun

When I heard that View-Master had updated and gone full Virtual Reality, I was intrigued. Had the toy I’d grown up peering through to see tiny photos of animals in the wild really gone high-tech? All for under $30 — or even under $25 on sale at Amazon?...

$5 great STEM toys for kids with a math focus. Because despite what you may remember, math is now fun.$

5 great STEM toys for kids with a math focus. Because despite what you may remember, math is now fun.

by Christina Refford | Tech Toys and Random Fun

As we approach the final week of Christmas shopping, I plan spend a few minutes to make sure that I’m buying toys and games that will feed my kids’ brains as much as their need for play. And while “math toys” has never appeared on any of my...

A friendship bracelet maker that brings them back with a really cool, high-tech twist.

by Kate Etue | DIY, Tech Toys and Random Fun

I grew up in the 80s, so friendship bracelets were always layered up my wrists by the dozens, usually made at sleepovers while we gossiped about boys. While I’m happy to let a my formerly 80’s essentials go (I’m looking at you, Aqua Net), this is one...

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.