WonderBox: A game-changer in educational apps for kids
I have a kid who really wants to be creative, but usually needs a good push before he'll dive into a project, and now we've found an app that delivers on that so beautifully. The brand new WonderBox app hails from Duck Duck Moose, one of the first educational app...
Prince’s Starfish and Coffee sung by Maya Rudolph and Renee Stahl: Kids’ music download of the week
Of all the great songs on Renee & Friends' amazing new album Simpatico, the one that I've had running in my head for weeks is a Prince cover featuring the voices of Renee Stahl of kindie band Renee & Jeremy and Maya Rudolph. Yes, that Maya Rudolph. Turns out,...
Build your own bookends for all those back to school books
With all the amazing books for tweens and helpful book recommendation websites we've been sharing on Cool Mom Picks and here on Cool Mom Tech, I'm swimming in books. Which, you know, it could be worse. But that's why I need these build on brick bookends. ...
Tinybop’s The Everything Machine: Budding engineers, your app has arrived
We love it when developers we adore take things up a notch, and that's exactly what Tinybop has done with their wonderful new app, The Everything Machine. The Everything Machine is on a whole new level from what we've seen from Tinybop previously. It incorporates...
16 of the best organizational apps for parents: Back to School Tech Guide 2015
Let's hear it for organizational apps this time of year! What would we ever do without them? After all, back to school also means getting back to routines, which can highlight some of our old systems for staying organized and keeping the family running like a...
The LG GizmoPal phone wristwatch for kids: It could change the way you get in touch. Or yell for them to come home, at least.
Unless you are a parent who just doesn't use a cell phone yourself -- which, huh? -- we guarantee your kids will be begging pretty much by the time they get to kindergarten, and see one classmate who already has one. We don't entirely think that five-year-olds need...
They Might Be Giants’ No! to be followed up by Why? | Kids’ music downloads of the week
One of the very first kids' albums I ever bought was They Might Be Giants' 2002 classic No! to play for my then-toddler daughter. It still ranks up there with some of my favorite albums thanks to songs like Fibber Island, I Am Not Your Broom, John Lee Supertaster, and...
Need recommendations for great books for kids? Bookmark these 5 great websites.
Some of our kids are really picky when it comes to books -- not too long, not too short, with just the right plot points and character types. Then there are the ones who go through books so quickly that we can barely keep up with suggestions for what they should read...
Fable tablet: Can it sit at the table with the other kids’ tablets? Here’s our review.
We're big fans of dedicated kids' tablets around here. We even have a list of our favorite tablets for kids, for those parents who aren't quite ready to hand over a $500 iPad to a preschooler. Even if it is a hand-me-down. And this is why I was excited to try out the...
9 awesomely cool coding projects for kids using the Dot and Dash robots from Wonder Workshop
Recently, I wrote about how totally in love I am with the Dot and Dash Robots from Wonder Workshop. So it makes me extra happy that they have joined us as as our newest Cool Mom Tech sponsor because, well, we all adore them! (Also, so does every kid who comes over and...
Emoji smart phone cases. Because they’re already all over your phone anyway.
Oh c'mon, I know that emoji are already all over your phone. Is there anyone that can still resist the siren call? I think not! That's why I going all-in with one of these emoji smart phone cases. The question is, which one should I get? I like Kate Spade's...
Snapbox Peel and Stick Fabric Posters: A cool new way to display favorite pics without that toxic vinyl smell.
When you have some favorite photos -- and with five of us taking photos, you can bet we have lots -- we've got a great new way to turn them into wall decor. You might know SnapBox as the company that started by turning your Instagram photos into...
Tech Tips & Tricks to Make Life (Way) Easier
I lost my iPad, what do I do? Reader Q&A
We just realized that we lost an iPad. What are some safety steps I need to take now? Change my email and iTunes passwords? What else? -Megan Oh no, Megan! So sorry to hear that you've lost your iPad, though you're not alone. First off, be sure to report it lost or...
Apple launches The iPad Air, iPad Mini, Mac Pro Desktop and more. Are they good for families?
Yesterday, Apple announced its newest gadgets, and of course we were watching closely--as anyone who follows Cool Mom Tech on Twitter knows. While there weren't many big surprises, the news was definitely cool, even if not all of it is exactly right for families....
What you need to know about Twitter DM changes
If you're big Twitter users like we are, then you know that currently, you can't send DMs to people who aren't following you--a feature we actually really like. Beause it means you can't get DMs from random people either. Well that's all about to change--though don't...
Even More Coolness. Enjoy!
Roller Coaster by Lunch Money: Kids’ music download of the week
As I pack up my family for a trip to Orlando and some of its finest theme parks, it seems fitting that today would happen to be National Roller Coaster Day. Especially since my kids can't stop talking about which loopy, speedy, hands-in-the-air coaster they can't wait...
9 of the most stunningly beautiful mobile games add some zen to your apps.
Think for a minute about how far we've come in games design from the days of Asteroids and Space Invaders. Now, there are some stunningly beautiful mobile games for both iOS and Android that change the way we think about gaming apps. Hey, I'm all for relaxing by...
Here’s how to follow Cool Mom Tech! Because we are where you are.
Whichever social media site you prefer, we're probably there too. Isn't that how things go these days? Here are all the ways to follow us, for links to cool articles you don't want to miss, breaking news, tips for last minute sales and discounts we come across, gift...
10 essential tips for protecting your tech gadgets so they last. (Or at least until the next version comes out.)
There's that wonderful moment when you first open up the box of your newest gadget and just smile at it. Some folks even give the new, shiny, and often pricy tech toy its own special name. At no point during this grand unboxing do you envision the gadget in other...
Cool night lights for kids: Because anything to help them sleep better, right?
If your house is anything like mine, then a night light is as much of a bedtime essential as your kid's blankie and cup of water. So, I'm not sure why purchasing one has always been an afterthought for me! Well, now that I'm settling into my new home, I'm making it a...
7 fun laptop cases for college students. No drinking jokes.
Whether you've got a kid heading off to college with a shiny new laptop, or the old family hand-me-down, a fun new laptop cases for college can be a perfect, affordable gift. Here are a few from Society 6 that I'm loving. None of which include any quotes about...
4 Eco-friendly headphones we love. Now you can save the planet while you listen.
When I think about high-tech headphones, I don't usually associate them with natural materials like wood. But some big brands are now making eco-friendly headphones that sound amazing with beautiful, earthy textures instead of the glitzy metals and plastics I'm used...
If your kids love superheroes, this kids’ music download of the week is for you
How do superheros unwind after a long day of fighting crime? Well, according to this excellent power-pop song by Minneapolis's The Bazillions, they form a rock band and hit the stage. Got a kid who loves superheroes? You need to play them Superhero Rock Band, a...
Minecraft cases protect your gadgets with all the strength of obsidian blocks. Well, maybe.
With a bunch of Minecraft fans in my house, and a couple of them with gadgets of their own, I'm pretty sure these new Minecraft cases from Think Geek would be a huge hit. You won't find these Minecraft cases anywhere other than Think Geek (oooh, exclusive!), with the...
Kano’s free online coding camp: Squeeze some fun learning into the last days of summer
Every summer I vow that we're going to do enriching activities to keep everyone's brain sharp, but then my resolve melts faster than ice cream on a hot day once we start enjoying the lazy, unscheduled days of summer. But, I've found a great new online summer camp for...
Privet by KidsLink: A great new addition to parenting advice apps
Along with the diapers and burp clothes and countless other pieces of baby gear, perhaps the most valuable things that new (and newish) parents can receive are the BTDT words of wisdom from other parents who are boldly and actively doing the hard work of parenting....
13 of the best Android apps for kids, all right on Google Play
Since so many of you write us asking for the best Android apps for kids, we are so honored that Google Play reached out too, asking us to be this month's expert kids' app curator in their family category! We get to join the likes of trusted voices like Levar Burton...