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...
Tech Tips & Tricks to Make Life (Way) Easier
Safe ways for kids to watch videos: Reader Q+A
Hi Cool Mom Tech! A few months back you recommended an app where parents could save or store specific videos. This was to ensure kids using iPads wouldn't stumble onto questionable material on YouTube. I feel like "Tube" was the last part of the app name, but I can't...
Your Facebook privacy settings take a hit. Again.
It seems like Facebook privacy setting has gone from something we talk about once in a while, to something we're trying to keep up with on a monthly basis as new changes are rolled out more frequently. And now--surprise--there's a new one. Last year, Facebook...
How do I take a screenshot on my computer or smartphone?
One of the most frequently asked questions we get here on Cool Mom Tech is how to take a screenshot. Before you feel silly asking the same question, you should know that it's a common one, and not necessarily as simple as it sounds. Here, easy instructions for taking...
Even More Coolness. Enjoy!
A simple guide to cutting the cable cord: 4 of your best options
For well over a decade, people have been talking -- or more like yelling -- about being hamstrung by cable companies. Some had-it-up-to-here folks have started cutting the cable cord and looking for more manageable, customized ways of watching what they want, when...
The Fujifilm Instax Mini Hello Kitty camera. One word: Want.
Should I be embarrassed that I, a 30-something mother of four, saw this Fujifilm Instax Mini Hello Kitty camera and let out a tween-level squeal? Possibly. But heck, who cares? This is freaking awesome. I've had a long standing luv-affair (yes, luv) with Hello Kitty,...
Picjoy: Because one way to help with a photo organization problem is to have an app do it for you.
If we asked you to count the things you'd rather spend a day doing than iPhone photo organization, what number would we be talking about here? Fifteen? Fifty? Eleventy hundred other things you'd rather do? Yeah, wrangling the tons of photos we've all collected is...
Tiny Builders construction app: All the fun of digging and excavating without the travel delays
Road construction is one of those travel hitches we all want to avoid, unless you're one of those toddlers and preschoolers who think those giant machines are the coolest ever. Now they can get their fill of drilling, paving, and bulldozing with the brand new Tiny...
Tandem Bike by Jazzy Ash: Kids’ music download of the week
You can laissez les bon temps roulez, or let the good times roll quite literally with Tandem Bike, a jazzy, New Orleans flavored number about riding a tandem bike with a good friend. This is one fun tune from singer-songwriter Jazzy Ash with a little help from CMP...
Livescribe’s new Echo Smartpen 8GB Pro is ready to take dictation, boss
Last year I told you about the greatest pen that has ever penned: also known as the Livescribe 3 smartpen. Well, this year, kicking off back-to-school season with class, comes the new Echo Smartpen 8GB Pro Edition. Very similar to Livescribe 3, the Echo Smartpen...
Common Sense Media: How to know what to watch with your kids, and when
It's been awhile since we first mentioned Common Sense Media on Cool Mom Picks back in 2009. Since I check it so often, like to remind myself whether there are any pikes through the head in Hunger Games, or whether The Bad News Bears is totally inappropriate for my...
Here’s a new one in portable chargers: It backs up your data, too.
I recently found myself caught out there without portable, backup battery power. I mean, I had a Plan C -- my iPhone charger in my purse -- which was more like a Plan E, because trying to locate a conveniently-placed wall outlet at a massive blogging conference where...
The new LEGO Minifigures Online game, where everything is (mostly) awesome
For years, my kids have collected LEGO Minifigures which they love to play with while building with their LEGO bricks. So, it was with great excitement when they learned that LEGO has come out with a brand new game that puts their beloved Minifigures into the online...
6 fantastic educational YouTube channels for older kids, to help make the most of that extra screen time.
My kids are already saying they're bored during the afternoon when it's too hot to play outside too long. So yeah, they may be getting more screen time than usual, but I've been trying to justify it by finding some educational YouTube channels. Or at least more...
The fantastic new Cat in the Hat Read and Learn app: Mr. Geisel would totally approve.
We're all pretty picky when it comes to kids' ebooks around here, but when you're adapting a classic from my own childhood like Dr. Seuss, my standards skyrocket. Even so, I am wildly impressed with the brand new Cat in the Hat Read and Learn app for kids, just out...
Brain Dots: A brain teaser of an app that proves you may not be smarter than fifth grader.
When the director of our ad team, Lisa, tells me to try a new app, I know it's going to be a good one. She has good taste. And this time it's Brain Dots (for iOS and Android) which happens to be fun, challenging, infuriating, and sometimes totally deflating. But did I...