Disney+ adds a watch party feature, just in time for The Mandalorian season 2
Since 2020 has precluded in-person watch parties, I was glad to see Disney step up their game with GroupWatch. Just like Netflix's watch party, GroupWatch lets you watch content from Disney+ with others who are far away -- and who also subscribe to Disney+, of course....
What’s new at Apple that parents need to know about | Out-Tech Your Kids Episode 17
Over the last couple of months, Apple has launched some pretty awesome devices and features that are pretty pertinent to parents - from Family Set-Up to the new HomePod Mini - and a few other things in between. So, on this episode of Out-Tech Your Kids, we're talking...
6 scary podcasts for kids, just in time for Halloween
Gearing up for Halloween is looking a little different this year, but at my house we've been getting into the spooky spirit with these awesome scary podcasts for kids. They come at every level of fright, from pumpkin-caper to prepare-to-sleep-with-the-lights-on. For a...
Our favorite self-care apps to help you develop a self-care plan. Because winter is coming.
Let's talk about self-care apps! While I took a no-holds-bar approach at the very beginning of quarantine (It's the end of the world! Why not scroll all day?), I'm realizing that might not be the most sustainable solution for a pandemic that shows no signs of fully...
The new Duolingo ABC app is a totally free way to help kids with reading and writing
This is a sponsored message from Duolingo ABC You probably already know Duolingo as the most popular language-learning app around the world. But you may not have tried the brand new Duolingo ABC, which was designed to help all kids learn to read and write in English....
Here’s one simple way you can get your voice heard…with a text! | Out-Tech Your Kids Episode 16
With Election Day around the corner (though for many of us, it's now and tomorrow and every day until November 3), we wanted to share an app - or a service, really - that allows you to share your voice with your representatives, congresspeople, senators and more,...
We’ll be waiting at the mailbox for these USPS x CASETIFY phone accessories
We've been fan of CASETIFY's fun iPhone case mash-ups for a while now, and so I was so happy to see them announce their new collection with -- yep, you guessed it -- the United States Postal Service. This new USPS collection celebrates the folks who tirelessly deliver...
Fun games you can play on your phone to keep you from going crazy | Out-Tech Your Kids Ep 15
We think you can all agree that with everything going on, it's a smart idea to have a few little distractions to take your mind off things. For Liz, that's often a game on her phone. But for Kristen, well, let's just say she's a little out of practice with the gaming....
How to boost your home WiFi (for online learning and beyond) | Out-Tech Your Kids Ep 14
If you've got a bunch of people online in your house all day like we do, we've got some suggestions - tips and gadgets - that might help give you a much-needed signal boost. The last thing you need is to get kicked off your work Zoom call or have your kids miss their...
Spruce up your online learning with cool free Zoom backgrounds from National Geographic
Anyone else tired of broadcasting their messy house over Zoom every day? I definitely was, so I was stoked to discover these cool virtual Zoom backgrounds for online learning from National Geographic. [Insert bad dad joke here about how we're already living in a zoo...
Toniebox, the new screen-free entertainment center for little kids
My son's just at the age he can start listening to stories on his own, but I'm not in a hurry to hand over my iPhone to keep him entertained. So I was intrigued to read about Toniebox, a new screen-free content box for little kids. The Toniebox works with figurines --...
The best tutorials to help you customize your iOS 14 home screen
If you haven't heard by now, the customization features on the new iOS home screen are alllll kinds of extra (i.e. you can turn your home screen into a Harry Potter tribute, Microsoft Paint throw-back, or neon color study). It's pretty insane. And intense. Just ask...
Tips & Tricks to Make Life (Way!) Easier
Here’s what you need to know about Twitch Watch Parties (Think Netflix Party, but… on Twitch)
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 friends and...
How to stop fighting with the kids about screen time: Tips that work | Out-Tech Your Kids Ep 6
Okay, so plenty of us gave up on the same screen time limits we had pre-Covid. But that's not to say we don't still have screen time fights with the kids. Or uh...arguments? Debates? Gentle disagreements? If you're looking to cut back on the fights, we've got some...
5 ways smart kids circumvent parental controls | Out-Tech Your Kids Ep 5
Kids are pretty darn smart, but we can be smarter, parents! On this week's Out-Tech Your Kids podcast, we're talking about the ways kids can circumvent parental controls so you can be prepared, thanks to the members of our Out-Tech Your Kids Facebook group who bravely...
Our favorite tutorials to help you use G-suite tools for online learning
Since my son started remote learning, I've been looking for great G-suite tutorials to help me hone my skills, and I know I'm not alone. We're hearing from a lot of parents whose kids are using G-suite tools for their own online learning programs. While G-suite...
Alert! Baby Yoda Lego Set lets your child build The Child.
A smart part of me is a little worried that we're turning into the Baby Yoda blog here on Cool Mom Tech. But the bigger part of me is like "BRING IT ON!" which is why I'm so excited to share this new Baby Yoda Lego Set (top) that is now available for pre-order. When...
How to avoid eye strain and fatigue from too much screen time | Out-Tech Your Kids Ep 13
With kids doing online learning, and parents working (and screening ourselves), we thought it would be a good idea to tackle eye strain and fatigue on this week's episode of Out-Tech Your Kids. In just ten minutes, you'll get some helpful tips, product...
A baby Yoda stand for your Amazon Echo Dot? This is the way.
Calling all Mandalorian fans! We've found a new Amazon Echo that's worth its weight in Beskar steel: this baby Yoda clock stand Echo Dot! The stand lets your Echo Dot serve as a clock while also channeling our favorite silent-but-deadly alien, and I think it would...
What are the safest ways to clean your family’s phones? | Out-Tech Your Kids Episode 12
Considering we're still in the middle of a pandemic, and we've got cold and flu season right around the corner, we figured it would be helpful to talk about how families can properly clean their family's phones. They're super expensive, very precious gadgets in our...
Here’s what you need to know about Twitch Watch Parties (Think Netflix Party, but… on Twitch)
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 friends and...
Smart tech tips to help with online learning | Out-Tech Your Kids Ep 11
For most of us, our kids will be engaging in some form of online learning this fall. So, we decided to poll our Out-Tech Your Kids Facebook Group members and get their favorite tech tips to help make the whole process a little easier. We hope they help you as much as...
The new 2020 Election Google Trends page will have you geeking out. (Or freaking out. Depends.)
Just yesterday, Google launched their 2020 Election Google Trends page, which allows you to see exactly what the rest of the country is searching for these days. And as a parent, I bet civically-minded kids would love to learn more about what's happening in their own...
Helpful online resources to supplement school this year | Out-Tech Your Kids Ep 10
Whatever your child is doing for school this year, we know that parents are involved in the process. This year, you might be even more involved that ever. So, we thought it might be helpful to share some helpful online resources (7, to be exact), that will help...
5 of the best affordable headphones for kids and teens, which are perfect for online learning
With so many of our kids headed back to school this fall from the comfort of our living rooms (oof), we wanted to take a look at some of the best headphones for students who are remote learning this fall. There are a lot of factors we've thought about here—from...
How to boost your WiFi for easier online learning and homeschooling
Remote learning has enough obstacles without also having spotty internet. So I've been researching the best ways to make home WiFi faster and more consistent throughout the household (yes, even in that closet where I hide to watch Indian Matchmaking on Netflix). I've...
Shop at Apple this week, and help the National Park Foundation
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 supporting the...