apps for parents Archives

Our favorite self-care apps to help you develop a self-care plan. Because winter is coming.

by Caroline Siegrist | Fitness + Health, Lifestyle Apps

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...

5 ways to use tech to document your family’s stories from the pandemic

by Kristen Chase | Tips and Tricks

When our state was put under a stay-at-home order back in the middle of March, 2020, I told my 11-year old that she should start writing in her journal every day because this was going to be a time in history that her kids and their kids after them would be hearing...

4K Video Downloader lets you safely download YouTube videos, online recipes, and so much more, with just one click | Sponsored Message

by Cool Mom Staff | Entertainment

This is a sponsored message for 4K Video Downloader Want to watch your favorite YouTube or TikTok videos without WIFI or cellular, save that favorite recipe to you computer, or catch a Twitch stream later on? You and your family can do all of that and so much more...

The OurStory app: Highlighting books with diverse content and by content creators from marginalized communities. YES!

by Kristen Chase | Websites Worth a Bookmark

Over the years, we here at Cool Mom Tech (and Cool Mom Picks) have believed in the importance of supporting diverse companies, products, and books, as well as sharing content from creators from marginalized communities. From POC-owned beauty brands to Black food...

The Together app helps families and friends stay connected during quarantine, and beyond | Sponsored Message

by Cool Mom Staff | Fun Apps

This is a sponsored message for Together app As so many families and friends are struggling to stay connected during this Coronavirus quarantine, they’ve turned to technology to help them stay in touch. But with the Together app, your kids can video chat, while...

7 meditation apps to help you calm quarantine anxiety. Deep breaths, everyone.

by Caroline Siegrist | Lifestyle Apps

These days anxiety feels like a constant a companion as my house, and some of my usual coping mechanisms aren’t accessible. I miss you, YMCA treadmill! So right now I’m making do with these helpful meditation apps. And I’m happy to say that when I...

Dear Reader is the addictive wordplay game for fans of Jane Austen and Edgar Allen Poe. Yes, really.

by Liz Gumbinner | Fun, Fun Apps

When you think “voracious reader of the classics” you don’t generally think at the same time “..and big game, toor!” And yet, that’s how I feel every time I open up Dear Reader. Free with Apple Arcade, this fun, quippy, clever, and...

3 great sleep tracking apps for parents. Because we need it.

by Kate Etue | Lifestyle Apps

We know it can be really hard for parents to get a good night’s sleep, but tech is here to help. We’ve found 3 great sleep tracking apps that can track your sleep, and help you build better habits to improve it. From waking up at your body’s natural...

Message your kids the way they message their friends: Google Docs

by Kristen Chase | Tips and Tricks

If it looks like your kids are hard at work on their laptop or Chromebook, they might actually be messaging with their friends. Turns out, tweens and teens are using Google Docs to chat with each other, and it’s honestly pretty brilliant. All you have to do is...

What are the best services and tools to monitor my kids screen time? 5 top picks | Guide to Digital Parenting

by Cool Mom Staff | Family Safety Apps, Guide to Digital Parenting, Internet Safety, Tips and Tricks

As part of our Ultimate Guide to Digital Parenting, answering parents’ top questions about family technology, we’re sharing the best services and tools to help you monitor your kids on their gadgets. While most routers, phones, tablets and computers have...

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.