family activities Archives

44 cool things you can do with the Amazon Echo: From productive time-savers to just plain fun.

by Kate Etue | Smart Appliances, Tips and Tricks

I received an Amazon Echo for Christmas a few years ago, and I have to admit at first I was a little skeptical. What is all the buzz about anyway and what can I actually do with an Amazon Echo? I wasn’t sure it could really do more for me than Siri or my phone,...

7 of the best video games to play together as a family

by Caroline Siegrist | Entertainment, Games + Gaming

Who else is looking for the best video games to play as a family this holiday? To me, these family-friendly games make the best gifts for the holidays, since they provide some safe indoor fun at a time we all really need it. Plus, they pack a lot more play longevity...

Download Apple’s free Make Your Holiday booklet and give your kids 20+ fun, creative projects to keep them busy all month.

by Liz Gumbinner | DIY, Holiday Picks, Kids

I am not exaggerating when I say that I cried after watching a presentation about Apple’s new, totally free, Make Your Holiday at-home family program. Our kids have been through so much, and whenever I think of all the companies that have stepped up to offer...

6 unexpected rom-coms on Netflix that you can watch with the family on Valentine’s Day

by Liz Gumbinner | Entertainment

What you do after the kids are in bed on Valentine’s Day — that’s your business. What you do while the kids are still up and wanting to hang out with you though? Well, we can help with that. As the resident cinephile, I’ve put together some...

Science Activities for Kindergarteners: The Guide to Science for Kids

by Cool Mom Staff | Science Guide for Kids

While kids are born to love science, every kid at every age has different abilities, inclinations, passions and skills. We started Cool Mom Tech in part to help parents foster that love of STEM in their kids, which is why we couldn’t be more thrilled to bring...

Science Activities for Tweens: The Cool Mom Tech Science Guide for Kids

by Cool Mom Staff | Science Guide for Kids

Science Activities for Grade Schoolers (Part 2): The Cool Mom Tech Science Guide for Kids

by Cool Mom Staff | Science Guide for Kids

Science Activities for Grade Schoolers (Part 1): The Cool Mom Tech Science Guide for Kids

by Cool Mom Staff | Science Guide for Kids

Who was Stephen Hawking? These terrific shows can help.

by Liz Gumbinner | Entertainment

With so many of us mourning the passing of Stephen Hawking, and celebrating his many contributions to the world of science, it leaves a lot of our kids asking who he was, what he did, and what he believed — and some of us adults are interested in learning more,...

Why the new Local app could make you delete Yelp for good.

by Liz Gumbinner | Shopping Apps, Travel Apps

I admit, Yelp drives me crazy for a number of reasons. And now, just in time for the holiday shopping and travel, comes a truly viable app alternative. Let’s say you live in Silverlake, you like comedy shows and galleries, and four of your friends have recently...

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.