free or close to it Archives

Easy tip for more mindful screen time: Download these lock screen wallpapers for your phone

by Liz Gumbinner | Cell Phones, Social Media

This weekend, inspired by the Cool Mom Picks book club video chat about How to Break Up with Your Phone, I decided to try one of author Catherine Price’s tips to help me be more mindful about my screen time, and more aware of how much I pick up my phone. She...

Free Kindle books for World Book Day! Don’t mind if we do.

by Kristen Chase | E-Readers

If you’re looking to add some new books to your summer reading list, you’ll want to head over to Amazon right now and download the 9 free Kindle books they’re offering today in honor of World Book Day. But hurry, you’ve got about 30 hours (and...

Here’s how to get a free year of Nintendo Switch Online

by Kristen Chase | Games + Gaming

If you’re an Amazon Prime member like me who also happens to have a Nintendo Switch, you’ll definitely want to check out this awesome offer from Twitch Prime (which, if you didn’t know, is owned by Amazon). All you need to do is connect your...

4 awesome YouTube alternatives for kids of all ages

by Kate Etue | Fun Apps for Kids

With all the not-so-great news coming out around YouTube recently — from their pedophilia problem to the horrific content spliced into kids’ videos to the infamous Momo challenge — I’ve been looking for some YouTube alternatives. From now on,...

The new Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood website is magic for kids and adults alike

by Kate Etue | Websites Worth a Bookmark

One of my very favorite movies this year was the Fred Rogers documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, which simultaneously shed new light on the TV personality I loved as a child and sparked a passion for me to show my kids every favorite Mister Rogers’ ...

Binge watch free television during Roku’s first Stream-a-thon starting December 26

by Christina Refford | Entertainment

If there’s ever a time when we deserve some extra hours parked in front of a screen, it’s the week after Christmas when we are all coming down from the excitement of the holidays. And if you are a Roku customer, make sure you check out Roku’s first...

The new Khan Academy Kids app is a parental godsend. Plus it’s free!

by Caroline Siegrist | Educational Apps For Kids

As my son gets older, I’m starting to look for cool educational apps to give him a leg up on counting and letters and other basic skills. The clear favorite for now? The brand new Khan Academy Kids, a free learning app from Khan Academy and Duck Duck Moose,...

Listen up! 5 fantastic storytelling podcasts for kids.

by Kristen Chase | Entertainment

Podcasts can promote your child’s creativity and imagination without spending more time in front of a screen. And while there are more and more awesome podcasts for kids popping up all the time, we wanted to specifically highlight storytelling podcasts. Think...

7 fitness apps for busy parents, or anyone who doesn’t have a lot of time.

by Ellyn Exley Dvorkin | Lifestyle Apps

You can still make good on that 2018 New Year’s resolution and get started with your workout routine to get in shape. We know, it’s February. But hey, that’s life! These fitness apps are perfect for parents because you can use them at home, with very...

7 free budget apps to keep your family (and your money) on track in 2018.

by Ellyn Exley Dvorkin | Lifestyle Apps

Whether you’ve decided to start a budget (or stick to one) as your New Year’s Resolution, or you’re just trying to get your finances in order, here are 7 free family budgeting apps that could help. You might be surprised at how much they could really...

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.