games + gaming Archives | Cool Mom Tech

A parent’s guide to Among Us: What you need to know before you let your kids play the “it” game of quarantine

While there has been a lot of gaming going on in our house since the start of the pandemic, no game has quite gripped my family like Among Us. This easy and free-to-download game, which launched in 2018, has became HUGE during this pandemic as more and more people...

Beyond Mavis Beacon: 5 typing games for kids who need some practice.

by Kate Etue | Educational Apps For Kids

With our kids spending significantly more time on their computers now that for many kids, school is online from home, we’ve realized something: they can’t type. I mean, 16 wpm isn’t something to brag about, champ. So we thought we’d look for...

Here’s what you need to know about Twitch Watch Parties (Think Netflix Party, but… on Twitch)

by Kristen Chase | Tips and Tricks

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...

10 father’s day gifts for gamer dads that will impress the heck out of him

by Cool Mom Staff | Father's Day Gifts

It’s not just kids who are gaming more courtesy of the quarantine. We know lots of grown-ups are doing it a lot more too, which is why we decided to put together a Father’s Day gift guide just for the gamer dads. We scoured the web for the coolest gifts...

Play Cards Against Humanity online with your friends, thanks to Playingcards.io

by Kristen Chase | Games + Gaming

We’re all doing our best practicing social distancing and stay connected during this Coronavirus lockdown, and we’ve seen lots of creative ideas, from Facebook Live dance parties, to Zoom cocktail parties, even online singalongs like the one Kristen is...

10 of the coolest tech toys and gifts for tweens and big kids | Holiday Tech Guide 2019

by Cool Mom Staff | Holiday Picks, Holiday Tech Gifts, Tech Toys and Random Fun

Next up in our Holiday Tech Guide 2019, we’re sharing the coolest tech toys and gifts for tweens and big kids. We know that they can be tricky to shop for, so we’ve done the research for you (not to mention asked our own tweens and big kids their honest...

Cool Fortnite gifts for your game-obsessed kids. Orange Justice, forever!

by Kate Etue | Games + Gaming

Question: how many times in the last day has your kid danced Orange Justice? If the answer is more than once, then you’re going to want to check out these cool Fortnite gifts we’ve found for kids who are obsessed with the game. Sure, they’d love more...

Xbox launches their Adaptive Controller. Hooray for more inclusive gaming!

by Kristen Chase | Games + Gaming

We were so pleased to hear that the Xbox Adaptive Controller that has been making the news over the last few months has finally launched. That means kids and adults with disabilities who aren’t able to use current Xbox controller now have one that will hopefully...

The Super Mario Moleskine collection takes notebooks a level up.

by Lexi Petronis | Random Coolness

In news that is sure to score a serious “wahoo!” from the Super Mario fan in your life — and just in time for back-to-school, too — Moleskine has released a limited edition notebook collection that features the game-changing gaming character. Related:...

Web coolness: Make money playing Fortnite, skin damage from your phone, and more!

by Cool Mom Staff | Link Roundups

Here are a few cool tech links from around the web. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did. Happy Pride! We love this Pride-themed charger from myCharge. Free Apple Camp registration opens at 10am today. Go! Bookmark these 45 podcasts you should be listening to. And...

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.