holiday gift ideas Archives

The best new video games for families to let everyone in on the fun. You too, parents! | Holiday Gift Guide

by Caroline Siegrist | Games + Gaming, Holiday Picks, Holiday Tech Gifts

Who else is in the market for cool new video games for your families? Video games tend to get a bad rap, but I’ve found that picking the right game can actually foster connection and fun. So if you have an avid gamer in your family and are looking for a way to...

20 brilliant tech stocking stuffers 2021: Creative ideas that aren’t “AAA batteries” | Tech Holiday Gifts

by Christina Refford | Holiday Picks, Holiday Tech Gifts

We’ve had the best time looking for wonderful tech stocking stuffers that go beyond the usual. And by usual, I mean batteries. Whether you’re just kicking off your holiday shopping by going through our gift guides or almost wrapping things up after a...

All the ways kids are using tech to make their holiday gift wishlists: 11 ideas

by Liz Gumbinner | Best Apps, Kids, Tips and Tricks, Websites We Love

I’m absolutely fascinated by the way my own kids and step kids use tech to make ongoing gift wish lists — the iOS Notes app has become the method of choice for them and so far, that’s working pretty well for us. Then I saw Jessica Bradley...

12 practical tech gifts to help get us through another long winter | Holiday Tech Gifts

by Cool Mom Staff | Holiday Tech Gifts

Not everyone loves a big, splurgey, outrageous tech gift — some of us are happy with practical tech gifts. Especially these days, when those gifts just may help us get through another (deep sigh) long winter. Colder weather has officially settled in for many of...

Google Kids Space: A new, exciting way to help kids discover, create, and grow.

by Kristen Chase | Gear + Hardware

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Google Raising digital natives who are curious about the world around them can be challenging for parents. From keeping up with their ever changing interests to encouraging their creativity, parenting kids who are constantly...

Holiday Tech Guide: 10 cool tech gifts under $50

by Kristen Chase | Holiday Tech Gifts

Just a few days ago, we shared our favorite tech gifts for everyone on your list, all under $25. Today, we’re sharing cool tech gifts under $50. From cool docking stations to wireless earbuds, we’ve got something fun for everyone on your list. This post...

8 of the best STEM and geeky subscription boxes for all your favorite people

by Christina Refford | Holiday Picks

I’ve got some good news and some bad news about subscription box gifts this holiday: The good news is that there are tons of subscription boxes out there that you can order in time to gift for Christmas for just about anyone left on your list. The bad news is...

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...

Holiday Tech Guide: 9 fantastic no-screen tech and STEM toys for kids of all ages

by Kate Etue | Holiday Tech Gifts, Tech Toys

Tech gifts are at the top of every one of my kids’ wish-lists this year, from my 6-year-old to my 15-year-old. But with so much time spent on their computers for remote schooling this year, I’m leaning toward some of these awesome no-screen tech and STEM...

The best Black Friday tech deals of 2020, all in one place

by Kate Etue | Holiday Tech Gifts

Ready to shop, parents! We’ve got the Black Friday deals for you this year. From kitchen appliances to video games to home security, we’ve found some incredible savings for your holiday shopping. Don’t worry, we haven’t included any bland...

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.