kids' computers Archives

What’s the best first laptop for kids that’s affordable too? We’ve got an idea.

With my 12-year old son heading to middle school next year, I’ve got the the typical parental worries, which these days includes trying to figure out the best first laptop to purchase for him. Yes, my baby is all grown up and needs his own computer. That’s...

Web Coolness: New emojis, laptops under $200, and Instagram Stories

by Cool Mom Staff | Link Roundups

Here are some of our favorite tech links from around the web this week. We hope you enjoy them too. Here are all the new emoji coming to iOS 10. Love the diverse families! Speaking of emoji, did you see the big change to one emoji? Shopping for back to school? Here...

Torch: A smart WiFi router that’s made for parents

by Jeana | Home Security

When you think about cool, must-have gadgets, a router probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind (ahem, iPhone 6S, Santa). But if you’re a parent of Internet-surfing kids (hello, Minecraft lovers), then this new router called Torch might be worth a...

Web Coolness: Emoji computer keyboard, Lego Easter eggs, and Cards Against Humanity online

by Cool Mom Staff | Link Roundups

Here are some of our favorite tech links we’ve enjoyed this week. We hope you like them as much as we did. We’re a little obsessed with this emoji keyboard cover. Hit the shift key–you type Emojis! Love that Apple is donating 40 million to...

Piper: The ultimate toy for budding engineers who love Minecraft. In other words, our kids.

by Julie | Games + Gaming

As you can see just from browsing our site, Minecraft and STEM toys rank high on our list of the coolest stuff for kids that’s both fun and educational. So when we heard about Piper, which brings together coding, engineering, and Minecraft all in one cool...

Get started at the very beginning with the Kano computer kit

by Christina Refford | Tech Toys and Random Fun

I’m not alone in wanting my kids to learn the basics of coding and am thankful there are so many ways to get them interested in the subject. We’ve covered cool clubs and camps, lots of fun games, as well as apps and websites like ScratchJr and Hopscotch....

Reader Q+A: Good computer recommendations for students going back-to-school?

by Jeana | Computers

We need to purchase a computer for our two older children to use for homework. They frequently have assignments that involve the use of Google Docs, as well as PowerPoint and Excel. I’m a Mac user, but we’re thinking we’ll go with a PC for them (due to cost). Can you...

Kidecals: Type the rainbow

by Liz Gumbinner | Tech Toys and Random Fun

Much to my children’s delight, my new Macbook meant transferring ownership of the old one. As in the embarrassing old Macbook I’ve shared here before, the one with missing letters galore. Seeing as how they have yet to master the art of touch typing, we...

MiiPC review: Keep a virtual eye on your kids’ computer activity

by Shari | Computers

We were excited to have a chance to put together a MiiPC review, considering there’s pretty much nothing that causes a modern parent more angst than monitoring your kids’ online life. Keeping them safe, limiting their screen time, making sure they...

Build-your-own computer kits for kids, all designed by another kid. Minds blown.

by Pilar | Tech Toys and Random Fun

We all know STEM is a big deal in schools these days. The combination of science, technology, engineering and math is what kids are living on a daily basis, so a 10-year-old entrepreneur named Ethan Saadia wants to encourage even more kids to really get into computer...

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.