tech toys Archives | Cool Mom Tech

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,...

Holiday Tech Guide 2020: 9 fantastic no-screen tech and STEM toys for kids of all ages

by Kate Etue | Holiday Tech Gifts, Tech Toys and Random Fun

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...

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...

The Seriously STEM Award winners: 4 of the best educational STEM toys of the year

by Liz Gumbinner | Tech Toys and Random Fun

I was so honored to return as a judge for the second annual Seriously STEM awards, honoring the best educational STEM toys. In collaboration with STEM.org, and with judges including educators, journalists, science museum directors, and independent STEM toy experts...

Coding just got cooler (and cuter) with the Artie 3000 robot.

by Kristen Chase | Tech Toys and Random Fun

One of our favorite tech discoveries at this year’s New York Toy Fair was this adorable new drawing robot Artie 3000. What makes him so special you ask? Well, let’s just say he teaches kids ages 7-12 how to code using activities created in collaboration...

14 last-minute tech gifts that will still arrive before Christmas. Thanks, Amazon Prime!

by Caroline Siegrist | Holiday Tech Gifts

Even if you haven’t finished your holiday shopping yet, we’ve got you covered with these tech gifts you can still order on Amazon Prime and receive before Christmas. Brilliant, right? And, true to form, these last minute Amazon Prime tech gifts are all...

Detective Agency: The new Carmen Sandiego-style game from Osmo

by Kate Etue | Games + Gaming

We’re huge fans of Osmo around my house. The kids love to play their innovative games, and I love that they seamlessly marry tangible, hands-on play with screen time. So when I saw their new game just announced today, Detective Agency, is a Carmen Sandiego-style...

This new Harry Potter coding kit from Kano will turn every kid into a wizard

by Lexi Petronis | Tech Toys and Random Fun

What Potterhead among us hasn’t wanted to accio our own working wand and perform a little magic? Like, I don’t know…make some Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavor Beans get bigger, disappear a few Mandrakes, or summon some chocolate frogs? Well,...

2 awesome new Cubetto accessories we’re geeking out about.

by Kate Etue | Tech Toys and Random Fun

Of all the STEM coding toys that have come through our door, our favorite has been Cubetto. Maybe it’s the heirloom quality of the robot’s square wooden housing, with a personable little smile on the front. Or the fact that they don’t have to steal...

Meet Robotics Engineer Barbie, and how she’s helping get girls excited about STEM

by Kristen Chase | Tech Toys and Random Fun

Barbie has come a long way over the last couple of years, with everything from Curvy Barbie to Game Developer Barbie, and now, Robotics Engineer Barbie. But this goes beyond a STEM-loving girl with a stylish pair of lab glasses. Barbie has teamed up with Tynker 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.