tweens + big kids Archives | Page 2 of 28

Message your kids the way they message their friends: Google Docs

If it looks like your kids are hard at work on their laptop or Chromebook, they might actually be messaging with their friends. Turns out, tweens and teens are using Google Docs to chat with each other, and it’s honestly pretty brilliant. All you have to do is...

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

by Cool Mom Staff | Computers

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...

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,...

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...

10 cool holiday tech toys for tweens and big kids | Tech Holiday Gift Guide 2018

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

Next up in our Holiday Tech Gift Guide 2018, we’re featuring cool tech toys for tweens and big kids. Hey, we know first-hand how hard older kids can be to shop for, but having consulted with them we’re pretty sure these tech toys, gifts and gadgets will...

Calling all video gaming Potterheads! The LEGO Harry Potter Collection is here.

by Kristen Chase | Games + Gaming

If you’ve got someone in your home whose love for LEGO and Harry Potter have transcended toys, books, and movies, we give you the newest release: LEGO Harry Potter Collection for Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. We can hear the sound of wands swishing already....

5 things I learned about Musical.ly now TikTok, from parents who’ve been there (and said no to that)

by Kristen Chase | Fun Apps

My daughter came home from a sleepover this past weekend asking if she could download Musical.ly (now known as TikTok). I’ve been hesitant about this app after hearing friends’ kids with various issues, not to mention the stories we’ve shared here on...

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,...

Science Activities for Tweens: The Cool Mom Tech Science Guide for Kids

by Cool Mom Staff | Science Guide for Kids

While kids are born to love science, every kid at every age has different abilities, inclinations, passions and skills. We started Cool Mom Tech in part to help parents foster that love of STEM in their kids, which is why we couldn’t be more thrilled to bring...

The new Fitbit Ace lets kids track activity and sleep, right on their wrist.

by Kristen Chase | Fitness + Health, Kids

The launch of Fitbit’s new Ace, an activity tracker for kids, is probably a surprise to no one. With the popularity of fitness trackers with adults, there are plenty of kids, including my own, who want their own. And, in most cases, kids are wearing their...

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.