Cool Mom Picks

What began as a heartfelt initiative by publishers Kristen Chase and Liz Gumbinner in 2006 has evolved into one of the leading websites focused on gear, style, and design for parents—and even those without kids are drawn to it. Kristen and Liz frequently appear in both national and local media to share insights on parenting trends, gift suggestions, online safety, mom-led businesses, and shopping tips. Their television appearances include shows like The TODAY Show, CBS's The Early Show, The Martha Stewart Show, GMA Live!, ABC News Now, CNN, Headline News, CBS Atlanta, Fox 5 NY, NY1, and even a few memorable moments caught on their children's smartphone cameras. Additionally, they have collaborated with brands like Martha Stewart, Lucky Magazine, Fab.com, Gilt Group, Ideeli, Babycenter, New York Family, and Time Out/Kids to create curated sales, events, and gift guides.

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28 Amazing Gift Ideas

1 month ago | coolmompicks.com | Christina Refford |Easter gifts

It can be hard putting together cool Easter baskets for teens and tweens. While our youngest kids may be content with a stuffed rabbit and a basket full of candy-filled plastic eggs, I’m excited to treat my three kids with some cool Easter gifts for teens that they’ll actually be psyched to see in their Easter basket.
This quick tip can make your donations go further for your favorite causes

2 months ago | coolmompicks.com | Liz Gumbinner

Over the past few years, I’ve committed to my favorite charities and causes by changing my donations from end-of-year or once-in-a-while to an automated recurring monthly contribution. I’ve learned that it’s a really solid, easy way to help organizations and non-profits more meaningfully, without even donating more money. Unless you want to of course.
10 simple ways to find more time in your day. No magic required.

2 months ago | coolmompicks.com | Kristen Chase

We would probably all love an extra hour in the day. Or two. Or six. Especially with the busy holiday season upon us right now. But since we’re not magicians and we don’t own a time machine (yet), the only way we’ll be able to find extra time is if we take a good look at how we’re spending the 24 hours we already have. And no, losing more sleep is not a reasonable option. Hey, we’d all love to save time wherever we can so we can put it toward more important things, right?
From a mom who's seen it first-hand.

2 months ago | coolmompicks.com | Liz Gumbinner

I am what you’d call a camp evangelist, especially after seeing all the ways summer camp has helped my kids grow. And I’ve had a long time to be able to see that growth — our youngest is about to finish her ninth (!) year at the same camp, while her stepsister is now a second-year counselor there. To them, camp is truly their summer “home,” their friends there are some of their best, and every summer has meant so much to them.
12 creative ways to display kids' artwork. Reclaim that fridge!

2 months ago | coolmompicks.com | Caroline Siegrist

One parenting conundrum that seems timeless: the search for creative ways to display kids’ artwork. From the preschool doodles and finger paint portraits to the kindergarten collages, to the papier maché sculptures that would look just perfect…where, exactly? I get it! While our own school year has barely begun, I’m already feeling overwhelmed by all my son’s artwork that’s coming home So I’ve been researching all the various ways to display kids’ artwork so that it looks clean and cohesive.
7 terrific children's books about lesser known African-American pioneers

2 months ago | coolmompicks.com | Georgette Gilmore

It’s safe to say that during Black History Month in particular, our children are learning all about our nation’s great civil rights leaders, like Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks and Frederick Douglass. But, as you may recall from the film Hidden Figures, it created awakening for a lot of parents and educators who started to explore the great wealth of Black American pioneers who deserve more attention to their own stories.
Bet you didn't know you could recycle some of these things. Free.

2 months ago | coolmompicks.com | Liz Gumbinner

If you’re looking for a free recycling program for your Febreze cans, your teen’s EOS lip balm containers, your kids’ drink pouches, or even your teeth aligners, you’re in luck. I just found the ultimate list of brands that have recycling programs for hard-to-recycle waste streams, some of which you can’t just leave out at the curb with your newspapers and cereal boxes.
10 anti-Valentine's gifts for people who hate Valentine's Day (you know who you are!)

Jan 27, 2025 | coolmompicks.com | Liz Gumbinner |Valentine's Day

Each year, we love putting together Valentine’s Day gift ideas, but I admittedly have had a love/hate relationship with Valentine’s Day throughout my life. Love the opportunity to tell people in my life I love them, hate the pressure. Love helping my kids spread their own love and kindness, hate knowing how hard it can be for single parents — or just single adults in general.
Easy, adorable Valentine's Day crafts that kids can make for their friends.

Jan 27, 2025 | coolmompicks.com | Caroline Siegrist |Valentine's Day

This year we’re making sure that friend love doesn’t get neglected on Valentine’s Day, and so I’ve rounded up 8 awesome crafts that celebrate your kids’ BFFs in the most adorable ways. Because while I can barely tell you the names of my middle school boyfriends (and there weren’t even that many, trust me), some of my friendships from that era are still going strong. And hey, with crafts as sweet as these, maybe your kids will create some keepsakes that last a few decades, too.
18 last-minute DIY holiday gifts for friends and family

Dec 13, 2024 | coolmompicks.com | Christina Refford

We love looking for easy last-minute DIY holiday gifts each year that show our friends we care, but not all of us are gifted crafters who can knit a pair of mittens while watching a Christmas movie, or eke out the time for a complex 40-step DIY tutorial while trying to you know, have a life. So, we’ve searched for some easy least-minute DIY holiday gifts all from crafts that we know we actually can make. Are you still shopping? Yeah, we are too.