This giant Connect Four game that’s taken over suburban lawns this summer is on sale

by Cool Mom Picks Deals Team | Toys + Playthings

If you’re looking for a fun new outdoor toy for summer, we have plenty of backyard swings and water toys to check out. And now there’s one more: This giant Connect Four game (technically, “Four in a Row Connect Game”) that’s been spotted...

Beat the heat with 10 of the coolest backyard water toys, inflatable pools, and sprinklers.

by Kate Etue | Toys + Playthings

This is a terrific time to find some cool backyard water toys for the kids, because they’re all on sale, and let’s be honest, we’re all feeling the heat this summer. Back in 2020 we first shared our favorite backyard water toys when we were all stuck...

Help kids be the change they want to see in the world with these 7 terrific children’s books about activism

by Kate Etue | Books for Kids

We have written often about raising activist kids and what we can do to encourage them to get involved with whatever cause inspires them. One of the first place we turn are books, and in this case, wonderful children’s books about activism. With the looming...

Can a high GPA make up for a low SAT score? And do “test-optional” schools really mean it? | An Insider Guide to College Admissions

by Cool Mom Team | Kids

Next up in our Insider’s Guide to College Admissions series, we’re answering questions about the SATs and ACTs, like their relative importance, whether they matter more or less than your GPA, and whether “test-optional” schools really are. ...

Should you apply Early Decision to a college? Pros and cons? | An Insider Guide to College Admissions

by Cool Mom Team | Kids

Next up in our Insider’s Guide to College Admissions series, we’re answering that tough question about Early Decision (ED) applications. What are the pros and cons? Does it really give you an edge? Is there anyone who shouldn’t apply ED? Here to...

My go-to shops for the best camp basics for kids. (Hurry: Big sales now!)

by Liz Gumbinner | Kid Style

It’s that time of year: Camp clothes shopping! Or more accurately, the time of year I look at the kids’ camp clothing checklist and realize we have outgrown everything and gah, where am I going to get those non-itchy navy shorts again at this late date? If...

The best summer camp care package ideas for tweens and teens: A comprehensive list from a mom who’s been sending them for 10 years

by Liz Gumbinner | Kids, Tips + Tricks

There is a certain joy in putting together summer camp care packages for my tweens and teens each year. It’s not just loading them up with stuff so I can make sure they remember me (ha), it’s that a summer camp care package can provide them with some...

What is Juneteenth? 6 great children’s books that explain this important holiday.

by Kate Etue | Books for Kids

If you want to learn more about Juneteenth as we approach its anniversary, or just want to be sure its history and relevance has a place on your bookshelves, we have found some terrific children’s books about Juneteenth to help. After all, I know a lot of us...

How do I know if a college will provide a safe environment for me? | An Insider Guide to College Admissions

by Cool Mom Team | Kids

Next up in our Insider’s Guide to College Admissions podcast series, a question we’ve been getting more and more from both parents and prospective students: How to know whether a college environment will be a safe place for you physically, mentally and...

Amazon Editors announce their Best Children’s Books of the Year So Far…including one I adore!

by Liz Gumbinner | Books for Kids

Today, the Amazon Books Editors announced their annual mid-year list of the Best Books of the Year So Far, including a hand-picked list of The Best Children’s Books of the Year So Far. And I’ll get to them allll in a sec. But first, there’s one book...

How do you know if a college is a good fit? 7 questions to ask | An Insider Guide to College Admissions

by Liz Gumbinner | Kids

We’ve received so many questions from parents regarding the college admissions process, and we couldn’t address them all in our Insider’s Guide to College Admissions podcast series. I want to get to them all! So we are kicking off a Q&A series...

Jonathan Van Ness: On his new children’s book, and creating a culture of acceptance for kids who are different.

by Liz Gumbinner | Books for Kids, Spawned Podcast

This week on Spawned, I had the best time speaking with the one and only Jonathan Van Ness!! They’ve just released an amazing new picture book, Gorgeously Me!, which is already making waves as a #1 new children’s book on Amazon. Our chat was not only fun...