I love me some red, white, and blue around Independence Day, but I'd rather not break too much of a sweat prepping for our Fourth of July festivities. It's hot enough as it is! So here's a few perfectly easy, perfectly patriotic ideas fo…
I've been itching to replace our dark, faux-Oriental rug in the family room for years. As much as I love shopping from the comfort of my home online , there are times when I could use the advice of a real, live sales associate to talk me…
With their penchant for throwing things, screeching at high decibels, and staying up way past bedtime, toddlers are naturally great punk rockers. But since they still need their parents to tuck them in at night, here's a great bedtime st…
Whether you're planning a July 4th BBQ or just want to share some classic American music with your family, I'm pleased to introduce a brand new Putumayo Kids Presents CD that will get your toes tapping as you get into the spirit of red, …
I just finished spring cleaning my kids' bedrooms and, while I was able to part with many things, I held onto almost anything that had been personalized with their names. If you too find that personalized gifts hold a special place in yo…
Whether you're fluent in Spanish or can't even count past ten (er, diez ), hearing songs sung en español is such a great way for kids to become more familiar with the language while they are playing, dancing, or nodding off at naptime. A…
The first thing I learned about summer camp was that kids take a LOT of stuff with them. And all of it needs to be marked with a label if you ever hope to see it again. Here, four cool summer-camp themed label sets that will cover everyt…
On their last two CDs, The Final Funktier and In Tents, Seattle's Recess Monkey cleverly pulled together songs that either overtly or subtly referred to life in outer space -- or under the big top. And now, in their ninth release, and ju…
As soon as school wraps up for the year, my kids want to know when the ice cream truck is going to come jingling down the street. But I know they'd scream even louder for their very own ice cream truck to manage any day of the year. Famo…
When the weather turns warm, I am on the hunt for fun new ways to get the kids outside--and off their various electronic devices. My latest find may be low-tech, but it's so high on fun, we're all waiting in line for our turn to play. Sl…
We've dusted off the bikes, filled the tires with air, and my kids are now ready to dash around the neighborhood on their trusty rides. But now that they are old enough to venture ahead of me, I think my neighbors will appreciate hearing…
I've been a fan of Lisa Loeb's voice ever since her days singing 90s hit Stay , but I really fell in love with her when she crooned the lovely, mellow Catch the Moon album for babes with Elizabeth Mitchell. Now Lisa's back with a bunch o…
The perfect stuffed animal I want snuggling up against my kids' face at night? Soft, cuddly, machine-washable, and made of safe, organic fabric . And it'd be nice if it didn't cost a small fortune, so I wouldn't mind my kids drooling on …
She already thinks she runs the house, why not adorn her tiny little head with something that will fit the role? Plus, you've got to love a princess-y dress up prop that isn't pink, plastic, or sparkly, but is still totally adorable. Rit…
There's no doubt that our three kids are on their dad's mind during the day while he is off at work. But I've just found a hilariously awesome (and easy) Father's Day craft that will have him seeing them hanging around too. I cannot look…
The first summer I sent my son to day camp, I tried to cram his lunch, towel, bathing suit, rain jacket, and various other doodads into his cute little preschool backpack. Epic mommy fail. This summer, we are ready with a standout backpa…
I grew up eating the vitamins of a certain prehistoric cartoon and turned out pretty okay. Still, now that I'm a mom, I'd love for my own kids' vitamins to be a bit more naturally sourced. And maybe not so, well, chalky. Yum-V's Multi-Vi…
Our hearts are so heavy with the news of the devastation caused by yesterday's tornadoes in Oklahoma. Along with keeping those affected in our thoughts, we have pulled together a list of resources that will bring much-needed help, both n…
When my kids were little, Manhattan Toy's Whoozit and Skwish were among their favorite playthings. And while they are still tried-and-true gifts for all the younger nieces and nephews in our lives, I am thrilled to find a fun and creativ…
Living just south of Boston, the recent attacks at the Boston Marathon are still a recent and raw memory. But all the amazing signs of solidarity and strength--who would have thought Yankees fans would ever sing Sweet Caroline willingly-…
With Mother's Day just a few days away, it's time to focus on the little handmade touches that make the day so special and heartfelt. Along with breakfast in bed ideas , we've got a bunch of ideas for very special handmade cards and litt…
With the end of the school year looming (cue the screams of delighted children everywhere), it's time to start thinking of ways to thank the tireless, wonderful, and inspiring teachers in our kids' lives. And with tomorrow being National…
Of all the Earth Day craft ideas I've seen that get creative when it comes to reusing and recycling , I love the idea of making an actual Earth on this very important day. Here are five cool Earth Day crafts for kids that we hope will en…
If you've read Cool Mom Picks for any length of time, you probably know how much we adore the music of the Okee Dokee Brothers . So, when our favorite Grammy-winning kids' music duo asked me to check out the new release from their friend…
