Anyone else searching for free things to do with your kids this summer? As the mom of a toddler who hasn't stopped moving since 2017, I know I am. And since I want to keep the whine at bay and still budget for our vacation, I've set out …
Whether we moms are hitting the road for vacation, or just shuttling the kids back and forth to camp every day, we've always got a list of essentials in our handbags that we can't live without. It's part of our summer ritual: switch the …
It's time for my family to start thinking outside the box when it comes to my family vacations. We've been taking the same-old trips for years, and I think I've officially ridden Splash Mountain for the last time. Now I'm ready for some …
If you're considering becoming a first-time camper (and more power to you!) you're probably wondering exactly where to start. I'm here to help! You're probably not going to find me back-country camping off the Appalachian Trail any time …
If you live in your car like I do, then you know that the safety of your kids -- and hey, yourself -- is always top of mind. After finding myself unprepared for minor incidents (thankfully small ones!), I've learned the hard way that I n…
If you're wondering just what to put in a guest room to make your guests feel more welcome, I can help! Whether you're lucky enough to have an entire room dedicated to guests, or you're just trying to figure out how to turn your kids' be…
Last year, I received an email about the Scough, a scarf with an activated carbon mask that fits inside, and to be honest, I thought it sounded kind of germaphobic. And silly. So I filed the email away and didn't think much about it. But…
Parenting is awesome. And really, really hard. We know, understatement of the year. That's why we think you'll appreciate the laugh you'll get from watching a few (or nine) of the crazy things we parents do every single day that deserve …
Over the years, I've carried many bags, and collected a whole lot of things in them. Helicopter toy? Check! Hand sanitizer? Always. 40 broken crayons? Got 'em. Ah, parenting. But, save the rare date nights when I'm carrying a small clutc…
Not knowing what kind of sleeping arrangements you'll encounter when you're on vacation is one of the hardest parts of taking a trip with a toddler. Will the hotel have a crib? Will it be disgusting? Will your toddler "sleep" between you…
One of my kids' favorite go-to activities for road trips on holiday weekends are sticker activity books . Because it's hard to argue with good old-fashioned fun. They're simple and affordable -- and they keep my kids busy for a good hour…
Technology has the amazing power to simplify the lives of parents, which is exactly the case with the our newest sponsor, Wemo Mini . This little plug can turn any small appliance -- think lamps, fans, humidifiers, coffee makers -- in a …
As my kids get older and my status as single mom changing with the blending of my family with my fiancé and his pug (Hi Audrey!), I decided I wanted to start a new yearly tradition: a solo road trip, just me and my kids. Alone. Gulp. Thi…
If you're like most parents (us included!) you spend a whole lot of your time in your car. Whether it's shuttling the kids to and from school, activities, sports, and playdates, running errands, or just hitting the road on the weekends. …
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) wants to be as clear as can be on the safest way to buckle up your kids in the car. They just released new car seat guidelines for 2017 with very specific age and weight requirements and the folks…
My kids have all used traditional booster seats in the car, but recently my son has had a chance to test out two cool booster seat alternatives so we could really give you the scoop on the pros, cons, and differences between the Mifold a…
There are few better moments for traveling families than the day your child is ready to carry their own luggage through the airport! (Can I get a woot ?!) I've put together some fantastic hard-side luggage for kids that makes for fantast…
Sometimes it's the little things that make your vacation really special ... and sometimes it's the huge splurges you'll remember forever. If that's what you're looking for on your next vacation, check out these five luxury resorts and ho…
Traveling with kids is never (ahem) easy , although we do have some pro-tips that make road trips or air travel a little easier on parents. But one of the easiest ways to keep the kids happier while they're stuck in a seat is to give the…
If your kids are as obsessed with the The Hamilton Musical as mine are, then they probably know pretty much all the lyrics to every single song. And, you probably do, too. Well now, you can see how well they do thanks to the release of T…
If you're a parent in Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania (sorry, Kristen!), South Carolina or Washington State, a simple family trip to visit the grandparents is about to get trickier. And a lot more ex…
This is a sponsored message from Jiobit Keeping track of your kids just got a whole lot easier thanks to Jiobit , a location tracker designed to help give parents peace of mind. Don't miss the special offer for Cool Mom Picks readers, be…
Last week, my son and I visited the Innovator's Fair here in Philadelphia and discovered our newest board game obsession: Maze Racers . It combines creativity and building with mazes in a super fun way. Let's just say, we're all addicted…
My family loves to play board games. I'm talking, big, involved, takes-three-hours-to-play board games. And what better time to play than when we're on summer vacation? But, it can be tricky to travel with big boxes full of a zillion pie…