Growing up on the East Coast, our family beach vacations were always limited to the Jersey Shore (no, not that one), where the beaches were crowded and the water was pretty cold, even in the dead of summer. It wasn't until I was living i…
My kids are grazers; they'd sooner eat a whole bunch of little things than one giant sandwich. Bento systems have always been a smart option for us, as you can imagine. Now there's a smart new one courtesy of Skip*Hop, the little mom-run…
At a time when every American town is starting to look like every other American town, with the same clothing stores, coffee shops (ahem) and fast food chains, it's nice to know there's one that's still alive with a fierce independent sp…
When my kids were younger, they adored lacing cards, though I can't say any of them had illustrations quite so adorable as the Lacing Cards from House 8810 . What I do remember is how quietly and intently they would sew their cards, and …
If you're not familiar with TableTopics , it's such a fabulous little secret weapon to have around the house for those holiday weekends in which the throngs of relatives descend upon you. I mean, uh, honor you with their presence. Each b…
As every mom learns pretty early on, ease of travel with kids can come down to having the right gear. Whether we're flying across the country or just taking the kiddos out to eat in our 'hood, if we don't have the proper seat, stroller o…
I finally get the baby travel crib thing. My first baby had a play yard which was great for storing all kinds of new baby gifts, diapers, blankets--you get the idea. We didn't bring it out at all with my second child, giving it away soon…
I think having a baby would be so much easier if the getting from point A to point B wasn't such a pain the butt. In my family, we've tried pretty much all of the travel systems that are supposed to make life simpler; let's just say that…
Okay, show of hands: Who else gets ready for a fabulous trip by overloading a bunch of sandwich baggies with half-full sample bottles and hotel soaps? Um, me. Not exactly glamorous. Know what we be much more fitting? This pouch. "No matt…
The first time you travel with a baby in tow is shocking, to say the least. If you thought you were an over-packer before, suddenly you feel like you might need to rent a moving truck just to get your things to the cottage. Each precious…
My handbag is sort of a Mom's Swiss Army Knife. Need a Band-Aid? Got it. Hungry? I've got some mints in here somewhere. But when we get stuck waiting somewhere and the kids are threatening to mutiny out of sheer boredom, it turns out tha…
Surely I'm not the only one who's often grossed-out by restaurant high chairs? They're handy, yes, but they're usually filled with the remains of some other kid's meal. This is just why the new Phil & Ted's Lobster seat comes in very han…
Though three kids doesn't seem like such a big family anymore, whenever we travel I'm reminded that our party of five was never meant to be the norm for hotel rooms. We've had to squish cots into a standard room, spring for two adjoining…
The idea of a family beach vacation usually conjures up images of crowded beaches, a muddy ocean, and food I will wish I hadn't eaten. Doesn't really sound like a vacation to me. So when Four Seasons Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo invi…
I'm heading out on our first European family vacation this summer (I know!) and, mom that I am, was already stressing out about the car seat situation. Just in time, I discovered the portable car booster seat Bubble Bum and have been doi…
Do you have any suggestions for fun, quiet and small toys for a looooong flight/travel day for a 2yo and a 4yo, both boys? Would love to hear your suggestions! Thanks! -Brave mama, Melissa. Crayons and blank paper, activity books, and co…
This is a fabulous day to become a Cool Mom Picks subscriber. If not just for our exclusive discount codes, celebrity trends, and picks you won't find on our site, there's that dandy subscribers-only monthly giveaway like this one: One l…
I do believe I have just discovered the umbrella stroller to end all umbrella strollers. All hail the Cybex Onyx. First, let me say, the Cybex Onyx is a high-end umbrella stroller. Which means it's not a $25, throw-in-the-trunk, departme…
Whether you've got one kid or four like me, it's tough traveling on a long road trip. Hey, it's even hard just going out to dinner with all your baby gear essentials sometimes. But this new pick is so practical, so cool, it's become far …
We'd be happier than a bunch of Junebugs on a blackberry bush if you subscribe to Cool Mom Picks before June 1. Like all our subscribers, you'll get free (free!) access to the hottest trends, coolest deals, sunniest discounts, and bigges…
We all know that any time you go on the road with kids , it's not really a vacation, it's a trip -- but that doesn't mean you can't pack in style. In fact, the right suitcase can really get you in the vacay state of mind. Even if you are…
My 4-year-old-any-second-now daughter is at the age where she's learned there's more to the world than just home, store, and school. She's asking about the places she can visit after a plane ride or two, and while most of them involve th…
If you could see the ground-in crayon and magic marker stains all over the back seats of our minivan, you'd understand why I'm so fond of a cool portable drawing tablet that uses nothing more than water, and generates no mess at all. As …
Remember the Alamo? Not a problem--I can help because I'm still dreaming about it. I was lucky enough to hitch onto a press trip to San Antonio, Texas recently, as Cool Mom Picks aims to cover more fun and interesting travel options and …