From amazing dolls to cool new games and imaginative toys, there have been so many fantastic options out for kids at play this year that encourage things we love, like creativity, imagination, building, interest in STEM pursuits, defianc…
I may not allow Elf on a Shelf in my house, and Peter Pan is definitely not welcome to fly through my kids' bedroom window, but having some magical fairy visitors would be just fine. Especially if it means my kids go eagerly to bed in th…
We're big fans of the Lottie doll line here at Cool Mom Picks. She looks like a real kid, has cool adventures, and encourages girls to be themselves, whether they dream of being pirates, soccer pros, or lighthouse keepers. So you can ima…
In a world exploding with 3D printers and landfills full of old junk, there's something refreshing about toys that start out as paper and end up as, well, more paper. In fact, you can print these toys at home, build them yourself, store …
Choosing the best gift for a two year old from among ride-on vehicles, construction toys, dolls and more can seem overwhelming, so we've narrowed it down to some favorites that our own boys and girls have loved. Because that first birthd…
We've seen just about everything in the dollhouse world, but we've never seen an elephant you could live in. The natural wooden dollhouse called the Ele Villa ("elephant house"), from natural, sustainable toy company Rock and Pebble defi…
If you've ever dreamed of having your own David Bowie to snuggle, we've got good news: These pop culture dolls by French artisan My Name is Simone are just as much for you as they are for kids. Whether you're into Ziggy Stardust, the Kin…
Even if our plans today don't include a French military parade on the Champs-Elysées, in honor of Bastille day today, we're giving a special nod to our fashionable friends on the other side of the pond by featuring some of our favorite F…
We adored Lille Huset's eco-friendly, laminated, recycled paperboard DIY dollhouses the moment we discovered them at Toy Fair earlier this year. Founder Alyson Beaton's mission is so wonderful: to encourage kids to build and customize th…
We have a thing for personalized dolls at Cool Mom Picks, but I am legitimately swooning over these sophisticated (but still adorable) custom family dolls, handmade by Liliana Tijeras of Citizens Collectible on Etsy. They may be made in …
I have always said that I'm not anti-princess, just pro-choice. When it comes to my daughters' toys, I've always wanted them to have a variety, which is why we don't limit ourselves to "girls' aisles" in toy stores. And now IAmElemental …
We were so excited when we discovered Lottie , a doll who skips the stilettos and miniskirts (and curves) for clothes that look like what an actual kid would wear. Lottie comes with lots of skin and hair colors and has oodles of outfits …
I still stand by Corolle baby dolls as the best of the bigger brands. Designed in France and smelling lightly of vanilla, they're really everything you want a doll to be. Unless when you're looking for the best dolls for 5-year olds who …
While I have finally come around to accept my daughter's affinity for American Girl Dolls , suddenly Saige and Marie-Grace have serious competition with Rahel, the Ethiopian doll from the Heart for Heart Girls dolls collection . I cannot…
This week at Toy Fair, I must say a progressive mama like me had a much harder time than expected scoping out smart toys for girls that defy the pink aisle. In other words, the girl dolls and figures were wearing something beyond princes…
Want to round up those toy horses and ponies scattered around the playroom and put them into a proper stable? Whether your kids own one of the coveted, gihugic American Girl Doll horses or something a bit smaller, we've rustled up a few …
Now that my house is overflowing with too many toys (thanks to very generous grandparents), it's time for some serious storage solutions. I'm desperate for some organization for all those Rainbow Loom bands , LEGO pieces and American Gir…
There are always so many of the coolest kids' toys from small companies for us to discover each year and 2013 was no exception. In our Editors' Best of 2013 series, we offer you our very favorites of the year, each of which was chosen fo…
If your house is anything like mine, you've got two energetic kids trapped inside by nasty weather and a huge stack of shipping boxes waiting for the recycling truck. Put them all to good use with this DIY project that creates an adorabl…
I don't mean to be a traitor to my generation, but Barbie has always made me a little uncomfortable, with her unrealistic proportions and the way her vet uniform is shorter than my negligees. That's why I'm so excited to introduce you to…
Once you enter the land of American Girl, it's not easy to come by real estate that can accommodate dolls of her stature. But we've found a doll house on the market that is just the right size for her and a couple of friends. And you won…
Want the best deals, tips, and trendspotting from Cool Mom Picks? Then you'll definitely want to become a subscriber . This month, one lucky subscriber will win an exclusive prize package from CMP favorite Corolle, including a Bebe Class…
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Ever since the AAP changed the car seat recommendations for children, kids are staying in rear facing car seats and eventually, booster seats, even longer. So I'm happy to find a car seat accessory for dolls, which can help kids understa…