Christina Refford

What kid hasn't dreamed of rocketing off into outer space to see what is out there? The problem is, that cardboard box in the living room isn't going anywhere so fast. Junior Astronaut - Breaking through the space barrier is a standout e…

One of our favorite kindie musicians, Frances England , has partnered up with the creative folks at Spark Studios to create an app that is not only hands-on fun, but is backed by a tune by Frances England herself. And you can get both th…

As much as I love Instagram (and boy do we love Instagram ), there are days that are so busy that I just don't get the chance to see what great--or silly--shots my friends are posting. But now that my Instagram feed can easily become my …

We see it in the light sky after dinner. We feel it in the air that doesn't require us to zip up coats anymore. And we can see it in the green buds poking their heads out of the earth. Spring is here! Celebrate its arrival with this pret…

Need a special gift for that little gamer in your life? Then check out some must-see room decor that will earn you high scores for sure. Harmonden's "pixel" crochet pieces make great throw rugs or bright wall hangings for the kid obsesse…

I've seen such cool ways to turn my favorite Instagram photos into works of art for the wall , coasters for my drinks , pillows for my couch , even edible Instagram chocolate bars ...for my belly. But, one of the neatest products takes m…

With two tweens, I'm increasingly aware of all the trouble they might get into using social media like Instagram, Facebook , and especially Snapchat . A.K.A. "the sexting app"--eep! Even if it is just an accidental lapse in judgment, it …

Every day is Autism Awareness Day for families who have a child on the spectrum. But during the month of April, which is Autism Awareness Month, we all can raise our voices to let the world know about these special kids. So how about we …

I had moved three times by the time I was eight, so I totally understand how it feels to be a strange kid in a strange land, a topic that is explored in a lovely new app for both iOS and Android users. Even kids like my own who have neve…

Easter hops into the picture in one week, and I've got a great song for this bunny-filled holiday. Though you probably know the lyrics to Here Comes Peter Cottontail, I'm pretty sure you've never heard it sound so cool. With one of our f…

Happy St. Patrick's Day, cool families! After you enjoy a rousing chorus of When Irish Eyes are Smiling on this day of green, we've got a brand new (and free!), soon-to-be family favorite from kindie rock's Milkshake that you'll be spinn…

The good news this morning? The kids slept past 6am. The bad news? Most of us lost an hour of precious sleep to daylight savings time. While this will be a two-cup-of-coffee morning for sure, we have a lovely, free download with Good Mor…

Preschoolers, listen up! The robotic, cartoony Storybots have joined forces with catchy songwriter (and CMP favorite) Parry Gripp to create 26 little video ditties about the letters of the alphabet. And each one is totally free, so scrol…

Over on our sister site, Cool Mom Picks , we've shared our favorite picks for Black History Month which include important figures in the civil rights movement, in the arts, and in politics. But there are many other African American heroe…

If you're looking for a way to get the kids up close and personal with the presidents this Presidents' Day, check out a new app that will have them learning while they play. In fact, in just a short time, they'll probably be teaching you…

We love great kids' music. And we love almost-free stuff. So, when two of our very favorite kindie groups offer up downloadable EP's for our families to enjoy at whatever cost we want to pay for it? It makes us very, very happy. Don't mi…

Want to cover your iPhone in something that is most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, and Muppetational? Look no further---this one is perfect for all those Muppet fans, young and old. The Great Muppet Alphabet iPhone case from …

Valentine's Day is almost upon us, and while there are certainly more than a few love songs out there to sing, there's one especially sweet one for kids from Cool Mom Picks' favorite Charity and the JAMband that we think you'll want to d…

Sometimes I feel like Debbie Downer with my kids. No, not now.. . It's not time for ice cream. . .No dancing on the couch! So when I decide we're going to spend a day full of yeah!, it feels so good. And I've got a song that is just perf…

If you could see how bananas my grade-school-age kids just went over an "alphabet app," you might think they were watching some ridiculous YouTube video. Surely an eight and ten year old couldn't be hysterically laughing while playing an…

Today's Inauguration gives us a great opportunity to talk to the kids about the role of our President and some of the more interesting and colorful figures to have graced the Oval Office. But, if you slept through history class as much a…

With the Inauguration, the National Day of Service, and Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, I'm feeling like I want ramp up the feelings of patriotism and goodwill towards all in my home this weekend. So in that spirit, we're playing this Wo…

Ever since my son learned his five multiplication tables before he could even write his numbers correctly (thanks Schoolhouse Rock ! ), I've found that math is one of those subjects that doesn't necessarily need to be taught in any cut-a…

It's the home stretch for us Christmas revelers, and if you're anything like me, 'Twas the night before Christmas" is a holiday tradition. And if you're like me, you still have a check list of "to do's" that rivals Santa's tonight. That'…