Family
Kid-friendly tech, family-tested gear, and parenting in a connected household.
Why We Stopped Buying Kids Their Own Phones and Got a Family iPad Instead
Every parent has the 'when do we give them a phone' conversation. We took a different path: a shared family iPad, locked down hard, and no individual devices until middle school. Here's how that's actually played out.
May 19, 2026
Stop Buying Educational Toys. Buy Open-Ended Ones.
An opinion piece on the difference between toys that teach and toys that let kids think. Why the 'educational' label is mostly marketing, and the small list of open-ended toys that actually earn their shelf space.
May 15, 2026
The Yoto Player Is the Best Thing We've Added to Bedtime
An honest review of the Yoto Player 3 after 18 months of daily use with two kids. Why screen-free audio is worth the premium, what the hardware actually does, and whether the subscription is a trap.
May 8, 2026
How to Build a Kids Reading Nook They'll Actually Use
A step-by-step guide to building a kids reading nook in any size space — from a corner of a bedroom to a full built-in. Lighting, seating, storage, and the small details that make kids choose it.
May 1, 2026
Best Educational STEM Toys for Kids in 2026
STEM toys that kids actually play with more than once — from magnetic building tiles to hands-on coding kits. Tested picks for ages 5 to 12.
Apr 14, 2026
Best Car Accessories for Road Trips with Kids in 2026
Five car accessories that make long drives with children actually survivable. From backseat organizers to travel trays, these are the things that buy you an extra hour of peace on the highway.
Apr 10, 2026
Best Family Board Games in 2026 (That Adults Actually Enjoy Too)
Five board games that bridge the gap between kid-friendly and genuinely fun for adults. No Monopoly. No arguments about the rules. Just games the whole family will want to play again.
Apr 7, 2026
Best Kids Tablets for Learning (Parent & Engineer Review)
A software engineer dad reviews the best tablets for kids in 2026 — with honest takes on durability, parental controls, and actual educational value.
Mar 1, 2026