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How are events and activities selected to appear on GreatIdeasForKids.com?
I. Basic Considerations
WHAT: Kid-appropriate events and activities. The GreatIdeasForKids.com site is selective, and is not intended to be comprehensive. See Positive/Negative considerations below.
WHERE: Located in the Boulder/Denver area (focusing on the Front Range stretching Northwest from Denver, including surrounding suburbs and Longmont.) GreatIdeasForKids.com does not usually cover south of Mississippi Ave or east of Havana St. A 30-90 minute drive would be acceptable for exceptionally unique and interesting events.
WHO: For families with kids 10 and under. The cut-off tends to be whether an 8-year old would enjoy the activity. Exceptionally unique and interesting events for kids up to age 14 may be considered.
II. Positive/Negative Considerations
Positive Considerations:
+ Unique events that a family might regret missing
+ Free and low-cost activities
+ Drop-in fun
+ Educational experiences
+ Participatory activities
+ Kid-pleasers like trains, fairy tales, firetrucks, puppets, etc.
+ Location or weekday which doesn't have a lot of other events
+ In the "for parents" category, it's a plus when childcare is available
+ When comparing similar events, preference is given to GreatIdeasForKids.com's business partners (especially in the "for parents" category)
Negative Considerations:
- Does not fit the target area or age demographic
- The cost of an activity is higher than similar activities*
- Long queues expected at the event*
- Activity begins at 7pm or later*
- No web page on the venue/organization's web site that mentions this activity*
- Unclear why the event is special or different*
- Participation requires membership in a club or [city] residency
- Activity includes religious worship
- Editor has had a negative experience at a venue or business
- Editor chooses not to promote this type of activity for kids (e.g., metaphysics, wrestling)
- Exclusive relationship has been established with another business (e.g., may impact "sale" listings)
How the editor weighs positive and negative considerations is on a per-event basis. The "for parents" category is especially restrictive.
III. Business and Legal Notes (including posting fees)
The GreatIdeasForKids.com site is selective, and is not intended to be comprehensive. All event submissions are subject to review and editorial approval. Entries may be edited for clarity and compliance. The number of events posted for a single venue or business may be limited depending on the category.
Currently, most events are posted for free. EXCEPTIONS INCLUDE: classes (including new session announcements and 'free trials'), business promotions, sales (garage, charitable or business), and some activities/workshops that are predominantly for parents. If your activity falls into these categories, you may submit it anyway and if it is approved, you will be sent a bill thru paypal (usually within a week). Only paypal payments are accepted.
Rates for "exceptional categories" valid thru May 2009:
A. $2 for a one-time event or parents workshop that is: free, low cost, or is offered by a non-profit organization.
B. $4 per month for an ongoing event or parents workshop that is: free, low cost, or is offered by a non-profit organization.
C. $6 for a garage sale listing or non-profit sale listing (not ongoing).
D. $8 for an event or parents workshop that does not meet the criteria for A.
E. $10 for a business-promotional event including sales (not ongoing).
F. $10 per month for an ongoing event or parents workshop that does not meet the criteria for B.
G. Currently, businesses wishing to promote classes (including new session announcements and 'free trials') should purchase a banner ad.
If the editor rejects your event submission and it seems to be due to one of the negative considerations marked with an asterisk (*), you may ask to pursue a PAY-TO-POST arrangement. There is no assurance that a pay-to-post request will be accepted. Furthermore, the event may appear with a "paid promotion" notation on the calendar. Only paypal payments are accepted.
Rates for "pay-to-post" valid thru May 2009:
G. $4 for a one-time event that is: free, low cost, or is offered by a non-profit organization.
H. $6 per month for an ongoing event that is: free, low cost, or is offered by a non-profit organization.
I. $8 for a one-time event that is does not meet the criteria for G.
J. Pay-to-post is not available for ongoing events that do not meet H. Consider banner advertising.
Definition of low cost: $4 or less per person
Definition of ongoing: events that recur for at least 3 months, or repeat 6+ times in a month
During 2009, non-profit organizations that enter into a cross-promotional agreement are eligible for $10-$60 in credit (every 3 months) depending on the extent of cross-promotion.
Sometimes one recurring event is posted to the calendar with a link to a page containing a group of similar events. For example, a listing of all Nutcrackers during the holiday season, or a listing of storytimes at local libraries. This is done to avoid flooding the calendar with similar events. Whether an event or activity is placed onto a "group" page or whether it is individually listed on the calendar, is at the editor's discretion.
DISCLAIMER: Parents and guardians are responsible for using good judgment to decide which events, activities, toys, and other suggestions are appropriate for your child based on age & ability. All ideas in the newsletter and on the GreatIdeasForKids.com site (including the advice of Featured Experts and Columnists) are just "food for thought". What is best for a specific child is known only by his/her doctors and parents/guardians. The editor is not familiar with all events, activities or venues. Inclusion of an event, activity, toy or suggestion is not an endorsement. Please excuse any errors in the data entry, visit each event's web site for the most accurate and up-to-date information. GreatIdeasForKids.com is not responsible for problems that occur during a mentioned event or activity. Please address any concerns to the activity directors and/or venue owners.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 06 April 2009 )
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