Kids rate their favorite theme parks with TPI Kids

July 8, 2006, 9:27 PM · We're introducing a new feature on Theme Park Insider today -- Theme Park Insider Kids, a program that allows kids under age 13, with their parents' permission, to rate and review theme and amusement park attractions on the site.

Interest parents should visit our TPI Kids page for more details, plus the permission/sign-up form. TPI Kids is intended as a way to expose kids to the joys (and responsibilities) of writing for a public audience, while reliving the fun of a theme park visit.

Because kids safety is important to us, a TPI Kids account won't be like a regular TPI account. Kids won't be able to post to the discussion board or Blog Flume, nor will other TPI members be able to contact TPI Kids. But their ratings and reviews will appear on the site -- and provide the votes for a new "Best Theme Park for Kids" award that we will present as part of the Theme Park Insider Awards next summer.

Parents, if your kids love theme parks as much as mine do, and if they love writing, I invite you to let them join the site through TPI Kids. Thanks, and please do not hesitate to contact me personally if you have any questions about TPI Kids, or the site.

Replies (5)

July 8, 2006 at 11:19 PM · This is a wonderful idea!
My son had turned thirteen at about the time he was allowed on most major thrill attractions. This was also the time the Internet had surpassed infancy and entered its pre-teenage years.

If TPI Kids' had been proposed over ten years ago, he would have jumped at the chance to invest his opinions. (Alas, over 35 years for myself).

I look forward to seeing where this will go.
A perspective on what this new generation of children find ... intriguing ... with today's attractions will better influence designers of the future.

-ras

July 9, 2006 at 3:31 PM · Great idea. Out of the mouths of babes... We will probably get some real park perspectives from those without preconceived prejudices. Well hopefully!
July 9, 2006 at 4:08 PM · I love the idea of my 8 year old telling everyone how Kraken makes him scream so hard he thinks he's going to pee himself. Funny stuff. I'll get right on printing out the app, filling it out....by hand, and mailing it in.
July 9, 2006 at 9:11 PM · Just to be clear, the reason we've had the age 13 cut-off in the past has been a U.S. federal law that makes it illegal for websites to collection information about kids age 12 and under without their parents' *offline* written consent.

Well, now, we're going to go ahead and get that consent, for parents who would like their kids to participate in TPI. (I was finally prompted to do this by some kids in my daughter's third-grade class, who have wanted to post to TPI. So why not?)

We'll see how it turns out. Personally, I think we'll find get some fun, smart comments.

July 10, 2006 at 6:24 AM · Judging by some of the comments left on here previouly (By MR CAPS LOCK HIMSELF), I thought you were already letting under 13's post, lol. Jokke.

But seriously, I think its a great idea. If I had kids I'd be sening those forms off straight away. But I don't..... So I can't.....

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