35 Years of KIDS FIRST! ** Help Us Celebrate (And Win a Trip to Portugal!)
Thursday, October 1st, 2026
Dear Friends,
KIDS FIRST! celebrates its 35th birthday! And our celebration continues. Go Here to Donate and Enter the Sweepstakes: https://go.rallyup.com/kidsfirst-portugal2027
Your support over the past three decades has made all the difference—and today, a simple gesture from you helps us keep providing trusted guidance for the media your family loves.
Our Story Began at Tsankawi– In 1991, five founders gathered at the Tsankawi Prehistoric Sites. Standing among ancient rock art and cliff dwellings, Peggy Charren—founder of Action for Children’s Television—remarked that ancient storytellers didn’t have to worry about the content of media. Their stories were true to their lives, carved straight into the rock walls for future generations.
Inspired by that truth, the Coalition for Quality Children’s Media and its signature program, KIDS FIRST!, were born. At the time, major media outlets were trying to convince Congress that The Flintstones taught history and The Jetsons taught the future to satisfy educational television mandates. It was a massive stretch. Shortly after, an influx of hyper-violent video games and media left families with few places to turn for honest guidance.
Guided by leading child development specialists, media educators, and librarians, KIDS FIRST! created a rigorous evaluation system. We trained adult and youth reviewers to work side-by-side evaluating, rating, and recommending media worth your family’s precious time.
That effort evolved into our flagship KIDS FIRST! Film Critics program—empowering youth ages 9 to 18 to deliver honest, peer-to-peer reviews of the latest movies, TV shows, and digital content.
Impact by the Numbers (Last Year Alone)
- 500+ films, TV shows, and digital media projects evaluated
- 200+ cast and crew members interviewed
- 1,000+ video reviews published across YouTube and social media
All of this is offered to the public 100% free of charge—made possible solely through the generosity of supporters like you.
Celebrate 35 Years With Us: Donate & Enter Our Sweepstakes!
Every day, more families reach out to us because they are tired of content that relies on hostility, drama, and a talking-down tone. To celebrate 35 years of championing quality media, we invite you to make a special anniversary gift of $35, $350, or $3,500.
As a token of our gratitude, every donation enters you into our Fundraising Sweepstakes!
- Grand Prize: A trip to Portugal to spend an afternoon with Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop!
- Plus: Dozens of other incredible prizes.
Go Here to Donate and Enter the Sweepstakes: https://go.rallyup.com/kidsfirst-portugal2027
Since 1991, our mission has been to empower kids to become critical viewers, make quality entertainment easily accessible, and inspire young filmmakers. That promise has never mattered more than it does today.
Thank you for serving kids and families with the care, respect, and humanity they deserve.
With gratitude,
The KIDS FIRST! Team
