KIDS FIRST! News

Every single dollar counts—and 48 hours remain in our KIDS FIRST! campaign.

We have two quick updates as we enter the final 48 hours of our KIDS FIRST! fall campaign:

First, thanks to our incredible community, we just officially crossed the $3,000 mark! 🎉

Second, I wanted to share a quick moment from earlier today that truly captured the spirit of this campaign. Someone I care deeply about—who happens to be going through a tough patch right now and looking for work—saw our campaign update. Without hesitating, she reached out and said:

“I have a dollar. Where do I send it?”

That is the heart of what we do at KIDS FIRST!

It’s not about huge financial commitments; it’s about a community coming together to back our young journalists, filmmakers, and film festival showcases.

As we make this final push toward our deadline on October 17th, I want to pose that same question to our entire community:

If every single person reading this email donated just $1 today, we would make a massive leap toward empowering the next generation of storytellers.

👉 Pitch in $1 or enter our sweepstakes here: 

When you chip in $1, you enter our sweepstakes for fantastic prizes!

If we could ask one more thing of you, it is to forward this email to a friend. Who knows you might just win a trip to Portugal for $1.

Remember, your support gives young reporters the tools, equipment, and platforms they need to make their voices heard.

Thank you for believing in our youth!

Warmly,

The KIDS FIRST! Dream Team and the KIDS FIRST! Film Critics

Time is officially running out! There are only 3 days left to enter the KIDS FIRST! 35th Anniversary Grand Sweepstakes. The deadline is this Saturday, October 17, and we don’t want you to miss out on these incredible rewards.

Every single donation directly empowers the next generation of youth media critics—and puts you in the running for a truly world-class lineup of prizes:

• ✈️ The European Escape: A dream vacation for two to beautiful Portugal!
• 🌵 The Luxury Getaway: Two nights at a posh Airbnb in historic Santa Fe, NM, just blocks from the plaza!
• 💡 The Masterclass Experience: A private business consultation with Kenn Viselman—the legendary entertainment executive who brought Teletubbies and Thomas & Friends to the U.S.!
• 🐑 The Nostalgia Prize: A private, magical afternoon with Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop!

👉 Click Here to Get Your Entries in by midnight Oct 17. 

Whether you enter with a small donation or step up to a higher tier for extra entries, your generosity keeps our 35-year mission thriving.

Thank you for your incredible support, and good luck!

Evie, Robin, Nancy and Ranny

The KIDS FIRST! Dream Team

When two quick-witted sisters suddenly find themselves entangled in a full-blown jewelry heist in Las Vegas, they must recruit a jaded security guard, survive bumbling henchmen, and thwart the mastermind behind it, all before their parents realize they’re missing.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Kennedy P. says, “Get ready for a wild ride through Las Vegas because Double Trouble is a fun, fast-paced adventure filled with action, comedy, family, and plenty of sisterly chaos! What I love most about this movie is the chemistry between real-life sisters Madeleine McGraw and Violet McGraw.”

Ashish S. adds, “There are a lot of great things about this film…Each character is engaging and important to the plot. Specifically, I love the dynamic between the McGraw sisters who anchor the movie with a comedic vibe and also provide a heartwarming storyline with their relationship. Jack Griffo’s performance as the arrogant Juniper is also excellent, and it is great to see not only his acting skills, but his singing skills in this movie.” See their full reviews and interviews below.

Double Trouble
By Kennedy P., KIDS FIRST!  Film Critic, age 12

Get ready for a wild ride through Las Vegas because Double Trouble is a fun, fast-paced adventure filled with action, comedy, family, and plenty of sisterly chaos! What I love most about this movie is the chemistry between real-life sisters Madeleine McGraw and Violet McGraw. Their relationship feels natural, funny, and believable, which gives the movie a lot of heart underneath all the action.

The storyline follows sisters Charlotte (Madeleine McGraw) and Willow (Violet McGraw), two quick-witted girls who find themselves caught up in a dangerous Las Vegas jewelry heist. When a valuable diamond gauntlet becomes the target of a master thief, the sisters team up with David (Andrew Koji), to recover it. What starts as an unexpected adventure quickly turns into a race against time filled with secrets, surprises, danger, and plenty of trouble. Set against the bright lights and excitement of Las Vegas, the sisters have to work together and discover that they may be more capable than they ever realized.

The cast is definitely a big highlight of Double Trouble. Madeleine McGraw and Violet McGraw bring a wonderful sisterly dynamic to the screen and, knowing they are sisters in real life, makes their chemistry even more fun to watch. Charlotte and Willow may get themselves into plenty of trouble, but they also learn that working together and trusting each other can help them overcome challenges that seem impossible. Andrew Koji adds action and humor as David, while Jack Griffo, Jesse La Flair, Struggle Jennings, Brynne Kurland round out the cast.

The movie was filmed entirely at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, which gives the film an authentic Vegas atmosphere. From the casino setting to the glamorous surroundings, Las Vegas almost feels like another character in the story, perfectly matching the movie’s heist-filled adventure. There are plenty of laughs, exciting moments, and twists along the way, making Double Trouble an entertaining movie for families, kids, and anyone who loves a good holiday heist adventure.

The film is about more than a diamond and a heist. It delivers a message about family, teamwork, trust, and believing in yourself. The film reminds us that sometimes the people standing beside you are your greatest strength. Double Trouble is a fun reminder that when you stick together, even the biggest trouble can be faced as a team.

I give Double Trouble 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults.  It releases in theaters October 9, 2026.

Double Trouble
By Ashish S, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17

Double Trouble is an amazing action-comedy holiday film that is filled with twists, turns, and laughs. I love this film so much due to the performances from the actors, the writing, and the holiday vibe.

The film follows two sisters, Charlotte (Madeleine McGraw) and Willow (Violet McGraw) as they get lost in a casino in Las Vegas. They meet a security guard, David (Andrew Koji), and get caught up in a high-stakes heist situation involving pop-star Juniper (Jack Griffo). He wears an expensive pair of jewels to a holiday concert at the hotel, which two thieves are trying to steal. Meanwhile, Charlotte and Willow’s mom, dad, and little sister go on a Christmas-themed tour, but get trapped when their bus breaks down.

There are a lot of great things about this film, starting with the actors’ performances. Each character is engaging and important to the plot. Specifically, I love the dynamic between the McGraw sisters who anchor the movie with a comedic vibe and also provide a heartwarming storyline with their relationship. Jack Griffo’s performance as the arrogant Juniper is also excellent, and it is great to see not only his acting skills, but his singing skills in this movie. The writing is a blend of comedy, action and drama, and delivers a wholesome message. My favorite part is the storyline involving David, and how Willow encourages him to reunite with his daughter for the holidays – that is particularly sweet.

The film’s message revolves around family, working together, and perseverance. While the familial relationships are initially strained, the storyline allows them to come together as a family in time for the holidays. Working together, they overcome the obstacles that they face, even the most difficult.

I give Double Trouble 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. The film is available in theaters beginning Friday, October 9, 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