KidzExplore

[Rhonda Dunaway]

KidzExplore is coming up again. I'm going to post it on the February calendar, so look for it there. However, I wanted to put in my two cents' worth concerning my last year's experience with the event. I thought it was hideously expensive, loud, and overcrowded. I forget what the cost of admission was, but I clearly remember thinking it wasn't worth it. The cost of refreshments and activities was even worse. It was so overcrowded we could barely move. I remember people being really rude, banging into us without apologizing, and cutting in front of my son in the long, long lines for everything. The big feature at last year's event was this maze that had been really hyped by the media. Well, I have to say, that (even though I've warned my son not to use this word), the maze was, in a word, lame. I can't recommend this event at all. In fact, I would have to say it was a complete waste of my time and money. If you've never been before, it's basically a place where a million vendors gather to shove their business cards and flyers in your face. I did make out like a bandit as far as free toothbrushes were concerned, though. In fact, it got so bad that my son started getting really upset and was saying, "No more toothbrushes, Mommy!"

[drobyn]

I'm glad to get the real story on something like this. I'm fed up with the lack of objectivity we get on this kind of thing in the media. No one there seems to want to say, "You know what? This is supposed to be for kids, but it stinks." If you're a newspaper or TV station, you won't say that because it will offend an advertiser. Because of their silence, we end up standing in long lines with rude people and we all wish we were someplace else.

[Moderator]

I'm glad to get the real story on something like this. I'm fed up with the lack of objectivity we get on this kind of thing in the media. No one there seems to want to say, "You know what? This is supposed to be for kids, but it stinks." If you're a newspaper or TV station, you won't say that because it will offend an advertiser. Because of their silence, we end up standing in long lines with rude people and we all wish we were someplace else.

Omigosh, you are so right! The World-Herald is one of the main sponsers, so they certainly won't print anything negative. And you just know all of the local TV stations will have live remotes on their morning newscasts this weekend to promote it ("Looking for something to do with the kids this weekend? C'mon down to KidzExplore!"). I'm glad Rhonda posted her review. With all the vendors it almost sounds like KidzExplore is more of a trade show, rather than the "premier family event" that it's hyped to be.

~velveetah

[Rhonda Dunaway]

You hit the nail on the head, Velveetah. A trade show is exactly what it is, and it's about time that someone started calling it that instead of pretending that it's some fun, educational activity for the kids. People I know who've been to it before tell me that once was enough and that they will never go again. However, KidzExplore always seems to find enough new people to go every year. I'll continue on my mission to warn people away from this event. One of the reasons I created this website was so that we moms could share the real scoop. I have always found that other moms have been my best source of information about events and activities around town.