Organizers of the “Kids Play Network” are requesting assistance from the community to grow their database.
The mission of the database is to promote and have more people sign up to be a part of a network that will serve as a one-stop shop for parents seeking resources for their kids.
Some of the information parents and guardians will be able to find on the network ranges from a list of all after-school activities, resources that are available, fun things for kids to participate in, and even doctor recommendations.
One of the organizers, Liza Margolis, said, “We wanted it to be a whole network, sort of a resource tool for parents on all three islands.”
Margolis said that the network was created based on a lot of different people’s brain work. Margolis who also organized the Kid’s Play Expo, a unique experience catered to children that took place in April, is also an event planner and entrepreneur who owns LJM Business Solutions.
“Being a mom and somebody who has helped plan a lot of events, there are hundreds of expos and events but never anything for kids,” said Margolis.
Currently, the site has information primarily for the St. Thomas/St. John district, but the organizers are trying to grow the network for St. Croix. To visit the network, go to the Children’s Museum website and click on the “Kid’s Play Network” tab. To become a part of the database, you can then click “Join the Network” then “If you would like your company or organization listed on our page, please click here,” and register.
“We really want it to be as populated as possible and as valuable as possible for parents,” said Margolis.
The purpose of the Kid’s Play Expo held by Margolis, the Children’s Museum, and Island Vibes was to raise proceeds for different things and through one of their brainstorming sessions, they came up with the idea for the database. “We thought…to put it on the Children’s Museum [website] and allow it to be sort of the hub for this network,” Margolis said.
Kid’s Play Expo was a one-day event where clubs, organizations, and groups all showcased different activities. There were a total of 25 different booths ranging from arts and crafts, sports, cooking, reading, engineering, and more. There were also different 20-minute exhibitions. It was a whole day packed with activities for kids.
