Disclosures

This page documents how KidPaths is produced and funded. It exists so that parents using the site can understand where our recommendations come from, where our revenue comes from, and how those two things relate.

Editorial process

KidPaths content is produced through a workflow that combines editorial judgment with software tools. Kit, our editor, reads parent reviews, follows local parent communities, applies a documented quality standard, and decides which venues earn a spot on the site and how each one gets described. The drafting, verification, and assembly of guides uses a combination of human editorial review and AI tools, including large language models and image-sourcing systems. Every factual claim in a guide is sourced from venue data, parent reviews, or operator-published information; we do not publish unverified specifics.

Photo standard

Every listing's hero photo has to clear a six-point rubric. We run the rubric on each listing before it can be indexed, and we re-run it on the active catalog on a recurring cadence. Anything that fails is hidden from search and from the public city pages until a replacement photo is sourced.

1. Authenticity. A real camera photo of the actual venue. Not a logo, not an icon, not a Google Maps screenshot, not an AI render, not a 3D rendering, not a watermark-defaced stock photo.
2. Venue-specific. The photo shows this named venue. Not a same-name franchise in a different city, not a generic landmark substituted in, not a stock skyline of the city the venue happens to be in.
3. Kid context. For kid-activity venues (playgrounds, museums, indoor play, water parks), the photo shows what families with kids actually see when they walk in.
4. Resolution. At least 1200 by 630 pixels after resize. JPEG, PNG, or WebP. Blurry or tiny images are rejected.
5. Unique. No two listings share a hero photo, verified with a content hash.
6. City correct. The venue's coordinates have to be within 50 miles of the city we've assigned it to.

Content standard

A photo isn't enough. Each indexed listing also has to carry a real description that names the things parents need to know before they go. The minimum is roughly 200 words of original copy that covers age fit, what an actual visit looks like, what to bring, what it costs, and at least one detail you would not find on the venue's own website. Listings under that bar are hidden from search and from city pages until the description is filled out.

City pages and category pages have their own bar. A city only earns a dedicated landing page when it has at least 5 indexable listings, and a city by category landing page only appears when it has at least 3. We would rather show a tight city page than a padded one.

How AI fits in

We use AI tools in our editorial process. Specifically, we use them to help sift through thousands of candidate venues and flag the ones worth a closer look, to assist with first-draft writing on city guides and blog posts, and to source replacement photos through a verified-source waterfall. Editorial decisions about which listings appear on the site, how they are described, and what the quality bar is sit with Kit. AI tools assist; they do not decide.

We do not generate listing photos, fabricate parent tips, or manufacture reviews. If a piece of content doesn't add something a parent couldn't get from the venue's own website, we don't ship it.

Affiliate relationships

KidPaths participates in affiliate programs with several family travel and booking partners. When you click a booking or product link on a listing or guide and complete a purchase, KidPaths may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. We disclose affiliate relationships in line with FTC guidance. An affiliate link never changes the editorial verdict on whether a venue is worth your time; we do not accept payment for inclusion or placement on the site.

Current affiliate partners are listed individually on the relevant listings and guides where applicable. Programs we may participate in include GetYourGuide, Viator, Tripadvisor Experiences, and Booking.com.

Advertising

KidPaths displays advertising on city and listing pages. Our ad partners may include Mediavine and Google AdSense, and they use cookies and similar technologies as described in our privacy policy. Advertising is segmented from editorial; we do not allow advertiser influence over which venues are listed, how they are described, or where they appear in guides.

Photos

Hero photos and supporting photos on listings come from one of: the venue's own website, redistributable Google Places venue photos, or press kits the venue has published. We do not use AI-generated photos to represent real venues. Editorial illustrations elsewhere on the site are presented as illustrations, not as photographs of venues.

Corrections

If a listing is wrong, closed, or has changed in ways that matter to a parent visiting, please email hello@kidpaths.com. We aim to update the same day. Corrections are logged on the listing's last-verified date.

Publisher

KidPaths is an independent family activity directory. For business or legal inquiries: email hello@kidpaths.com.