Busy Washington Mom Launches The Kid Compass, a Unique Online Directory for Families on the Go

Frustrated with having to comb the web, make phone calls and network with others to find family-friendly activities, classes and lessons, busy mom Alexandra Taber formed a team to create The Kid Compass, a unique website that caters to families on the go while giving back to the community and supporting family-friendly businesses. Launched in August, the comprehensive site offers a searchable directory that contains up-to-date information on activities, events, art programs, music lessons, support groups, pediatricians, and more.

The Kid Compass is free to both website visitors and businesses. Both groups can add business listings and events and win free advertising or guest passes for doing so. Also, in keeping with the site’s mission to reach out to families and the community, the site will donate a percentage of its proceeds to a different nonprofit organization each month. The nonprofit will be selected from reader recommendations and featured in the site’s Caring Corner. The featured nonprofit for September is the American Red Cross, the country’s leading emergency response organization.

Targeted to busy families, the new site allows users to search by city, state, zip code, category or keyword. The user-friendly search returns an easy-to-read, alphabetical listing of matching results with website and phone information. For more details including address and a description, the user clicks on the desired listing and complete information is provided at no charge.

Initially, The Kid Compass targeted the greater Seattle area. However, listings for businesses and events in other major metropolitan areas are being added daily. Website visitors are encouraged to register to add listings, receive regular site updates and subscribe to The Kid Compass newsletter to be launched later this year. Registration is free.

Taber, a database developer and mother of two, created the website because she was frustrated with the lack of a central resource for family-friendly activities, events and businesses. While other directories existed, they were filled with advertising and often only listed more well-known businesses, venues and events. Taber wanted something different. Unable to find a site that met her needs, she shared her idea with other busy moms and created The Kid Compass earlier this year.

“As a stay-at-home with a part-time consulting business, I’m sensitive to how important it is to be efficient with my time. I wanted to spend less time researching activities for my kids and more time actually doing things with them,” Taber said.

“Parent feedback has been very positive. Parents are telling me they’ve discovered businesses and resources in their communities that they didn’t know existed,” she added. “I myself was surprised to learn that there were 29 museums within a 50-mile radius of my zip code! So far, it looks like we’re accomplishing our mission.”
For more information about The Kid Compass, contact Alexandra Taber at 206-388-5133 or visit www.thekidcompass.com.