When it comes to meaningful new products, I think I would give the trophy to The Times for its For Kids supplement.

The monthly tackles all sorts of topics—fun and serious—but all at the levels that kids will enjoy it and find it meaningful.

Let’s go through today’s edition:

The Cover Story

It’s all about a dozen national parks that provide adventure and learning this summer.  Notice that the bottom of the page offers a navigator to the inside, with five other stories to look for. I think the kids probably simply flip through each page leisurely.

Inside the Times

Summer jobs. How to make money during the time school is out. Plus the Kids’ Times puzzle and even a one column Funnies.

National

I find it interesting that even the Trade Wars get coverage, but, in this case “explained through a Hershey’s kiss”. How do trade wars affect you (kids)?, the Times asks.

Well, “to figure it out, let’s unwrap a Hershey’s Kiss. You get the point.  Don’t miss the tiny story, black background bottom right of page: the story in numbers.

Arts

Of course, The Return of the Incredibles is the lead piece, something dear to all the kids.  Then, in the arts and crafts segment: How to Make a Dinosaur, a timely subject with the new Jurassic Park movie.

Opinion

Here is an opinion page that would work well for adults, too.  Kids talk about everything from parental supervision to homeless people to school lunches!

The center spread

The lead piece is about a dozen national parks

Style

Mental Health leads the page: the advantages of group therapy!

Then the obligatory advice column!

Science

The science of fireworks, and a column titled Computer Engineer.

Sports

The Skateboarding Superstar and short profile of one, age 13, who has “mastered grinds and lipslides and the backside air……”

Food

Now, it is hot in NY and everywhere in the North Continent, so “beat the heat with Italian ice” is the lead piece.  Plus, secondary story: What to eat at the Ballpark? Hot dogs, of course, but how about, for a change: a garlic bologna sandwich?

The ad

For the first time, I now see a back page ad for The Florida State Parks.

Good that a product as vibrant, essential as fun as this one may also become a monetizing opportunity for the Times.

For those of you contemplating new products for print, and an opportunity to attract and to cater to the very young in your audience, this For Kids supplement is a model to follow.  I know that many of the editors reading me here do not  have the resources of the Times. However, this does not have to be a major enterprise.  It is basically, taking the structure of your newspaper, selecting parts of it, and then adapting content to the needs and abilities of children in the audience. It is the type of new products that will pay off big time.

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