Recognising and rewarding the most loved children's activities and businesses in the UK since 2006!


Welcome! Want more information on the What's On 4 Kids National Children's Activities Awards? You're in the right place! 

Now in their 18th year, these are the most prestigious and longest running awards for the sector with a wealth of both voted for and judged categories across all activities and age ranges plus our very special achievement awards too.

Our dazzling awards night on Thursday 21st November 2024 is always THE industry party of the year - welcoming VIP guests from throughout the UK for a fabulous black-tie evening of recognition, celebration, networking and live entertainment at the stunning Leonardo Royal Hotel Southampton Grand Harbour.

We are delighted to be welcoming back our Headline Sponsor Morton Michel - the UK's leading childcare insurance specialist - as Headliner for the 6th year in a row plus The British Franchise Association are joining us as Ceremony Sponsor for a 2nd year!

Take a look below to see who has made it through to the final stage!

Get ready to dazzle at the industry celebration of the year!


We're thrilled to announce that our dazzling 2024 What's On 4 Kids National Children's Activities Awards Ceremony will take place on Thursday 21st November 2024, at the Leonardo Royal Hotel Southampton Grand Harbour! 👏

Our finalists, sponsors, and esteemed guests deserve nothing but the finest, and this year, we have something extraordinary in store for you!

Join the brightest stars in the children's activities sector and step onto the red carpet, revel in the limelight, and indulge in a night of celebration - complete with a sumptuous dinner and captivating entertainment hosted by Jonathan Bremner. 🎉

Don't miss the opportunity to join us - there are a limited number of tickets available so please book as soon as you can.  The deadline to book tickets is 12pm on 25th October or earlier if they sell out!






What would being part of the 'What's On 4 Kids National Children's Activities Awards' mean to you? 


"The location, set-up, dinner and awards ceremony was very professional and it was a great opportunity to network and meet others in the industry"

"Well organised. Well attended. All EXCELLENT! "

"Lovely host, inspiring evening, and a lovely backdrop for some excellent networking"

"It was a great experience"

"Always so well thought out. Everyone made to feel special and the service was brilliant"

Awards can also bring huge benefits to both bigger and growing businesses.


63% increased turnover in comparison to businesses without awards

88% more motivation from team members

77% higher sales in comparison to businesses without awards**

**Source ICAP 





This year we received over 59,650 votes and nominations with a 30% increase in votes as parents and carers from throughout the UK showed their love and appreciation for their favourite class, club, leader, volunteer or venue.   

476 businesses went through to the voting or judged stages and nearly 215 finalists are invited to attend our prestigious live Awards Celebration Event, alongside other VIPs and special guests at Leonardo Royal Hotel Southampton Grand Harbour.

We have a a limited number of tickets available to the ceremony on 21st November so please book as soon as you can - deadline to book tickets is 12pm on 25th October or earlier if they sell out!

Don't miss the change to celebrate and party with us at the event of the year!



So what are you waiting for - be part of the action and join us in 2024!  

"These are the crème de la crème of awards, have a great reputation and bring value to my business" *** 

 Limited sponsorship opportunities are still available!

***Awards VIP guest





How it works


2024 Sponsors, Partners and Supporters Showcase

Thank you to all these organisations that make the What's On 4 Kids National Children's Activities Awards possible.


Message from Morton Michel to everyone involved in the
What's On 4 Kids National Children's Activities Awards 2024

"We are thrilled to once again be the headline sponsor for the What’s On 4 Kids Awards, this is a brilliant opportunity to share in the celebrations and individual and collective achievements of a wonderful business community. Getting the chance to recognise the energy, passion and pride that gets poured into the work the sector does every day is a brilliant way to reflect on another year being a part of the Children’s Activities community and something we are immensely proud to be able to support!”





The Award Categories and Finalists for 2024 are...

Special Awards

Most Loved Indoor Play Centre
or Venue
~

Sponsored by Association of Indoor Play

CADWA WOW CENTRE
Clart About Sensory Cafe
Little Learners Playspace Ashington
Moo Music Widnes
Ocean Adventurers
Pineapple and Bears
So Curious Play Cafe
The Play Village


Open to  any venue, activity centre or play centre which offers exceptional facilities and activities for children. 

Most Loved Charity or
Not-for-Profit Community Group
~

Sponsorship available!

Cha Char Chimps CIC
Clart About Ltd
Devon Antenatal Family Centre CIC
Edinburgh Buggy Walks
Follow Your Dreams Charity
Infinite Wellbeing CIC
The Activity Den (Bradford) CIC
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust

Open to any not-for-profit children's activity running in the UK.  Must be a registered Charity or Community Interest Company.

Most Loved Party Supplier, Provider or Entertainment
~

Sponsored by Love Childcare Recruitment

ARTventurers
Caterpillar Music North West London
Drama Tots
Gymboree Play & Music UK
Kalma Life
Little City UK
Little Learners
Odd Socks Entertainment
Party Peeps
Zip Zap

 Open to any party supplier, provider or entertainment company

Most Loved Volunteer
~

Sponsored by Caudwell Children

Carole Petrie - Edinburgh Buggy Walks
Leanne Barlow - The Curiosity Mill
Lynn Hammel-Randall - Clart About Ltd
Ruth Mill - Flying High Gang Show

Open to any individual activity leader providing children's activities anywhere in the UK on a volunteer basis.

Game Changing Supplier
~

Sponsored by Ole Spanish for Everyone

Cerys Keneally - Approaching Schools Academy
Cinder (Mental Health Training) Ltd
Making Digital Real Ltd
Morton Michel
The Dance Den
ThinkSmart Software Ltd


Open to any company who supplies products or services to children's activities companies and/or professionals.

Awards Across Different Regions

Most Loved Activity Leader or Business Manager in:

Scotland and
Northern Ireland
~

Sponsored by The British Franchise Association

Alison Sneddon - Caterpillar Music, Scotland
Elisha Martin - Baby Sensory, Aberdeen South
Gillian Smart - Bloom Baby Classes, Northern Ireland East
Michelle Martin - Bloom Baby Classes, Northern Ireland South
Nichola Crocker - Little Glow & Little Mess, Derry
Rachel Peebles - Estrellas Brillantes, Busby & Uddingston
Stephanie Lyle - Baby Sensory, West Lothian
Vikki Turner - Abricabeats, Aberdeen

North England

~

Sponsored by The British Franchise Association

Angharad Hutchinson - Tots Play, Hull
Emma Gerrard - Caterpillar Music, Liverpool South
Gemma Waugh - Hartbeeps, Northumberland, Newcastle Central & South East
Liz Hare - Music Bus, Liverpool South
Rachel Martin - Bloom Baby Classes, St Helens, Wigan & Warrington
Samantha Davidson - Little Movers, Washington, Sunderland North & South Tyneside
Sarah Colbert - Bloom Baby Classes, Leigh, Wigan East, Manchester West, East & Central
Sarah Horton - Little Movers, Warrington
Stephanie Spike - Hartbeeps, Saddleworth & Tameside
Victoria Thompson - Kalma Life, North


Wales, West and South West England
~

Sponsored by The British Franchise Association

Cara Bassi - Little Movers, North Wales
Emma Cowing - Water Babies, Cornwall & South Devon
Kate Harman - Baby Sensory, North Cornwall
Lyndsey Stuart - Hartbeeps, Cardiff
Natalie Masterson - ARTventurers, Coventry & Kenilworth
Polly Rorison-Jones - Gymboree Play & Music, Bristol
Sophie Milner - Baby Sensory, Cardiff East
Sophie Roberts - Hartbeeps, Plymouth, Saltash & Tavistock
Terri Manuel - Baby Sensory, Dudley
Victoria Durston - babyballet, Swindon

East England
~

Sponsored by The British Franchise Association

Cara Chittenden - Baby Sensory, Nottingham
Jacqui Davis - Twistin Tots, Belper
Kate Powell - Little City, Suffolk
Kim Bennett - Water Babies, Norfolk
Laura Gadsby - Baby Sensory, Derby
Lesley Johnson - Music Bugs, Northampton
Megan Mayes - Baby Sensory, East Suffolk
Nikkie Barringer - Tots Play, Chesterfield

South East England
~

Sponsored by The British Franchise Association

Andy Low - Topspin Monkeys, Epsom
Chloë Tweed - Caterpillar Music, Guildford
Helen Birbeck - babyballet, Bishops Stortford
Katie De Ioia - The Sensory Network, East Grinstead, Copthorne & Turners Hill
Katy Brown - Baby Sensory, Woking & Bagshot
Lauren Sanchez-Salmonte - Baby Sensory, Camberley, Farnborough & Yateley
Rachel Thomas - Sing and Sign, Newham, Waltham Forest, Redbridge & Epping Forest South
Steve Goodwin - Brick Bus, Horsham
Suzie Franck - Baby Sensory, Sutton, Carshalton, Cheam & Banstead
Vicky Jackson Hill - Baby Sensory, Coulsdon, Reigate & Redhill





Open to any individual activity leader, teacher or coach providing structured children's activities operating anywhere in the UK or business manager of a children's activities business or organisation operating anywhere in the UK.  A map of the regions can be found here.

Judged Awards

The Steve Franks 'Shining Star' Award for Excellence and Innovation
~

Sponsored by Children's Activities Association

Imogen Coleman, WOW World Group
Jessie Lilley, babyballet
Leanne Barlow, The Curiosity Mill
Mairi Curle, Boogie Beat Music and Movement
Rachel Peebles, Estrellas Brillantes
Steve Goodwin, Brick Bus/Super Hero Parties

Judges will be looking for candidates who can demonstrate examples of innovation and excellence but also those who have gone above and beyond for the greater good , those whose contribution reaches beyond their own business and impacts the broader sector/community too - either directly or with innovative 'best practice'. 

In memory of Steve Franks who contributed so significantly to the children's activities sector.  Steve sadly passed away in April 2020 from COVID-19 complications.  Steve's legacy lives on through many initiatives to improve the lives of children across the UK and our thoughts remain with his family, friends and colleagues.

Remarkable Achievement

~

Sponsored by Morton Michel

Amanda Frolich, Amanda's Action Club
Claire Munday, Tappy Toes
Emma Bentley, Stagecoach Theatre Arts Chichester
Fatema Zahra Meghjee, Tots Play Birmingham South Central
Kerrie Goude & Maddy Griffiths, TOTFest Festival
Liz Mullen, Little Fizz

This is a judged award. Open to any individual working in the sector who has demonstrated remarkable achievement - this could be a significant business achievement, community or charity achievement or a personal battle - or a combination.  

Most Loved New Activity
~

Sponsored by ThinkSmart Software

Beyond the Bump
Chess-Mate Hub
Jack in the Box Musical Memories
Let's Rock the Spectrum
Little Strikers World

Open to any children's activity programme running in the UK that started after 1st January 2022.

Diversity & Inclusion Champion
~

Sponsored by LoveAdmin

Little City UK
Little Learners
Medieval Madness
The Boury Academy
Yo-Chi

For any children's activities provider who demonstrates good practice within the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion

Awards for All Activities by Type

Most Loved
Sport or Physical
Activity
FRANCHISE or LICENSE TERRITORY
~


Sponsored by Pebble

Bumblebee Sports, Edinburgh South West
Gymboree Play & Music, Bristol
Little Ballers, Durham
Sweaty Mama, New Forest South and Christchurch
Toddler Sense, Barnet, Borehamwood, Southgate & Potters Bar
Toddler Sense, South Liverpool
Toddler Sense, Sutton and surrounding areas
Tumble Tots, Wirral
Water Babies, Norfolk
Water Babies, North Wales

Most Loved
Sport or Physical
Activity
FRANCHISOR or INDEPENDENT
with up to 14 Leaders Overall
~

Sponsored by Kalma Life

Dinkies Swim School
Footibees
Gymboree Play & Music UK
Kingfishers Swim School
Little Ballers
West Lothian Football Academy


Most Loved
Sport or Physical Activity
FRANCHISOR or INDEPENDENT
with 15+ Leaders
Overall
~

Sponsored by Little Movers

Barracudas
Kalma Life UK
Toddler Sense
Tumble Tots (UK) Ltd

Including archery, athletics, baseball, basketball, canoeing, cheerleading, circus skills, climbing, cricket, cycling, fencing, fitness, football, goalball, golf, gymnastics, hockey, horseriding, ice skating, judo, karate, karting, kayaking, kickboxing, laser tag/quest, mayorettes, martial arts, motor sports, movement, netball, active play, rugby, sailing, scuba diving, skate parks, skating, skiing, snowboarding, surfing, swimming, sword fencing, table tennis, tampoline, water sports, yoga.

Open to any company or organisation with a significant part of their programme based on physical activity operating in any part of the UK.
Leaders refers to activity leaders, teachers or coaches delivering one or more of the activity programmes across the whole of the UK.

Most Loved
Music, Dance
or Performing Arts Activity
FRANCHISE or LICENSE TERRITORY
~


Sponsored by ICAP

babyballet, Reading and Henley-on-Thames
Caterpillar Music, North West London
diddi dance, Central & North Liverpool & South Knowsley
diddi dance, Sefton and West Lancashire
Hartbeeps, Northumberland, Newcastle Central & South East
Little Movers, Chester le Street & Durham North
Little Movers, Durham, Seaham, Spennymoor and Peterlee
Little Movers, Warrington
Little Movers, Washington, Sunderland North & South Tyneside
Rascals, Elsenham & Tiptree

Most Loved
Music, Dance
or Performing Arts Activity
FRANCHISOR or INDEPENDENT
with up to 4 Leaders Overall
~

Sponsored by
d&t Chartered Accountants

Abricabeats
Baby Band
Beat Feet Academy of Dance
Mix It Up Music
MOVE IT SHAKE IT
PopTots®
The Academy Watford
The Little Yorkshire Dance Academy
Tillie's School of Performing Arts
Tuneful Tigers

Most Loved
Music, Dance
or Performing Arts Activity
FRANCHISOR or INDEPENDENT
with 5 to 14 Leaders Overall
~

Sponsored by Toddler Sense

Boogie Pumps Ltd
Cha Char Chimps CIC
Little Music Stars
Mellor Performing Arts School
Music Monsters
PopGems
® Academy

Most Loved
Music, Dance
or Performing Arts Activity
FRANCHISOR or INDEPENDENT
with 15+ Leaders Overall
~

Sponsored by
Making Digital Real

babyballet
Caterpillar Music Ltd
Drama Tots
iRock School of Music
Jo Jingles Uk
Little Movers


Including choir, dance, drama, film making, music, music and movement, music lessons, performing arts, role play, singing.

Open to any company or organisation with a significant part of their programme based on music and/or the performing arts operating in any part of the UK.

Leaders refers to activity leaders, teachers or coaches delivering one or more of the activity programmes across the whole of the UK.

Most Loved Academic
or Creative Activity
FRANCHISE or LICENSE TERRITORY
~


Sponsored by
Drama Kids

ARTventurers, Sunderland West and Washington
Bloom Toddler Classes, Liverpool Central
Bloom Toddler Classes, St Helens
Estrellas Brillantes, Busby & Uddingston
Les Petits Pois Fun French with Beth, Warrington
Little City, Cambridge
Little Learners, South Liverpool & Knowsley
MagiKats Maths and English Tuition, Woodford
Reading Fairy, Sutton
The Story Tent, Broughton, Gresford & Pulford

Most Loved Academic
or Creative Activity
FRANCHISOR or INDEPENDENT
with up to 4 Leaders Overall
~

Sponsored by
Stagecoach Performing Arts

Creative Kitchen
Dot Kids Ltd
Les Petits Pois Fun French
Messy Play
Mini Lingos
Pip & Harris Tree Tots
Spanish Tots and Bebes
Story Sense Ltd



Most Loved Academic
or Creative Activity
FRANCHISOR or INDEPENDENT
with 5 to 19 Leaders Overall
~

Sponsored by
Trustist

Mess Around Ltd
Mini Professors
Ole Spanish for Everyone
TechyTots Ltd

Most Loved Academic
or Creative Activity
FRANCHISOR or INDEPENDENT
with 20+ Leaders Overall
~

Sponsored by
Cerys Keneally

ARTventurers
Jo Jingles
Kidslingo
Little Learners
Popolo Ceramico
Reading Fairy

Including arts and crafts, messy play, pottery painting, languages, academic classes, science, computing, photography, reading, storytelling, gardening

Open to any company or organisation with a significant part of their programme based on academic or creative activities in any part of the UK.

Leaders refers to activity leaders, teachers or coaches delivering one or more of the activity programmes across the whole of the UK.

Most Loved
Baby Activity
FRANCHISE or LICENSE TERRITORY
~


Sponsored by Mini Lingos

ARTventurers, Sunderland East and Seaham
Baby College, Wokingham & Reading
Baby Sensory, Crawley Region
Baby Sensory, South Liverpool
Bloom Baby Classes, Liverpool South and Wirral
Hartbeeps, Hertfordshire
Little Movers, Durham, Seaham, Spennymoor and Peterlee
Moo Music, Widnes & Runcorn
Story Babies, Swansea
Tots Play, Lancaster

Most Loved
Baby Activity
FRANCHISOR or INDEPENDENT
with up to 10 Leaders Overall
~

Sponsored by DOT & STRIPE

Abricabeats
Baby Brews
Baby Days
Baby Glowbugs
BabyBeats Global
Dinkies Swim School
Pip & Harris Nature Nurture
Spa Babies Ltd
Stretch and Soothe
The Baby Hub

Most Loved
Baby Activity
FRANCHISOR or INDEPENDENT
with 11 to 34 Leaders Overall
~

Sponsorship available!

ARTventurers
Baby Squids
Basking Babies
Gymboree Play & Music UK
Kalma Life UK
Zip Zap

Most Loved
Baby Activity
FRANCHISOR or INDEPENDENT
with 35+ Leaders Overall
~

Sponsored by Cinder

Baby Sensory
Jo Jingles UK
The Little Sensory Co
Tumble Tots (UK) Ltd
Water Babies

Open to any company or organisation with a separate programme specifically for children under 18 months old operating in any part of the UK.

Leaders refers to activity leaders, teachers or coaches delivering one or more of the activity programmes across the whole of the UK.

Awards Info

How it works






Advertise on What's On 4 Kids

Sign-up here for a free account to advertise or login here.

Quick Sign-up

Or

Already have an account? .

Looking to ADVERTISE AN ACTIVITY? Click here to sign-up as an ADVERTISER.
X

MEMBER Login

Or

Continue with Facebook
Continue with Google

Not registered yet? .

Forgot you password? Click here.

Whoops, I was looking for ADVERTISER login.