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


The biggest annual celebration of the children's activities sector is back!


Nominations are now OPEN!

The 19th What's On 4 Kids National Children's Activities Awards are the most prestigious and longest-running awards in the sector.

With a wide range of categories—both voted for and judged—spanning all activities and age groups, the event also celebrates exceptional achievements with our special recognition awards.

We are delighted The British Franchise Association are joining us as Ceremony Sponsor for a 3rd year!


We're thrilled to announce that our 2025 What's On 4 Kids National Children's Activities Awards Ceremony will take place on Thursday 27th November 2025, at the stunning Athena in Leicester - an art deco masterpiece, originally designed in 1936 by Robert Arthur Bullivant as an Odeon Cinema, the venue represented one of the largest, most extravagant buildings within the region comprising of simply one screen seating over 3000 guests.

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. 🎉


NOMINATE NOW!


Voting and judging starts on 23rd April 2025

Be part of the action in 2025!  Sponsorship opportunities are now available - book early to secure your favourite category or package!





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 





In 2024 we received nearly 100,000 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 215 finalists were invited to attend our prestigious live Awards Celebration Event, alongside other VIPs and special guests at Leonardo Royal Hotel Southampton Grand Harbour.


So what are you waiting for - be part of the action and join us in 2025!  

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

***Awards VIP guest





How it works


2025 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.





The Award Categories for 2025 are...

Special Awards

Most Loved Indoor Play Centre
or Venue
~

Sponsored by Association of Indoor Play


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
~

Sponsored by ICAP

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

 Open to any party supplier, provider or entertainment company

Most Loved Volunteer
~

Sponsored by Caudwell Children

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

Game Changing Supplier
~

Sponsored by Baby Sensory


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

North England

~

Sponsored by The British Franchise Association

Wales, West and South West England
~

Sponsored by The British Franchise Association

East England
~

Sponsored by The British Franchise Association

South East England
~

Sponsored by The British Franchise Association





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 The Children's Activities Association


Please see judging criteria and evaluation.
 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.

The Morton Michel Remarkable Achievement Award


Please see judging criteria and evaluation.

The ThinkSmart Software Outstanding Newcomer Award

Open to any children's activity programme running in the UK that started after 1st January 2023.

Please see judging criteria and evaluation.

Diversity & Inclusion Champion

Sponsorship Available!

Please see judging criteria and evaluation.

Awards for All Activities by Type

Most Loved
Sport or Physical
Activity
FRANCHISE or LICENSE TERRITORY
~

Sponsored by JMW Solicitors



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

Sponsorship Available

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

Sponsorship Available

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
~


Sponsorship Available

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

Sponsorship Available

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

Sponsored by Mini Professors

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

Sponsored by Cerys Keneally

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
~


Sponsorship Available

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

Sponsorship Available

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

Sponsorship Available

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

Sponsored by
Dot & Stripe

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
~


Sponsorship Available

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

Sponsorship available

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

Sponsorship Available

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

Sponsorship Available

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






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