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

The What's On 4 Kids National Children's Activities Awards are the only awards which include both 'voted for' and 'judged' award categories. We know that judged categories are really valued by our nominees so we are delighted to have 4 judged categories for 2025.

The Steve Franks 'Shining Star' Award for Excellence and Innovation sponsored by Children's Activities Association

The Morton Michel Remarkable Achievement Award

The ThinkSmart Software Outstanding Newcomer Award

The Little Starts Gift Card Diversity & Inclusion Champion

Please click here to see the criteria and evaluation for each category.

A massive thank you to our Judges

This year, we're excited to welcome back three esteemed judges from previous years and introduce a very special new addition to our panel. Our judges are delighted to be part of the awards and understand the immense value this holds for every nominee. However, they also recognise the challenging task ahead as they carefully evaluate each submission.

Alison Franks

Proud Ambassador for the Children’s Alliance

Alison is Director of Sales for Hilton Hotels and has worked in hospitality for the majority of her career.
In her words, she is also 'far more importantly, beyond proud to be the wife of the truly wonderful, late Steve Franks'. Steve lost his life to COVID19 in April 2020. Steve was CEO of Water Babies and a total force of nature, who sat on many boards, and who had endless drive and commitment to give children a better start and a brighter future. Steve was also the man initially behind the Children's Alliance organisation.
Alison is therefore a proud Brand Ambassador for the Children’s Alliance organisation, with the aim to give children a voice at last, right at the heart of Government. Therefore for these two reasons alone, Alison is immensely honoured and extremely grateful to be a part of the prestigious What’s On 4 Kids National Children’s Activities Awards judging panel.

Sam Godfrey-Moore

Founder and Managing Director, What’s On 4 Kids

Multi-award-winning innovator and entrepreneur trail-blazing in the children’s activities sector since 2006. Sam has devoted nearly 2 decades of her working life to enhancing the children’s activities sector with collaborations, innovations, and national promotion. Sam’s credits include the What’s On 4 Kids National Children’s Activities Awards, Children’s Activities Association and National Children’s Activities Week.
The What’s On 4 Kids National Children’s Activities Awards is particularly important to Sam. Way back in 2006 Sam realised there were no national awards to recognise the many amazing coaches, teachers and leaders in the children’s activities sector. These awards have grown and developed to recognise the many different “ages and stages” of small businesses in the children's activities sector across the UK alongside the talents of the people working in this vital but undervalued sector.
The awards conclude each year with a glamourous evening event and ceremony held at some very special venues in the UK – a wonderful night of celebration, tears and laughter as all good awards ceremonies should be! Sam is incredibly proud that hundreds of small businesses and people have received a What’s On 4 Kids National Children’s Activities Award – and there will be many more winners this year too!

Mike Dodd

Chair of the Children's Activities Association

Mike started work at 16 and helped build 2 of the largest companies supplying new technologies to the insurance sector, becoming the UK CEO of a PLC. Across the last 15 years he has been involved in a number of new start businesses as a NED and investor, together with involvement in a number of charity and community organisations.
He is the founding and current Chair of the Children's Activities Association and is relentless in his support of the children's activities sector which does so much to benefit the early years/children of the UK. The CAA is also sponsor of the Steve Franks Shining Star award.
Mike has 3 grown up children who he's shared many adventures with and has cycled mainly independently, through over 60 countries. He is delighted to have been invited as a judge and looks forward to the live awards event.

James McDonald

Business Development Manager

James McDonald is Morton Michel Insurance’s Business Development Manager, Morton Michel is the UK’s premier Childcare & Education Insurance provider, delivering insurance solutions specifically designed for professionals in the industry for over 60 years.
James works closely with franchisors, franchisee’s, independent providers, associations, and suppliers across the Children’s Activity community, and has been supporting the sector for nearly 10 years now. In his role James spends time identifying the unique needs & requirements of his clients to provide them with an insurance solution designed around their business.
James is also a regular provider of workshops, seminars, and speaking sessions at industry events sharing his insights and experience.