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 areas and age ranges.  Awards night is THE industry party of the year - welcoming VIP guests from throughout the UK for a fabulous evening of recognition, celebration, networking and live entertainment!

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!

 Nominations are now OPEN!!!






But why should you nominate your favourite? What would being part of the 'What's On 4 Kids National Children's Activities Awards' mean? 


"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 





Our 2023 awards saw over 50,000 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.   

Over 499 businesses went through to the voting or judged stages and nearly 245 finalists were invited to attend our prestigious live Awards Celebration Event, alongside other VIPs and special guests at Coombe Abbey Hotel in Coventry.  

The venue was gorgeous and the guests glamorous.  We were inspired by X Factor winner and West End star Sam Bailey, entertained by boy band Undivided and giggled along with look-a-likes Prince William and Princess Kate as part of our royal-themed evening.  Thanks go to everyone and particular our amazing host Jonathan Bremner who once again kept the show on the road with style!


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 for 2024 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
~

Sponsorship available!

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
~

Sponsorship available!

 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
~

Sponsorship available!


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 Children's Activities Association

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 MortonMichel

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

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

Diversity & Inclusion Champion
~

Sponsored by LoveAdmin

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

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

Sponsored by Kalma Life

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

Sponsored by Little Movers

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



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 Toddler Sense



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

Sponsored by
Making Digital Real

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
~

Sponsored by
Trustist

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

Sponsored by
Cerys Keneally

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
Sunshine Strategies

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

Sponsored by
NatWest

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
~

Sponsored by
Cinder

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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