10 Tips for Running a Successful Children’s Activity Club in 2025

[.rt__btn]Get Smarter Admin[.rt__btn]

‍

You’ve done it. You’ve built a club where children laugh, learn, and grow. But between managing bookings, chasing late payments, and juggling spreadsheets, it can sometimes feel like you spend more time behind a screen than in the sessions that remind you why you started.

‍

Running a children’s activity club takes passion, patience, and a lot of hard work. The good news is, you’re not alone. At ClassForKids, we’ve spent over 10 years helping more than 4,500 clubs across the UK streamline their admin, grow their bookings, and strengthen their parent relationships. From small village hall classes to nationwide franchises, we’ve seen what really works.

‍

So, if you’re ready to make 2025 the year your club runs more smoothly and grows with confidence, here are ten tried-and-tested tips to help you get there.

‍

Top Tips for Running a Kids’ Club Successfully (2025 Update)

‍

1. Build a brand parents recognise and trust

‍

When parents are deciding which kids’ activity club to choose, they want somewhere that feels reliable, welcoming, and professional. A clear and consistent brand helps you stand out, builds confidence, and makes parents feel comfortable booking with you for the first time.

‍

Your brand is more than just a logo or colour scheme. It’s the impression parents get when they see your name online, the way they feel when they visit your website, and the stories they hear from other families. Every detail adds up to how parents see and remember your club.

‍

Here are a few ways to create a brand that feels genuine and builds trust:

• Be consistent. Use the same logo, colours, and tone across your website, flyers, and social media so parents recognise your kids’ club instantly.

• Show real people. Share photos and videos from your actual sessions so families can see the fun, care, and energy that define your club.

• Share your story. Talk about how your children’s activity club began and what values guide everything you do. People connect with people, not logos.

• Highlight feedback. Testimonials and reviews from parents help new families feel confident that their children will be in good hands.

Creating a strong brand isn’t about being flashy; it’s about being familiar, trustworthy, and easy to recognise. Parents want to feel like they’re joining a community, not just booking a class.

‍

If you’d like to learn how to strengthen your brand and build lasting loyalty, read [.orange__text]5 Steps to Create a Successful Brand and Build Customer Loyalty at Your Kids’ Club[.orange__text]. It breaks down how small, consistent actions can turn families into long-term supporters of your children’s activity club.

‍

2. Use social media to connect with parents

‍

Social media is one of the most effective ways to grow your children’s activity club. It’s where parents spend their time, talk about their kids’ achievements, and look for activities that fit into their week. When used thoughtfully, it helps you attract new parents, keep your customers engaged, and show what makes your club special.

‍

Parents often make decisions after seeing your posts a few times. They want to get a feel for your sessions, your team, and the experience their kids will have.

‍

Here’s how to use social media effectively for your kids’ club:

• Choose the right platforms. Focus on where parents already are. Facebook and Instagram are great for photos and updates, while YouTube and TikTok work well for short, lively videos.

• Share real moments. Post short clips from your sessions, introduce your team, or highlight kids’ achievements. Parents love seeing the fun and progress that happen each week.

• Stay consistent. Regular posting keeps your club visible and reminds parents that you’re active and reliable. Even two posts a week can make a difference.

• Encourage interaction. Ask questions, use polls, or invite parents to comment on their favourite class moments. These small touches help build connection and trust.

When parents can see your club’s personality online, it becomes much easier for them to picture their kids taking part.

‍

If you’d like a step-by-step guide to setting up and growing your social media presence, read our blog [.pink__text]How to Create a Business Social Media Account for Your Club[.pink__text]. It walks you through everything you need to know to get started and grow a successful kids’ club online.

‍

3. Turn happy parents into your best promoters

‍

Parents trust other parents. A recommendation from someone they know carries far more weight than an advert or a social media post. When parents share positive experiences about your kids’ club, it builds instant credibility and brings in new bookings without you having to spend a penny on advertising.

‍

Here’s how to make word of mouth work for your children’s activity club:

• Ask for feedback and reviews. At the end of a term or event, invite parents to leave a quick Google or Facebook review. A simple prompt can go a long way.

• Say thank you. A personal message or small gesture of appreciation helps parents feel valued and more likely to spread the word.

• Create a referral offer. Give parents an incentive to recommend you, such as a discount on their next class or a free trial for a friend.

• Share success stories. With permission, highlight positive feedback on your website or social media. Seeing real comments from real parents builds trust instantly.

Word of mouth works best when it feels genuine. When parents feel seen, supported, and appreciated, they’ll naturally tell others about your club.

‍

4. Communicate clearly and consistently

‍

Running a children’s activity club means keeping parents in the loop about class times, term dates, payments, and last-minute changes like a coach calling in sick or bad weather. Clear communication keeps everything calm and organised.

‍

Here’s how to make communication easier for everyone:

• Automate routine messages. Send confirmations, reminders, and invoices automatically so parents always have the latest details without you having to spend much time.

• Share urgent updates quickly. If a session changes or is cancelled, send an SMS or email right away so parents can plan around it.

• Keep messages short and clear. Parents are more likely to read and act on simple, friendly messages that tell them exactly what they need to know.

• Add a personal touch. Mention something positive about a child’s progress or recent achievement to make parents feel seen and valued.

• Keep information in one place. Having timetables, term dates, and payment details clearly visible reduces questions and saves time for everyone.

ClassForKids brings all your communication into one secure platform. You can message one parent or every parent at once, send SMS for urgent news, and automate the routine messages that used to take hours.

‍

[.blue__text]If you want to keep parents informed while saving time on admin, explore our parent communication tools. They help you stay organised, build trust, and run your kids’ club with confidence.[.blue__text]

‍

5. Create an inclusive and welcoming kids’ club

‍

Every child should feel like they belong. A welcoming and inclusive environment not only helps kids thrive but also gives parents confidence that they’ve chosen the right place. When your club is a space where every child feels valued, it builds a strong reputation and long-term loyalty.

‍

Creating that environment takes intention and consistency, but small changes can make a big difference.

‍

Here’s how to make your children’s activity club feel inclusive and supportive for everyone:

• Get to know each child. Take time to learn names, interests, and any extra needs so you can tailor their experience.

• Train your team. Make sure staff understand inclusion and safeguarding best practice so every child is treated fairly and with care.

• Review your registration process. Collect key details such as medical notes, emergency contacts, and permissions to keep kids safe and supported.

• Celebrate individuality. Recognise achievements big and small, and encourage teamwork, kindness, and respect in every session.

• Keep communication open. Let parents know they can share any concerns or adjustments their child might need.

Inclusion goes beyond the classroom or sports hall. It’s about building a culture where every parent feels listened to and every child feels at home.