Top Kids Activity Franchises Under 50 Units

There are countless outside-of-school activities parents can choose for their children. Franchise brands that provide a worthwhile service offering aimed at enriching children’s lives through play are the ones rising above their competitors. Here is a list of the companies on their way to a commanding presence in the kids activities segment.

Snapology

Unit count: Nearly 50 locations worldwide

Investment range: $39,000-$193,500

Snapology harnesses hands-on learning to teach a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) curriculum to children ages one to 14 through a combination of LEGO bricks, K’nex and technology. Snapology offers 30 different programs that are developed and expanded upon each year to remain up-to-date with current technological innovations and education techniques. Beyond classes, the brand hosts camps, workshops, parties and field trips at its locations to provide multiple settings for engaging and enjoyable learning in robotics programs, video game design and more. The brand has grown to an international presence, with locations opening in Australia, Canada, Haiti, Colombia, China and Kazakhstan.

Bach to Rock

Unit count: 30-plus locations nationwide

Investment range: $291,850-$504,500

Bach To Rock is a music education franchise that differentiates itself by eliminating the unfavorable aspects of music lessons and honing in on the exciting, engaging ones. After students gain a handle on the basics of their instrument, they are added to a band in a genre of their choice, from rock, to jazz, to opera, to strings, providing a communal learning setting for like instruments. Other options like chorus and DJ learning programs are also available. The brand teaches students age four and up in both individual and group settings, plus summer camps, parties and for-rent studio sessions. Bach to Rock’s students participate in programs for an average of 70 weeks, providing franchisees a recurring customer base and sustained revenue.

Hobby Quest

Unit count: More than 30 locations primarily in the Northeast

Investment range: $38,925-$53,225

Hobby Quest’s after-school enrichment programs are founded on a dedication to hands-on learning to build social skills, self-confidence and educational performance in children aged five to 14 years old. The brand’s curriculum is designed to complement in-class learning and offers programs in aviation, photography, fashion and even magic to help children develop new interests, hobbies and skills. Working mainly with and in schools and community centers, the brand is partnered with more than 300 schools throughout New York and New Jersey in addition to a variety of clubs to engage students throughout the school year.

Launch Trampoline Park

Unit count: 25 locations

Investment range: $1,113,285-$2,828,080

Founded by former NFL player Ty Law in 2012, Launch Trampoline Park is an indoor trampoline center where guests of all ages can expend energy with family and friends in an entertaining setting all year round. Launch Trampoline Park bills itself as the ideal social gathering place for birthday parties, family and corporate events, fundraisers and friendly get-togethers alike, appealing primarily to children between the ages of four and 14. Connected trampolines forming giant jumping surfaces provide the main form of fun and are complemented by dodgeball and basketball courts, a foam pit and an arcade.

Young Chefs Academy

Unit count: 30-plus locations worldwide

Investment range: $66,550-$94,900

Children's cooking school franchise Young Chefs Academy creates an interactive learning experience that teaches kids the basics of food preparation in an effort to create and nurture an interest in cooking. The brand gets children involved in the cooking process at various levels through weekly classes, workshops, special events, parties, field trips and camps, responding to the changing culture that prioritizes healthy eating to an increasingly larger degree. There is even a Master Chef program where kids serious about culinary arts can earn patches as they develop skills in the areas of kitchen safety, proper food handling, food preparation, cooking and baking techniques and presentation. The brand’s unique service offering has fueled rapid expansion, with Young Chefs Academy now operating in seven different countries.

Ctrl V

Unit count: 16 centers in the U.S. and Canada

Investment range: $25,000 and up

Ctrl V is a Canadian-based virtual reality arcade franchise that appeals to people of all ages. As long as kids are over four feet tall, they can participate in single player and multiplayer games that immerse the participant’s sense of sight, sound and feel. Each Ctrl V location has its own in-house game development studio so franchisees can get creative and personal in their offerings. The brand’s pay-by-the-hour business model was implemented in an effort to advance the adoption of virtual reality technology by giving as many people as possible the opportunity to experience it first-hand in an affordable setting.

KidoKinetics

Unit count: More than 10 locations

Investment range: $42,900-$57,000

KidoKinetics offers age-appropriate sports-based programs to kids six months to 12 years old. The mobile offering holds classes at schools, parks, community centers and other local gathering spots. The brand’s engaging curriculum combines the research of physical therapists, occupational therapists, clinical psychologists, youth development counselors and school directors to help kids discover the positive creative energy linked with thinking and movement. KidoKinetics’ sports-based programs include football, yoga and everything in between to teach kids to move, play and learn confidently, developing skills in communication, decision making and problem solving.

Bear Paddle Swim School

Unit count: 10 locations

Investment range: $1,484,900-$2,088,650

Bear Paddle Swim School provides swim programs to children ages six months to 15 years old, with a goal of teaching students skills that build confidence, save lives and promote water safety. The franchise brand’s swim program offers year-round lessons, seven days a week, to keep swimming a priority in the lives of parents and kids. The instructor-to-swimmer ratio never exceeds 5:1, allowing for personal instruction that develops children into strong, confident swimmers. Bear Paddle’s facilities, engaging swim program and online scheduling provide accessibility of service that leads to great customer retention, allowing the brand to continue growing at an accelerated rate.

Kidcreate Studio

Unit count: 10 locations open and in development

Investment range: $97,900-$218,250

Kidcreate Studio is a kids activity franchise focused on curating children’s artistic abilities to improve self esteem, social skills and imagination. The brand offers weekly classes, camps and workshops, hosts birthday parties and even provides on-the-go class options for preschools, daycares, schools and parks and recreation programs. Programs are designed by art education professionals and tailored to match the developmental needs of children at different ages, from 18 months to 12 years old. Kidcreate Studio teaches kids about art concepts through a variety of different projects that afford them the ability to experiment with different materials.

Airtime Trampoline & Game Park

Unit count: 6 locations

Investment range: $1,297,000-$1,999,000

Founded in 2014, AirTime Trampoline & Game Park is a young franchise of family entertainment centers with multiple attractions based around trampolines and music. Each location has about 30,000 feet of wall-to-wall trampolines, divided by age and intensity level so customers can enjoy a safe, monitored space. Facilities also have foam pits, dodgeball games, slam dunk contests, an obstacle-filled ninja warrior course and a rock wall. Each activity is coupled with a specific music genre that contributes to the upbeat, lively environment of the place. Airtime Trampoline & Game Park hosts individuals, families and groups of all sizes for a fun, physical activity suitable for kids of all ages