What Are The Top Kid-Focused Franchises?

Franchises that focus on kids’ entertainment, education, safety or development are in high demand: the childcare industry alone has a revenue forecast of $83.6 billion by 2030. If you're leaning toward a kid-focused franchise for your next investment opportunity, here are 14 concepts worth considering.

IDEA Lab Kids

• Unit Count: 20+
• Initial Investment: $163,000 to $465,000

Idea Lab Kids offers an after-school program where children engage in interactive science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) activities that combine education and entertainment. Franchisees benefit from diverse revenue streams including after-school classes, workshops, birthday parties and summer camps.

Sylvan Learning*

• Unit Count: 710+
• Initial Investment: $98,087 to $199,582

Sylvan Learning, with over 40 years of experience, provides personalized education for K-12 students, redefining the learning process to foster success both academically and personally. Sylvan's innovative tutoring combines expert instructors with cutting-edge technology like SylvanSyn on the iPad, creating an interactive and effective learning environment. Additionally, Sylvan offers advanced STEM courses through Sylvan EDGE and college preparation programs through Sylvan Prep.

Children’s Lighthouse

• Unit Count: 67 +
• Initial Investment: $867,695 to $8,935,630

Brothers Mike and Pat Brown saw the need for quality childcare and opened the first Children’s Lighthouse School in 1997. The brand values creating a safe and fun place for children to grow in confidence and start the foundation of their education. 

Mini Athletics

• Unit Count: 2
• Initial Investment: not publicly available

Mini Athletics offers a rewarding franchise opportunity; it's a chance for driven individuals to positively influence children's development. With minimal startup expenses and a mobile model, franchisees deliver unique sports programs directly to local communities. 

Pigtails & Crewcuts

• Unit Count: 78
• Initial Investment: $99,500 to $256,000

Pigtails & Crewcuts franchisees enjoy a variety of revenue streams, including retail products and events such as birthday parties, in addition to children’s haircut and styling services. The brand stands out for its community-focused ethos and commitment to delivering unforgettable moments for families. 

Altitude Trampoline Park

• Unit Count: 83
• Initial Investment: $1,526,000 to $3,835,000

Altitude Trampoline Park is a family entertainment venue providing trampolines, soft play, basketball, dodgeball, interactive games and concessions for all ages.

The Little Gym

• Unit Count: 400+
• Initial Investment:  $465,250 to $637,000

The Little Gym is a children's gym franchise concept that offers a range of activities for kids, including parent and child classes, kids dance, gymnastics, sports skills and karate.

Bricks & Minifigs

• Unit Count: 39
• Initial Investment: $108,500

Bricks & Minifigs franchise stores focus on buying, selling and trading LEGO®  products, offering an opportunity for both franchisees and customers due to the enduring value of the LEGO brand.

Mathnasium*

• Unit Count: 1,100
• Initial Investment: $112,860 to $149,155

Mathnasium offers math education through individualized instruction, fostering confidence and engagement in a fun environment with many franchisees being former teachers. 

Big Blue Swim School

• Unit Count: 35+
• Initial Investment: $2,475,200 to $3,966,700

Big Blue Swim School prioritizes water safety by offering swimming lessons to children aged 6 months to 12 years. Through a proprietary technology dubbed LessonBuddy™, Big Blue gives parents the freedom to schedule lessons for their children any time year-round.

The Goddard School

• Unit Count: 600
• Initial Investment: $879,950 to $1,229,950

The Goddard School offers an educational daycare approach with a preschool program for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years old. Curriculum at the Goddard School is based on the belief that children learn best through  play; thus, the school strives to provide its students with a nurturing and stimulating environment in which to grow and develop.

HobbyTown

• Unit Count: 130+
• Initial Investment: $161,000 to $330,000

HobbyTown specializes in hobby-based products such as model airplanes, remote control cars, and games, offering more than just a typical toy store. In addition to its brick-and-mortar locations, HobbyTown also offers online ordering to its customers.

Primrose Schools

• Unit Count: 465
• Initial Investment: $637,900 to $6,375,500

Primrose Schools provides early childhood education emphasizing purposeful play and nurturing guidance to prepare children for school and foster life skills and character development. Each school is independently owned and operated by franchise owners who are provided with an exclusive approach to early education called Balanced Learning®. 

Funtastik Labs

• Unit Count: 2
• Initial Investment: $257,250 to $352,250

Funtastik Labs  is a science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) entertainment center offering hands-on experiences in science, arts, and engineering for children through walk-in experiences, field trips and birthday parties.

The industry of kid-focused franchises presents an array of opportunities, spanning from educational enrichment to recreational entertainment. With an ever-growing demand for quality experiences catering to children's development and enjoyment, these top 10 franchises offer promising investment prospects. 

Interested in learning more about kid-focused franchise concepts? Check out these stories: 

• How Much Does it Cost to Buy a Sylvan Learning Franchise?
• Franchise Deep Dive: Pigtails & Crewcuts’ Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data
• The Top 10 Emerging Early Education and Child Care Franchises Ready to Take Over the Industry