The Big Toddle
Join us from the 7th – 13th of June 2027 for a very special Big Toddle safari adventure as we celebrate 30 years of toddling to change childhoods! 🎉🦁 For three decades, little feet across the UK have helped make a big difference for children and young people and this year’s Big Toddle is set to be our biggest, wildest and most roar-some celebration yet. Whether you're a parent, carer, childminder, or part of a playgroup, nursery or toddler group, choose your date and location and create an adventurous half-mile walk packed with birthday fun, jungle excitement and unforgettable memories.
- Sign up by:
- 29 June 2026 to 30 May 2027
- Event date(s):
- 7 June to 13 June 2027
- Entry fee:
- It's free!
- Minimum sponsorship:
- There is no minimum sponsorship
Register for this event
A gigantic THANK YOU to all our Big Toddlers who joined us on safari in 2026. Every hop, skip and stomp helped create safer, happier and more hopeful childhoods across the UK. Now it’s time to celebrate 30 amazing years of The Big Toddle together and we’d love you to join the party!
Celebrating 30 Years of The Big Toddle
For 30 years, children across the UK have toddled together to help change childhoods and in 2027 we’re celebrating this incredible milestone in true safari style!
Expect extra birthday surprises, jungle-themed fun, party activities and plenty of opportunities to celebrate your little explorers as they take on their toddling adventure. Whether you host a Toddle Together or a Home Safari, every Big Toddler will be part of a nationwide birthday celebration helping children and young people thrive.
So, grab your party hats, gather your herd and join us for our biggest birthday bash yet!
Register for this event
What is The Big Toddle?
The Big Toddle is a fun-filled safari-themed sponsored walk designed for children under five — although all ages and abilities can join in for a roar-some adventure! In 2027, we’re also celebrating the event’s 30th birthday, making this year’s Toddle extra special.
It’s a wonderful way for little explorers to hop, skip and jump their way to the finish line, all whilst helping other children thrive.
You can host a Toddle Together as a group if you are from a nursery, playgroup, childminder, or toddler group, or enjoy a turtle-y amazing Home Safari with family and friends. We think around half a mile is perfect for little paws.
Let’s toddle together on this paw-some birthday journey to create safer, happier, healthier and more hopeful childhoods for children across the UK. Jump into the jungle and join the celebration today!
The Big Toddle event has become a highlight for us. The joy on the children’s faces and the involvement from our parents during the event is truly priceless – it's a testament to the magic of giving back.
Kelly Dunn
Area manager, Bright Little Stars Nursery
Organising your Big Toddle
To get toddling, first choose whether you want to sign up for as a Toddle Together or Home Safari.
How will you Toddle?
Toddle Together
🦁 This one's for all the nurseries, playgroups, childminders and toddler groups out there.
Gather your herd for a Toddle Together, indoors or out, and help us celebrate 30 years of changing childhoods with a turtle-y amazing birthday adventure.
Home Safari
🏡 If you’re a parent, grandparent, guardian or carer, signing up for a Home Safari is the perfect way to get your little explorers involved.
Transform your home or garden into a lively birthday jungle for your little lions and celebrate 30 years of The Big Toddle together.
Whether you choose a Toddle Together or a Home Safari, when you sign up, you’ll be emailed our Big Toddle activity guides, and every toddler will receive a certificate and shiny medal for taking part in our special 30th birthday year.
Our resources will have everything you need to get started but below are some simple steps on how to organise your Big Toddle.
Sign up
Pick which type of Big Toddle you want to get involved with. Whether you walk with a group or host from your own garden, you’ll be making a massive difference to childhoods across the UK while helping celebrate 30 years of The Big Toddle.
Get fundraising
The easiest and quickest way to fundraise? Set up your JustGiving page to raise as much as possible for children and young people across the UK.
Every pound raised during our 30th birthday year will help more children feel safer, happier and full of hope for the future.
Get into the safari spirit
Plan your half mile walk by downloading our handy fundraising guides and activity sheets from The Big Toddle resource hub.
Once you’ve signed up, we’ll email you with elephantastic birthday tips and ideas to make your toddle unforgettable for everyone involved.
Day of your toddle
Go wild and decorate your route with safari-themed bunting, birthday decorations and a finish line fit for a 30th celebration! Gather your herd and have some roar-some fun dressing up — don’t forget your animal masks, party hats and birthday accessories.
Print your thank you certificates and hand out medals to celebrate your brave little lions who have helped other children thrive.
Every step you take and every penny you raise will help change childhoods and change lives
- £18 could provide a healthy picnic in the park, and a fun game to play afterwards, for two children.
- £25 could pay for new clothes or shoes so a growing child is ready for a summer of adventure.
- £75 could help a family cover the cost of a one-week holiday club for their child, so they can make precious memories to tell their friends about.
- £500 could treat 25 children to a day out to remember, so that they can forget their worries and simply enjoy being children.
- £1,000 could treat 50 children to a day out to remember, so that they can forget their worries and simply enjoy being children.
Resources and information
We’ve got loads of resources for your Big Toddle party which you can find in our Big Toddle Resource Hub.
In the hub, you'll find a fundraising guide that contains roar-some tips on organising your sponsored walk, plus fantastic fundraising ideas to help children thrive. A sponsorship form for any cash donations and a checklist will help you organise an un-fur-gettable birthday toddle, creating special memories while helping other children.
Please get in touch with if you have any other questions, just drop us an email at [email protected]. Happy toddling!
FAQs
How much does it cost to sign up?
It's free! We want as many people as possible to take part in our special 30th birthday celebration, so there’s no sign-up cost. We just ask you to raise as much as you can to help us continue creating brighter futures for children.
What support do I get from Barnardo's for organising my Big Toddle?
The Big Toddle Team are on hand to help if your questions aren’t answered here. Please get in touch at [email protected]
How do I set up a JustGiving page?
How do I pay money in?
To pay via BACS, please use these details:
- Name: Big Toddle
- Account number: 60479500
- Sort Code: 20-57-30
To pay by card over the phone, please call 0800 008 7005 and have your Barnardo’s reference number (starting ORN or SRN) handy.
Send your cheque(s), made payable to Barnardo’s to:
When do I pay money in by?
Please send in the money you raise to us within 30 days after your event. If you have raised money via a JustGiving page then you’re all set, the money comes straight to us.
Is there a minimum amount we need to raise?
There’s no minimum amount you need to raise — all we ask is that you raise as much as you can and have lots of fun while you do it.
Do I have to hold my Big Toddle during Big Toddle week?
The best time to take part is during Big Toddle week (7 - 13 June 2027), so please join us then if you can. But we appreciate this might not be possible for everyone.
You can host your Big Toddle at a time that suits you, so when you register make sure you tell us your planned event date and we’ll do what we can to make sure your medals arrive in time.
When do registrations close?
Registrations for The Big Toddle 2027 officially close on Sunday 30 May 2027.
You will need to register by Friday 7 May 2027 if you would like to receive your medals and stickers in time for Big Toddle week.
How can I order more medals?
Email us at [email protected] with your name (or your organisation’s name if you're taking part in a Toddle Together), how many additional medals you need, and your delivery address.
Please note, it can take up to one week for additional medals to be delivered, although we’ll do our best to get them to you as quickly as possible.
I've set up a JustGiving Page, do I also have to register for the event?
Yes please — that way we can get information about your Big Toddle and send medals and stickers for each child taking part.
If you're a teacher, nursery, playgroup or childminder, please register as a Toddle Together. If you're a parent, grandparent or carer, please register as a Home Safari.
How do I order fundraising materials for my Big Toddle?
There are lots of downloadable fundraising materials on The Big Toddle Resource Hub. If you need medals and stickers, please email [email protected] with the amount you need and your delivery address.
We can only guarantee medals and stickers in time for Big Toddle week if you register by Friday 7 May 2027, so make sure you sign up early.
How do I know whether to register for a Home Safari or Toddle Together?
If you’re a teacher, nursery, playgroup, childminder, or toddler group wanting to get little ones involved, please register as a Toddle Together.
If you're a parent, grandparent, guardian, or carer, please register as a Home Safari.
Got another question? Get in touch
If you have any other questions about The Big Toddle, you can get in touch with The Big Toddle Team at [email protected].
You can also contact our Supporter Care Team by emailing [email protected] or calling 0300 003 2025.
Five top tips for your Big Toddle
Want to read some tips to host your own Big Toddle? Read below!
Fundraising fun with the Big Toddle
One nursery, Bright Little Stars in Watford, has been toddling with us for 10 years! Hear from them about the fun they've had and how much it means to them to take part in the event and fundraise for Barnardo's.
