The Big Toddle
Join us from the 9–15 June for a safari-themed adventure, specially tailored for your littlest explorers. Whether you're a parent, carer, childminder, or part of a playgroup, nursery, toddler group or any other organisation, choose your date and location to create an adventurous half-mile walk to change childhoods and change lives.
- Sign up date:
- 2 June 2025
- Event date:
- 9 June to 15 June 2025
- Entry fee:
- It's free!
- Minimum sponsorship:
- There is no minimum sponsorship
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! It's a wonderful way for little explorers to hop, skip and jump their way to the finish line, all whilst helping the children and young people we support to feel safer, happier, healthier and more hopeful.
You can host a ‘Toddle Together’ as a group if you are from a nursery, playgroup, childminders, or toddler group, or do 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 journey to change childhoods and change lives for children across the UK. Jump into the jungle and get started 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, schools, childminders, parent and toddler groups and any other organisation.
🦁 Gather your group for a Toddle Together, indoors or out, and make a turtle-y amazing impact.
Home Safari
If you’re a parent, guardian or carer, signing up for a Home Safari is the perfect way to get your little ones involved.
🏡 Host your Home Safari by transforming your home or garden into a lively jungle for your little lions.
Get planning
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.
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.
Get fundraising
Looking for the easiest and quickest way to fundraise? Setting up a JustGiving page is an easy way to help you raise as much as possible for children and young people across the UK.
Safari spirit
Get in the safari spirit by planning your half-mile walk with our handy fundraising guides and activity sheets from The Big Toddle Resource Hub. Once you’ve signed up, we’ll also email you with elephant-astic tips and ideas to make your toddle fun for everyone!
Your Toddle
Go wild and decorate your route with safari-themed bunting and paper garlands from the resource hub. Gather your heard and have some roar-some fun dressing up! Get your Thank You certificates and medals to celebrate your brave lions who have helped other children to thrive.
Every step you take and every penny you raise will help change childhoods and changes lives
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£10 could pay for toys and games for a child’s play therapy sessions.
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£25 could cover school essentials or activities to promote mental and physical wellbeing.
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£240 could help feed a family for a month and make sure their children have breakfast before they go to school.
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£800 could provide specialist support for a family struggling to make ends meet to access longer term financial advice.
Resources and information
We’ve got loads of resources for your Big Toddle which you can find in our Big Toddle Resource Hub here.
For more information and contact details of who to get in touch with if you have any other questions, please see below. Happy toddling!
How much does it cost to sign up?
It's free! We want as many people as possible to take part, so we don't have a sign-up cost. We just ask you to raise as much as you can so that we can continue to create brighter futures for children.
What support do I get from Barnardo's for organising my Big Toddle?
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 0300 003 2025 and have your Barnardo’s reference number (starting ORN or SRN) handy.
Send your cheque(s), made payable to Barnardo’s to:
You can find your reference number on Big Toddle correspondences such as your postcard or email.
When do I pay money in by?
Please send in your amazing fundraising 30 days after your event.
Is there a minimum amount we need to raise?
There's no minimum amount you need to raise, all we ask is you raise as much as you can and have 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 the Big Toddle week (9-15 June 2025) 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 what date you plan to host your event as we'll do what we can to make sure you get your medals in time.
When do registrations close?
Registrations for The Big Toddle 2025 officially close on Sunday 1 June.
You will need to register by Friday 9 May 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 organisations name if you're taking part in a Toddle Together) and let us know how many more medals you need in addition to the ones you requested on your registration form and the delivery address.
Please note, it can take up to one week for additional medals to be delivered, we'll try our best to get them to you as soon as possible though.
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 you medals and stickers for each child taking part in your toddle.
If you're a teacher wanting your class to take part or a 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 fundraising materials on The Big Toddle Resource Hub, however if you need medals and stickers, please emails us at [email protected] with the amount that you need and the delivery address.
We will only be able to send your medals and stickers in time for Big Toddle week if you are registered for the event by Friday 9 May 2025, so make sure you’re signed up and we can get these sent to you.
How do I know whether to register for a Home Safari or Toddle Together?
If you're a nursery, playgroup, school, childminder, parent and toddler groups or any other organisation who wants to get your little ones involved please register as a Toddle Together. You can sign up for a Toddle Together here.
If you're a parent, grandparent or carer, please register as a Home Safari. You can sign up for a Home Safari here.
Got another question? Get in touch
If you have any other questions about The Big Toddle you can get in touch with us by emailing The Big Toddle Team at [email protected].
You can also get in touch with our Supporter Care Team for support by emailing [email protected] or over the phone by calling 0300 003 2025.
Five top tips for your Big Toddle
Now you are signed up, get ready for your Big Toddle by reading our top tips below.
The impact of your fundraising
We know how important it is to be open about how we spend the money you raise. That’s why we share information about the different ways we use your donations and how they help to change lives.
Hear from the people we’ve supported
Everyone deserves to feel like they belong, to feel valued, supported and full of hope. And that’s how we aim to make everyone who comes through our door feel. Your amazing fundraising helps us continue this work.