The 5 common marketing mistakes made by kids’ activity Providers and how to fix them.
Running a kids’ activity program—whether it’s gymnastics, STEM, dance, music, tutoring, or martial arts—takes passion, energy, and endless behind-the-scenes work. But even the best programs struggle to grow if their marketing doesn’t keep up. The good news? Most providers run into the same handful of marketing challenges, and with a few small adjustments, you can immediately increase visibility and attract more families.
Here are the five most common marketing mistakes kids’ activity providers make—along with simple, actionable fixes you can put into play right away.
1. Relying Only on Word of Mouth
Word of mouth is powerful, but it works best when it’s not your only strategy. Many providers assume that if they run a great program, the sign-ups will naturally follow. And while referrals are gold, families today are searching online before anything else—often comparing multiple local options.
How to Fix It:
Make sure your program is visible where parents actively look. That includes Google, local Facebook parent groups, and dedicated platforms like BeAKid, where millions of parents browse programs by category, age, and location. A strong presence in these places ensures you don’t miss families who don’t already know you exist.
2. Having an Outdated or Hard-to-Navigate Website
Parents decide quickly—often within seconds—whether a program feels trustworthy. If your website is outdated, missing key info, or difficult to use on mobile, families may move on before they even learn how great your classes are.
How to Fix It:
Audit your website as if you’re a new parent seeing it for the first time. Make sure your homepage answers the essentials:
What do you offer?
Who is it for?
When is it available?
How much does it cost?
How do I register?
If updating your website isn’t realistic, consider using a registration page or marketplace listing (like BeAKid) that gives families all the essentials in a clean, mobile-friendly format.
3. Not Showing Enough Photos or Videos
Kids’ programs are visual by nature—but many providers still rely on text-heavy descriptions. Parents want to see your facility, meet your instructors, and get a feel for your environment before registering.
How to Fix It:
Make visuals part of your weekly routine. Capture short clips of classes, quick instructor intros, before-and-after progress moments, or even simple behind-the-scenes snapshots. Authentic, real-life images perform better than overly polished ones. Upload new media regularly to your social channels, website, and your BeAKid profile to keep everything fresh and engaging.
4. Making Registration Complicated
One of the fastest ways to lose a potential customer is to make them work too hard. If a parent has to email, call, wait for a reply, fill out a PDF, or manually send payment, you risk losing them to a provider who offers one-click registration.
How to Fix It:
Simplify the process. Use a registration and payment system that automates everything—from sign-ups to reminders. Tools like BeAKid’s registration platform allow parents to register instantly, pay securely, and receive updates—all in one place. Less friction means more enrollments.
5. Not Following Up With Interested Families
Providers often assume that if a parent doesn’t sign up immediately, they’re not interested. In reality, parents are busy—they forget, get distracted, or simply need one more nudge.
How to Fix It:
Create a simple follow-up system. Send a quick message within 24 hours: “Just checking in—did you have any questions about our program?” Make it warm, simple, and friendly. You’d be shocked how many enrollments come from that extra touchpoint.
Marketing doesn’t have to be overwhelming or time-consuming. Small improvements can lead to big results—more visibility, more inquiries, and ultimately, more kids moving, learning, and discovering new passions. By avoiding these common mistakes (and applying a few simple fixes), your program is already ahead of the curve.
And if you want an easier way to get in front of parents who are already searching for programs like yours, you can explore BeAKid’s marketing and registration tools at www.BeAKid.com