Start a Rewarding New Career with a Pop Up Play Village Franchise
A flexible, feel good business opportunity working with children
Are you looking for a new work opportunity that gives you flexibility, purpose and the chance to make a real difference in your local community?
A Pop Up Play Village franchise offers a rewarding career working with children, while running your own business with the backing of an established, award winning brand.
Whether you’re considering a career change, returning to work after having children, or looking for a business that fits around family life, Pop Up Play Village could be the opportunity you’ve been searching for.
What is Pop Up Play Village?
Pop Up Play Village is the UK’s original mobile role play village, delivering imaginative, educational play experiences for babies and children through open plan role play areas.
Founded in 2016 by an experienced primary school teacher, Pop Up Play Village was created to meet a gap in the market for high quality, inclusive role play experiences that genuinely support children’s development.
Since launching as a franchise brand in 2017, Pop Up Play Village has grown into a national franchise network, trusted by families, schools and early years settings across the UK.
Why Choose a Pop Up Play Village Franchise?
It is a children’s franchise that stands out. Pop Up Play Village is unlike any other children’s franchise opportunity.
We are the first and original mobile role play village in the UK.
We offer award winning classes, events and school programmes.
We offer open plan, child led play designed for confidence and creativity.
We are a trusted brand with strong demand and repeat bookings.
Our franchisees don’t just run sessions, they build a business that brings joy, learning and connection into their communities.
A Perfect Opportunity for Career Changers & Education Professionals
Many of our franchisees come from backgrounds such as:
Primary school teaching
Teaching assistants
Early years practitioners
Childminders
Health and care professionals
Parents returning to work
Corporate roles seeking more flexibility and purpose
If you enjoy working with children, have strong people skills and want a business that feels meaningful, you already have highly transferable skills.
You don’t need previous business experience – we provide the systems, training and support to help you succeed.
A Business That Fits Around Family Life
One of the biggest reasons people choose a Pop Up Play Village franchise is flexibility.
Work part time or full time.
Choose when and where you run sessions.
Fit your business around school hours and family life.
Take children along to sessions if needed.
You are your own boss, but never on your own.
Education Led, Play Based & Unique
Pop Up Play Village is built on strong educational foundations:
EYFS, KS1, KS2, Wellbeing and STEM planning provided
Role play sessions designed by an experienced teacher
No lesson planning required, everything is provided
Ability to deliver sessions in schools and early years settings using our curriculum and themed planning
This gives us a huge advantage, opening doors to work with schools, nurseries and in the local community.
No teaching qualification is required, you’ll become a role play expert through our training.
Multiple Income Streams
As a franchisee, you can choose which services you offer including:
Weekly role play classes
Birthday parties
Weddings and events
Festivals and community days
School and Early Years visits
Wellbeing focused sessions
You can start small and grow at your own pace.
Training, Support & Community
When you join Pop Up Play Village, you receive:
Comprehensive initial training (completed at your own pace)
Ongoing training and development
Regular support sessions
A collaborative, supportive franchise network
Marketing, systems and booking support
Your Pop Up Play Village kit is prepared and delivered to you, typically within six weeks — ready to launch.
A Proven, Supported Franchise Opportunity
Pop Up Play Village is a trademarked franchise brand with:
A tried and tested business model
Strong brand recognition
Bank and government backed funding options available
No savings required to get started
You’re building your own business with the reassurance of a proven framework behind you.
Making a Real Difference
Pop Up Play Village is about more than play.
Our Wellbeing Planning supports children’s mental health through role play, focusing on:
Emotional expression and regulation
Self-esteem and confidence
Communication and relationships
Problem-solving and coping strategies
Developing independence and control
There is also the opportunity to offer unique sensory experiences, including Glow Up in the Village, combining role play with sensory exploration.
What Our Franchisees Say:
A review from Nardia who owns Pop Up Play Village in Walsall, Wednesbury and North West Bromwich:
Joining Pop Up Play Village has been a truly healing experience for me. It’s wonderful to be part of such a welcoming community, where I can meet families, join parties, and share valuable time together. The flexibility it offers is incredible, and the high-quality equipment consistently keeps the children fully entertained. Additionally, the support from everyone involved has been incredibly helpful.
A review from Jo who owns Pop Up Play Village in West of Wolverhampton:
Becoming a Pop Up Play Village franchisee has been an incredibly rewarding journey. From the very start, the support and training provided by the franchise team were exceptional. They ensured I had all the tools and knowledge needed to run successful events and create memorable experiences for children and their families. The flexibility of this business model is one of its greatest strengths. It allows me to schedule events around my personal commitments, providing a perfect work-life balance. The joy and excitement on the children’s faces during our play sessions are truly priceless and make all the hard work worthwhile.
The community of franchisees is another highlight. We regularly share ideas, tips, and support each other, creating a collaborative and friendly environment. The franchise team is always just a call or email away, ready to assist with any questions or challenges that arise. The demand for quality, imaginative play experiences is high, and the brand’s reputation helps attract a steady stream of customers. The initial investment is reasonable, and the potential for growth is significant. Overall, being a Pop Up Play Village franchisee has been a fantastic experience. It combines the joy of working with children, the flexibility of running my own business, and the support of a well-established brand. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fulfilling and profitable business opportunity.
A review from Kelly who owns Pop Up Play Village in and around Chester, Wrexham, Whitchurch and Nantwich:
I launched my franchise in January 2024, I was brand new to business, having mostly worked as a Physiotherapist in the NHS. It’s been a massive learning curve for me, hard work, but extremely rewarding. Throughout the process, from my initial enquiry through to today, our Franchisor, Becky, has been amazing! She always responds quickly and helpfully and nothing is too much trouble. The initial franchisee training was very comprehensive and covered everything you need to know, we have regular online support meetings and training sessions and a supportive franchisee network who all love to share their ideas. I have loved growing my business and couldn’t have felt more supported throughout my journey and challenges by Becky and the Franchisee team. Having explored other franchises prior to this, I realise that the flexibility and personalisation this franchise offers, to put our own stamp on our business, is a very unique quality in the franchise world, and this is something I love about Pop Up Play Village. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me and would recommend it to anyone considering it. If you don’t take the leap you will never know!
A review from Laura who owns Pop Up Play Village in Maidenhead and Marlow:
Becoming a franchisee has been one of the best business decisions I’ve ever made. From the very start, the support and training I received from the franchisor has been outstanding. What I love most is the sense of community and support among fellow franchisees—it’s truly inspiring to be part of a brand with such a strong reputation.
The training process was thorough and easy to follow, helping me feel confident in managing both the day-to-day operations and the long-term growth of my business. With the continued support from Becky the franchisor, I never feel like I’m on my own. Whether it’s advice on customer service, marketing or financial planning. Nothing is ever too much trouble, and she goes above and beyond to develop new resources to help us she is invaluable.
One of the best parts about owning a franchise is the flexibility and control over my own business, choosing when I work and how many days I work. It is so flexible and fits in around my family. I chose Pop Up Play as I feel I can use my experience as an Early Years Professional, role play is invaluable for children to help with their all-round development. If you’re thinking about becoming a franchisee, I highly recommend taking the leap. It’s a rewarding experience that has far exceeded my expectations!
A review from Angela and Kev who own Pop Up Play Village in South Somerset:
We purchased our Pop Up Play Village franchise from the previous franchisee who was selling due to becoming a mum again. We had visited Pop Up Play Village as customers so when we saw the business was for sale, the opportunity of taking on the franchise was perfect for fitting in to our family life. We started trading in February 2024 and have had great support from Becky and the rest of the team from the outset.
We have had such great fun running our sessions, putting on birthday parties, visiting festivals and setting up our village in schools. It is such a rewarding job, when you look at everyone having fun and we think to ourselves “we did this!”.
It is our own business and we choose when where and how we work, but in the background we have the reassurance of knowing we are part of a great team. Through weekly zoom meetings and other contacts with Becky and the team, our questions are always answered and we soon learn that nothing is as daunting as we first thought! Our children often join us at sessions and love coming along to ‘help’. It was such a great decision to take on the franchise and as we approach our first anniversary, we haven’t looked back.
A review from Sanj who owns Pop Up Play Village in South East London:
I came across Pop Up Play Village having looked at many children’s franchise opportunities. I was immediately drawn to how well thought out this Franchise was and the opportunity for growth! I have been running Pop Up Play Village South East London since June 2024 and in 6 months I have been amazed as to how this has been “appreciated” in my area, Pop Up Play has been so flexible allowing me more time for my family and this was the biggest driving force to change my career from HR.
I am so excited and passionate about expanding and growing this business. I am grateful to be apart of the Pop Up Play Village.
Our franchisee Erica who owns both the Basingstoke and Reading franchises has filmed a video testimonial about her own experience of running a Pop Up Play Village franchise.
To access the video, click on this link:
A review from Lizette who owns Pop Up Play Village in and around Windsor, Slough and Staines:
I launched Pop Up Play Village in and around Windsor, Slough and Staines May 2023. From the beginning I have been fully supported by my Franchisor Becky. Becky is absolutely passionate about Pop Up Play Village and the whole team follows her in her ethos , love for education and her interest to make a difference in communities.
Becky is always available , she is always keen to help, to listen to any concerns or problems. Therefore, she will try to find a solution and help out. She has created an amazing team work, team spirit because she firmly believes in it. She is an outstanding leader, hands and brain on, very empathic and supporting. As a franchisee, Pop Up Play Village has always felt a safe place , a family of very strong women doing brilliant work and a great opportunity to work with a very conscious, kind and committed woman: Becky.
A review from Hannah who owns Pop Up Play Village in and around Cannock:
I started my Pop Up Play Village franchise in January 2023 and have had the most amazing journey so far. I love the flexibility of having my own business around busy family life and the added bonus that I can take my children along to sessions makes life so much easier!
The wider team is really supportive and it’s great to have people on hand to ask questions and advice, although you have control of your business you don’t feel like you are doing it alone, which makes such a difference!
The Franchisor Becky is incredibly supportive and goes above and beyond to help each franchise to grow!
I love that I can pop up anywhere with the village and the satisfaction of watching the children have fun and engaging in play makes it all worthwhile!!
A review from Zoe who owns Pop Up Play Village in North East Cornwall
I joined Pop Up Play Village in August 2022, after 23 years of teaching in EYFS and KS1. I stumbled across the franchise by chance and was instantly hooked. I contacted Becky (the Franchisor) and observed in great detail what the other franchisees were doing. Part of me was tempted to ‘copy’ the concept but I’m incredibly relieved I didn’t. The help and support from Becky and the team is incredible and I would not be where I am today without that support and backing. The amazing website, the efficient booking systems, the help with the financial side of running a business and team moral and support has been first class. It has meant my journey has been fairly stress free, straightforward and incredibly exciting. I love the fact that there is room for individuality. This is really important to me. I do not wish to be a carbon copy of the other groups around the UK. We are all the same franchise but with our own personalities shining through.
As Pop Up Play Village continues to expand and grow, I’m thrilled to be part of that journey.
A review from Julie and Alison who own Pop Up Play Village in and around Cleethorpes:
As people say, we only have one life, live it! When Ali and I saw the opportunities Pop Up held we went for it! The idea of working with children, teaching them through role play and having your own timetable seemed amazing and a great fit around my family and new life.
A review from Katie who owns Pop Up Play Village in East Herts and North West Essex:
I’m super passionate about my little business, where I can go with it, what I can offer to the area and further afield and how I can grow. Being able to offer so much through Pop Up Play Village is so rewarding.
Is a Pop Up Play Village Franchise Right for You?
This opportunity could be perfect if you:
– Want a new career working with children
– Are looking for a flexible business opportunity
– Value community, creativity and purpose
– Want support, structure and freedom
– Are ready to build something meaningful
Take the Next Step
If you’re curious to find out whether becoming a Pop Up Play Village franchisee is right for you, the next step is simply to get in touch.
Tell us a little about yourself, your background and why this opportunity interests you and we’ll take it from there.
