Inspiring greater role models
Welcome to Dads Kids Club
Unlike our forefathers, this generation of dads, step dads, male carers, and father figures are trying to make dynamic family life work even if apart, whilst figuring out what it is to be a modern man, balancing providing financially, emotionally and intellectual, in a digital age, without an instruction manual.
Kids have never had so many opportunities, choices and possibilities available to them. At a point in history when they are at their loneliest, suffer with mental health and behavioural difficulties, are recalibrating post pandemic, and lack positive male role models especially at primary school in their most informative years.
ONLY 3% of dads & male carers think their role is exactly the same as their father’s or previous generations Dads Kids Club survey. May 2025
Fathers are far less likely than mothers to engage with their kids' education or school, which plays a huge part of their young lives. Many men say they would consider getting more involved in school if they were invited. By actively getting involved in your kids' leaning you can have a profound impact on their wellbeing, education and employment opportunities.
Dads Kids Club invites dads and male carers of all backgrounds, identities and beliefs to get more involved in their kids' education and to be greater role models. Connecting you and your kids through exciting activities, inspiring conversations and adventures in learning environments that create better outcomes for dads & male carers, kids and schools.
What's the BIG idea?
for dads...
Fatherhood can be one of the most challenging times of life, for multiple reasons. The average first time father in the UK is 34 years old. The most common period of parental relationship breakdowns are when the kids are between 5 - 11 years old. Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50 years old in the UK, with the highest rates between the ages of 45 - 49 years old. Dads & male carers need all the help and support they can get surviving and thriving fatherhood. Schools already have support, safeguarding, and signposting services in place for you to access. Dads Kids Club invites you to make connections with fellow father figures that can offer support if needed. Dads say the Whatsapp group is useful, others said It's been a very positive addition to our school and family dynamic and another said it gives my kids and me the opportunity to try new things, and it’s free!
60% of dads and male carers said they COULD contact new dads kids club connections for support if needed
Dads Kids Club survey. May 2025
for kids...
The more dads & male carers are actively involved in your kids life and learning the less negative outcomes happen. From greater emotional wellbeing, to better behaviour, and improved children’s cognitive development, academic achievements, and employment opportunities. Evidence shows the more engaged a dad & male carer is in their kids education the less likely they are to get suspended from school, repeat a year, have a teenage birth or go to prison. On another level your kid knows you're connected to their world, their friends’ dads & male carers and teachers so they are more likely to feel supported and behave better at school when you’re not there. There’s also the value that your kid plays in the playground every breaktime, proudly remembering they fixed this, or played that over there with you, and that’s priceless.
Only 14% of the UK’s nursery and primary school teachers are MALE
The Office of National Statistics. School workforce in England. June 2024
for schools...
Schools are not just places of learning, they are the exciting worlds of their pupils and communities of their parents. However the overall proportion of state-school teachers leaving education is at its highest since 2010. Sadly we read reports that teaching is demoralised trying to maintain a system that is plagued by disruption and bad behaviour. Managing heavy workloads with increased SEND and pastoral expectations, on reduced education budgets and a lack of parental support. Schools and teachers need all the help and support they can get educating our children, to give them the best chance of successful futures. When dads & male carers are connected to the school and the learning team extraordinary things happen; playgrounds get cleaned, replanted and repaired, bikes get fixed, fire gets made with steel and flint, football teams get formed, trips get planned and happen, BBQ get cooking, work parties get formed, lunches get made and served, sports get played sometimes between grown ups and kids, and the dads & male carers have purpose and their kids get more engaged in school.
37% of dads and male carers said their KIDS are more engaged with school because of Dads Kids Club Dads Kids Club survey. May 2025
47% of dads and male carers would like to get more INVOLVED in their kids learning as a direct result of Dads Kids Club Dads Kids Club survey. May 2025
63% of DADS and male carers said they are more ENGAGED with school because of Dads Kids Club Dads Kids Club survey. May 2025
How does it work?
Come to a Dads Kids Club near you
There are most likely a number of dads & male clubs in your area, each offers an opportunity to connect with other dads, and enjoy quality time with your kids in a safe space. Only 3% of dads & male carers surveyed knew what to expect from a dads kids club before attending, so you're not alone not knowing what to expect or what's out there. 87% of those surveyed said everyone attending are striving to be better dads & male carers, that’s not to say they’re not already doing a good job, it means they see ways of doing greater - which is really inspiring.
Dads Kids Club sessions run between 12.00 - 14.00 in an informative learning environment that’s usually a primary school. There will always be a free lunch for all dietary requirements and the sessions may be in or outdoors based on the weather. Activities have been designed to ensure both dads & male carers and their kids are present and engaged in the moment, they can be challenging to some degree, but most importantly are fun. They are also based on the skills of those leading them, which are the dads of each club so they’ll be unique to each session, so far we’ve enjoyed: crazy playground golf, to making fire with flint and steel, top rope climbing, rubik's cube puzzling, sudoku, boxing, chess, bike fixing, cricket, football, playground tidy up lego building and competitions, treasure hunts, stop-motion animation, group dancing, swingball, playground fix ups, badge making, bike riding, pokemon card trading and African drumming - it can be noisy.
67% of dads or male carers LOOK FORWARD to Dad Kids CLub as special time together Dads Kids Club survey. May 2025
Start a Dads Kids Club at your kids’ primary school
It only takes a few brave dads, male carers and school staff to get a club started, start with doable ambitions, and just remember every single club in the world started out with the first member. If there’s a dads & kids club near you go along and experience it for yourself and your kids. Dads Kids Club has a full set of set up guidelines and your first 3 session instructions for those leading available to download. You can also email info@dadskids.club to book in an initial chat to help get you started and that can be out of working hours.
Fun has to be the focus, along with making sure everyone feels safe and supported from the moment they walk through the school gates. Try and be as empathetic and understanding as you can when welcoming people in, as it’s a big step into something most dads & male carers have never experienced before. Same goes for the kids, they might be familiar with the setting, but they’re not used to their dad or male carer being there to play with them and their teachers. No matter how hard you try someone will do something unexpected and surprising, to some degree anything goes so long as it's safe and everyone’s into it go with the flow and see what happens - there’s no right or wrong way to play. It’s always good to have a few known activities along with new offerings for each session as people like familiarity and that allows people to lead the activity because they’ve seen it done before. Inviting and empowering others to take the lead is really important, because they most likely can do it, and they were just waiting to be asked. Setting up a Whatsapp group early on allows you to advertise the next session and invite others to get involved leading new things. Again once asked most people will step up, men especially in groups might not always be the first to put their hand up so don’t be afraid of nudging or asking multiple times.
Only 3% of dads and male carers KNEW what to expect from a dads kids club before attending Dads Kids Club survey. May 2025
67% of dads or male carers LOOK FORWARD to Dad Kids CLub as special time together Dads Kids Club survey. May 2025
Funders / Sponsors get involved
We are always up for a chat with funders and sponsors that share our ambitions, ethos and ethics about working together. If share our ethos of inspiring greater role models, and want to change traditional gender imbalances towards more equality - please email info@dadskids.club to book in an initial chat about your project - we are always keen to learn and explore.
97% of dads and male carers believe that it every primary school in the UK had a dads kids club it would create BETTER OUTCOMES for dads, children and schools Dads Kids Club survey. May 2025
What evidence is there that Dads Kids Club works?
Here are additional responses to the Dads Kids Club survey that was completed in May 2025. There is also a summary of the first year of Jessop Primary Dads Kids Club from the Head Teacher that offers more insight to the impact of dads & male carers clubs can have on pupils and school life.
23% of dads or male carers find, or have you found, time ALONE with their kids difficult at times Dads Kids Club survey. May 2025
43% of dads and male carers said the relationship with their kids has IMPROVED as a direct result of dads kids club Dads Kids Club survey. May 2025
63% of dads and male carers said they are more engaged with school because of dads kids club
Dads Kids Club survey. May 2025
Dads Kids Club team
Founder + CEO Scott Leonard
My work is all about helping people, organisations and movements communicate better. My portfolio is a diverse collection of strategic and creative change and action, that’s united by purpose. I’ve worked across homelessness, anti-war, sustainable transport, championed talent from disadvantaged backgrounds, purpose-led start-ups and scale ups, international farming co-operatives, youth-led radio, national portfolio arts establishments, and the rewriting of British history by those who actually created it.
I’m a proud father of two boys; who teach me so much. I was born in Bradford, raised in Huddersfield, live in London, and I'm the only member of my family with a degree. My parents separated when I was 8 years old, and I was raised by a single parent on free school meals. I was lucky to be surrounded by many inspiring positive role models in sport, life and creativity.