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Kids’ Pick Awards

Kids’ Pick Awards

Lisa & Lindsay at 2024 Kids’ Pick Awards Event, photo by Amanda Huebner Photography

Kids’ Pick Awards

Created in 2024 by Real Maine Mom founder Lisa Bazinet, the Kids’ Pick Awards is an annual celebration honoring the kid-friendly businesses and organizations that families love most. The program highlights the businesses that help shape childhood in Greater Portland and gives kids and families a meaningful voice in recognizing the places they truly love and trust.

The Kids’ Pick Awards is fully community-driven. There are no paid nominations and no pay to play participation. Every nomination and every vote comes directly from local families who engage with the businesses they choose to support.

In its inaugural year, more than 13,000 verified votes were cast, demonstrating an immediate and enthusiastic response from families. By 2025, more than 350 businesses were nominated across 45 categories, and 27,876 votes were cast. Each person may vote once per business per category to keep results fair and authentic.

How It Works

Nominations: January
Voting: February
Winners Announced: Spring celebration

Local families nominate their favorite businesses throughout January. Voting happens in February, and winners are revealed at a celebratory awards night each spring at a local venue honoring these local businesses.

This event brings together the family-focused business community to recognize outstanding commitment, creativity, and service to local families. It has quickly become a respected and anticipated annual celebration.

Community-Powered & Sponsor-Supported

The Kids’ Pick Awards is put on for the community by the community. It would not be possible without the support of local kid-friendly businesses and the involvement of local families.

We proudly recognize sponsors long-term, both during the active sponsorship period and in the historical articles and features on our website that remain permanently to reflect the growth and story of the Kids’ Pick Awards over time.

Sponsors are also featured within the Kid-Friendly Portland guide, which is distributed from the date of the awards event and throughout the following year, providing extended visibility to thousands of local and visiting families.

Become a Sponsor

We are always happy to chat about Kids’ Pick Awards sponsorships and are actively seeking sponsors for our upcoming celebration.

Email: lisa@realmainemom.com
Or complete our partnership form to submit interest

Become a Sponsor

Latest Kids’ Pick Awards Updates

Below you will find Kids’ Pick Awards announcements, articles, and event updates listed in date order with the most recent information at the top.

Recent Kids’ Pick Awards Posts:

Lisa & Lindsay at 2024 Kids’ Pick Awards Event, photo by Amanda Huebner Photography
Cupcakes by Reilly’s Bakery
Event Program
Bubble Dome by Castles in the Sky, Balloons by Squeaky Bee
Awards
Vendor: Town Pride
Swag Bags for Attendees
SugarME Vendor Setup
SugarME Custom Cookie Printing
Vendor: SugarME
Flowers by Lindsay
Complimentary Champagne
SugarME Vendor Setup
Great Room Setup at Ketcha

Kids’ Pick Awards Voting Open All of February

That’s right the 3rd Annual Kids’ Pick Awards are on the horizon and we are now onto voting! Nominations took place in January and now we have included your nominations on the ballot. Don’t forget to vote for your favorites only once, anytime in February. Winners will be announced and celebrated at the 3rd annual […]