Custom Kids Medals — Big Smiles, Bright Colors, Safe Design
Kids medals need to be different from adult medals. Bigger (2.5-3.5" vs 1.75-2.5"). Brighter (glitter that sparkles, glow-in-the-dark that surprises). More fun (dinosaur shapes, unicorn silhouettes, superhero emblems). And above all — safe. Smooth polished edges. Non-toxic RoHS-compliant zinc alloy. Safety breakaway ribbon clasps. BSCI and Disney FAMA certified factory. Every medal designed to survive being worn, swung, dropped, traded, and slept in.
Events We Make Kids Medals For
From organized sports leagues to birthday party favors, every kids event deserves a medal that matches the fun. Click any category to explore design approaches.
Kids Medal Quick Specs — Technical Reference
| Specification | Standard | Options / Upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Zinc alloy (Zamak 3) — non-toxic, RoHS compliant, 6.7 g/cm³ | Brass for premium; Iron for budget — zinc alloy recommended for safety certification |
| Size (Diameter) | 2.5–3.5 inches (63–89mm) — larger than adult 1.75–2.5 inches | Ages 3–6: 2–2.5 inch; Ages 7–12: 2.5–3 inch; Ages 13+: 2.5–3.5 inch |
| Thickness | 2.5–3mm — durable without excessive weight for small necks | 3–4mm for older children (teens) |
| Safety Certification | BSCI social compliance + Disney FAMA audited factory | RoHS compliance verified per batch; EN71 testing available on request |
| Safety Features | Smooth polished edges — no sharp points; breakaway clasp under age 8 | Magnet closure (youngest children); All edges deburred and rounded |
| Enamel Finish | Glitter (#1 most popular) — 七彩 sparkle at 60–70°C semi-cure | Glow-in-the-dark (#2); Bright primary colors at full saturation; Combine effects in different areas |
| Plating Finish | Gold, nickel (silver), copper — mirror or matte | Rainbow plating; Two-tone; Rose gold; Antique finishes |
| Ribbon | 800mm × 20mm children's length (vs 860–900mm adult) | 700mm for ages 3–6; 860mm for ages 13+; Standard 20mm width |
| Attachment | Safety breakaway clasp — releases under tension (recommended under age 8) | Magnet closure (ages 3–5); D-ring + ribbon loop (ages 13+) |
| Custom Shape | Any 2D silhouette via die-casting — stars, animals, mascots, sports balls | Minimum 2mm wall thickness; Very thin elements (tails, horns) may need slight thickening |
| MOQ | 100 pieces per design | Volume discounts at 300 / 500 / 1,000+ |
| Production Time | 7–15 days after sample approval | Rush available — tell us your event date in first message |
| Packaging | Individual clear PP/OPP poly bag — included | Fun-themed packaging (character bags, colorful boxes); Velvet pouch for dance/gymnastics recitals |
What Makes Kids Medals Different From Adult Medals
Children are not small adults — and their medals should not be small adult medals either. These four factors make the difference between a medal a child treasures and one they forget.
Glitter & Glow Effects Kids Love
Glitter (七彩 sparkle) is our #1 kids finish — magical rainbow sparkle applied during the enamel semi-cure stage at 60-70°C, catching light from every angle a child turns. It photographs beautifully and children literally gasp when they first see it. Glow-in-the-dark is #2 — luminous powder mixed into the enamel that absorbs ambient light and emits a pale green glow in darkness, perfect for evening events, Halloween runs, and sleepover camp awards. Bright primary colors at full saturation are #3 — classic red, blue, yellow, green that pop against any plating. These effects can be combined: glitter in the star elements, solid bright color in the background, glow as a surprise element revealed when the lights go out. Every child who receives a glitter medal remembers it.
Fun Shapes — Stars, Dinosaurs, Unicorns & Whatever Kids Imagine
Stars, shields, dinosaurs, unicorns, cartoon mascots, animals, superhero emblems, sports balls — zinc alloy die-casting can produce virtually any 2D shape a child would get excited about. Die-casting at 385°C flows molten zinc alloy into intricate mold cavities, enabling shapes that stamping cannot achieve. Minimum 2mm wall thickness applies everywhere — very thin elements like dinosaur tails, unicorn horns, or antennae may need slight thickening for structural integrity, and our designers flag these during the design review. Custom shapes cost more than standard circles due to increased mold complexity, but the children's reaction — the wide eyes, the immediate wearing, the refusal to take it off — makes it worth every cent. If you have a mascot, a theme character, or a fun idea, send us the artwork and we will show you what it looks like as a medal.
Safety-First Design — BSCI, Disney FAMA, RoHS Certified
All edges deburred and polished smooth — no sharp points anywhere on the medal. Every edge is rounded during the polishing stage, then checked during QC. Zinc alloy is non-toxic and RoHS compliant — no lead, no cadmium, no harmful substances. Safety breakaway ribbon clasps are recommended for children under age 8: the clasp releases under tension if the ribbon gets caught, preventing strangulation risk. Magnet closures are available as an alternative attachment for the youngest children (ages 3-5) — no clasp to pinch, no metal parts. The cotton thread breakaway point is another safe option for the smallest recipients. BSCI social compliance certification verifies ethical manufacturing conditions. Disney FAMA (Facility and Merchandise Authorization) is one of the world's most rigorous children's product safety audit standards — passing it means our factory meets Disney's exacting requirements for products intended for children. We take children's safety seriously because you trust us with it.
Larger Sizes for Small Recipients — Proportion Matters
Kids medals are bigger than adult medals: 2.5-3.5 inches versus the adult standard of 1.75-2.5 inches. Why? A 3-inch medal on a 4-foot child looks proportionally correct — roughly equivalent to a 2-inch medal on a 6-foot adult. The larger surface area also provides more room for fun designs, bright colors, and character shapes. Children's ribbons are shorter: 800mm x 20mm versus the adult standard of 860-900mm. For ages 3-6, we recommend 700mm ribbon length. The thickness is 2.5-3mm — durable enough to survive playground swings, backpack storage, and enthusiastic handling, but not so heavy that it pulls uncomfortably on a small neck. The zinc alloy material at this thickness weighs approximately 25-35 grams for a 3-inch medal — substantial enough to feel like a real award, light enough for a child to wear all day without complaint.
Customization Options — Make It Extra Fun
Custom Mascot/Character Shape
Your school mascot, event character, or custom animal shape cast as the medal silhouette. Send artwork — our mold designers create a 3D sculpted version. Complex shapes with thin elements (tails, horns, wings) may need thickening — we flag issues during design review.
Glitter + Glow Combo Effect
Glitter in the main design areas, glow-in-the-dark as a surprise element revealed when lights go down. Two distinct finishes in one medal. Children love the dual experience — sparkle by day, glow by night. Most popular for evening events and Halloween.
Safety Breakaway Clasp
Ribbon clasp that releases under tension — prevents strangulation risk if the ribbon catches on playground equipment or branches. Recommended for children under age 8. Cotton thread breakaway point also available as an alternative safe mechanism.
Magnet Closure (Youngest Children)
No clasp to pinch small fingers. Strong magnet holds the ribbon ends together — releases easily when pulled. Recommended for ages 3-5. Not recommended for children with pacemakers or medical devices. Available as alternative to breakaway clasp.
Rainbow & Two-Tone Fun Colors
Rainbow plating creates a mesmerizing color-shift effect as the medal moves. Two-tone plating combines gold and silver in different areas. Kids love the visual variety. More expensive than single-color plating but creates an unforgettable award.
Custom Fun Packaging
Character-themed poly bags, colorful gift boxes, or drawstring pouches in bright colors. Packaging becomes part of the experience. Standard clear poly bag included. Custom fun packaging quoted separately per style and quantity.
Factory-Direct Safety & Quality — What Parents Need to Know
Disney FAMA Safety Certified
The Disney FAMA (Facility and Merchandise Authorization) audit is one of the world's most rigorous children's product safety standards. Passing it means our factory's materials, manufacturing processes, quality control, and working conditions meet Disney's exacting requirements. Few medal manufacturers worldwide hold this certification. For you, it means independent third-party verification that our kids medals are safe — not just our word, but Disney's auditors' word.
BSCI Social Compliance — Ethical Manufacturing
BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative) certification verifies that our factory meets international standards for fair wages, safe working conditions, no child labor, reasonable working hours, and environmental responsibility. When you order kids medals from us, you are not just getting a safe product — you are supporting ethical manufacturing. This matters especially for children's products, where the supply chain's integrity should match the product's purpose.
One Factory — No Outsourcing to Unknown Facilities
Mold making, die-casting, polishing, plating, enamel filling, printing, laser engraving, ribbon production, assembly, QC, packaging — all 12 steps happen under our own roof in Huizhou. We never outsource to third-party workshops. This is critical for children's products: when every process is in-house, we control every material, every process, every safety check. No unknown subcontractors. No corners cut by a supplier we have never visited. One factory. One quality standard. One audit trail.
Kids Medal FAQ — Answers From the Factory Floor
What safety standards and certifications do your kids medals meet?
Our kids medals meet multiple safety standards. RoHS compliance: zinc alloy material is non-toxic, free of lead, cadmium, and other harmful substances — verified per batch. BSCI certification: our factory meets international standards for ethical manufacturing, safe working conditions, and fair labor practices. Disney FAMA certification: we have passed one of the most rigorous children's product safety audits in the world, covering materials, manufacturing processes, quality control, and working conditions. All edges are deburred and polished smooth — no sharp points. Safety breakaway ribbon clasps (recommended under age 8) release under tension to prevent strangulation risk. EN71 testing available upon request for European clients.
What is the most popular finish for kids medals?
Glitter (七彩 sparkle) is #1 — it is magical, light-catching, and children absolutely love it. The glitter effect is achieved by applying sparkle particles during the enamel semi-cure stage at 60-70°C, creating a finish that catches light from every angle and photographs beautifully. Glow-in-the-dark is #2 — luminous powder mixed into the enamel absorbs light and emits a pale green glow in darkness. It is perfect for evening events, Halloween runs, and sleepover camp awards. Bright primary-color soft enamel at full saturation is #3 — classic, durable, and visually bold. We can combine these effects in different areas of the same medal: glitter in the star, solid color in the background, glow as a surprise element.
What size medal and ribbon should I order for different age groups?
Ages 3-6: 2-2.5 inch medal, 700mm ribbon with safety breakaway clasp or magnet closure. Ages 7-12: 2.5-3 inch medal, 800mm ribbon with safety breakaway clasp. Ages 13+: 2.5-3.5 inch medal, 860mm adult ribbon — standard D-ring attachment is acceptable for teenagers. Ribbon width is consistently 20mm for all children's medals. These are guidelines based on our experience with thousands of kids events — we will recommend the optimal size and safety features based on your specific event, age range, and activity type.
Can you make medals shaped like our school mascot or a custom character?
Yes — send your mascot artwork or character reference in any format (vector preferred: .AI, .EPS, .PDF; raster accepted: .JPG, .PNG at high resolution). Our mold designers create a 3D sculpted version using Beijing Jingdiao CNC software. Complex shapes with thin elements — tails, horns, wings, antennae — may need slight thickening (minimum 2mm wall thickness applies everywhere). We flag any geometry issues during the free design review. You will see 3D renderings for approval before any mold steel is cut. Custom shapes cost more than standard circles due to increased mold complexity, but the children's reaction makes it worthwhile.
Are breakaway clasps really safer than standard ribbon attachments?
Yes — safety breakaway clasps are specifically designed to release under tension, which prevents strangulation risk if the ribbon catches on playground equipment, tree branches, door handles, or other objects. This is particularly important for active children who run, climb, and play while wearing their medals. Standard D-ring attachments do not release under tension. For children under age 8, we strongly recommend breakaway clasps. For ages 3-5, magnet closures are an even safer alternative — they hold the ribbon ends together but release easily when pulled, with no metal clasp parts that could pinch small fingers. The cotton thread breakaway point is another safe option. Safety does add a small per-unit cost but is included in all our kids medal recommendations.
How long does glow-in-the-dark last on a kids medal?
Glow-in-the-dark medals use luminous powder (strontium aluminate based, non-toxic) mixed into the enamel during application. After exposure to bright light (sunlight or indoor lighting) for 10-30 minutes, the glow effect is visible for 2-4 hours in darkness, gradually fading. The glow is a pale green color — this is the natural emission color of the luminous material. The glow effect is permanent in the enamel — it will recharge and glow for the lifetime of the medal, not wash off or wear away. For maximum glow brightness at events, expose medals to bright light shortly before distribution. Evening events, Halloween runs, and glow parties benefit most from this effect.
What color options work best for kids medals?
Children respond to bright, saturated colors — the bolder, the better. Glitter (七彩 sparkle) is the most universally loved finish. Bright primary colors: red, blue, yellow, green at full saturation — no muted tones. Pink and purple are extremely popular for dance and gymnastics medals. Neon colors (hot pink, lime green, electric blue) are available as specialty enamel options. Rainbow plating creates a mesmerizing color-shift effect. Two-tone or multi-color designs with different colors in different medal areas add visual excitement. For events with multiple age groups or achievement levels, use different color combinations on the same medal design to create visual variety at minimal additional cost.
We are hosting a small birthday party with fewer than 100 kids — can you help?
Our standard MOQ is 100 pieces. For birthday parties or small events with 50-99 children, contact us — we can often accommodate slightly below MOQ on a case-by-case basis. The per-unit price will be higher at lower quantities because fixed costs (mold making, machine setup, safety compliance verification) are spread across fewer pieces. For very small parties under 50, we recommend custom shapes and premium finishes (glitter, two-tone plating, custom mascot shape) to maximize the wow factor of each individual medal. Alternatively, consider ordering 100 pieces and using the extras as party favors for siblings or as thank-you gifts for helpers — the per-unit cost at 100 pieces is significantly better than at lower quantities.
Start Your Kids Medals Project
Tell us about your event — the activity, age group, number of children, preferred colors or theme, and any custom shape ideas (mascot, character, animal). We will create a free, fun, safe kids medal design with 3D renderings and a detailed line-item quote within 24 hours.
Prefer to browse first? See our design guide, explore sports medals for youth leagues, or check our materials guide.
Get Free Design & Quote NowExplore All Medal Categories
Sports Medals
Custom sports medals for tournaments, leagues, and athletic events of all levels.
Race Medals
Custom race medals for marathons, 5K, 10K, triathlons, and running events.
Enamel Medals
Soft enamel and hard enamel medals with vibrant colors and premium finish.
Kids Medals
Fun, colorful custom medals designed specifically for children's events.
Military Medals
Custom military medals, challenge coins, and commemorative awards.
LED Medals
Light-up LED medals with electronic illumination for unforgettable events.
Bottle Opener Medals
Dual-function medals with built-in bottle openers — practical and memorable.
Graduation Medals
Custom graduation medals and academic achievement awards for schools.
Acrylic Medals
Modern acrylic medals and awards with crystal-clear transparency.
Spinning Medals
Interactive spinning medals with rotating center elements.
Event Medals
Custom medals for corporate events, festivals, and special occasions.
Medal Ribbons
Custom printed medal ribbons, lanyards, and neck bands.
Medal Display Hangers
Custom medal display racks and hangers for showcasing achievements.
Medal Packaging
Custom medal boxes, velvet cases, and presentation packaging.