How to get a Blue Peter Badge to get into Attractions for Free

January 20, 2022
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How to get a Blue Peter Badge to get into Attractions for Free

For millions of kids in the UK, a Blue Peter badge is the envy for many. Flashing a Blue Peter badge at school can win you lots of recognition. Regarded as the ultimate accolade, many people, even celebrities such as Holly Willoughby, Mo Farah, Tim Peake and Jack Black have one.

Research shows that over 22,000 Blue Peter badges are usually handed out to children every year. At the time of writing, the number of happy recipients was more than half a million. While it’s the ultimate prize, not many people know what it is or how to earn the badge.

What is a Blue Peter Badge?

A Blue Peter Badge is a special award given to Blue Peter viewers in recognition of their achievement. Usually awarded to children aged 6 to 15 years, the Blue Peter badge is also given to guests on the show.

It was first introduced in 1963 by Biddy Baxter, the programme editor. The badge is in the shape of a shield with a Blue Peter ship logo. Designed by Tony Hart, the badge gives children free entry into UK based attractions.

Such attractions include theme parks, museums and zoos featured on the Blue Peter TV show. Most of the attractions allow one badge holder for every full-price paying adult. But an incident in 2006 led to the suspension of the badge’s privileges. This was later introduced in the same year but with additional security features.

What Are the Different Types of Blue Peter Badges You Can Get?

Blue Peter Badge

There are 8 Blue Peter Badges you can earn. Each has a different application process. Here are the different types of Blue Peter Badges you can get.

Blue Badge

The Blue Badge is usually given to participants on the Blue Peter TV show. Viewers can win a badge by writing and sending an interesting poem, letter, story or picture. Another option is to be a guest on the programme.

The number of Blue Badges given out is in the millions, and you too can get one. Here is how.

Must be 6 to 15 years old
Must send a creative contribution to the programme editor. Examples include a recipe, artwork, story or poem
Must ask your parent or guardian for permission
Must include your full name, date of birth, home postal address and postcode

Thousands of UK children apply for the Blue Badge. As such, it may take up to 12 weeks to receive your badge.

Green Badge

Like the Blue badge, children can receive a Green badge for sending in their creative contributions. They can send pictures, letters or stories about nature, conservation and the environment. So, if your child is environmentally conscious, he can apply for the Green badge. The Green badge has a white ship with a green shield.

To apply for the Green badge, parents or guardians need to download and fill in the application form. It’s important to read the terms and conditions before sending the form by post.

Silver Badge

After earning your Blue and Green badge, you can apply for the Silver badge. The Silver badge is always awarded to Blue badge holders who make an extra effort. For example, a Blue Badge holder won his badge for sending a creative story or poem.

To earn a Silver badge, he can send a different creative contribution. It could be a picture, story, artwork, poem or letter. If your child needs inspiration, he can check out the badge wall segment live on Blue Peter.

Purple Fan Club Badge

The Purple Fan Club badge is often given to children for joining the Blue Peter fan club. Besides joining the club, children must answer some questions about the website and show. To apply for the Purple Fan Club badge, the parent or guardian must download the Fan Club application form. The parent or guardian must fill in page 1 of the form and read the Privacy Notice.

The child must complete page two and three then send the form by post and must include the correct postage payment.

Music Badge

The Music badge is a special badge. Designed by Ed Sheeran, the Music badge is often awarded to children who show off their passion for music. To qualify for the Music badge, learn a new instrument or participate in a musical performance. If you don’t have a music instrument, try using this Bring the Noise interactive tool.

To get a Music badge, you must fulfil the following requirements:

Must be 6 to 15 years old
Must attach a picture of yourself enjoying music

Parents or guardians must read the full terms and conditions before sending the application form by post.

Sport Badge

If your child is active in sports or a physical activity, he can earn the Sport badge. This is a limited edition badge and only available during the summer. The badge is only awarded once a year.

Orange Badge

The Orange badge is often awarded to winners and runners up in the Blue Peter competitions. Also known as the Competitions badge, it has a white ship and an orange shield.

To earn the Orange badge, you must enter a Blue Peter competition that runs during certain times in the year. To learn more about the competitions, visit the competition page.

And the Blue Peter Gold Badge

The Gold badge is a rare award, and every year, only a few are usually awarded. This rare award is often given in recognition of exceptional circumstances and achievements. For example, you can receive the badge for saving someone’s life or displaying courage or bravery.

To apply for the Gold badge, you must have one or more of the other badges.

On rare occasions, adults can receive the Gold badge. Recipients must be high profile personalities that inspire the nation’s children. Examples of Gold badge holders include J.K Rowling, David Beckham, Steven Spielberg, Ed Sheeran, Paul McCartney and Anne Wood.

What Are the Benefits of Having a Blue Peter Badge?

Free Entry to UK Attractions…

As a Blue Peter Badge holder, you can gain entry for free at UK based attractions. In fact, the badge can give you access to more than 200 attractions such as museums, aquariums and zoos up to 10 years. For a badge holder to gain free entry, he must be going with a paying adult with a valid ticket.

Parents or guardians don’t have to book in advance for a free child space. But attractions reserve the right to refuse entry.

Saves Money…

Museums, zoos, aquariums and other attractions are institutions created in the public interest. They foster deeper understanding, engage visitors and promote authentic cultural and national heritage. Parents, guardians and children can learn a lot by visiting these attractions. Sadly, entry to the attractions is not free.

But with a Blue Peter Badge, parents and guardians can save hundreds of pounds every year on tickets.

Rewards Extraordinary Achievements…

If your child is active in sports, physical activity, music, and conservation, he can earn a Blue Peter badge. Adults too can earn a Blue Peter Badge and on rare occasions, earn a Gold badge. This is often given for outstanding achievements such as courage, citizenship and bravery.

How Do You Get a Blue Peter Badge?

You can get a Blue Peter badge by participating in Blue Peter competitions, being a guest on the show or applying for one. To apply for a Blue Peter badge, send a creative contribution such as a letter, poem, artwork or music performance.

You can also download the respective application form by visiting the Blue Peter website. Kids must include their full name, address, date of birth and which badge they are applying for. Most children who apply for a badge will receive it, but the process can take up to 8 weeks.

This is because thousands of UK children send in their applications and letters to Blue Peter, MediaCityUK, Salford, M50 2BH.

Blue Peter Badge Attractions

A Blue Peter badge offers free entry to more than 200 UK based attractions. Here are some of the fabulous places you can visit for free with a Blue Peter badge.

The Tower of London
Abbey House Museum
Adventure Island
1620s House and Garden
Amberley Museum
Avon Valley Railway
BBC Tours
Beatrix Potter Gallery
Belton House
Roald Dahl Museum
Cheddar Gorge
Whipsnade
Charles Dickens Museum
Kew Gardens
HMS Belfast
The Faraday Museum
London Museum of Water and Steam
The London Bridge Experience and Tombs
London Transport Museum
Kensington Palace State Apartments
Marble Hill House
St Paul’s Cathedral
London Wetland Centre
World Rugby Museum
Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum
Beaulieu National Motor Museum
The National History Museum
London Zoo
Didcot Railway Centre
The Dinosaur Museum
Discover Point
DIG: An Archaeological Adventure
The Discover Centre
Dover Castle
Dunvegan Castle
Dorset Falconry Park
Don’t Get Locked In
Dudley Canal Tunnel and Limestone Mines
Eden Project
Eastnor Castle
Edinburgh Zoo
East Pool Mine
Eureka: The National Children’s Museum
Fishbourne Roman Palace and Museum
The Fleet Air Arm Museum
Flag Fen Bronze Age Excavation
Fox Talbot Museum
Geevor Tin Mine
Grand Pier
Framlingham Castle
Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre
Gilbert White’s House and the Oates Museum
Hall’s Croft
The Great Laxey Wheel Mines Trail
Harewood House
Hawk Conservancy Trust
Inveraray Jail
Howletts Wild Animals Park
Heights of Abraham Caverns and Hilltop Park
Highclere Castle
Kelburn Country Centre
Jorvik Viking Centre
Jodrell Bank Discovery
King Richard III Visitor Centre
Knowsley Safari
Shakespeare’s Globe Exhibition
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Birdoswald Roman Fort
Biggar Puppet Theatre
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
1066 Battle of Hastings
Bekonscot Model Village
Africa Alive
Anglesey Sea Zoo
Banham Zoo
Battersea Park Children’s Zoo
Barleylands Farm Park and Village
Black Country Living Museum
Birdland Park and Gardens
Blackpool Zoo Park
Blue Reef Aquarium
Bolsover Castle
Bristol IN Sight
British Airways i360
British Lawnmower Museum
British Motor Museum
Brunel’s SS Great Britain
The Beatles Story
Bluebell Railway
The Blue Planet Aquarium
Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre
The Bronte Parsonage Museum
Buckler’s Hard
Buster Ancient Farm
Caerlaverock Wetland Centre
The Cairngorm Reindeer Herd
Camera Obscura
Canterbury Tales
Carisbrooke Castle
Carrickfergus Castle
Castle Espie Wetland Center
Chartwell
Chill Factore
Colchester Castle
Combined Military Services Museum
Creswell Crags
Corbridge Roman Town
The Derwent Pencil Museum

For an up to date list of the 200 UK attractions, click here.

How to Nominate Someone for a Gold Blue Peter Badge…

As the highest award in the Blue Peter family, the Gold badge is rare. Each year, only a small number of badges are awarded. This badge celebrates outstanding achievements. Gold badges are often awarded to children and high profile personalities.

Can I nominate someone for a Gold Badge? Yes, you can nominate someone for a Gold badge. Here is what you need to do:

Nominate your candidate by letter
Must provide a summary of the person’s achievement
Must provide documentation to support a nomination
Achievements must be verifiable by independent witnesses
Must seek parent’s or guardian’s permission if nominating a person under 18 years
The nominee must be 6 to 15 years old or a high profile personality
Must not submit personal data without seeking consent

Not all nominations are successful. The good news is, you can re-apply after 1 year.

What to Do if You Lose Your Blue Peter Badge?

If you lose your badge, you can re-apply for a new one. All you need to do is send in your application with instructions to have your badge replaced. Blue Peter is unable to offer replacement badges for anyone aged 16 years and over.

Also, they do not replace Diamond badges as they are limited edition and were available only on Blue Peter’s Big Birthday year. If you lose your badge ID card, email Blue Peter and include your full name and address.

Can You Buy Blue Peter Badges on eBay?

Yes, you can buy a Blue Peter Badge on eBay. You can find an Orange badge, a Sports Badge, Silver badge, Purple badge and even a vintage Blue Peter Badge from the 1980s. The badges sell for as little as £9.99 and as much as £100.

Sadly, you can not gain free entry at one of UK attractions with your “eBay” Blue Peter badge. To gain entry in UK based attractions, not only do you need your Blue Peter badge. But you also need to have a valid Blue Peter badge ID or card.

Final Thought…

For more than 5 decades, the Blue Peter Badge has been a symbol of achievement and hard work for children in the UK. The coloured shield with its distinctive ship logo has inspired millions of children in the UK to engage in several activities.

Such activities include sports, cooking, writing letters, poems and stories. Some have engaged in heroic activities such as defending other children from bullies or conserving the environment.

As a parent or guardian, it’s important to encourage your kids to seek the Blue Peter Badge. Not only is it recognition for your child’s efforts, but it can save you hundreds of pounds on family trips to UK attractions every year.