Honestly, the 2025 Kids' Choice Awards was a whirlwind that most people are still trying to piece together. Everyone loves the slime, but the actual list of names that dominated the ballot this year tells a much more interesting story about what kids are actually watching and listening to right now. If you missed the live chaos on June 21, 2025, or just want to see why your favorite creator didn’t take home a blimp, you’ve come to the right place.
The nominations for 2025 kids' choice awards weren't just about the usual suspects. Sure, you had your heavy hitters like Taylor Swift and SpongeBob SquarePants, but the 38th annual show felt... different. Hosted by the global superstar Tyla at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, the event proved that the "summer party" vibe is alive and well, even if the faces on stage are changing faster than we can keep up with.
Who Actually Dominated the 2025 Kids' Choice Awards Nominations?
When the nominations first dropped back in May, the big story was the four-way tie for the most nods. Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar, and Selena Gomez all walked in with four nominations each. It’s kinda wild to think about Kendrick Lamar being a staple at the Kids' Choice Awards, but after the year he had, it makes total sense. Kids aren't just listening to "baby music" anymore; they're tuned into the same cultural shifts as everyone else.
- Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo basically owned the movie categories thanks to Wicked.
- Sabrina Carpenter was everywhere, eventually sweeping three major wins including Favorite Song for "Taste" and Favorite Album for Short n' Sweet.
- Jack Black didn't just show up; he received the "King of Comedy" silver blimp.
It wasn't just the music, though. The movie side was stacked. We saw Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and A Minecraft Movie going head-to-head. If you’ve spent any time around a ten-year-old lately, you know that Minecraft is more than a game—it’s a lifestyle. Seeing Jack Black as Steve and Jason Momoa as Garrett Garrison on the nominee list was basically a foregone conclusion.
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The New Categories You Might Have Missed
Nickelodeon finally caught up to the times in 2025. They introduced Favorite Podcast and Favorite Kids' Creator. It’s about time.
The LOL Podcast took the first-ever blimp for podcasts, beating out some stiff competition like the Kelce brothers' New Heights. On the creator side, Salish Matter and MrBeast were the names on everyone’s lips. Salish actually ended up winning Favorite Female Creator and got slimed right on stage. It was one of those "did that just happen?" moments that the KCAs are known for.
Honestly, seeing Ms. Rachel nominated for Fan Favorite Kids' Creator was a bit of a "full circle" moment for parents who have been stuck with her songs on loop for three years straight. She won, by the way. Naturally.
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Breaking Down the TV and Film Battles
The TV categories were split into "Kids" and "Family" shows, which is a smart move by Nick. It prevents Abbott Elementary from having to compete directly with Wizards Beyond Waverly Place. Speaking of Wizards, the reboot was a massive hit on the nomination list. David Henrie and Janice LeAnn Brown both picked up nods, proving that nostalgia is a powerful drug even for the younger Gen Alpha crowd.
- Favorite Kids' TV Show: The Thundermans: Undercover took the win over Bunk'd and The Really Loud House.
- Favorite Movie Actress: This was a battle of the titans. Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jenna Ortega, and Millie Bobby Brown. Ariana took it home, but Jenna Ortega’s performance in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice had a lot of momentum.
- Favorite Animated Movie: Inside Out 2 was the juggernaut here. It felt like a lock from the moment the nominations were announced, beating out Moana 2 and Despicable Me 4.
The Music Scene: More Than Just Pop
The music nominations showed a lot of range. We had Stray Kids representing K-Pop in a big way, and they actually took home Favorite Music Group. It's impressive to see how global the audience has become. Benson Boone was the breakout star of the night, winning Favorite Male Breakout Artist. If you haven't heard "Beautiful Things" a thousand times yet, you’re probably living under a rock.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Voting
There's this idea that these awards are "fixed" or that kids don't actually vote. That's just wrong. Nickelodeon’s voting portal saw millions of hits this year. The reason you see stars like Lionel Messi or Shohei Ohtani on the list for Favorite Male Sports Star is because their global reach is insane. Messi is a hero to kids in every corner of the planet.
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The same goes for the "Butt-Kicker" category. It’s one of the few places where you’ll see Florence Pugh (as Yelena Belova) and Jack Black (as Steve) in the same list. Kids love the action. They don't care about the genre as much as the vibe.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Parents
If you're looking to keep up with the trends the 2025 Kids' Choice Awards highlighted, there are a few things you can do to stay ahead of the curve.
- Watch the Winners: If you missed Inside Out 2 or Wicked, they are the definitive "kid-approved" movies of the year.
- Check the Playlists: Sabrina Carpenter and Benson Boone are the sound of 2025. Adding them to a family-friendly playlist is a safe bet.
- Follow the Creators: The "Favorite Creator" category is the best way to see what's trending on YouTube and TikTok. Salish Matter and MrBeast are the gold standard for high-energy content right now.
- Paramount+ is Key: If you want to watch the full replay, it’s currently streaming there. It's a great way to see the performances by mgk and KATSEYE that everyone was talking about.
The 2025 Kids' Choice Awards proved that the landscape of entertainment is shifting toward a mix of digital-first creators and massive cinematic spectacles. Whether it's a silver blimp for a comedy legend or a bucket of slime for a YouTuber, the show remains the most chaotic and honest reflection of what kids actually care about.