Places to go

• After-school activities
• Children's Centres
• Family restaurants and pubs
• Indoor play
• Libraries
• Netmums Meet Ups
• Outdoor play
• Pre-school classes
• Swimming pools
• Toddler groups
• What's on
• Fun for FREE

Parent, Baby and Toddler Groups

Even very young children get bored with the same setting. It is amazing how a grizzly child turns into a happy, sweet child when you give them a change of scene.

It is a great way of meeting other mums with children your child's age. You will find other mums generally very friendly but everyone agrees it can be a bit daunting the first couple of times.

What Happens at a Group?

Whether you call them Mother and Baby groups, Parent and Toddler groups, Stay and Play or just toddler groups, they all mean the same thing and are run for carers of babies and toddlers. Most don't have waiting lists so just turn up and pay a small admission fee.

There are toys for the kids, coffee and usually biscuits for the mums and a sing song at the end. You can find your local groups below.

Going Alone?

If you are shy about going just try to make yourself go anyway. You don't have to talk to anyone - you won't look out of place if you don't know anyone - just go and sit in the corner and let your child either sit with you or go and explore and make friends. It will get easier for you after the first few times. Remember, everyone is in the same boat with nothing better to do today, you could even post a message on the meet a mum board to see if you could rope in someone to go along with.  

• Children are a great leveller. Whatever your background, size of house or clothes size, you will have something in common with the other mums at these groups.
• You will find yourself making good friends that you may have for a long time to come - your children will be starting playgroups and maybe even school together. You will go to each other's children's birthday parties and watch each others children grow up.
• Go to a few of these groups to start with and you will soon find the one or two that you feel most comfortable with.

So GO!!! - it is a worthwhile investment of your time!

If you know any other local parent and toddler groups or updates on the ones listed below, please add them to let other mums know.

List of local parent & baby and toddler groups: