Playgroups and classes
Harrogate and the surrounding areas are a fantastic place for bringing up children and there is plenty going on.
Below is a list of all the local playgroups and drop in clinics throughout the week and also details of all the children’s activities classes available across our area. Please contact the organisers directly if you would like to find out further information or to confirm class times or costs.
If you know of any other classes or groups which are not already listed, then please contact us here. Basic listings are free. ’Featured’ listings are £15 per month. For our full advertising rates then please click here.
Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable journey filled with stories, sensory adventures, and precious bonding moments with your little one? Look no further than Adventure Babies Harrogate, serving families in Harrogate, Wetherby, and North Leeds!
Our classes offer an exciting blend of sensory storytelling, early childhood education, and pure fun, designed to ignite your child’s love for books and support their development every step of the way.
Community and Support: Parenthood can sometimes feel like a whirlwind, but at Adventure Babies, you’re never alone. Our classes offer a warm and welcoming community where you can connect with other parents, share experiences, and build lasting friendships. Whether you’re a first-time parent or a seasoned pro, our supportive environment is here to cheer you on every step of the way.
We have classes to suit all ages of preschool children –
• LITTLE BABIES classes are suitable for babies from birth up to confidently sitting. This group is for our littlest babies who are not yet moving much at the start of the course.
• SITTERS AND CRAWLERS classes are suitable for babies from birth up to confidently crawling. Please be aware that some babies in this group will be mobile although it is not our most mobile class.
• MIXED AGE GROUP – This is our most mobile class, all ages are welcome up to 4 years old. This group is particularly well suited for sibling groups or friends with different aged children that want to attend a class together.
We cover Harrogate, Wetherby and North Leeds –
MONDAY’S at Harewood House
– 9:45 Mixed Ages and Sibling Groups
– 10.50 Babies to Crawlers
(No Harewood membership needed to attend and you get free access to Harewood after classes.)
WEDNESDAY’S David Lloyd Harrogate
– 9.30 Sitters and Crawlers
– 10.35 Mixed Ages and Sibling Groups
– 11.40 Little Babies (Non-Movers)
– 12.45 Mixed Ages and Sibling Groups
(No David Lloyd membership needed to attend and you get to use the clubroom cafe and play park after classes.)
FRIDAY’S Cub Nursery Wetherby
– 9.30 Mixed Ages and Sibling Groups
– 10.45 Sitters and Crawlers
(There’s an onsite stay and play cafe for before or after classes)
If you’re unsure about which class to book please get in touch
Baby Highfield is a parent and baby group designed specifically for children who aren’t yet old enough to join Highfield Pre-School.
Baby Highfield runs on Friday mornings between 9.30am and 10.30am (term time only). It is free to attend and is a wonderful opportunity for parents and children aged 0-2 years to socialise and play in our lovely nursery setting, including the sensory room. There are delicious refreshments and when the weather permits we also enjoy the gardens at Pre-School.
Our Wellness Centre nurses pop in on the first Friday of every month to offer support and advice to parents and also weigh babies if required. We also hope to have other baby and toddler specialists visiting us from time to time – keep following our social media pages for further details.
We love to welcome new parents and babies to the group. There’s no need to book, just pop along on Friday mornings at 9.30am.
Upstairs, our cozy cafe is open Mon-Fri, 8:30 AM – 4 PM, and Sat, 9 AM – 1 PM. Parents/carers can gather while kids enjoy our free toy library.
Hello my name is Suzie Fairy Enchantica and I’m an educational theatre and well-being specialist. My classes bring learning to life through sing-along musical adventures and include sprinkles of preschool yoga along the way.
If you are looking for a feel-good class that will help you and your little one(s) shine bright and feel great then these classes are for you.
You can enjoy classes in-person at Enchantica’s Workshop (just behind M&S on Leeds Road in Harrogate) on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays or any day of the week at home via my online learning academy.
Class options:
SUZIE BEATS (0-3 years)
Suzie Beats sessions are designed as a learning experience for preschool children and their grown ups. These entertaining and educational story journey sessions use instruments, puppets, tactile materials, music, rhyme and song to bring learning to life. With a sprinkling of story yoga and guided relaxation magic these classes provide a magical combination of entertainment, education and well-being for you to enjoy with your little ones.
Suzie Beats classes are available to book here: https://bookwhen.com/enchanticasworkshop
RISING STARS STORY YOGA (3-4 yrs, 4-5 yrs or 5-7 yrs)
Rising Stars Story Yoga and Well-Being Classes are designed for various ages from 2.5-8yrs. Sessions include yoga, drama, stories, movement, singing, dance, speech exercises, along with mindfulness and relaxation. The sessions have been designed to help children relax, improve their self-esteem, focus, manage their emotions, be imaginative and creative, sleep better and make friends.
Rising Stars classes are available for pre-schoolers aged 3-4, children in Reception aged 4-5, and children in Years 1&2, or Years 3-6.
I hope to see you in class or at one of our magical events very soon.
Kind wishes
Suzie
X
Come and join First Steps – a free new parent and baby group in Harrogate.
Are you looking for a new activity or group to join with your baby? Have you fancied joining a singing group or trying baby massage or yoga?
Harrogate’s Belmont Grosvenor School is offering parents with young children from birth to 36 months the opportunity to join a FREE new parent and baby group called FIRST STEPS.
First Steps is being held on the last Friday of each month, starting on 24th February, at Belmont Grosvenor School, Swarcliffe Hall, Birstwith, near Harrogate.
To sign up for the FREE First Steps parent and baby group, please follow the link.
Our much loved stay and play sessions will return to Toy Library HQ at The Old School in Knaresborough every Wednesday and Friday, 10am – 11.30am.
Sessions will be open to all and will run in a very similar way to our pre-covid play sessions – toys and resources will be set up for children to access while grown-ups can enjoy playing along and socialising with others! The only change that we need to make, for now, is that there will be no snack provided for children. You are very welcome to bring along your own snacks though (but please avoid nuts!)
Drinks will be available for grown ups but please bring your own reusable cup. Cups will not be provided so please don’t forget!!
Toilet and baby change facilities will be open – as always, please take nappies away with you to dispose of off site.
Sessions are £3.50 plus 50p per additional child – we can only accept card payments (we have a snazzy new card machine!), we will no longer be accepting cash.
While face coverings are not compulsory, you are very welcome to wear one!
Starting Friday 28th April 2023 and then every other Friday thereafter.
Free group at the Smithy, Haggs Farm Business Park, Pudding Park Estate HG3 1Eq
Climb aboard the Number Train as it takes your preschool child on a different journey of discovery each week. Help your child to prepare for school and enjoy watching them as they roar like a dinosaur, travel into Space, meet some pirates, go shopping in the silly supermarket, visit the zoo … and SO much more!
These fast paced, action packed sessions have a different theme each week and are designed to be FUN and educational. Watch your child grow in confidence as they take part in fun activities, games, action songs, turn-taking and art & craft – all of which have an underlying focus on maths!
Number Train is growing to meet the demand for these 5 stars classes which are perfect for preschoolers aged 2.5+ . Our recent market research shows that it is the educational focus, the teacher delivery and the wide variety which makes it different to lots of other classes out there and keeps customers coming back again and again!
Your child + Number Train = Confidence in maths
Classes will be held during term time only in locations around North Leeds, Wetherby, Harrogate and Wharfedale.
FUN, EDUCATIONAL & AWARD-WINNING music classes for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers.
Our classes will help to nurture and enhance EVERY child’s development and innate musical ability. At a critical time in your child’s formative years, Rhythm Time offers a wide variety of activities. These activities help brain development, speech and language skills, bonding, confidence, creativity, concentration and listening skills, which in turn help with reading, writing, maths, coordination and socialising. Rhythm Time also helps stimulate your child’s imagination and develops specific musical concepts such as rhythm, pitch and listening. Designed for babies FROM BIRTH to pre-schoolers, it’s a fully progressive course and the perfect foundation for school and future music making!
You also get UNLIMITED classes as part of your booking. As well as your primary class booking, you are welcome to come to as many classes as you like at any of our venues across the Wharfedale & Craven, Bradford & Halifax, and Harrogate & Wetherby areas at no extra charge!
Cub, The Modern Nursery, Wetherby (Great child-friendly café!)
Mondays: Toddlers 10.45 & Babies 11.15
Harrogate Elim Church
Tuesdays: Toddlers 10.30, Babies 11.15, Pre-schoolers 12.00
Fun, fun, fun and high energy! Classes for 1 – 4-year-olds written by early years specialists and presented by a fully qualified, experienced teacher to introduce the world of letters and sounds to your little ones through play.
Each session is full of games, music, dance and much more to teach your children in exciting and interactive ways.
As well as an early introduction to the world of literacy we also help your little one develop their speech, confidence and social skills.
Find the right class for your little one:
Minis’ Class (age 1- 2.5 years)
Preschool Class (age 2.5 – 4 years).
Each class focuses on learning through play; together we play, dance, sing and learn.
Come along with your little one this Autumn and find out for yourself!
Wednesday
St Barnabas Church Hall, Alwoodley LS17 7NA
9:45 – 10:30am Preschool Sounds Right Phonics class
10:45 – 11:30 Minis Sounds Right class
Thursday
Clifton Village Hall, Otley LS21 2ES
9:45 – 10:30am Preschool Sounds Right Phonics class
10:45 – 11:30 Minis Sounds Right class
Friday
Kidzplay Centre, Harrogate HG2 8DS
9:45 – 10:30am Minis Sounds Right class
10:45 – 11:30 Preschool Sounds Right Phonics class
CLASSES, PARTIES, AND CAMPS
For every stage of your child’s development – from 4 months to 12 years – The Little Gym offers a diverse lineup of classes, camps, and parties filled with movement, music, learning, and laughter. Your little ones will make friends, reach developmental milestones, and build self-confidence while having Serious Fun.
1 Cardale Park, Harrogate HG3 1RY
Thursdays – Apley Grange, Harrogate
10am – BABY MASSAGE – for babies from birth to active crawlers.
11.15am – BABY YOGA – babies from 12 weeks
Fridays – The Old Chapel, Harrogate
10am – TODDLER YOGA – 2.5-4 years
11.15am – BABY YOGA – babies from 7 months
12.30pm – BABY YOGA – babies from 8 weeks
1.45pm – TODDLER YOGA – 2.5-4 years
Chatsworth Dance believe our combination of expertise and enthusiasm provides top quality tuition and facilities.
We hold over 70 classes a week in 2 dedicated studios as well as additional classes at Harrogate Gymnastics at Hornbeam park with 8 qualified teachers teaching over 500 students (Girls, boys & ladies)
Classes start from 18 months upwards (no upper limit!) there is something for everyone including Ballet, Tap, Modern Jazz, Musical Theatre
Busy Birds at Wetherby Sports Association
Join us every Thursday and Friday, 10am–12pm, for fun filled role play adventures, perfect for little ones of all ages up to 6 years. There’s a dedicated Baby Birds area for pre-walkers and hot drinks and snacks available to purchase. Open during term time and most school holidays, no booking needed
A weekly class for 4-7 year olds teaching cricket skills to develop hand eye co-ordination and movement skills. Classes held across the Harrogate district.
Immerse your Early Explorer in an inclusive world of sensory delight with our captivating Sensory Story Time class from birth to four. Designed to engage and stimulate the senses, this unique experience takes storytelling to a whole new level.
Mondays at Staveley & Copgrove
Fridays at Killinghall
Charlotte & Fi: 07969413618
The classes are a great way for children and parents to enjoy time together and develop the essential skills needed for starting school.
Contact Brian on 01765 620374 or 07595 297639
Wednesday at Hugh Ripley Hall, Ripon
9.15 – 10.00 for 2 – 3 years
10.00 – 10.45 for 2 – 3 years
13.00 – 13.45 for 3 – 4 years
14.00 – 14.45 for 3 – 4 years
Friday at Hugh Ripley Hall, Ripon
9.15 – 10.00 for 3 – 4 years
10.15 – 11.00 for 3 – 4 years
11.15 – 12.00 for 2 – 3 years
Our structured pre-school sessions are fun and energetic sessions designed to help little ones find their confidence in a class setting whilst exploring the equipment.
For those who want to explore and play on their own terms, we have our drop in sessions which run several times during the week – these sessions are also great as there is no booking required just turn up on the day!
The drop in sessions are £6 per child, and more information can be found on our website: 01423 874793
At Hartbeeps we put your child at the heart of our magical, musical adventures. We offer original and super fun, developmental baby classes, toddler classes and pre-school classes, as well as educational sessions and fabulous children’s parties.
Magic Hours are available every weekend. If your little one is itching to get onto 2 wheels be it balancing and or pedaling, now’s your chance! If they are already riding and need to brush up on their skills/got a new bike, then an hours 1:1 tuition is perfect too
More info on website.
Join Pop Up Play monthly for a morning of fun at Crimple Hall.Meet local families whilst your little ones play on our incredible soft play, plus a dedicated baby zone.Chat with wonderful industry guest speakers.Enjoy a freshly made hot drink and cake, with a soft drink for the children.
Socatots Harrogate, run by Dan Spencer
Trinity Tots at Trinity Methodist Church.
Fridays in termtime, 10am-12pm, starting 24th September 2021. £1, which includes refreshments.
Baby swimming with Water Babies is an exciting, enriching experience for both you and your little one. suitable for little ones from birth up to school age. As the UK’s leading swim school, not only do we teach vital lifesaving skills but we always incorporate lots of bonding, fun and socialising, so you can be sure that a Water Baby is a happy one! Our number one priority is to make sure you feel both happy and safe in the water.
Contact 01904 607110
ZEN Sensory and Wellness Centre offering sensory play therapy and holistic treatments in the Wellness Suite for all ages and abilities.
ZEN Sensory Ltd, Skipton Rd, Harrogate HG3 2LP
