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 £10 per month. For our full advertising rates then please click here.
Tuesday 9.15am-10.15am Wetherby Sports Association, The Club House, Lodge Lane, Wetherby, LS22 5FN
Qualified Nurse RM BHsc (HONS) Midwifery. Aquanatal level 1 & level 2. Diploma in Teaching Infant Massage (Instructor Course)
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
Born to Dance (baby ballet age 18 months to 3 years) This class is for babies/toddlers and a parent/guardian. Designed to introduce boys and girls to movement, rhythm and co-ordination through music (accompanied by an adult).
Pre-School Dance (ages 3 and 4) A class devised especially for boys and girls aged 3 years to school age. The emphasis is on freedom of movement, development of co-ordination and building confidence.
Ballet (IDTA syllabus) Still as popular as ever – indeed we currently have over 140 students coming to ballet classes every week! Ballet has a technique which is the foundation of all dance. We currently run 16 classes per week covering 10 different grades/standards
Tap (IDTA syllabus) Popular with teachers as well as students, tap spans many diverse musical styles and is enjoying an increasing popularity amongst our students. Beginners through to Seniors.
Modern Jazz (IDTA syllabus) Modern Jazz is designed to be a combination of structure and fun – principally geared to demonstrate emotion through interpretation of any musical genre. Beginners through to Seniors.
Freestyle & Boys Dance (IDTA syllabus) Our freestyle classes are very popular and very energetic. Covering age ranges from 6+ to 17+.
Musical Theatre & Theatrecraft For those who aspire to emulate the stars of “Mamma Mia” or even the “X” Factor, our Musical Theatre classes give the opportunity for students to exercise their vocal talents as well as their dancing skills.
Zumba Fitness® & Zumba Gold® is the only Latin-inspired dance-fitness program that blends red-hot international music, created by Grammy Award-winning producers, and contagious steps to form a “fitness-party” that is downright addictive. Zumba Gold® is the low impact version.
Adult Tap & Ballet We run a number of classes both adults returning to dance and beginners
Discofit A unique exercise and fitness programme for all levels based on ever-popular disco classics!
For the current timetable visit chatsworthdance.co.uk/timetable
Tel 01423 522322 or visit chatsworthdance.co.uk
CJMAA are a full-time Martial Arts Academy based in Knaresborough. With classes running 6 days a week for both children & adults, Chris and his team of instructors have been teaching in the area, full-time, for nearly 15 years. In 2013, CJMAA were themselves winner of a Mumbler award in recognition of their popular children’s classes.
At CJMAA their goal is to make Martial Arts accessible to all with class types ranging from pre-school parent & child classes to adult kickboxing and ladies only sessions. Home to multiple World, European and National champions, CJMAA is also a great place for students who wish to take their training to the next level.
Their center based on Park Avenue, just of Boroughbridge Road, is custom fitted with all the required safety equipment and holds a 5 star CMAA Kite Mark rating.
Please feel free to stop by our Facebook group for more of an idea on what we do
We’re pleased to announce details of our under 5s activities week.
All sessions are free – we just ask that the child participating is a member of the library.
If they don’t have a library card, they can get one on the day of the activity. Parents/carers are welcome to join the library too!
For activities that require booking, please contact the library 01609 536658 or harrogate.library@northyorks.gov.uk to book.
There is also lots of information on our facebook page.
Hartbeeps is a music and movement class for babies, toddlers and pre-school children. A magical,musical soundtrack comes to life through puppetry, props and fun allowing your child to be at the centre of their own adventure and creates a sound journey down the rabbit hole into a childhood world of imagination.
We offer 3 types of classes for you and your little one to enjoy:
Happy House: Family class for toddlers, suitable for their younger and older siblings.
Baby Beeps: sitting to walking confidently babies
Baby Bells: Newborn to sitting confidently babies
Knaresborough
HG5 8JA
Mondays
9:30am Happy House (toddlers to preschoolers)
10:30am Baby Beeps (sitting to walking)
11:30am Baby Bells (Newborn to sitting)
St James’ Church
Church Street
Wetherby
LS22 6LP
Tuesdays
9:30am Happy House (toddlers to preschoolers)
10:30am Baby Beeps (sitting to walking)
11:30am Baby Bells (Newborn to sitting)
Harrogate Gymnastics
Wednesdays
Unit 7, The Zone
Hornbeam Park
Harrogate
HG2 8AQ
9:30am Happy House (toddlers to preschoolers)
10:30am Baby Beeps (sitting to walking)
11:30am Baby Bells (Newborn to sitting)
Classes must be booked in advanced per termly booking at www.bookeo.com/hartbeepsharrogate
We also do parties for 1-4 year olds 🙂 We will make your little’s birthday magical!
Tel:07789192342
Email: Emily.s@hartbeeps.com
Website: www.hartbeeps.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/hartbeepsharrogate
Please ‘like’ our page for updates about our sessions.
We would love to see you at Hartbeeps soon.
LinGo Explore – Pre-school outdoor language classes from a trained and experienced language teacher. Learn French and Spanish in your welly boots!
Want to inspire both a love of languages and nature? My lessons are based in the enchanting garden at Horticap in Harrogate on Thursday mornings. We also have access to a classroom for very rainy days.
In the lessons I include lots of games, songs, crafts, role play activities and stories to engage with and inspire young children. The garden is simply magical and perfect for little boys and girls who like to play outdoors. I speak in French and Spanish much of the time and use drama to help them understand.
Each lesson is 45 minutes long and it is £6.50 per child. The lesson times are as follows;
French – 9.30 -10.15
Spanish – 10.30 – 11.15
French – 11.30 – 12.15
What people say about me; “Caroline takes my girls who are 2 and 4 to explore the outside gardens of Horticap teaching French through play. The girls love it, they have picked up lots of new words, developing phrases and songs. Caroline is a fantastic tutor and has a great relationship with the younger ones, her enthusiasm is infectious!” Issy Rowe
You can visit my website www.lingoexplore.co.uk for more testimonials or email me on caroline@lingoexplore.co.uk. Please feel free to call me too on 07841167141.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic Harrogate Council owned Swimming Pools are closed until further notice – please visit www.harrogate.gov.uk/covid19 for more information and updates
Follow in the footsteps of Yorkshire’s own Olympic diver Jack Laugher by learning to dive at the Hydro.
With a five-metre high board, two one-metre and three-metre springboards, we offer one of the most successful diving development programmes in the country.
Keep on track with the Swim England Diving Award Scheme; the Diving 1-7 awards cover seven levels of progressive diving skills, starting at complete beginner and taking the diver through to club level skills.
Lessons are available Monday to Thursday evenings and on Sundays. You must be able to swim 50 metres and be at least six years old. We also run mid-week disability diving lessons.
Find out more at www.harrogate.gov.uk/diving
The Hydro, Jenny Field Drive, Harrogate, HG1 2RP, tel: 01423 556768
Due to the coronavirus pandemic Harrogate Council owned Swimming Pools are closed until further notice – please visit www.harrogate.gov.uk/covid19 for more information and updates
Jump into swimming lessons with our Learn to Swim programme. Children can learn to swim at the Hydro, Starbeck Baths and Knaresborough pool. Lessons are taught by our friendly and fully-qualified instructors and we follow the Swim England learn-to-swim framework. They run seven days a week, all year round (including school holidays, but not over Christmas and New Year).
We help your child improve their skills in the water and use different colour bands (red to gold) to represent increasing ability levels. These combine stroke technique, water safety and stamina.
We also run one of the most successful disability swimming programmes in the UK. Swimming lessons for children with special educational needs, disabilities or who find mainstream provision too challenging run at the Hydro every Sunday. They can progress through our star scheme into our hot shot swim squad, and in partnership with Harrogate District Swimming Club are able to take part in a range of competitive opportunities.
For more information please visit www.harrogate.gov.uk/swimminglessons or email swimminglessons@harrogate.gov.uk
Alternatively speak to our staff at your preferred pool
• The Hydro, Jenny Field Drive, Harrogate, HG1 2RP | 01423 556768 | hydro@harrogate.gov.uk
• Knaresborough Pool, King James Road, Knaresborough, HG5 8EB | 01423 860011 | knaresboroughpool@harrogate.gov.uk
• Starbeck Baths, Spa Lane, Harrogate, HG2 7JF | 01423 883155 | starbeck_pool@harrogate.gov.uk
Your little one will gain water confidence, have fun and play in our Rain Drops and Rain Tots lessons at the Hydro, Starbeck Baths and Knaresborough Pool.
Open to children aged from six months to three years old, the lessons include structured play, songs and an introduction to basic swimming.
You join your child in the water to help provide support.
For more details about our Learn to Swim lessons visit www.harrogate.gov.uk/swimminglessons
For lesson times and class availability please contact our swimming pools directly:
· The Hydro, Jenny Field Drive, Harrogate, HG1 2RP Tel: 01423 556768 Email: hydro@harrogate.gov.uk
· Knaresborough Pool, King James Road, Knaresborough, HG5 8EB Tel: 01423 860011 Email: knaresboroughpool@harrogate.gov.uk
· Starbeck Baths, Spa Lane, Harrogate, HG2 7JF Tel: 01423 883155 Email: starbeck_pool@harrogate.gov.uk
Tea and Toys at Highfield Pre-School – A New Parent and Toddler Group for 0-2 Year Olds
Highfield Pre-School, located on Duchy Road in Harrogate, is launching a brand new parent and toddler group for 0-2 year olds.
The sessions, called “Tea and Toys”, will run on Thursday afternoons from 2pm-3pm and are designed to give parents and children aged 0-2 years an opportunity to socialise and play in Highfield’s pre-school and private gardens.
The Tea and Toys sessions are free to attend, refreshments are included and everyone is welcome.
Sessions will run weekly from Thursday 26th April during Highfield Pre-School term time only.
Please call 01423 537045 to find out more, or just pop along to Highfield Pre-School on Duchy Road on Thursdays at 2pm. (Off street parking available).
CLASSES, PARTIES AND CAMPS
For every stage of your child’s development – from 4 months to 12 years – The Little Gym offers a diverse line up 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.
Tel: 01423 701560 or email: harrogate@thelittlegym.eu
1 Cardale Park, Harrogate HG3 1RY
Class Schedule – 2019 – 2020 2nd September 2019 – 19th July 2020
Family Classes- Martial Arts Class for ages plus, come and train with your kids, share the experience
Aquababes sessions, Starbeck Swimming Pool on Spa Lane, Starbeck.
Thursdays 9.45-10.45am (times may vary slightly during school hols).
The cost is £4.20 for adults (Feb ’13), £1.80 for 3+ year olds, £1.00 for 2 years olds and under 2’s swim free
These are specific sessions for babies and toddlers/pre-schoolers with small toys etc. in the water
Børn of the Forest is a classroom without walls where children learn from nature, within nature. Join us for natural, open ended play opportunities in our vast private woodland setting, led by Vikki, a qualified forest school practitioner and Early Years specialist teacher.
Thursdays 10 til 11:45 term time only
At Darley Methodist chapel, Darley
£1 per family to include drink and refreshment.
We have a wide variety of toys that are rotated on a regular basis as well as a focused activity each week could be craft, messy play or baking.
East Keswick Playgroup
Every Thursday morning during term time-10.00am to 11.30am.
All ages welcome up to school age with an accompanying parent or guardian!
£3 entry fee- Tea, coffee and biscuits included.
Friendly group for parents/grandparents/carers with babies and pre-school children. The baby and toddler group meet every Thursday (term time) from 9:15am until 11:30pm in the Hampsthwaite Memorial Hall, Hollins Lane, HG3 2EJ.
Plenty of toys with a weekly craft, singing and a story. Helping hands are always welcome whether you are good with tea towel or have a little creative flair! Please see our facebook page for regular updates
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
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.
The Karate Dojo Ripon offers karate classes for 4/5 year olds (Karate Tigers) & children/adults aged 6+. Free 2 week trial. Classes are taught by Sensei Ady Gray, 6th Dan. Central Ripon location. Discipline – Fun – Fitness – Confidence. Contact us now on 07972 227772 to book your free trial.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Kidslingo Spanish! Fun Children’s Spanish Classes in Harrogate, Ripon & Wetherby
Our interactive, multi-sensory classes are action packed with songs, games, stories and activities to engage children in a foreign language in a natural and intuitive manner, so that they learn through play and social interaction.
Contact Ellen for more information 07402337347
50p donation for a drink and biscuit for mum and children.
It’s run by two lovely ladies from the church. Very friendly and welcoming.
A new group at Fairfax Community Centre called Messy Little Monsters.
It’s a messy play group for Parents and children under 5. A chance to enjoy the fun of painting, baking, and arts and crafts without the stress of doing it at home or the clearing up!!
Thursday mornings (during term time) 9.15am – 10.30am £2.00 per child.
1.30-2.30pm Exciting play activities for parents and children held at Pennypot Community Centre.
Socatots Harrogate, run by Dan Spencer
Singing group for parents / carers and babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. Thursday morning music session from 9.15am, at Christ Church, Christ Church Square, HG1 4SW (Term time only) -starting 5th of September
Pay as you go.
£4 per child / £5 with siblings.
Contact Frances on 07768098579
Studio 3 Dance Workshop I Finkle Street, Knaresborough
Pre-school classes:
Little Ballerinas – first steps in Ballet from 2 years Mondays 9.30am – 10am
Mini Movers – Tap and Ballet from 3 yrs Tuesdays/Thursdays 2.00pm – 2.40pm
Angelina Ballerina Dance Academy – for your little stars with big dreams Mondays 10.30 and Tuesdays 1.30pm
We are a small, friendly dance school based in Starbeck, Harrogate. For all children who love to dance! We offer a range of classes from age 2 and half to 12 years
Pre-School Ballet every Tuesday 3.30pm – 4.00pm at St Andrew’s Church Hall, Starbeck
All other classes held Tuesday’s, Wednesday’s and Thursday’s
First class FREE & if you mention Harrogate MUMBLER when booking you will also receive a 20% discount on your first half termly fee!
All our teachers are fully qualified with the International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA) and are fully CRB checked.For more information call 07584 503776
Tuesday – St Andrews Church Hall, Starbeck 10.00-10.45am (2-4 yr olds)
Tuesday – Ripley Town Hall, Ripley 4.45-5.30pm & 5.30-6.15pm(4-8 yr olds)
Thursday- St Andrews Church Hall, Starbeck 10-10.45am & 10.45-11.30am (2-4 yr olds)
Friday- Kidzplay 1.00-1.45pm & 1.45-2.30pm (2-4 yr olds)
Contact: Caroline Buncall on 07843342662
We help to inspire children to explore and develop through arts and crafts. We have a programme of award winning classes, that are underpinned by the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. From painting to gloop to clay and more, your child will be engaged in our weekly sessions. Sessions are from £4.95 per class. Contact Sharon: 07851320987
Monday: Toddler Praise Group: Meets alternate Mondays during term-time at St. Mark’s Church on Leeds Road, 10am-11.30am, music, singing, bible stories, craft activities, refreshments, FREE
Thursday: Toddler Group: Meets every Thursday during term-time at St. Mark’s Church on Leeds Road, 10am-11.30am, toys, crafts, singing, £2.50 per family
Friday: Toddler Praise Group: Meets alternate Fridays during term-time at St. Mark’s Church on Leeds Road, 10am-11.30am, music, singing, bible stories, craft activities, refreshments, FREE
9.00am-11.00am (term time)
Parent and toddler group in Starbeck for families affected by Autism, Asperger’s, learning difficulties & other additional needs. Come along and meet other families, make new friends, and share experiences.
Other younger children from families also welcome – it’s about bringing parents together as well as the children playing together.
Join us on Thursday at Time Together, Unit 10, Provincial Works, off The Avenue, Starbeck HG1 4QE
£1 per adult – refreshments provided.
For further details contact: Matt Hartley – 07852 207450
Trinity Teddies at Knaresborough Holy Trinity Church Hall
(through the stone arch on Gracious Street and up the cobbled road)
Meet Thursdays 10 – 11.30am during term time
Songs, rhymes, creative play, big toys, painting, model making, stories, games and lots more!
All welcome!
For more details, contact Dot on 01423 862003
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
YAFTA Acting Classes
The Yorkshire Academy of Film & Television Acting develops confidence, inspires creativity and nurtures passion to improve the performance of our students as actors. Fun acting classes for children and teens (and adults) of all ages and abilities.
Monday evenings Harrogate Grammar School, Arthurs Avenue, Harrogate, HG2 0DZ.
Get in touch:
01134 555 011
For more info call Valentina 07555391934
Mummy & Baby (0 mths – 3 yrs) dance class. A fusion of hip hop, pop, rhythm and African dance modified to suit a mother with a baby in arms.
It is great for bonding with baby, creating a personable personality for baby, shedding the baby weight, fighting depression, keeping fit, and meeting with other mums.
Young At Art
Tel 01423 502 215
Monday at 2.30pm – all ages
Tuesday at 2.15pm – all ages
Wednesday at 10am – babies from sitting up
Wednesday at 11am – all ages
Thursday at 9.45am – all ages
Friday at 10am – all ages
