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.
Qualified Nurse RM BHsc (HONS) Midwifery. Aquanatal level 1 & level 2. Diploma in Teaching Infant Massage (Instructor Course)
Term time Monday 10-11.30, 1-2.30; Wednesday 10-11.30 and Thursday 10-11.30
Join us in our beautiful woodland setting designed for you and your child to connect with each other and nature while you stay and play together.
Each session will have some adult led element such as a story or craft activity but is really intended to be child led as our environment is set up for exploration and discovery…Cook up some muddy meals in our dirty diner, hunt for insects, watch out for wildlife in our birdhide, swing, build dens, chill in the hammocks, balance on our slackline… There really is so much to enjoy!
Come explore, create, experiment and experience the awe and wonder of nature at Børn of the Forest.
June half term Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9.30-11. 11.30-1 and 1.30-3. All ages.
This session is similar to our pre-schooler session but opened up to all primary aged children for the school holidays.
Summer Holidays 2nd 3rd, 4th August 9-4pm.
A summer holiday club they’ll never forget! Join us for 3 days of forest school fun from 9am-4pm for children aged 5-11. Sessions are led by DBS checked, qualified and experienced staff and prices start from just £30 a day.
Forest school looks at each child individually to enable self-esteem, independence, and creativity to flourish in the fresh air. Our high adult to child ratios of 1:6 enables staff to work closely with your child to develop skills and concepts while still giving them the opportunity to play and build relationships with their peers.
We follow the children’s lead and free play and exploration is a big part of the day. We will also plan activities such as den/shelter building, fire lighting, outdoor cooking, team games, wood work, tool use, and nature-based craft giving each participant an opportunity to learn about and connect to the natural environment, problem solve, and enjoy being part of a team.
Find out more by visiting bornoftheforest.co.uk or you can find us on social media @bornoftheforest on Facebook and Instagram.
Green Lane is a small and friendly home childcare setting. We offer 2 hour sessions from 9:45 – 11:45am every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for children of 18 months to school age. We will happily book children in on a regular basis, but can also offer a more flexible service. Term time only.
Green lane is run by Lucinda and Torie, we are two local Mummies who both have Montessori and Early Years qualifications. Having had 6 children between us, we understand how all consuming young children can be. We wanted to offer a service that would allow parents a bit of breathing space, whilst also developing their social skills, independence and creativity in a home from home environment.
At typical morning for us would be allowing children time to explore the activities on offer; these are changed on a regular basis to follow the interests of the children. We then enjoy a healthy snack together before heading outside to feed the guinea pigs, enjoy messy play, digging or whatever the children would like to explore!
If you feel like this is something that may work for you and your children then please don’t hesitate to contact us.
72 Green Lane, Harrogate, HG2 9LN
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
9:15am Happy House (toddlers to preschoolers)
10:10am Happy House (toddlers to preschoolers)
11:00am Baby Beeps (sitting to walking)
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 8QT
9:30am Happy House (toddlers to preschoolers)
10:30am Baby Beeps (sitting to walking)
11:30am Baby Bells (Newborn to sitting)
12:30 baby bells (newborn to sitting)
Classes must be booked in advanced per termly booking at www.bookeo.com/hartbeepsharrogate
Weekend classes are held once a month at Pannal village hall (Pannal village hall, Station Rd, Pannal, Harrogate HG3 1JG) please email emily.s@hartbeeps.com for more information.
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.
Coronavirus (Covid-19) Update April 2021
Our swimming pools at the Hydro in Harrogate and at Nidderdale leisure centre are open for lane swimming and family sessions.
Our Brimhams fitness centres at The Hydro, Nidderdale leisure centre and Ripon leisure centre are also open to members only.
To swim, or to use the gym, you must pre-book in advance.
Everybody aged 12 years old and over, who enters any of our leisure centres, or swimming pools, will need to wear a face covering in the communal areas.
Click here to pre-book & find out more
Swimming lessons for stages 4 to 10 are being offered at the Hydro in Harrogate and at Nidderdale leisure centre. These are open to existing customers.
We hope to be able to offer pre-school and stages 1 to 3 lessons as lockdown restrictions ease further, and open all lessons to new customers as resources and capacity allow.
Unfortunately, we are unable to add new customers to our pre-school or beginner lessons.
Please visit www.harrogate.gov.uk/covid19 for more information and updates.
Be active, have fun and gain confidence at Harrogate Borough Council’s swimming pools
From an early morning relaxing swim to a weekend family fun session, swimming lessons for all ages and abilities, fitness time with aquafit classes and a place to have a celebratory party – our five swimming pools have something for everyone.
Located across the district in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge, Ripon and Starbeck all our pools have weekly programmes of swim sessions, lessons, fitness classes and private party hire.
Find out more about each pool on these pages or visit www.harrogate.gov.uk/pools
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
Coronavirus (Covid-19) Update April 2021
Our swimming pools at the Hydro in Harrogate and at Nidderdale leisure centre are open for lane swimming and family sessions.
Our Brimhams fitness centres at The Hydro, Nidderdale leisure centre and Ripon leisure centre are also open to members only.
To swim, or to use the gym, you must pre-book in advance.
Everybody aged 12 years old and over, who enters any of our leisure centres, or swimming pools, will need to wear a face covering in the communal areas.
Click here to pre-book & find out more
Swimming lessons for stages 4 to 10 are being offered at the Hydro in Harrogate and at Nidderdale leisure centre. These are open to existing customers.
We hope to be able to offer pre-school and stages 1 to 3 lessons as lockdown restrictions ease further, and open all lessons to new customers as resources and capacity allow.
Unfortunately, we are unable to add new customers to our pre-school or beginner lessons.
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
Coronavirus (Covid-19) Update April 2021
Our swimming pools at the Hydro in Harrogate and at Nidderdale leisure centre are open for lane swimming and family sessions.
Our Brimhams fitness centres at The Hydro, Nidderdale leisure centre and Ripon leisure centre are also open to members only.
To swim, or to use the gym, you must pre-book in advance.
Everybody aged 12 years old and over, who enters any of our leisure centres, or swimming pools, will need to wear a face covering in the communal areas.
Click here to pre-book & find out more
Swimming lessons for stages 4 to 10 are being offered at the Hydro in Harrogate and at Nidderdale leisure centre. These are open to existing customers.
We hope to be able to offer pre-school and stages 1 to 3 lessons as lockdown restrictions ease further, and open all lessons to new customers as resources and capacity allow.
Unfortunately, we are unable to add new customers to our pre-school or beginner lessons.
Please visit www.harrogate.gov.uk/covid19 for more information and updates.
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
Fun, high energy and educational! Classes for 3 months – 4 year olds written by early years specialists and presented by a fully qualified, experienced primary 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 fine and gross motor skills, turn taking skills, speech, confidence and social skills.
Find the right class for your little one:
Babies Class (3 months – walking) An early introduction to the world of literacy through nursery rhymes using a multisensory approach. If you have had a baby in lockdown this class will be a lovely way to meet other mums in a safe, indoor environment.
Minis’ Class (age 1- 2 years) A great class to help develop your toddlers speech and language skills through songs, rhymes, role play whilst also introducing them to letters and sounds.
Preschool Class (age 3 – 4 years). My preschool classes are fun and energetic so your little ones won’t even realise they are learning.
We work on oral blending and segmenting to help with early sound recognition. We learn letter sounds and develop our fine and gross motor skills through dance and play.
These classes will give both you as parents and your children confidence in early Phonics before starting school.
Come along with your little one this Summer and find out for yourself!
Wednesday
Calcutt and Forestmoor Village Hall HG5 8JG
10:00 – 10:45am Preschool Phonics with Robot Reg
11:00 – 11:45 Phonics with Robot Reg Minis
Pannal Village Hall HG3 1JJ
1:15 – 2 pm Preschool Phonics with Robot Reg
Thursday
Clifton Village Hall, Otley LS21 2ES
9:45 – 10:30am Preschool Phonics with Robot Reg
10:45 – 11:30 Minis Phonics with Robot Reg
11:45 – 12:30 Babies Phonics with Robot Reg
Friday
Clifton Village Hall, Otley LS21 2ES
9:45 – 10:30am Preschool Phonics with Robot Reg
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.co.uk
1 Cardale Park, Harrogate HG3 1RY
Class Schedule 12th April – 18th July 2021
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
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
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.
Enjoy our magical sing along learning adventures which includes sprinkles of pre-school yoga:
Thursdays and Fridays
Baby Beats (0-3yrs)
Rising Stars (2.5-5yrs)
07875-275447
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.
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
LingoExplore to re-launch in Sept 2021.
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.
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.
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
