Where's best for baby & toddler (v.active!)?

[Gussy]

Hi there, I'm new in town and slowly getting to grips with the various groups, meets, parks etc. My toddler (2 next month) is a bit of a loony (most are I know), but I'd be very grateful for any pointers on groups/places where I can let her run riot in safety, but also hang on to my 5 month old. I went to bumps & babes on Monday and it was nice but my toddler was bored to tears (sorry!), she was trying to open doors and prefers a bit more space and more toys like buggies/kitchens etc rather than playmats for the little ones. Next on my list to try is the Surestart at Rye Oak....libraries tend to be out as she does everything except read books and playgrounds can be tricky as she's off trying to climb 'up' slides while I'm chasing after her with baby in pushchair. I guess I'm not asking for too much! What about 'more than one' groups/meets - are there any in ED? Or classes for babies where toddlers are welcome or vice versa. Be lovely to hook up with any other mums with two under 2 or thereabouts...Thanks!

[Fuschia]

I have 2 yo twins so I am also keen on places where a toddler is well contained

I can recommend Crystal Palace One O'club (not free but runs am and pm sessions)

Also peckham pulse softplay (though parking is a headache) and Little Rascals soft play in Bellingham (when she's a little older)

[snowboarder]

I've seen quite a few mums with 2 going to whippersnappers classes (sorry know I bang on about these quite often) - entertainment for toddler while you can sit with baby. Check the website - some are free and some oyu pay for - various locations...

[Kaska]

Brockwell Park One o'clock club.Entry is only 1 ? and plenty to do for 2 years old and a baby.There is also lots of free activities in the children centers.Just call the council or check online the nearest one to you.Call them and they will send you the information pack.There is also lovely dancing group at St.Barnaby's church every Wednesday(I am not sure if it started after the holiday break)for toddlers.

[Fuschia]

Kaska Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

.There is also lovely

> dancing group at St.Barnaby's church every

> Wednesday(I am not sure if it started after the

> holiday break)for toddlers.

What time's that?

[LeilahB]

Rosendale childrens centre has some really good activities for toddlers this term - cooking classes on Monday mornings and stay and play on Wednesday mornings (also a stay and play session for childminders on Tuesday mornings). Always plenty of Mums with toddlers and younger ones in tow. And it's free!

[charlottep]

Gussy, i'm in a similar position, a 28 month old who is nuts and a 4 month old. I'm going to try out Didi Dance at the Dulwich Constitutional Hall tomorrow morning at 11am. Hopefully that will exhaust my toddler and the organiser tells me that there are lots of mums with babies attending with their toddlers.

[juliap]

Hello

Babble & Squeak at the Magdala on Friday mornings is great. There is an hour of really active play and then half an hour of singing / stories. All for ?3!

Not sure if it's started back up again after the summer break, though.

Julia

[legalbeagle]

Soft play at Beckenham Spa is good - much better IMO than Peckham, it's cleaner, bigger, better facilities for the little ones and on the spot coffee. Plus the parking is plentiful and quite cheap.

[IrishDancer]

I'm in the same boat,I have a very active 32 month old and 9 month old,would be great to just go somewhere where I'm not stressed out worrying about her hurting herself,I regularly take her to the park but there's not much to do with my 9 month old and now that the weather is on the change it's just not going to work!!

[beababies]

Hello,

Thought you might like to come along to a new baby music class I'm starting the first week of October in East Dulwich at the Family Natural Health Centre at 106 Lordship Lane! Babies and upwards are welcome so they're great for a mix of ages and are sibling friendly. The classes involve sing alongs, dancing and percussion/instrument playing, are always drop in, ?5/class and meet every weekday afternoon except Thursday as well as Saturday mornings. Please see the timetable below. Classes start on Monday October 4th. I'd love to see you there!

Monday 2:30-3:30

Tuesday 3:30-4:30

Wednesday 3:30-4:30

Friday 3:30-4:30

Saturday 10-11

Bea

x

[fmay]

Do you think your classes would be ok for an active 18month old boy, or perhaps more suited to babies? Timings of lessons are great, very little in avos around here...is that venue the same place as 'Health Matters'?

[The Nappy Lady]

Fmay, it's above Soup Dragon I think.

Molly

[Kimmy1080]

Hiya!

I run a music group on a Monday for babies and toddlers held in All Fired Up Ceramics cafe. The class does get very busy so I'm thinking about doing an additional session. We run from 10ma to 10.45am and then there's a play and staty session until 11.30am. Total cost is ?3.00 per child, ?5.00 for siblings. We also run a Thursday session with the same format but for babies only. The Monday session is for parents who have a baby and an older sibling.

Give it a try, we have lots of great fun!

Best wishes

Kim

www.tippeetoes.co.uk

[canadianlisa]

Hi Kim

Is this still drop in or do you have to sign up to a term?

Thanks

[jac73]

Little Gems at Upper Norwood Salvation Army is good, it has a ball pool and a separate area for babies. Heshima (Barnardos) centre also Upper Norwood - has great ball pools and is free. Phoenix Centre in same area also has a group running twice a week - sorry, I can't remember which days/times all of these run on...

[Kimmy1080]

Hi - it's a drop-in session, no need to book or sign up. Just come along and share musical fun :o)

Kim

Tippee Toes

0790 361 8432

[beababies]

hiya Fmay,

Regarding your message "Do you think your classes would be ok for an active 18month old boy, or perhaps more suited to babies? Timings of lessons are great, very little in avos around here...is that venue the same place as 'Health Matters'?"

The classes are great for babies and active 18 month boys alike as the babies learn from the older ones and how the children interact varies by their age. The Family Natural Health Centre is just above Soup Dragon on Lordship Lane (thank you to Molly for confirming that!). Very good to hear that the timings are good! Would love to see you and your active one the week after next!

Bea

x

[millie42]

I would recommend Toddler World at Crystal Palace Sports Centre - 10 to 12noon. Think on most mornings and def Mon and Tuesday Really excelent and great for boisterous boys! Also parking outside so really convenient.

[fmay]

Sounds perfect Millie, we'll give that a go, thanks.