New to area - looking for fun (free) activities for 1 year old

[birdbywater]

My husband and I have just moved to the area from Crystal Palace. He's a stay-at-home parent for our 1-year-old son, and is looking for activities during the week. Ideally free, although the odd low cost class may be do-able as well. We're on Lordship Lane next to the Horniman and my husband doesn't drive, so need things that are in walking distance.

We don't yet have internet at home so I'm researching from work but struggling to find much information. Our previous area (Croydon) had a wealth of children's centres and activities which made it easy to find things to do so I'm not sure where to start!

Hope you can help.

[gebbjane]

There is the ed tots website which lists local activities and the hoop app is quite good.

http://www.edtots.co.uk

A lot of the children's centres cut activities due to funding. However check out Ivydale who still run a fair few things including stay and play at Peckham rye park which is walkable from that end or 363 bus.

https://primarysite-prod-sorted.s3.amazonaws.com/ivydalesouthwark/UploadedDocument/e2337c1c6a9940ef81d2aeca17fe91ad/locality-drop-in-sessions-and-map-april-2017.pdf

Also the aardvark group of children's centres but don't know how easy to get to.

http://www.dulwichwood.com/aardvarkcc/

Tumble (small soft play set-up with bouncy castle) at the albrighton centre which is off dog kennel hill also good (?2 for the class) runs Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons the Tuesday morning can get busy - http://www.albrightoncommunitycentre.org/whats-on/

Slightly further afield but easy reach on the bus is tiny gym at camberwell leisure centre a bit more expensive at ?5 but would highly recommend http://southwarkgymnastics.co.uk/classes/tiny-gym/

[birdbywater]

Thank you, that's all really helpful! I'll send the details to my husband, he's going a bit stir crazy with a screaming toddler in a small flat... ;-)

[Pugwash]

call in at Christ Church in Barry Road and speak with Elaine/Michelle in the caf? to ask what days tiny tots meet up I believe it is a free activity.

[yeknomyeknom]

Hi, I don't drive either. It's possible to bus to jelly tots cafe in herne hill which is a nice little soft play. It's not free but very cheap. Not big and intimidating for a little one. Dulwich library has several tots singing classes and a stay and play afternoon too in a secure area with lots of toys, that's free. Copleston community centre has a nice stay and play in a very big hall with really nice people. Horniman is obviously great. Become a member then dad can go to the aquarium and other kids bits whenever he likes and bring you as a guest at weeekends. Don't forget the little animal farm there too.

[Annadabrowski]

There's a good free class at the Horniman museum called Busy Bees for under 5s, which might be good as you're near there. Haven't been for a while, but you could drop in or check their website.

[birdbywater]

Thanks all for the suggestions! I'll send to my husband (internet is finally working!), looks like there should be plenty to do.

Yeknomyeknom - I've been to Jelly Tots, admittedly not since my little boy was about 4 months old, think he'd probably get a lot out of it now so thanks for the reminder. Definitely want to get us all registered at the library asap.

[chellbirdse15]

Hi there

There are chree chidren centres near you in the area, Ivydale, Peckham Rye park and Rye Oak, all provide activities for children from the ages of babies to 5 yrs old, this is a free service. For the details and timings you can go on Hoop for the Peckham Rye playrooms and Ivydale school website, children centres and there will be all the timetables of each centre.

[louise.flynn]

This would probably be ideal - its a dad's only playgroup!

http://www.dadsandlittluns.co.uk/brockwell.php