Baby massage has proven and well-established benefits for parents and babies. Baby massage and yoga offers the opportunity for you to further communicate love, security, comfort and support to your baby. It allows you to gain a greater understanding of your baby’s subtle, non-verbal language and develop your ability to listen to and observe your baby. Joining a group session also helps to bring new parents together to share ideas and experiences, make connections and build their wider support network during this life-changing time.
Little Rosebuds offers a range of Magical Baby Massage & Yoga courses plus a nurture circle group called ‘Mummy & Me with Biscuits & Tea‘ which focuses on supporting new mums with their own well-being and to enjoy time with other new mums too. Due to popular demand, Little Rosebuds will also be trialling a new post-natal fitness class this September called ‘Mummy & Me as Strong as Can Be’. This class will be perfect for new mums (and their little ones) to get back into fitness after having their baby.
Tots Play classes are an award winning mix of all your favourite activities carefully planned to support each stage of your baby/ toddler’s development. They really are every class you need in one!
Tots Play hosts classes across multiple venues in Finningley, Cantley, Armthorpe and Edenthorpe. Please see the website below to find the most suitable class for you and your little one. Look out for the Tots Play monthly Saturday specials too!
Boston Park Farm has some fantastic Farmer groups from birth to 11 years which take place during term time (from 11th September onwards).
Tiny Farmers (from birth to crawling) takes place on Mondays from 11:30am- 12:30pm. Meet other parents and enjoy a hot drink at this weekly parent & baby group. Enjoy farm themed activities delivered by trained early years teachers with a dedicated space for feeding, changing and weighing your baby.
Mini Farmers (for babies who are crawling to 2 years old) will take place on Mondays from 10- 11am and Thursdays from 1- 2pm. You and your child will take part in farm-themed activities and messy play plus animal feeding and a short animal handling session.
Little Farmers (for 18 months- 4 years) will continue to run on Mondays from 1:30- 2:30pm and Thursdays from 10:30- 11:30am. In this popular group your child will take part in farm-themed crafts and activities such as planting seeds, animal handling & trailer rides. Each session includes a craft to take home, feed for the animals, a drink and a biscuit.
Big Farmers is an after school group for children aged 4- 11 taking place on Thursdays from 4:30- 5:30pm. Each week the children will enjoy a different farm/nature related craft, animal feeding, a drink & a biscuit.
You are also welcome to arrive early or stay behind after the sessions to enjoy other areas of the farm.
Click here to book your place at a Boston Park Farmers group.
There’ll be a different theme each week so lots of photo opportunities to cherish and make wonderful memories throughout your little one’s first year.
Caterpillar Club (6 weeks to 6 months)
A gentle baby development class with a focus on encouraging bonding with your little one. Caterpillar Class awakens baby’s first senses and stimulates in a fun, yet soothing way, using bubbles, parachutes, lights, puppets, songs, pompoms, tummy time and baby yoga development moves. Classes end with a relaxing massage for baby to help them drift into a long nap.
Busy Bees (6 months to 15 months)
A fun, lively, musical baby development class encouraging fine and gross motor skills, body awareness, early language acquisition and rhythm & tempo. Building on from the gentle activities of Caterpillar Club, this session uses instruments, dancing, clicking sticks, Makaton and more to bring on your baby’s all round development.
Art has SO many benefits – from squishing and squidging in paint to exploring colours and textures, learning about the world around us, developing fine and gross motor skills, making friends and building confidence.
The aim of all of the ARTventurers sessions is to nurture and develop a child’s creativity by providing them with the opportunities, guidance, inspiration and materials to explore, experiment and express themselves through a range of colourful art and creative activities. PLUS all of the activities and sessions for preschool age children are carefully planned to support the Early Learning goals and be in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage.
The new term will begin on 11th September for 5 weeks and classes will take place on Mondays in Bentley and on Tuesdays in Ackworth (WF7 7HH).
If you’re looking to get outdoors with your little one then Forest Friends is the place to go! It offers a completely outdoor playgroup with story trails and a variety of activities including a mud kitchen, bug hunting, rope swings, den building, hammock, crafts and much more!
Nature is good for us. When children access outdoor play on a regular basis it allows for healthier, happier children. Children become more confident, creative and great problem-solvers when accessing the natural world.
Playgroup sessions are suitable for children who are walking to school age. They’ll be running on Mondays and Fridays from 10- 11am. Nature Babies is suitable from birth to first steps and is on Mondays from 12- 1pm. Both sessions take place at Squirrel Wood Scout Camp which is just off the A1/A19 near Burghwallis (DN6 9FE).
The Forest Friends new term will begin on 18th September.
Classes in Doncaster currently run on Mondays and Fridays in Branton, and on Tuesdays in Cantley.
Click here to see available class times and booking information.
Swimming lessons are a wonderful way to spend quality bonding time with your little one. They also improve balance, co-ordination and confidence. Luckily we have some fantastic swim schools in and around Doncaster including Puddle Ducks Doncaster, Water Babies, Go Swimstars
Click here to read our blog post- Recommended Baby, Toddler and Pre-School Swim Schools in Doncaster
It’s not a class but if you’re looking for something different to do with your little one then it’s worth knowing that Savoy Cinema has a parent & baby screening at 11am on Wednesdays during term time.
The parent and baby screenings are a range of U, PG & 12A rated films exclusive for parents with newborn or young babies to go to the cinema and enjoy a film surrounded by others who wish to do the same. During the screenings low lights are left on in the auditorium and the volume of the soundtrack is reduced. It’s also fine for customers to move around, make a noise or take a break during the film.
If you have an older child then you could join their Kids Club screenings which take place every Saturday and Sunday morning and every day during the school holidays. These are great value sessions at just £2.75 per person! You can park across the road at the Civic Quarter Car Park for 4 hours for just £1 aswell.
Another different idea is a unique, fun, rustic DIY workshop based at the Yorkshire Hive, that you can enjoy with your toddler or pre-schooler.
Get creative with colours, stains and finishes. No skills required, suitable from any age (children with parental supervision).
Open everyday, you’re welcome to drop in anytime and they’re very child friendly. It’s a great way to spend a couple of hours.
For full details of all of their events and workshops please visit their website.