Below are all of the playgroups in York that run on a Thursday. These tend to be informal groups in venues like church halls and community centres. There is usually no need to pre-book and you can just turn up (check before travelling) They tend to be less structured and you’re welcome to come along so your baby or toddler can play and you can chat to other parents.
If you’re looking for a more structured group like dancing, singing or sensory groups, for example, then check out the 0-5 Classes page here.
Boddlers runs from Wigginton Recreation hall Monday- Thursday 9.30-11am. It is for babies and toddlers between the ages of 0-3 years.
The cost of the session is £3.50 for children under 12 months and £5 for children over 12 months – 3yrs. This is paid half termly.
Each week the sessions are themed and there are craft activities as well as tea and coffee for the parents. There is also baby weighing scales to use during each session.
The Boddler session provides parents and carers with the opportunity of meeting others in a warm and friendly atmosphere, providing opportunity to form new friendships through the shared experience of caring for children. Our Boddler sessions run four times a week; Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9.30am-11am at Wigginton Recreation Hall. Looking after and caring for children is extremely rewarding but can also be a time when we appreciate having others around us who understand some of the challenges of the job, whether as a parent, grandparent, childminder or anyone else responsible for a child. Parents/carers remain with and are responsible for their children throughout the session.
Parents and carers are greeted by staff that are happy to see you and your child/children. The environment is planned to cater for the developmental needs of children and our staff are available to chat about any issues involved with caring for children, so please feel free to make use of their experience and knowledge of children.
Visit our dedicated libraries pages for details of our 15 Libraries in York, including information on their Regular weekly sessions, special events and the Reading Cafes.
Thursdays 10 – 11:30am (term time) – starts 8th June 2023
For 0-5s and their parent/carer. Free and no booking required.
A free, fun and friendly drop-in group. Comfy corner for babies. Free-play areas and craft activities for toddlers. Refreshments for Grown Ups. Snack time for the children. Story and Songs to end each Session. All welcome.
St Chad’s Church Hall, 36 Campleshon Road, York, YO23 1EY (church car park and free on-road parking at the venue).
Elvington Under Fives Baby & Toddler group at Elvington Village hall.
Wednesday & Thursday mornings 9.45-11.15am.
Playdoh, Toys, crafts & more. Refreshments included for children & adults.
£3 with one child & 50p each extra child.
Just turn up, no booking required.
Elvington Village Hall, Main Street, Elvington, York YO41 4AG
FREE fun activities and play aimed at 0-5 year olds term time, and also primary age too during school holidays. Free tea and coffee. Drop-in Tuesdays and Thursdays 9am-12pm. Upon entering the children’s centre, press the Raise York Family Hub button.
Hob Moor Children’s Centre, Green Lane, Acomb, YO24 4PS
T: 01904 554444
💜 FREE GROUP 💜
Thursdays 9.45 – 11.15am (termtime only). Drop in. Age 0-5, plenty to do for all ages! Large baby area. Craft table with different crafts each week.
£1.50 per child. Free coffee and tea for parents (donations welcome for those). Snack time and juice for the children.
Foxwood Community Centre, Cranfield Place, York YO24 3HY
T: 07919 147359 (Laura)
Please note: this is a busy group with a limited capacity operating on a first come first served basis.
Little Stars is a playgroup hosted by Living Word Church. We have toys, singing, crafts and snacks to keep your little ones entertained while you enjoy hot drinks and home made cake!
Thursdays, 10am-11.30am term time. Just £1 per session. Free parking.
The Riverside Centre, Huntington Road, York YO31 9BP.
T: 01904 626786
💜 ONLY £1 PER CHILD 💜
Livewires playgroup runs every Thursday 9.30-11.20am during term time.
A drop in play session for children aged 0-5 years and their parents/carers. Craft activities, snacks, music and stories every week.
£2.00 per family (1 adult and 2 children), extra children 50p each.
Clifton Moor Church and Community centre, Rivelin Way, YO30 4WD
T: 07801 969204 (Jenni)
Every Thursday morning in term time 9.45-11.45am at Sheriff Hutton village hall.
£4 for families and £2.50 for under ones.
Tea, coffee and biscuits provided and we have lots of different activity areas for children to explore. It’s a lovely friendly relaxed environment and a drop in so no pressure to come every week!
T: 07817 891339 (Jess)
Thursday mornings in termtime, 9.30 – 11.30am.
St Oswald’s Tots is a warm and welcoming place for babies and toddlers, parents and carers. A get-together with fun, toys and crafts, play, chat and refreshments, singing and praise sessions. No fee!
Held at St Oswald’s Church Hall, Main Street, Fulford, YO10 4HJ.
T: 07521 778195
💜 FREE GROUP 💜
Explore York Libraries and Archives offer under 5 story times. There are free and on a drop-in basis. Find out the time and day of the week at your local library and all the up-to-date information here https://exploreyork.org.uk/children/storytimes/
For more details about the sessions and libraries below see our post HERE
💜 FREE GROUPS 💜
Every Thursday from 10.15am to 11.00am during term time we have story reading sessions for pre-school children. Enjoy our volunteers bringing a children’s tale or two to life! Storytime is FREE and all are welcome. No need to book – just come along.
Easingwold Community Library and Information Centre, Market Place, Easingwold, York. YO61 3AN
T: 01609 534584
💜 FREE GROUP 💜
Daily Mon-Fri from 9.30-11.30am and a Wednesday session from 1.30-3.30pm.
Welcoming children up to 3 ½ and their families. Enriching free play, seasonal crafts, puppet show/story and singing together in an all natural nurturing environment, supporting your child and you.
£9 per session – first session free! Please book early as often oversubscribed.
The York Steiner School, Danesmead, Fulford Cross, Fulford, York, YO10 4PB
T: 01904 654983
Parent of an under 4? We’d love to see you on a termtime Thursday morning, 10.30am-12.00pm at York Vineyard Church, YO10 4AH. We have some soft play and baby toys for the littles, and a hot drink for parents. Everyone welcome, just turn up!
For more info please contact York Vineyard on 07752 161121.
