Below are all of the playgroups in York that run on a Tuesday. 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.
We meet on Tuesdays during term time 10am – 11:30am. We have playtime, craft, snack and circle time with a story and singing. It’s completely free to come along and it’s a great place for parents and carers to meet with others in our local area and enjoy some cake! Run by York Community Church.
Cornerstone Church, Millfield Lane, Tang Hall, Yo10 3AP
Tel: 01904 551733
💜 FREE GROUP 💜
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 💜
For under 2s. Every Tuesday in termtime from 9.30 to 10.30am. Starts 20th February 2024. FREE! This is a drop-in session open to all children under 2 (you don’t have to be registered at Happy Jays nursery to access this session).
Happy Jays, Audax Close, York, North Yorkshire, YO30 4RA
T: 01904 479261
We meet all year round, on a Tuesday 10am-11.30am. Age range 0-4 year olds. All welcome!
Stay and play, informal playgroup, snacks for the little ones, coffee and teas for their big people.
Helperby Village Hall, Main Street, Helperby YO61 2NT
A free-of-charge, relaxed and friendly group for 0-5s and their grown-ups!
Tuesdays from 10-11.30am (term-time only) in the Church Hall on Melrosegate, with play, simple crafts, plus story and song time with refreshments available throughout!
For more information, call Mike (vicar) on 07732337069.
Holy Trinity Church Hall, Melrosegate, YO31 0RL
💜 FREE GROUP 💜
** Restarting 9 April 2024 **
Little Doves meets at 10:30-12 in the main building of Calvary Chapel York every Tuesday during term time for songs, stories and playtime. Each week we will have a different theme to explore and new things to play with in our sensory bins.
Tea, Coffee and Cake for grown ups and snacks and squash for the littles provided!
9.15am – 10.45am, Tuesdays in term-time for families living in Strensall.
Crafts and toys, plus a separate area for babies to play safely. If the weather is good, there is an enclosed outside play area.
£2 per family group for up to 2 children, and 50p for additional children. No need to book. See our Facebook group (LittleFishesStrensall) for more info.
Spearehead Hall at St Mary’s Church, Church Lane, Strensall, YO32 5XU.
FREE weekly drop-in sessions open to anyone in the community, held on Tuesdays 9.30-11am at our Elvington site and Fridays 9.30-11 am at our Flaxton setting. It is the perfect opportunity to weigh your new baby, meet other new parents and gain support from our experienced team.
Elvington- 01904 566720
Flaxton – 01904 566740
1.45 – 3pm every Tuesday in termtime. For pre school children and their carer.
In the Tower Room at St Nicholas Church, Dunnington.
£1 per family.
Selection of toys available and a simple craft activity. Circle time song session and short bible story. Hot drink for carer and soft drink for children.
FREE sessions for parents with 0-2 year olds. Fun relaxed stay and play with free tea and coffee.
Runs Tuesdays in termtime – Morning session 9.30-11.30am, Afternoon session 12.15-2.15pm
Booking required. Email for more info!
Venue: En Pointe studios, Rose Avenue, York Business Park, Nether Poppleton YO26 6RU
💜 FREE GROUP 💜
A fun outdoor toddler group for children aged 0-4 years. Tuesdays 9:45am – 10:45am (note this new time from September 2023), term time only – please check Pocklington School website for term dates.
Free admission, all welcome. No need to book.
Please note that this is all outdoors, so please dress for the weather!
Pocklington Prep School, West Green, Pocklington YO42 2NH
T: 01759 321228
💜 FREE GROUP 💜
SongStars is a group for 0-5 year olds and their parents/carers.
It runs on Tuesdays in term time in The Belfrey Hall, 52a Stonegate from 10.30 – 12 noon. 10.30-11.15am is free play followed by a singing, music and story session at 11.15am. Drinks and snacks available.
For more information contact Liz Hunt on 01904 624190
💜 FREE GROUP 💜
Sessions are 9am-11am every Tuesday in term time.
All babies and toddlers are welcome. The cost is £1 per family group.
For further information and to enquire about places please contact 07443 582072 (please note that there is currently a waiting list so please call before attending).
Acomb Parish Church Hall, Front Street, Acomb, YO24 3BZ
💜 ONLY £1 PER FAMILY 💜
Term time Tuesdays, 9.45am – 11.15am, St Barnabas Church
A friendly, Drop In Babies & Toddler Group in a large, airy space. Comfy corner for babies. Free play and craft activities for toddlers. Hot drinks and cakes for Grown Ups. Healthy Snacks for children. Singing to end each Session. All welcome.
St Barnabas Church, Jubilee Terrace, Leeman Road YO26 4YZ
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 💜
Tuesdays 10.30-11.30am at Easingwold Scout Hut during term time. Messy Play classes with “Little Jackson Makes”.
No need to book – £3 per child. Cash on the door is fine. Tea and coffee available for the parents. Call Alison on with any queries – 07816 175035.
Easingwold Scout Hut, Chase Garth Road, Easingwold, YO61 3GG
Open to members and non-members! Tuesdays 10.30am – 12pm (termtime).
For babies 0-12 months and their parents/carers to mingle, play with sensory toys and relax in a nurturing space. Please note: these sessions take place in our spacious seating area (rather than in the gym itself). Free to attend, no booking necessary.
The Little Gym, 2nd floor, York Community Stadium, Monks Cross
A collaboration between Early Talk for York and The Place. Join us every Tuesday from 10am to 11.30am for a fun-filled morning of bonding, learning and playtime for you and your little ones aged 0-2 years.
Look, say, sing and stay with us as we explore interactive activities designed to stimulate your child’s development and enhance your parent-child connection.
Sanderson House, Bramham Road, Acomb. T: 01904 352748
💜 FREE GROUP 💜
The relaxed and friendly group runs at Tockwith village hall every Tuesday morning from 9:30 to 11:30 during term time.
Crafts, toys, snacks, coffee, chats, songs and more.
Drinks and snacks are available for both adults and children.
Drop in session – no need to book. It costs £3.50 per family (£2 for under 1s).
T: 07515385956
Trinity Tots is a stay and play group for 0-4s that meets every Tuesday in termtime from 10 – 11.15am in St Anthony’s Hall. All welcome.
Access from the wooden gates from Peasholme Green into the garden; the door is round to the left – come up via the stairs or lift to the main hall.
St Anthony’s Hall, Peasholme Green, York, YO1 7PW. T: 01904 651726
💜FREE GROUP💜
A lovely baby and toddler group which has a wide range of toys, crafts, outdoor play and more!
Every Tuesday during term time, 9.15-11.15am.
£2 including a drink and a biscuit for adults and a snack for children.
Currently no need to book (as at 31 Jan 2023), please call Sarah Stone for more information on 01904 792832
Acomb Methodist Church, Front Street, Acomb York YO24 3BX
Tuesday Tots at St James The Deacon Church. Tuesdays 9.00am – 11.00am during term time in the Church Hall, Sherringham Drive, YO24 2SE.
Free, fun & friendly. Toys, activities and snacks for children. Tea and coffee for adults. Story time in the Church at 10am. Come along and make some new friends…
💜 FREE GROUP 💜
The 1st Tuesday of each month, 10-11am. Check our facebook page for more details.
A friendly relaxed group for children ages 1-5 and their parents/carers with a focus on nature, story and crafts. Places booked in advance : £2.50 per child members/£3 non members (accompanying adults included).
Meet At Squirrel Wood – map on our website.
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
