Below are all of the playgroups in York that run on a Wednesday. 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.
Wednesdays 1-2.30pm term-time only. Drop-in baby/toddler group for under 5s. £1 per family.
💜 ONLY £1 PER FAMILY 💜
Wednesdays 10-11am: An opportunity for parents and carers to bring their under 5s along to play, colour and have fun!
Fridays 10.30am-12pm: These sessions are delivered by experienced child development workers and will have lots of lovely toys. A great place for play and advice.
Both sessions are drop-in.
Clifton Explore Library, Rawcliffe Lane, York YO30 5SJ
💜 FREE GROUPS 💜
A friendly, welcoming and fun Stay and Play group on Monday and Wednesdays 9:45am to 11:15am term time. We offer toys, crafts, getting messy, a healthy snack and, of course, singing! Baby weighing scales available.
£3.00 adult and child if registered and paid in advance. Drop-in £4. Siblings extra £1.00
Copmanthorpe Methodist Church. Main Street, Copmanthorpe YO23 3ST
T: 07743 848541
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
Wind Down Wednesday: From opening time until 16:00, parents with a child under 4 can get 2 mocktails, smoothies or milkshakes for £5 or 15% off alcoholic drinks. An adult setting to relax with other parents. Although focussed on adults, there’s a change station, some toys and books.
42 Stonegate, York YO1 8AS
FREE fun activities and play aimed at 0-5 year olds term time plus primary age too during school holidays. Free tea and coffee. Drop-in Wednesdays 9am-12pm. Upon entering the children’s centre, press the Family Hub button. If you are coming by car, press the Family Hub button at the gates.
Clifton Children’s Centre, Kingsway North, YO30 6JA
T: 01904 554444
💜 FREE GROUP 💜
FREE fun activities and play aimed at 0-5 year olds term time, and also primary age children too during school holidays. Free tea and coffee. Drop-in Wednesdays 9am-12pm.
The Avenues Children’s Centre, Sixth Avenue, Tang Hall, YO31 0UT
T: 01904 554444
💜 FREE GROUP 💜
Every Wednesday from 10.00 – 11:30 (term time)
£2 session fee per adult
All children FREE
FUN, FREE PLAY, BIBLE STORIES & LIGHT REFRESHMENTS
St. Mark’s Church, St Mark’s Grove, Rawcliffe YO30 5UE
Contact Claire : 01904 471038
Term time Wednesdays 9.30-11.00. Stay and Play Group for children 0-4 years and their parents or carers.
Only £2.50 for a family including a healthy snack, tea/coffee and delicious home baking. Cozy Baby Area/Sensory Play /Play dough/Fun Crafts /Toys /Ball Pool. Everyone welcome!
Huby Methodist Chapel, Main Street, York, YO61 1YF
T: 07511365558
Term time Wednesdays and Fridays 10.00am-11.30am. Suitable for babies & preschoolers with their parents/carers. Lots of toys; includes a craft activity and song time to finish. Drinks and snacks available.
York Baptist Church, Priory St, YO1 6EX (use door facing Priory St)
T: 01904 640124
Minster Mice is a fun, weekly service run by York Minster and aimed at pre-school aged children and their parents/carers.
We meet on Wednesdays in term time in St Stephen’s Chapel for songs, stories, crafts and refreshments from 10am-11am.
Entry is free, all are welcome, no booking is required.
T: 01904 557200
💜 FREE GROUP 💜
Wednesdays 1.45-2.45pm
We’re a volunteer run community group offering a friendly and relaxed swimming environment for women and children. Life guard on duty. No need to book – just come along! Adult females only.
£4 – adults/£2 – children (Just turn up). Cash only please.
New Earswick Swimming Pool YO32 4AQ
T: 01904 766937 (Margaret), 01904 491344 (Lynne)
9.30 – 11.30am on Wednesday mornings at St Thomas’ Church, Osbaldwick. Just drop in – no need to book.
Aimed at Under 5s and their parents, grandparents and carers.
Small donation for teas/coffees is appreciated.
More information on our facebook page – Osbaldwick Baby & Toddler Group.
Because parents deserve fun too! Meet new people, eat donuts and chat the morning away.
Every Wednesday 10am – 12pm (drop in). Show flyer from Doe’s Instagram account to get their £6 coffee and donut deal (valid for parents and babies only).
Call 01904 659902 for more details.
Doe Bakehouse, Unit 1, 43 Layerthorpe, York, YO31 7UZ.
10 – 11.30am, Wednesdays in term time. For pre-school children including babies. We offer free play, craft and playdough, mark making and role play. Adults meet over coffee and chat. Children learn to mix and share. We finish with songs and rhymes and all for £2.00 per child. Everyone welcome.
Easingwold Town Band Room, Croft Close, Easingwold YO61 3DB.
T: 01347 822875
Wednesday morning during term time, 9.30- 11.15am at Sea Scout Hut, Green Lane in Rawcliffe.
Friendly drop-in playgroup with variety of toys, arts and crafts, ball play, baby play area, story and singing time.
£3.00 per adult and child (50p additional child or adult) including snack/drink.
T: 07906 380037 (Sharon)
Every Wednesday in termtime, 10-11.30am.
All pre school children and their families are welcome to join us at this informal group for play, stories, crafts, songs and fun.
St Andrew’s Church, Huntington Road, Huntington. YO32 9PX
T: 01904 768006 (church office)
💜 FREE GROUP (DONATIONS WELCOME) 💜
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 💜
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
