M J

I take my" nearly " 9 month old son to different activities and groups here in the Uk ,such as Tumble Tots ( soft play,climbing frames etc in a gym),Hartbeeps music group ( singing with instuments and puppets),water confidence swimming lessons,Buggyrobics etc, as i like him to socialise with other babies.
Are there things like this in Oz or something similar? I suppose it depends on where we end up but its looking like either Melbourne area or Brisbane area.
Or is it more "toddler groups who meet up in the park" type of thing?

Thanks mums for any info!

M J

thebears

Hi M J

My wife has got a great book for things to do with under 5's. We have been very impressed with the standard of soft play areas including the quality of food (child friendly).

Where do you think in Melbourne you would end up? As we are spending most weekends trying them out will have a list for you.

The playgrounds are also great - alot more use of wood instead of metal and steel. And its so easy meeting other parents - have already had an offer to come around for start of summer BBQ.

binbird

We are in Sydney and there is a free magazine (issued monthly) called Sydney's Child which has loads of info about activities for kids of all ages. I did a quick google and there are publications in other major cities here. Click on the link for more details and pick up a copy for yourself when you land!

http://www.melbourneschild.com.au/professional.asp

Good luck!

Binbird

M J

oooh thanks you guys! To be honest were really not sure where we will end up...its more of a case of " where work is".
Will certainly look out for any magazines and have a look through that site.
Am certainly looking forward to being more outdoors together.

Secretsquirral

If you end up anywhere near the Gold Coast, there are a few indoor soft play centres in the area which I take my toddlers to, they also have coffee shops attached which is very welcome! I also pick up a monthly magazine at the boys kindy which has info on all sorts of activities for the kids, including martial arts from age 2, music and gymberee classes.

Debbie

M J

Hi ya,
If we end up in Melbourne will have to get on to you for that list!! By the time we get there i think those playgrounds will do the trick.
He does like his little music groups though!! Maybe i will have to start one of my own!!

thebears

They have alot of different groups here including music and dance. Please feel free to PM us if you are coming to Melbourne.

hbeeps

Hi,
I am one of the co founders of Hartbeeps and have myself just relocated to sunny Brisbane. It took a little while to settle in, but I'm really starting to enjoy it now! We are starting to run Hartbeeps sessions in Bulimba in May if you are interested in coming along. Feel free to get in touch with me if you decide to come to Brissie! You can get my email address from our website (search google oz). Not sure if we can put our addresses on here.

Cheers,
Rob.

Jacque

Loads of these types of groups for babies and toddlers down under. Everything ranging from BabyGym to Music and Dance classes- you will have a plethora of choice, especially in the capital cities. Have fun!!

racheysteve

Hi there,
if you do end up in brissie look up qld playgroups, the ozzie equivelant to mums and tots. I missed my tots groups so much when i got here and found that there were not many groups like it untill i stumbled on that website. It lists all the groups in qld, however in some areas like mine there are very few. That is why i have just help set one up at the local primary school on a thursday morning. Numbers are rising and its amazing how many expats i have met. give us a yell if you move here and i'll take you along . rach