A number of informal playgroups for infants and toddlers and their carers meet on a weekly basis. Read on for details of when and where they meet.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, many public places and parks have been forced to close or reschedule activities for a later date. For daily updates on all the big events happening in the Cayman Islands, see the events calendar on Explore Cayman. Family friendly events can be found on the events calendar on Cayman Parent.
South Sound Community Centre Playgroup is a volunteer-based organisation which provides a much-needed service for parents. This group is very popular and meets every Monday morning from 9.30am to 11.30am at the Community Centre on South Sound, George Town, (except Public Holidays.) All children, from a few days to five years old, are welcome, as long as they are accompanied by a parent or nanny. Numerous toys are available, there is a different craft activity every week and each session ends with a singalong complete with actions. The cost is CI$8 per session, and includes light refreshments. Email: southsoundplaygroup@gmail.com, call (345) 943 6556 or visit www.southsoundplaygroup.ky.
The Little Explorers Playgroup from the National Trust aims to encourage families with infants and toddlers (ages 6 months-3 years) to actively participate in their environment. They do this by providing accessible, natural and quality play experiences for our youngest learners. Visit the Little Explorers page here, email clubhouse@nationaltrust.org.ky or call (345) 749 1121 for more information.
Other excellent ways to meet people are at the weekly storytelling and singalongs held in Camana Bay. On Saturdays at 10.30am Books & Books offers toddlers storytime for kids up to age seven. A weekly storytelling and singalong is held on Tuesdays at 11am at the Cinema. Both events are free.
George Town Library also hosts a free Children’s Story Time from 10.30am-11.15am every other Saturday. Suitable for ages 0-5 years old. For dates call (345) 949 5159 or visit their Facebook page.
There is an informal new mum meet up every Tuesday morning from 10am at the Marriott. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy a coffee and meet other sleep deprived mums. Look out for the huddle of strollers!
The National Gallery offers a pre-schoolers and parents a drop-in art class featuring interactive storytelling and art activities based on of popular children’s books. Toddlers aged 2-4 will use their imagination to make the books read come to life through engaging art activities while interacting with other children and developing their artistic skills led by parents and guardians. Every Friday 10.30am-11.30am. CI$5 per child, per drop-in class. For questions or to reserve your seat, contact education@nationalgallery.org.ky.
For children aged 12 months to five years of age, Motions Unlimited (Tel: (345) 749 8365) offers a toddler’s play day on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Friday morning from 10.30am-12noon and Saturdays 8.45am-10.15am all for children 0-5 years of age. The cost is CI$5 per child for crawlers, CI$15 for walkers or CI$25 for two children. Then on Friday afternoons they have an open children’s play time from 2.30pm-4pm. These are incredibly popular and a great way for parents to meet each other. You must register online before you can attend.
Other fun venues for young children include Lil’ Monkeys’, an indoor playground and café for six months – eight year olds, with a padded toddler area, jungle gym and tons of toys for kids, and sofas and free coffee for parents! It’s located above Little Darlings on Shedden Road (Tel: (345) 949 2580).
Bright Start in 7 Mile Shops (Tel: (345)949 3017) is another good option with a full range of nursery and preschool options for children ages 6 weeks -5 years old.
Yoga Sprouts specialises exclusively in yoga classes for children, toddlers and babies. They run Peace Baby Yoga classes for ages 8 weeks-crawlers which involves gentle guided movement, massage and song and Tots Yoga which incorporates yoga poses, free exploration, songs and rhymes and sensory activities. Suitable for ages 12 months – 2.5 years. They also offer birthday parties and special events such as Girls’ Nights Out. For more information visit www.yogasproutscayman.com or call Sarah on (345) 326 9876.