Aqua Babies

This is a well-thought out, enjoyable class that not only gets babies used to the water and on their way to learning to swim, it also, very importantly, helps parents’ confidence. Classes are small and take place in lovely heated pools with experienced, friendly teachers.   Aqua Babies starts by warming up the little ones in the water, for example by swishing them from side to side and then round and round on the spot. Next, toys are brought out and babies are encouraged to ‘kick kick’ (with you holding of course!) towards them, as well as across the pool, learning to ...

Baby Sensory

I thought this was such a sweet class, with many different elements loved by all the babies. Each session is divided into three parts and there is something new every week. First is the sensory element. In our class, the teacher handed out small balloons with rice inside to handle and listen to, bowls of fruit and vegetables to touch and feel, and laminated cards with pictures to look at. All these activities were accompanied by music ranging from classical to pop. One aspect I particularly liked was that we sat on wonderfully soft rugs placed on crash mats so there were no uncomfortable knees...

Baby Sign Time

Run by the infectiously smiley mum of two Liz, Baby Sign Time has an extremely friendly and welcoming vibe. The one-hour session is divided into two parts. The first half includes signing and music fun with the babies, whilst the second half features playtime on the mat with toys for the little ones whilst mums enjoy social time with tea and cake.   The idea is that you learn to use hand signs and gestures with your baby when you talk to them, who then will be able to use these gestures to communicate before their spoken language develops. Using plenty of different props, which are dish...

Baby Yoga

This is a great low impact workout for you and your baby. Sessions start with some light stretches and a dry massage for the babies followed by gentle movement to songs and an easy workout for the adults. I loved the lie down at the end, which if you can get your child to lie still will have you asleep in less than five minutes.   For the babies the advantages are clear – it is good for digestion, coordination and movement. For the adults, it is an hour out of the house doing something a bit different and really bonding with your baby.   Classes start from eight weeks old a...

Babywinks

A fun, fast-paced and jam-packed 30-minute class that incorporates movement, dance, singing and instruments for those aged 4-18 months. First there’s a warm-up to music, with familiar songs such as ‘Twinkle Twinkle’ being belted out. Then, my favourite part of the class – Nuala hands out cute, furry monkeys dangling on elastic for you to bounce around whilst singing the ‘Five Little Monkeys Jumping On The Bed’ song. Other elements of Babywinks involve baby signing, instruments such as shakers and bells to play with and the ever popular bubbles. We finished o...

Forest School, Didsbury

Set in a small woodland hidden in the heart of suburban Manchester, the Forest School provides a structured woodland playgroup. Run by a qualified Forest Teacher, each weekly session introduces the children to a different aspect of woodland life through stories and exploration. The sessions run all year, allowing children to expe- rience nature through the seasons.   Whilst there are naturally no formal toilet facilities, there is a ‘wee-tree’ and plenty of space to change nappies! There are healthy drinks and snacks provided.  Classes are weekly, Wednesday from 1-2.30p...

Jabberjacks

Jabberjacks is a music-based activity class for babies to pre-school children. Each session starts with a welcome song and shaking hands with the leader. The focus then shifts to the mystery box, singing ‘What is in the box today?’ Goodies vary from puppets and wands to bubbles and instruments. The box is opened two or three times each session with a new discovery every time. There is a sharing toy which is passed round then each child gets to explore a bag full of things like a teddy bear’s picnic, pet grooming kit or musical instruments....

Kiddiewinks

This is a class that does not stop from the moment you arrive until you sing the final song. Every five minutes a new activity begins so there is no time to stop and think, let alone get bored! Each week has a different theme that also incorporates the pre-school curriculum.   The class I went to was titled ‘Growing’. First we started with animal puppets and what their young were called; then we talked about healthy eating and exercise which then moved into a ‘growing up dance’ with pom-poms! A bit of quiet time was next as out came little bags containing babies ...

Kiddy Cook

This is a cooking class designed for children aged 2-11 years to encourage them to learn about food and explore new flavours in an educational and fun way. I tried the ‘Cookie Tots’ sessions for the 2-4 year old range and it was incredible how much teacher Nikki fitted into 45 minutes.   Sessions start with a warm-up to music using actions that mirror culinary activities such as rolling out pastry or kneading bread. Then a puppet called Katie Custard is brought out to tell the children what they’ll be cooking and hand out recipe cards – the children have to ident...

Kindergym

When children arrive at the South Manchester Gymnastics Centre, they can’t wait to get started. Set in a huge industrial unit, there are two large rooms full of equipment. In the first, an obstacle course is set up that children can get straight on and work their way round. When the class gets started it’s with a warm-up involving hoops and music which then leads back onto the obstacle course before finishing with roly-polys.   You can then move into the second room, where there’s a huge trampoline, swing ropes, bars and rings, all over giant pits of soft foam. You&rsq...

Little Superstars

Little Superstars is an activity class covering general sports including rugby, golf, cricket and football. After a good warm-up, various games are played that change every 10 minutes, with an emphasis on colours and counting.   Each session then focuses on one main sport and involves parents in one-to-one with their children after a demo from one of the brilliant coaches. For example, the basketball session involves bouncing and catching the ball, then scoring baskets in smaller, specially adapted nets.   This is not the sort of thing you go to and put your feet up while your ch...

Mini Movers

These open play sessions are run by Stockport Council’s Play Development team. The hour-long classes involve parent and child interaction with either soft play, bat and ball or various climbing frames. They end in circle time with group singing and activities. There is a progressive badge scheme and each term badges are awarded by Max the Rabbit for skills demonstrated each week....

Mucky Pups

If you have a child that likes to help decorate your home unasked, then you will enjoy Mucky Pups. Each week there is a different topic like Creepy Crawlies and all the activities follow that theme. Seven stations are set up with an activity on each table, plus playdough. There is enough gluing, sticking and painting to keep active hands occupied for hours, plus you don’t have to clear up afterwards. At the end of the class there is an opportunity to show off your best piece....

Mums on Mats

After baby number two, my body was definitely in need of a MOT but having had a Caesarean, I was concerned not to push it too quickly; friends recommended Mums on Mats. This is a post-natal class which works on toning and strengthening your whole body, with particular attention given to regaining your pelvic floor and stomach muscles. What is extra special about this class is that you get to take your baby along too so you don’t need to worry about childcare either.   So I rocked up for my first session. Instructor Maria (herself a mum of three) is absolutely terrific. She makes s...

Puddle Ducks

When I went to a Puddle Ducks class in Warrington I’d forgotten how great it was to have lessons. The instructor is in the pool with you and you’re taught tricks and techniques to encourage your child to be more confident in the water. The teachers are brilliant, and their confidence definitely rubs off! Lessons include lots of songs and games, and the only flotation used is a woggle (a long float tube).There are no more than nine children per class....

Rhythm and Rhyme

This was the first class that I enrolled in with my baby and we loved it. Children and parents sit in a circle for the 45-minute sessions which involve singing, instruments, banging on the big drum, playing with a large ‘parachute’ sheet, dancing to jazz, classical or pop music and at the end, everyone’s favourite – blowing bubbles. Our teacher was lovely and really enthusiastic....

Rhythm Time

This is a great musical interaction class, well thought out and designed to help a child’s development – it’s also fast-paced and really enjoyable for parents and babies alike! First of all there’s a bit of an introduction where everyone in the group says their baby’s name and how old they are. Then it was straight into the first song and shaking the maracas!   The next musical interlude involved sliding the babies up and down mum’s knees whilst singing – they all adored it. As well as musical instruments, there are lots of props used throughout...

Sally Jolley Music Group

This is a fantastic little group although I am totally biased as I have been going to it for over two years. Friends from a toddler class introduced me and the arrangement is that Sally comes to your house and takes an interactive music session lasting 45 minutes for a small group aged from two-and-a-half years to school age.   The group runs every other week, so it’s not a huge commitment on your time. The variety of instruments and puppets Sally has built up over the years is amazing and the children love it when it’s their turn to ‘host’ the group....

Tumble Tots

This group is split into three age brackets – Gymbabes is for the youngest set, and is ideal if your six-month-old is desperate to get moving. The group starts with some warm-up songs and actions, then it is free style around the equipment before more songs and stickers at the end.   As your child grows and starts to walk, the classes adapt accordingly. First to Tumble Tots, which encourages balance, climbing, coordination and independence. Then on to Gymbobs for school age children.   There is a member of staff per six children so there is a lot of encouragement and the gr...

Yoga Manchester

Located in a beautiful studio with smooth wooden floors and perfect lighting, this post-natal mum and baby yoga class is an oasis of calm.   The hour-long session is roughly divided into three sections. The first concentrates on mum. So with baby lying on the yoga mat in front of you, you do a series of gentle exercises that include lots of pelvic floor work and concentration on breathing – an essential part of yoga of course. My personal favourite was ‘Yogic Peekaboo’ where you inhale whilst gazing upwards, then exhale coming down to kiss your baby.   Next is t...