HK BABY

Join a tribe

Make new friends for the new year at these parent and toddler groups

Baumhaus

The play area at Baumhaus in Wan Chai is perfect for tiny tots - and parents will love the barista-style coffee served. Sign up for music and drama classes, or simply drop in for a play. Music classes cater to lap and crawling babies (0-12 months), walking toddlers (1-2 years), talking toddlers (2-3 years) and musical preschool (3-4 years). The play center features a large birch wood “tree house” surrounded by plenty of soft play space and wooden toys. The on-site coffee shop offers a range of healthy snacks guaranteed to keep everyone happy. Open daily 10am and 7pm. $100 per child plus $60 per additional sibling.

baumhaus.com.hk

Little Nature Wanderlust

Little Explorer Sensory playgroup is a Reggio Emilia-inspired drop-in session for babies aged from six months up to two years old. Sessions include sensory play, fine and gross motor skills, arts and crafts, singing and dancing, and storytime. Classes cost $180/$200 per session and are currently held on Wednesdays and Thursdays at two locations in Causeway Bay and in Sheung Wan. Little Nature Wanderlust also provides party playgroup entertainment and quarantine

activity boxes with themes such as Discover Bugs and Plants, All About Dinosaurs and Explore Sea Life. The boxes are delivered to your hotel, taking the stress and hassle out of planning activities and deciding which toys to pack. For more information contact the founder Barbie on 6643 1506, or visit

littlenaturewanderlust.com

Casita

Casita in Sheung Wan is a newly-opened sanctuary for parents and kids up to six years old. The family centre offers classes and freeplay sessions as well as hosting events and private parties. Casita programmes combine Zumbini (an internationally-acclaimed music and movement program created by Zumba) with play-oriented discovery sessions to provide children with a holistic learning experience. Classes cater to tumblers (6-12 months, accompanied), wanderers (1-3 years) and explorers (3-4 years). Family time sessions offer an opportunity for the entire family to participate in Zumbini movement

and music classes as well as sensory exploration of arts and crafts. casita.com.hk

My Gym

My Gym Children’s Fitness Centers offer play-based developmental programmes for children from newborn to six years old. Having arrived in Hong Kong in 2003, the centre now operates two locations in Wong Chuk Hang and Tsim Sha Tsui. Sessions are age-specific with tiny tykes (6-12 months), waddlers (12-18 months), gymsters (18-30 months), terrific tots (2.5-3.5 years) and mighty mites (up to five years). Highly-trained and nurturing teachers deliver lessons in a safe and child-friendly play-gym environment, providing little ones with the opportunity to grow at their own pace and gain in physical and emotional confidence. mygymhk.com

Malvern Playgroup

Malvern Playgroup operates out of Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong’s beautifully landscaped campuses in Sai Ying Pun and West Kowloon. Children aged 6-24 months can enjoy adult-accompanied sessions led by experienced teachers who engage little ones in a wide range of activities including singing, reading, games, free play, arts and craft, music and baby yoga. Lessons are focused on helping young learners build selfawareness, confidence and independence.

malvernplaygroup.hk

ESF Playgroup

ESF (English Schools Foundation) is a registered charitable organisation which was established in 1994 to provide sports and language learning to ESF schools and non-ESF venues across Hong Kong. The playgroup caters to children aged from six months to two and a half years with three levels dependent on age and development. The playgroup follows an EYFS curriculum that prepares children for their schooling days ahead. Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Preparation programmes are also held at ESF’s Premium Centre in Wan Chai. Prices start at $1,200 per month.

esflearningcentre.org.hk

Kindermusik

Kindermusik provides music-based education to children across the world from birth through to age seven. The joy of musicmaking is used to help children learn and grow during the years most critical to brain development. Classes are held by dedicated teachers at locations across Hong Kong including at Baumhaus in Wan Chai, virtual classes are also available. Foundation groups provide a sensory-rich environment in which infants up to 18 months can explore new sounds, sensations, and objects. Level 1 offers young toddlers a stimulating environment to explore their new movement and language skills and level 3 encourages further cognitive development for children aged up to three years through singing, dancing, and instrument play.

kindermusik.com

St Stephen’s Chapel

St Stephen’s Chapel in Stanley hosts a popular Parents and Toddlers group on Monday and Thursday mornings from 9.1511.15am. The session comprises of indoor play, outdoor play, arts and crafts activities, snack and song time. Children up to three years old can join sessions and members of the group are also welcomed in church, especially for Family Services at 10am on the first Sunday of each month. For more information, contact

ststephensplaygroup@gmail.com

St John’s Playgroup

St John’s Cathedral offers a long-standing playgroup popular with parents and babies. Due to government restrictions, sessions have currently been suspended but once up and running again, the friendly, informal group meets at St John’s Cathedral in Central every Thursday from 2.30-4.30pm. Parents can socialise whilst little ones enjoy a range of toys provided. Children from birth to two years old are welcome. For first-time attendees, contact Mrs Vanda Cole on 2855 7074. stjohnscathedral.org.hk