All information is correct at the time of publishing. Please check the individual Facebook pages/website links provided for any updates and to make sure the session is running (particularly during school holidays)
🌈PLAYGROUPS 🌈
**For all playgroups unless stated you don't need to book, just turn up. Sometimes they like an idea of numbers, follow their pages for more info**
Dolphin Centre Under the Sea Soft Play, Darlington,
Parent and Toddler Session
Monday to Friday, 10:00 - 11:30 (Term Time Only).
-One hour in soft play area
-15 minutes snack time - juice and complimentary healthy snack for child
-15 minutes interactive songs and story time
-No pre-booking required.
Merrington Mams Playgroup
Kirk Merrington Community Centre, Spennymoor, DL167HZ
10am-12pm
£2 no matter how many kids and free cuppas and biscuits with music whilst you’re little one plays, also snacks are only 50p each
Baby Steps at McNay Street Family Hub
For 0-12 months
Meet other parents/carers, play activities together and get advice/guidance on your babies development from the practitioners if needed.
Free, no booking required.
For any updates follow https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100055717496918
Open Play at Athena Sports Academy, Newton Aycliffe
1 hour sessions 9:30am, 10:30am and 1:30am
0-5 year olds
£4 per session
For updates follow https://www.facebook.com/gymnasticsatathena
🌈SENSORY/MUSIC/OTHER SESSIONS🌈
**These types of sessions usually need booking in advance. Please check the booking links or message their Facebook Page. Links provided below each one**
Bookstart Baby Rhymetime
Darlington Library
Various times
Sessions for 0-1 year olds and 1-4 year olds
Free, no booking required for Darlington Library. Booking is required for Cockerton Library.
For any updates follow https://www.facebook.com/BookstartInDarlington
Music Bugs
Dolphin Centre, Darlington
Various times and classes for birth to 4 years
Taster ticket £7
Discounts on block bookings. Siblings go half price on block bookings too.
Adventure Babies
St Mary’s Parish Hall, Barnard Castle, DL12 8NQ
11am-11:45am
Also on at Catterick Leisure Centre, Gough Road
1:45pm-2:30pm
Approx £8 per session (pay per term, discount when joining part way through a term)
Rhythm Time Sessions at The Moline Cross, Norton
Toddlers sessions (1-3 years)
Young babies (0-6 months) and older babies (recommended from 7months-1 year)
£7 trial session
£20.98 per month block booking (£6.98 per class)
Book via https://rhythmtime.net/
For more info and updates go to https://www.facebook.com/rhythmtimestocktondarlington
The Jolly Melodies Music Company (formerly music with mummy)
The Forum, Northallerton, DL61LP
0-4 year olds (split in 4 different age specific sessions)
Sibling discount available and siblings under 12 months can attend for free.
£5.50 per session (pay per term)
For up to date times and to book go to
The Happy House, Queen Street Shopping Centre, Darlington, DL3 6SH
And also at The Playground, Thornaby
Various times for ages 0-5 years
£8.50 trial class
£40 per term (5 sessions)
For up to date times and to book go to
Follow their social page at https://www.facebook.com/hartbeepsdarlingtonandaycliffe
Lingotot, Friends Meeting House,
Darlington, DL37NB
Fun interactive French baby toddler and preschool sessions
£29.75 per course (5 sessions)
For up to date times and to book go to
Follow their page at https://www.facebook.com/lingototdarlington
Baby & Toddler Gym at South Durham Gymnastics, Spennymoor, 10 High Street,
Suitable for children aged 0 - 4 years
For up to date times and to book go to
You can book in advance or drop in on the day
Follow their page for any updates https://www.facebook.com/southdurhamgym
Little Movers Sessions at The Studio, Shildon
Birth to Crawling (Baby Movers)
Walking to 5 years (Little Movers)
Walking to 5 years (Little Tutus)
£6 per session booked per term.
For up to date session times and to book go to https://www.thinksmartsoftwareuk.com/ocr/single_class_listings_view.php?c
Follow their page at https://www.facebook.com/LittleMoversDarlington
Bright Seedlings Forest School Sessions at Brightwoods Forest School, Deepdale Nature Reserve, Startforth
Aimed at under 5s. Older/younger welcome. Term time only. Also run on Wednesdays.
6 week programme of storybook themed sessions linked with outdoor play and explore.
One off sessions occasionally run to include over kids run in holidays (up to around ages 8)
One off sessions occasionally run on Thursdays too for those that can’t commit to weekly.
Follow their page for updates at https://www.facebook.com/brightwoodsforestschool
I hope you enjoyed reading this guide and find it helpful. If you would like more family ideas for places or events to visit across The Tees Valley, County Durham and North Yorkshire or UK breaks and holiday ideas, please follow my Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/familyfundarlomum
Or my Instagram page at https://instagram.com/familyfundarlomum
If you are a local business offering family activities or events and you are interested in collaborating with me and to request my media kit then please email me at charlotte@familyfundarlomum.co.uk or drop me a private message via my socials if preferred.
Many Thanks
Charlotte (familyfundarlomum)
-Mum to 2 boys under 10 and stepmum to a teen boy
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