We are spoilt for choice for playgroups in St Albans, Harpenden and the surrounding areas as there are lots of playgroups to choose from every day of the week. Playgroups are a great way to get out and about with your baby or toddler to meet other young families and play, sing songs and nursery rhymes and sometimes even enjoy some refreshments, usually for a small fee or a suggested donation. Some groups are more structured than others, so it is worth trying a few to see what suits you and your baby or toddler.
Usually playgroups are drop-in so you do not have to commit to going every week and you pay for the sessions you do attend. However, some groups are very busy so try and arrive on time to avoid the disappointment of being turned away if a group is full, or call ahead and some groups have a waiting list so you can not just turn up on the day. Where a group has a waiting list that I have been made aware of I have indicated this in the list.
I have gathered together a selection of playgroups in the local area but if you can see that a group you run or attend is not on the lists, please do let me know so I can ensure that the list is as comprehensive as possible.
Click the links below to see the groups held on your chosen day:
- Playgroups on Monday
- Playgroups on Tuesday
- Playgroups on Wednesday
- Playgroups on Thursday
- Playgroups on Friday
Playgroups on Monday
Here are the details of some of the Monday playgroups in St Albans, Harpenden and the surrounding areas. If you would like to recommend a group that isn’t in the list please do get in touch.
SALVATION ARMY TODDLER SONG
9-10am
01582 469399
Toddler Song at the Salvation Army, Leyton Green, Harpenden, AL5 2TG welcomes parents or carers with toddlers from 15 months old. Term time only. There is a waiting list for this group so please call ahead to avoid disappointment.
SAMS SUNFLOWERS PLAYGROUP
9.30am-11.30am
01727 860642
SAMS Playgroup at Unit 9, The Dencora Centre, Campfield Road, St Albans, AL1 5HN welcomes parents, carers and children, including children with disabilities and/or special needs. Every Monday (except bank holidays).
LITTLE STARS TODDLER GROUP
9.30am-11am
Little Stars Toddler Group at the St Albans Seventh Day Adventist Church, 121 St Peter’s Street, St Albans AL1 3EL welcomes parents, carers and toddlers/pre-school children. Term time only.
ST ALBAN AND ST STEPHEN RC CHURCH
10.30am-12noon
01727 853585
St Alban and St Stephen RC Church, 14 Beaconsfield Road, St Albans, AL1 3RB welcomes parents, carers, babies and toddlers after 10am Mass on Monday morning. Term time only.
MARSHALSWICK BAPTIST FREE CHURCH KANGA AND ROO TODDLER GROUP
1.30pm-3pm
01727 857786
Kanga & Roo Toddler Group at Marshalswick Baptist Free Church, Sherwood Avenue, St Albans, AL4 9QL welcomes parents, carers, babies and toddlers. Term time only.
Playgroups on Tuesday
Here are the details of some of the Tuesday playgroups in St Albans, Harpenden and the surrounding areas. If you would like to recommend a group that isn’t in the list please do get in touch.
ABBEY TOTS
9.30-11am and again at 1.30-3pm
Abbey Tots is a free community playgroup that meets every Tuesday morning at 9.30am and again every afternoon at 1.30pm in the Welcome Centre at St Albans Cathedral. Abbey Tots is a fun, social, interactive group that warmly welcomes pre-school age children and anyone who cares for them. Toys and craft activities will be available throughout the session to keep young ones entertained, before ending the session with music, singing and a short, interactive Bible story. Drinks will be available for all and a healthy snack will be provided for children. Runs every Tuesday.
MARLBOROUGH ROAD METHODIST CHURCH
9.45am
Marlborough Road Methodist Church welcomes parents, carers, babies and pre-school children. Term time only.
NCT BUMPS AND BABES
10am-11.30am
NCT Bumps and Babes at Skew Bridge Pub, Harpenden, AL5 1PQ welcomes pregnant women and parents and carers with their babies 0-18 months old. You do not have to be a member of the NCT to attend.
SANDRIDGE BABY & TODDLER GROUP
10-11.30am
Sandridge Baby & Toddler Group at Spencer Sports Hall, 39 High Street, Sandridge, St Albans, AL4 9DD (behind the village hall) is run with the support of the Alban Way Children’s Centre. Parents, carers, babies and toddlers are welcome from birth to five years old. Term time only.
SOPWELL & COTTONMILL TOY LIBRARY
10am-12noon
The Sopwell & Cottonmill Toy Library at St Julian’s Church Hall, Abbot’s Avenue, St Albans, AL1 2HX welcomes parents, carers, babies and toddlers. Tea and biscuits are available and you can also borrow toys to take home for a small fee. Term time only.
ST MARY’S MARSHALSWICK TODDLER GROUP
9.30-11.30am
07949 933167
The toddler group at St Mary’s Marshalswick, Sherwood Avenue, St Albans, AL4 9QA welcomes parents, carers and toddlers. £3 per session with activities and refreshments included. Term time only.
ST PETER’S CHURCH TUESDAY TODDLER TIME
9.30-11am
Toddler Time at St Peter’s Church, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, AL1 3HG welcomes parents and toddlers for toys, games, singing and regular craft activities. £2 per session with refreshments included. Term time only.
SALVATION ARMY PARENTS AND TODDLERS
9.30-10.30am
01727 854554
Parents and Toddlers at the Salvation Army, 16-18 Victoria Street, St Albans, AL1 3JB welcomes parents, carers and toddlers. Term time only.
ST BARTHOLEMEW’S PLAYGROUP
9.15-11.30am
Playgroup at the Roman Catholic Church of St Bartholemew, 47 Vesta Avenue, St Albans, AL1 2PT welcomes parents and toddlers for an activity, snack and singing. £1.50 per session per parent and child, £2 if more than one child. Term time only.
Playgroups on Wednesday
Here are the details of some of the Wednesday playgroups in St Albans, Harpenden and the surrounding areas. If you would like to recommend a group that isn’t in the list please do get in touch.
DAGNALL STREET BAPTIST CHURCH
9.45-11.15am
Toddlers at Dagnall Street Baptist Church, Upper Dagnall Street, St Albans, AL3 5EE welcomes parents, carers and children under 5 years old. £2 per session with refreshments included. Term time only.
HATFIELD ROAD METHODIST CHURCH
9.45-11.45am
Babies and Toddlers at Hatfield Road Methodist Church, St Albans, AL1 4JX welcomes parents, carers and pre-school children. £1.50 per adult with up to 2 children (additional children 50p each), with refreshments included. Term time only.
JERSEY FARM TOTS’ TIME
9.30-11am
01727 869703 or email office@ridgewaychurch.net
A baby and toddler group run by Ridgeway Church held at Jersey Farm Community Centre, St Brelades Place, St Albans, AL4 9RG welcomes parents, carers and pre-school children. £2 per family includes crafts, drinks, biscuits, Bible stories, singing and toys. Term time only.
SALVATION ARMY BABY SONG
10-11am
01727 854554
Baby Song at the Salvation Army, 16-18 Victoria Street, St Albans, AL1 3JB welcomes parents, carers and babies up to 15 months old. Term time only.
ST LUKE’S PLAYGROUP
9.30-11am
Catherine 07754 113401
The playgroup at St Luke’s Church, 46 Cell Barnes Lane, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 5QJ welcomes parents, carers and children aged 0-4 years old. Relax and enjoy warm, cosy surroundings at this friendly community playgroup. £2 per family. Term time only.
TOTS AND TEDDIES
10.30-11.30am
On Wednesdays at 10.30am Tots & Teddies (for babies, young children and their carers) meet at St. Julian’s, 3 Abbots Avenue, St Albans, AL1 2HY, for an hour. This gathering begins with a short and very informal service which starts with everyone ringing the Church bell and singing a special song. The service is followed by creative activities. Toys are provided for the energetic, and refreshments are available for all! Tots & Teddies normally has a break during half term weeks and the Christmas and Easter holidays. During the summer holidays Summer Tots, which is much the same as Tots & Teddies, replaces it.
BABIES AND TODDLERS DROP IN
1pm-3pm
01727 370569
Babies and Toddlers at St Peter’s Church Hall, Riverside, London Colney, Hertfordshire, AL2 1QA welcomes parents, carers, babies and toddlers for toys, refreshments, play and chat. Every Wednesday 1pm-3pm. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. The group is free, a suggested donation of £1 per family is welcomed to cover the cost of refreshments. Closed in August.
BUILDING BLOCKS
1.30-3pm
01582 713056
Building Blocks at the High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden welcomes parents and carers and their babies and toddlers. £2 per family with refreshments included. Term time only.
Playgroups on Thursday
Here are the details of some of the Thursday playgroups in St Albans, Harpenden and the surrounding areas. If you would like to recommend a group that isn’t in this list please do get in touch.
BABYTIME
10-11.30am
01727 855485
Babytime at St Peter’s Church, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, AL1 3HG welcomes parents and carers of babies under 18 months old for toys, games, singing and regular craft activities. £2 per session with refreshments included. Term time only.
BUILDING BLOCKS
9.30-11am
01582 713056
Building Blocks at the High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden, AL5 2RU welcomes parents, and carers and their babies and toddlers. £2 per family with refreshments included. Term time only.
HOMEWOOD ROAD UNITED REFORMED CHURCH
Morning Session – 10-11.30am
and
Afternoon session – 1:30pm-3pm
Contact: homewoodroadparentandtoddler@gmail.com
The Parent and Toddler Group at Homewood Road United Reformed Church Hall, Homewood Road, St Albans, AL1 4BH welcomes parents, carers, babies and toddlers. Term time only. The morning session gets very busy so sometimes we operate a waiting list. Please drop us an email if you’re interested in coming along.
Activities include: playdoh, duplo, crafts, plus larger toys to play with – slide, car, baby toys etc. Every term finishes with a party. £2 per family including refreshments.
TINY TOTS
10-11.30am
01727 846281
Tiny Tots at St Paul’s Church, Blandford Road, St Albans, AL1 4JP welcomes parents and carers of bumps, newborns and babies up until walking. Meet in Garden Room 1. Term time only.
TOTS & TOYS
9.45-11.15am
01727 857044
Tots & Toys at Spicer Street Church, Spicer Street, St Albans, AL3 4PQ welcomes parents and carers with babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. Tots & Toys is a free playgroup. Term time only.
SALLY’S PLACE
1.30-3.30pm
Lorraine 07718 291239
Jane 07747 142552
Sally’s Place parent and baby/toddler group at St Luke’s Church, The Crescent, Bricket Wood, AL2 3NF welcomes parents, carers, babies and toddlers. £1.50 per child, 50p for additional siblings. Term time only.
Playgroups on Friday
Here are the details of some of the Friday playgroups in St Albans, Harpenden and the surrounding areas. If you would like to recommend a group that isn’t in the list please do get in touch.
MINI KINGDOM PLAYGROUP
KANGAROO CLUB
10-11.15am
01582 461438
Kangaroo Club at the Harpenden United Reformed Church, Vaughan Road, Harpenden, AL5 4EA welcomes parents, carers, babies and toddlers. £1.50 per family with refreshments included. Term time only.
LES P’TIZAMIS FRENCH SPEAKING PLAYGROUP
9.45-11.15am
07803 011198
Les P’tizamis at Dagnall Street Baptist Church Hall, 1 Cross Street, Upper Dagnall Street, St Albans, AL3 5EE welcomes parents, carers, babies and toddlers up to 4 years old from bilingual families where French is spoken at home. Term time only.
ST PAUL’S CHURCH TOTS
9.30-11am
01727 846281
Tots at St Paul’s Church, Blandford Road, St Albans, AL1 4JP welcomes parents, carers, babies and toddlers. Term time only.
HARVESTERS PLAYGROUP
10-11.30am
Run by a group of local mums, Harvesters playgroup at Jersey Farm Community Centre, St Brelades Place, St Albans, AL4 9QY, has lots of toys for preschoolers, craft activities, baby play area, ball play and tea, coffee, biscuits and snacks. Come along and join in the fun, just £2 per family. Term time only.
LITTLE FISHES
9.30-11.00am
01582 713849
Little Fishes at Crabtree Church, 139 Crabtree Lane, Harpenden, AL5 5RD welcomes parents, carers, babies and toddlers up to 3 years old. Term time only.
WHEATHAMPSTEAD TODDLER GROUP
9.45-11.30am
Wheathampstead Toddler Group at the Memorial Hall, Marford Road, Wheathampstead, AL4 8AY is a volunteer run group for children of 0-4 years of age, comprising of free-play, crafts, ride-on toys and singing. It is a fantastic chance for mothers, fathers and carers to meet other people in the local area. The cost is £3 per child plus 50p for each additional sibling, which includes craft materials, a healthy snack and of course some coffee/tea/biscuits to keep the adults going! Term time only.
LOS AMIGUITOS
3.45 to 5.15pm
07899 785227
paola.santosfierro@gmail.com
Los Amiguitos at Dagnall Street Baptist Church, Lower Hall, 1 Cross Street, Upper Dagnall Street, St Albans, AL3 5EE welcomes parents, carers, babies and toddlers up to 4 years old from bilingual families where Spanish is spoken at home or those interested in Spanish language and culture. Term time only.
