Dublin: Kid. Playgroups for toddlers.

Well Well Well it seems that being a Mamma you need to keep your little one entertained. The bigger they get, the bolder they get.  As we all know our fair Country isn't known for its 'nice weather' - so where do you go when it's raining it's pouring, the old man is snoring....

Playtime

Funky Monkeys Playcentre Dundrum 

This place is within the Dundrum Town Centre and is handy for me.  We went first thing in the morning and the place has two play areas - climbing frame and cars and toy area and a baba area.  There's a cafe and lots of tables, magazines and newspapers for the grown ups. Now there was an incident with my little one there and a bigger kid who was in the baba area when they shouldn't of been.  The Mother was more interested in her cafe-latte-a-cinco then looking after/disciplining her kid.  Having said all that it is a handy place to bring your little one, but parents/minders should look after their kids and TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for their little ones.  The staff were lovely and provided me with an ice pack for my little ones face.  Haven't been back after that incident but my little one has been there at a party and had a ball - a monkey ball!

More info here.

Leisureplex, Stillorgan

Toddler mornings here in Leisureplex - the 'bowler' and slot machine, videogame place.  Like Funky Monkeys it has soft play area with slides and a cage and tea/coffee place and seats.  There is a big area for smaller babas to run around or go on a trike etc. Admission is a fiver, so it's not that cheap.  When we stepped in I thought I was in Hollywood Nights Nightclub circa 1996 - all the dance toons playing.  'Call me Mr. Vain, Cottoneyed Joe..' - like a toddlers rave - good fun though.  Stick to the tea/coffee as the sandwiches leave ALOT to be desired.

St. Laurences Parish Centre, Playgroup

This playgroup is in the parish hall on Friday mornings. We don't get to go that much as it clashes with swimming, which is a shame as Gogo really likes it. It's only 2 or 3 eurons to get in and the great thing about here is that there is massive hall space for the little one to run around.  The toys are secondary to her.  Personally I think community groups like this are better as PARENTS are on their best behaviour, this makes such a difference to our children's experience. Tea/Coffee is available through the hatch of the parish coffeeshop.  The nice thing about here is that there's other stuff going on in the centre (like active retired groups), so kids get to see different facets of the community.

Panda Play Cafe, Ballsbridge 

This is a great place in the function hall of a rugby club.  They have a massive play area with all sorts of stuff and the added bonus here is that they have different events on every day.  When we were there a fella was doing a taekwon-do demo. for the kidlets. Not too busy either. There is an outside area here but it was rainy when we were there.  Tea/coffee and food available.  I have to commend them on the menu for kids - there are a few healthyish options. The only thing is check it is open before rocking up as I've been caught out twice when it was shut due to a function being on.  Horray for panda play!

Blackrock Library toddler mornings

This group is on on Wednesday mornings in a little room in Blackrock Library.  I have to say the strangest thing in the world for me is for people to be a different person on-line then in *real life.  I had arranged to meet another mammy here from on-line with her little one and when I arrived here she barely talked to me! That aside this is a grand group free play for kids to read books and play with broken toys. hahaha.

Dundrum Library toddler mornings

Monday mornings! Good way to start the week then some play in Dundrum library.  A little section is cordoned off upstairs for toddlers.  There's a babygate into it but my little one discovered that you can just climb under the tables for sweet freedom.  The stairs make me nervous as they are quite dangerous for the little ones and you have to Usain Bolt it after the little ones if they wanna take the stairs.  Like Blackrock Library there's loads of books and broken toys to play with. :)

Gymboree, Spawell, Templeogue

This is slightly different then the other groups as it's a structured group and you pay for the month, works out about a tenner a class.  I attended 'play and learn group'.  You get to know the other Mammy's and Baba's in the group and each week you introduce yourself and then there's a theme and developing different skills (including motor skills) is the name of the game.  Gogo really enjoyed this and I would love to return to see what she thinks of it now that she's older.  The thing is you have to make a commitment to join.  There's also music, sports and art classes here.