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Post Category - Parties & PlayParties & Play - Post Category - IndoorIndoorBond with your little ones as they learn to socialise and have fun at these Hong Kong Playgroups.
If your kids are not old enough for school yet and you feel like you’re all going a little stir crazy these days, why not get out and spend some time with other mums and dads while also allowing your toddlers to play, explore, socialise and learn? Hong Kong has plenty of playgroups for babies and toddlers, from casual coffee gatherings to more formal centres with big play areas and learning activities. Many preschools also offer playgroup programmes for younger children. We have rounded up some of the best playgroups suitable for every babe under three and their family here in Hong Kong.
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Playgroups With Centres Across Hong Kong
Playgroups On Hong Kong Island
Playgroups In Kowloon
Playgroups In The New Territories
Editor’s note: With the current COVID-19 situation, some of these playgroups may be closed or operating with reduced capacity. Please reach out and contact the playgroup that you’re interested in to confirm availability.
Read more: Your Guide To Preschools, Nurseries And Kindergartens In Hong Kong
Playgroups With Centres Across Hong Kong
Kindermusik
This is an internationally renowned music and play programme for kids of all ages. The Foundation stage is meant for babies starting from birth to the age of 18 months with Levels 1 and 2 taking the kids up to the ages of three. There are a variety of locations and venues offering Kindermusik programmes.
Kindermusik, various locations across Hong Kong, www.kindermusik.com
Malvern Playgroup
Malvern offers adult-accompanied playgroup sessions for children from 6 to 24 months. These are held in the premises of Malvern College Pre-School (at both campuses – Island West and Coronation Circle). The Malvern Playgroup is inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach which believes that the “environment is the third teacher”.
Opening times: Various times during the week, with 1 to 3 sessions/week according to the age group Saturday
How much: Prices vary by age group, starting at $2,300/month
Malvern Playgroup, G09-G12 Coronation Circle, Yau Cheung Road, Kowloon West, Hong Kong
Malvern Playgroup, G/F and 1/F Viking Court, 165-166 Connaught Road West, Sai Yin Pun, Hong Kong, 3898 4699, [email protected], www.malvernplaygroup.hk
My Gym
My Gym has two locations in Hong Kong, one in Central and the other in Tsim Sha Tsui, each with spacious play gym areas for kids to play on. My Gym is based on an award-winning programme that originated in the US in 1983 with its main focus on physical engagement and fun. Its Tiny Tykes classes start at six months going up to 12 months, while the Waddlers one extends until 19 months.
Opening times: Monday to Saturday, 9:15am to 5:30pm
How much: $330/class per term
My Gym, 17/F Coda Plaza, 51 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2577 3322, [email protected]
My Gym, 1/F Hecny Tower, 9 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, 2334 8334, [email protected], www.mygymhk.com
Tutor Time
Tutor Time is a fully bilingual preschool with a WOW activity group specifically for kids 6 months to 2 years of age. This programme is available in the Yuen Long, Kowloon Tong (Suffolk Road), North Point and Caine Road campuses. Its approach is inspired by Reggio Emilia while integrating both English and Mandarin.
Opening times: Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm
How much: Contact your preferred centre to schedule a visit and get admission and fee details
Tutor Time, various locations across Hong Kong, www.tutortime.com.hk
Other playgroups across Hong Kong:
Read more: The Best Indoor Play Centres And Playgrounds In Hong Kong
Playgroups On Hong Kong Island
Baby Steps
Baby Steps offers a wide variety of programmes for babies and toddlers, starting as young as six months of age. Some of its play programmes include Baby FUNdamentals, Enrichment Play and Music Prodigy. Baby Steps also offers baby and toddler classes for English, Spanish, Chinese, storytelling and interviews.
Opening times: Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm
How much: Prices vary by programme, free trials available
Baby Steps, 25/F, 2501-2502 Universal Trade Centre, Central, Hong Kong, 2887 7585, www.babysteps.com.hk
Baumhaus
Baumhaus has a lot to offer Hong Kong kids (and their parents). It has a great location, a nice playroom area as well as a great Kindermusik programme for toddlers and kids. What parents enjoy is its coffee lounge. It’s a space where parents and families can come together and hang out and play with the kids. Baumhaus offers an affordable daily rate for its playrooms in Wan Chai.
Opening times: Monday to Sunday, 9am to 6pm
How much: Coffee lounge and play area rates – $100/child and $60 for each additional child, Kindermusik classes available at $300/class
Baumhaus, 1/F Kar Yau Building, 36-44 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2321 5898, www.baumhaus.com.hk
ESF Playgroup
ESF Language & Learning Centre follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework for its Playgroup classes for kids from 6 months to 2.5 years. The curriculum is split into three levels, each tailored to the needs of your child’s age with English as the medium of instruction.
Opening times: 8:45am to 4:15pm, classes for different levels available at various times and days through the week
How much: Prices vary, starting at $1,200/month
ESF Language & Learning Centre, 2/F Prime Mansion, 183-187 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2838 2276, [email protected], www.esflearningcentre.org.hk
St John’s Cathedral
A long-standing volunteer-run playgroup within the Hong Kong community, this weekly meet up runs every Thursday. The group was organised to bring parents and families together and offer an opportunity for both parents and kids to socialise and interact (at a very reasonable cost!). It welcomes families who have children up to the age of two with a play area and toys provided.
Opening times: Thursdays, 2:30pm to 4:30pm
How much: $20 for entry
St John’s Cathedral Playgroup, Fanny Li Hall, St John’s Cathedral, 4-8 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2855 7074, www.stjohnscathedral.org.hk
St Stephen’s Chapel
Supporting families and kids under three, this playgroup offers great indoor and outdoor play areas for kids, as well as snack and song time. The playgroup offers an enriched environment for the kids and a great time for parents to socialise.
Opening Times: Mondays and Thursdays, 9:15am to 11:15am
How much: $65 for entry
St Stephen’s College, 22 Tung Tau Wan Road, Stanley, Hong Kong, 2813 1047, [email protected], www.ststephen.org.hk
Other playgroups on Hong Kong Island:
Mulberry House Academy (Mandarin Playgroup)
Spring Learning (Neurosense, Neurosteps, Discoverer, Discoverer Plus and Kindermusik)
Read more: Mandarin Lessons For Kids In Hong Kong: Chinese Classes, Playgroups And Tutors
Playgroups In Kowloon
Baby Brain
Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, Baby Brain offers pre-nursery playgroups that incorporate play, arts and crafts, music, food sciences, cookery, movement and more.
Opening times: 9am to 6pm
How much: Prices vary by programme, free trials are available
Baby Brain, Shop D, G/F, Block 5, Cronin Garden, 20 Shun Ning Road, Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2940 6066, [email protected], www.babybrainhk.com
Lifehouse Church Kids
The Lifehouse Church has managed to keep up with all the craziness of the pandemic by offering online Bible-based Zoom gatherings every Sunday for parents and kids aged 1 to 3 years. The programme has just restarted in-person get-togethers too now that restrictions have eased. Prior registration is required for in-person but it’s a great opportunity for kids to play and parents socialise.
Opening times: Every Sunday at 10:30am (online), 11:30am (in-person, prior registration required)
How much: Free
Lifehouse Church Kid’s Programme, Lifehouse Church, 11/F, Hub 8, 239 Temple Street, Jordan, Hong Kong, www.mylifehouse.com/hongkong
Pebbles Playgroup
Pebbles Playgroup offers its Pitter Patter programme specifically for kids aged 15 to 22 months. This all-encompassing play class hopes to stimulate all areas of a child’s development.
Opening times: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday; 9am to 12:30pm, Saturday
How much: $520/class, packages available
Pebbles Playgroup, Shop 1A, G/F Commercial Block, Harbour Place, 8 Oi King Street Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2769 1308, www.pebbles-hk.com
USRC Playgroup
Run and organised by fellow parent Nicola Barguss, the USRC playgroup is a chance to meet other parents in the area in a very casual and fun environment. The play area for kids includes a playground, as well as an area for colouring, play dough, puzzles, reading, dress up/role play, etc. It’s a great opportunity for kids to socialise and play with those their age.
Opening Times: Tuesdays and Fridays – 9:30 am – 11:30 am
How much: Entry $88 for 1 child & 1 parent, an additional $35 per extra child/parent
USRC Playgroup, United Services Recreation Club, 1 Gascoigne Road, King’s Park, Kowloon, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/pages/USRC-Playgroup
YMCA Playgroups
The YMCA offers three playgroups for babies and toddlers (and their parents). The Toddler’s World programme runs a few times a week at two locations in Kowloon, as well as a Parent’s and Toddlers group, and Saturday playgroups. Activities include a relaxed and safe environment for the kids to play in with plenty of different activities for kids to enjoy while the parents supervise and mingle.
Opening times: Times and dates vary by age and programme
How much: Prices vary by programme and session length
YMCA (for Toddler’s World Playgroups), 373 Po On Road, Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon, Hong Kong
YMCA, 3/F, 41 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2268 7755, [email protected], www.ymcahk.org.hk
Other playgroups in Kowloon:
The Little Gym (Bugs, Birds and Beasts classes)
Read more: 50 Things To Do With Kids In Hong Kong
Playgroups In The New Territories
HeadStart Sensory
Located in Discovery Bay, HeadStart Sensory is a playgroup that endorses age-appropriate sensory play activities for babies in their first year. It’s an opportunity for mums or dads to meet up, socialise and receive support while also supporting young children’s development.
Opening times: Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
How much: Prices vary by programme
HeadStart Sensory, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island, 5420 7990, [email protected], www.facebook.com/HeadStartSensory
Kangaroo Babycare
If you’re looking to expose your young one to Cantonese, Kangaroo Babycare has a variety of playgroup options. From Little Koala to Little Explorers, Kangamusic (created by former Kindermusik teachers) and Storyland, there is something for kids eight months and up and their parents.
Opening times: Monday to Sunday, 9am to 6pm
How much: Prices vary by programme
Kangaroo Babycare, Room E, 10/F, Phase I, Kings Wing Plaza, 3 On Kwan Street, Shek Mun, Sha Tin, Hong Kong, 5406 2640, www.kangaroobabycare.com
Kids Corner
Kids Corner has a variety of programmes for kids of all ages but there are two specifically for babies and toddlers. One is the Baby & Me playgroup for parents and children (0 to 1 year) and the other is Little Tots for parents and toddlers aged 1 to 2 years. Baby & Me focuses on children having their first musical experiences while Little Tots is aimed at kids who are learning to walk and move around while getting to interact and socialise with others.
Opening times: Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 6:30pm; Saturdays and Sundays, 9:30am to 6:30pm
How much: Prices vary by programme
Kids Corner, Shop B, Sun Shun Fuk Centre, 12-18 Wang Yip Street South, Yuen Long, New Territories, Hong Kong, 2646 0628, [email protected], www.kids-corner.com.hk
Other playgroups in the New Territories:
Mulberry House International Kindergarten (Kiwi and Sea Otter classes)
Read more: Sensory Play: Getting Your Hands Dirty
Editor’s note: This post was originally written in March 2016 by LTThomas and updated by Danielle Roberts in May 2021.
