Looking for cheap and free baby and toddler classes? These classes can be a life saver for us Mummies who are desperate to get out of the house and spend some quality bonding time with our little ones.
I’m really glad I went to baby classes with Rose. They’ve been amazing for her development; both mentally and physically.
Plus, three years on and she has her own little friendship group and I’ve met some lovely Mum friends too.
But I’m not going to lie, they can cost a fortune! So here are some practical tips I’ve found have really helped me save money on baby and toddler classes…
Set yourself a budget for baby and toddler classes
Before you commit to anything, I think it can really help to set yourself a budget for classes, especially if you’re still on maternity leave.
I initially started putting aside physical cash each month but some classes only took online payments and I lost track of my spending quite quickly. That’s when I started looking for alternatives.
I’m a huge fan of Monzo and have set up a Monzo pot for toddler activities and days out, which I top up on pay day every month and can’t recommend it enough for things like this.
👛 Sign up to Monzo and use your card within 30 days and we’ll both get a mystery reward of £10, £20 or £50!
Each month, I try to stick to £100, which includes classes, days out, and coffee and cake funds (essential spending!)
Try free taster baby class sessions
Many classes, like baby sensory, music, swimming, and dance offer a free or cheaper trial class that let you try the class before you commit to a full term.
This allows you see if your child enjoys it before paying for a block booking.
Check libraries for free toddler activities
Most UK libraries run free weekly story time, which includes a few group book readings and singing some nursery rhymes at the end. There are also colouring and toddler crafts activities for older babies/toddlers.
Rose loves these sessions. She’s a bit shy at first, but once she warms up she loves to get involved and enjoys a good sing and dance to all the classics, especially Grand Old Duke of York!
Look at council-run leisure centres
Leisure centres sometimes run “pay as you go” parent-and-child sessions, which work out way cheaper than privately-run sessions.
Our local centre has a lovely little class with gymnastic equipment like climbing frames, ball pools, soft play shapes, etc.
Kids have free play for half an hour and then they include an educational activity at the end, like match the ball and cone colours, and sing songs at the start and end of each session.
It’s great because it only costs £1.20 for babies, and is just £3.50 for 10 months+ if you have a local postcode.
Join local community and church baby groups
Church halls, village halls, and community groups often run stay-and-play mornings for £1–£3, including snacks for kids and a much-needed hot drink for parents.
These are often one and a half to two hours, making them a great way for your little one to burn some energy off before their afternoon nap.
Search for lottery funded baby and toddler sessions
A fellow Mum shared one of these with us and it was so good! This one was a walking Mum and baby group, which met every week in the park for a walk and some basic stretching exercises.
You usually have to book on to these types of groups but they’re totally free. Have a look online for these types of funded groups near you.
Join free walking meet up groups
Speaking of walking… There are quite a few walking meet ups near us and these worked out perfect for my maternity leave. A quick Google or Facebook search will help you find your local group.
There are pram walks and baby carrier specific walks but it’s a great way to get outdoors and I guarantee your little one will enjoy the fresh air too.
Dogs were also welcome at the one I went to. And we stopped for a well deserved coffee and cake after!
Use Facebook & local WhatsApp groups
Parents often share codes, discounts, and second-hand “class passes” in local parenting groups near you. You can also find pop-up free events this way.
Keep a look out for new classes advertised on here in your area, as they’re very likely to offer free sessions to help their classes grow.
Check for sibling discounts
If you have more than one child, ask for sibling rates. Many baby and toddler classes offer 25–50% off for additional children.
For example, some Hartbeeps franchises offer half price sibling deals and under 12-month siblings go free.
Keep an eye out for loyalty schemes
Some playgroups and baby and toddler classes have loyalty schemes, which reward you with a free visit once you’ve paid to visit a certain number of times.
For example, our local Life Leisure Baby Splash class has a stamp reward card, where we get a free visit for one adult and up to two children under 5 on our 7th visit.
Book off-peak sessions
In some cases, classes at less popular times (late morning or early afternoon) can be cheaper than prime slots. So 2pm might be cheaper than 10am, for example.
Some classes with booking websites will highlight popular times, allowing you to check when it’s cheaper and compare prices.
Ask about refer a friend rewards
Refer a friend schemes are a great way to save money on baby and toddler classes! Quite a few classes we’ve been to offer incentives like free classes or gift cards when you refer another mummy.
Weigh up pay as you go vs block bookings
Booking in a block of classes e.g. a term or six in a row can sometimes save you some cash.
However, it’s worth considering pay as you go sessions if you know you’re likely to miss classes due to naps, fussiness, doctor appointments, or sicknesses. Especially if you have an ‘unpredictable’ baby.
How much do baby sensory classes cost?
Prices vary depending on where you live and things like term length, whether you can pay as you go, etc.
An average cost across the UK would be around £9–£10 per session. Cheaper areas such as Manchester are roughly £7-8, while you can expect to pay around £12 in more expensive areas like London.
Are baby classes worth it?
I would say 100% yes, they are worth it. There are so many benefits for you and your baby, including socialising with other mums and babies, developmental aspects, and just having fun and bonding with your little one.
Many of these also have different weekly themes, so plenty of photo and video opportunities!
What age should I start taking my baby to classes?
You can actually start taking them as newborns but I waited a little while with Rose. She was a (quite fussy) winter baby so we enjoyed the comfort of our own home for a couple of months and got Christmas out of the way.
We did, however, enjoy going to an NHS Early Days course, where we met other Mums and newborn babies born around the same time.
This gave me a bit of confidence to start looking at baby groups near us and they gave us a list of local groups as well.
So we asked family to contribute towards a baby sensory class for her Christmas present. I’m so glad we went for it and would always recommend baby classes to other mums!
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