by Rebecca Formston (follow)

Activities (63)      Health & Exercise (21)      Sports (20)      Useful Lists (19)     

Being a mum is rewarding, but often hard work. Some days, after several tantrums and tears, us mums might be found hiding in the pantry, tucking into the hidden chocolate stash and counting down the hours until bedtime!

One of the benefits of living on the family orientated Central Coast is the vast amount of activities available to do with your little ones, to get you all out of the house and keep everyone entertained.


Activities usually cost an affordable fee, encourage your child to be active and often encourage parents/carers to be involved too, meaning you get to spend time having fun and being active with your child (all whilst out of the house!).

Activities are usually indoors too, meaning they are great year-round and all weather things to do for you and your child. Depending on your child's interest and personality, check out the below list by Central Mums of activities around the coast to suit each preschooler:

1. Kindergym

Kindergym classes often cater for toddlers as young as 18 months up to 5 years and encourage parent and child interaction whilst promoting physical, social, emotional and cognitive development. Depending on the gym, parents and children can expect to experience songs, activities, and a range of movement skills whilst moving around an obstacle course in the gymnasium.

There are a variety of gyms around the coast offering Kindergym classes. Scallywags Gymnastics, based in Wyoming, is a highly recommended gym, offering a number of Kindergym classes running Monday-Saturday for crawling babies to preschoolers. Classes are 45 minutes long and run throughout most of the school holidays.

See here for more information:
Scallywaggs



2. Toddler Music Classes

Music and singing classes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers are always a great idea as a weekly activity. Children love to sing, dance and play music, plus encouraging rhythm and introducing musical instruments at a young age is highly beneficial. Classes are often split into different age or ability groups, catering specifically for different age ranges. Depending on your location on the coast, you will find plenty of different music class options for you to do with your child.

Maestro Possums offer classes for 0-4 year olds (split in to specific age groups) in Terrigal and follow a structure provided by Kindermusik. Each student is given a CD to take home to follow the songs, stories, poems etc and the class theme is changed monthly.

Wiggle and Giggle also offer music classes around the coast, providing children experience to music, singing and movement within each class. Classes are aimed at different abilities and there is also an option to take siblings (of different ages) to the same class.

See here for more information:
Maestro Possums
Wiggle and Giggle

3. Playgroups

If you're looking for a low cost, sociable and fun weekly activity, look in to joining a local Playgroup. Often held in the morning for around 2 hours, a playgroup session generally follows an informal structure of free play indoors and outdoors (weather depending) an art & craft activity, story or song time and morning tea time. A local Playgroup is a great way for you and your child/ren to get to meet other local families, especially if you are new to the area. Sessions are often run on a term time basis for a low weekly cost and most are all volunteer or parent run. Expect an exciting morning out in a friendly and relaxed environment when you join a playgroup.

See here for more information:
Playgroup NSW

4. Swimming Lessons

With so many waterways and beaches on the Central Coast, water safety and confidence is so important for young children to learn. We are lucky to have so many fantastic swim schools dotted around the coast, offering learn to swim programs for children as young as infants to older school aged children. For baby classes, parent interaction is key so expect to get wet and join your baby in the water for a fun filled class of singing and playing, as well as introducing your Bub to important, confidence building water skills. Classes for older children introduce further water safety and begin to teach swimming techniques and skills.

Depending on your location, there are plenty of highly regarded swim schools to choose from. 5 Star Swim Schools are found at a variety of locations and are highly recommended as is the learn to swim program at Mingara One Aquatic centre. Classes are available at different times throughout the week and some at weekends.

See here for more information:
5 Star Swim
Mingara Aquatics



5. Sports Program

If, like me, you have a busy energetic toddler or preschooler who likes to run about and be active, you might want to consider signing up to a preschool sports program. These are often great for learning basic sports skills, as well as building confidence and teaching essential early learning skills such as turn taking and listening.

There are a range of different sports programs held on the Central Coast to suit different personalities and interests, ranging from soccer, rugby or multi sports. Little Kickers and Little Rugby offer positive introductions to the sports and have tailored classes for different age groups. Ready Set Go run multi sports classes all over Australia, teaching children a variety of sports over the term. A new sport is taught every two weeks, meaning children are exposed to a variety of different sports and new skills. Sports taught range from tennis, athletics, hockey and AFL.

See here for more information:
Ready Steady Go
Little Kickers
Little Rugby

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