Baby and Toddler Groups in Sunderland

The first months with a baby can feel isolating, and a regular group is one of the easiest ways to meet other parents and give little ones some new faces and sounds. Sunderland has a mix of options: council-backed Family Hubs, library rhyme sessions, long-running church toddler groups and a handful of private classes for babies and toddlers. This guide gathers them together by type. Groups run to their own timetables and many pause in school holidays, so always check the latest details before you set off.

Family Hubs

Sunderland's Family Hubs are run by Together for Children on behalf of the city council and offer support for families with children from pregnancy upwards. Several hubs run regular play and early learning sessions, including crafts, messy play and rhyme sessions such as Move to Rhyme and Time for Rhyme, along with groups for young mams and dads. Hubs include Rainbow on Elliott Terrace in Washington, Bunny Hill on Hylton Lane, Coalfield in Hetton, Winnibell in Hendon and Thorney Close, which has reopened after renovation. Sessions are listed on the Together for Children Family Hubs pages, and staff can point you to other support services for families.

Best for: Any family with a baby or toddler, especially those wanting support as well as play.

Library rhyme times

Sunderland Libraries run rhyme and story sessions for babies and toddlers at branch libraries, a simple, low-key way to introduce songs and books. Washington Library on Washington Highway, for example, has a rhyme time on Tuesday mornings from 10am to 10.30am. City Library has moved into Culture House on Keel Square, which opened in September 2026, so check the Sunderland Libraries what's on listings for current times there and at your nearest branch.

Best for: Parents of babies wanting a short, relaxed session built around songs and books.

Church toddler groups

Church halls host some of the longest-running toddler groups in the city, usually with toys, a craft, a song and a cup of tea for parents. Two examples:

• St Nicholas' Toddlers meets at St Nicholas Church, Bishopwearmouth, on Thursdays from 1pm to 3pm in term time, in Haver Hall.
• Holy Trinity Southwick runs a toddler group on Fridays from 10am to 11.30am at the church on Church Bank, Southwick.

Groups like these are usually open to all families, not just church members, and are run by volunteers, so times can change. Contact the church before your first visit.

Best for: Families wanting a friendly, informal stay and play close to home.

The Playgroup Hub, Southwick

The Playgroup Hub Sunderland at Pickersgill Court in Southwick was set up by Terri Atkinson, an accredited baby massage and baby yoga instructor. It runs a weekly timetable of small, bookable sessions: Stay & Play, Messy Play, Luxury Baby Massage, Sensory & Stretch and the Tip Toe Club, plus a Talk & Play social group. Breastfeeding support sessions are run with an IBCLC lactation consultant, and there is a cafe on site. Sessions are booked through Bookwhen, which shows the current timetable and remaining places.

Best for: Parents who want baby massage, messy play and feeding support in one place.

Bloom Baby Classes

Bloom Baby Classes Sunderland runs termly blocks of developmental classes. Caterpillar Club is for younger babies and Busy Bees is for older babies and early walkers, with sensory play, music and movement. Classes run at Holy Rosary Parish Centre on Tuesdays, Roker Methodist Church on Lonsdale Road on Wednesdays and Grindon Church Community Project on Thursdays. Bloom also runs occasional one-off specials, including a festive class in December. Courses are booked in advance through the Bloom website.

Best for: Parents who like a structured class with a set course of weekly sessions.

Soft play toddler sessions

Some soft plays run quieter sessions or classes for under-fives. Tumbles World in Millfield, opposite Millfield Metro, has a programme of classes for young children alongside its soft play and coffee shop. In Washington, Millie's Magical Garden at the Millennium Centre in Concord has separate baby and toddler areas and a term-time Toddler Time offer on weekdays from 9.30am to 3pm; it is walk-in only and takes cash. For more options see our guide to soft play in Sunderland.

Best for: Toddlers with energy to burn, and parents who want a coffee within sight of the play.

Finding the right group

• Try a few: groups vary a lot in size and feel, so it is worth visiting two or three before settling on one.
• Free or paid: Family Hub, library and church groups usually cost little or nothing, while private classes charge per session or per course.
• Getting there: many groups are in church halls and community centres on bus routes; Tumbles World is right by Millfield Metro.
• Next steps: when your child is ready to move on, see our guides to swimming in Sunderland, playgrounds in Sunderland and our families page.

Know a place we have missed? Get in touch.