Our city guide to Cardiff’s most-loved local classes, activities, parks, soft plays and museums for babies, toddlers and parents
Get to know Cardiff
A popular tourist destination (visited by 18 million people per year!) with infinite things to do for families, Cardiff is the capital of Wales and the UK’s 11th largest city. It’s known for its beautiful beaches, beautiful wildlife, and beautiful history. There’s plenty of filming locations both in Cardiff and nearby for the iconic British show Doctor Who (including “Bad Wolf Bay” aka Dunraven Bay) and is the birthplace of famous author, Roald Dahl. If that wasn’t impressive enough, then hold onto your nappies! Because on top of that, it’s also home to the Wales Millennium Centre, which has won the Loo of the Year Awards. Twice!
With so many people choosing Cardiff as a holiday destination, it’s not difficult to understand why so many people take the next step in picking Cardiff to raise their families. We wanted to know some of the best picks of things to do in the area, and reached out to the young families of Cardiff. After receiving many many manyrecommendations, we gathered together a list of activities, destinations and services for you and your little ones.
If there’s anywhere on here we’ve missed, let us know! We are positivie that no one knows these cities better than the families who live in them and discover new gems on the regular. Get in touch to tell us your favourite classes, activities and businesses for babies and toddlers. Or, if you’re a class provider, sign up below to list on our site and be featured (for free!)
When in doubt, go for a play centre! These are always a perfect choice for families when you’re looking for things to do, whether that’s Cardiff or any city! Little ones can keep entertained for hours at these colourful venues, and all of the below have all the proper facilities you’ll need, including a cafe nearby for when you need your that well-needed tea break.
Softplay, sensory walls, bumper cars and more! This play centre has tons to offer for a wide range of ages. They have toddler and baby areas, and huge play frames for those in your family over the age of 4, making this a perfect pick for those of us with multiple children.
Attached to this lovely hotel and restaurant, the Playbarn is a wonderful choice for delicious grub and fun. They offer both a baby area and a big-kids play area, with lots of spaces for parents to rest and sit while they keep an eye on their kids.
Good value for money, clean and safe! Ants Inya Pants is a smaller play centre, which makes life a lot easier when you need to keep an eye on your little one. And they don’t put a time limit on your visit! This venue offers slides, ball-pits, tunnels, cannons and zip-lines, and more.
Rhymney River Bridge Road, Cardiff, CF23 9AF
Cardiff’s best… Baby-Friendly Trips Out
Trips that are perfectly baby-friendly, and can work for the whole family! From baby-friendly cinema screenings, to mind-blowing museums, there’s a little bit of something for everyone.
A trip to the cinema that won’t make you cringe in fear at the idea of your baby crying loudly, or having to pop out mid-show to do a nappy change. If you’ve missed going to see films on the big screen, and you’re looking for things to do for families in Cardiff, then this is a great choice. Carry On Screaming screenings are for parents with babies under twelve months only, with free entry for babies.
Looking to buy baby items in a sustainable way? Little Pickles Markets are the perfect solution for your needs. This community organisation runs multiple baby markets throughout Wales where you can both buy and sell pre-loved baby products.
The National Museum Cardiff is a wonderful place to let curious minds go wild. Walk among the dinosaurs, explore the wonders of natural history, or check in with them to see if they’re running one of their “Toddler Time” sessions.
An awe-inspiring and fun science discovery centre! Venture into the world of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). And keep an eye out for their “Toddler Days”, where pre-schoolers have exclusive access to the exhibits in a safe and friendly environment.
Stuart Street, Cardiff, CF10 5BW.
Cardiff’s best… Baby and Toddler Classes
Do you fancy sampling a class that will help your little one develop a new skill? Or maybe you’re looking for somewhere to relax and find your tribe? Try some of these! There’s lots of things to do for families in Cardiff, and many of them come in the form of classes. These are the ones that were highlighted to us by the parents we spoke to.
The perfect good energy to leave you feeling bubbly and bright! Little Fizz is an Multi Award Winning, exciting and engaging combination of music, movement and learning through play within a fun, relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. They hold a lot of emphasis on both physical and mental benefits of exercise, and create a great atmosphere for you to connect with your baby.
A familiar name for many throughout the UK, Monkey Music is an award-winning music franchise with beautiful hand-crafted puppets, cute bops, and a clear passion by those that run it. This pick is a safe choice for a guaranteed good time.
This franchise offers parents and carers the big three: Music, movement, and mindfulness! They create a welcoming environment for nervous babies and parents alike, and keep sessions fun for everyone involved.
“Real music, real fun!” Little Music Notes offers something quite unique on our list, in that they bring real musical instruments to their session to introduce to little ones. They have puppets, percussion, and more -all to bring a memorable experience for you and your child.
An English and Welsh mixed class, this cute messy play class is a wonderful addition to our list. Allow your little ones to explore their senses and develop their motor skills in a warm and enjoyable environment.
A mum and baby class from an experienced personal trainer. This inclusive fitness session allows you to have your workout with your child watching. Classes are aimed at any level of fitness and you can bring along any age child from 6 weeks +
A fun fance class, with an ever-changing pop playlist, “where nappies and baby cream meet Lizzo, Spice Girls and Queen!” These classes just sound like so much fun. They’re feel good, they’re welcoming, and as your baby develops their language, cognitive and social skills, you can get a well-deserved boogie on!
Multiple Venues
Happity is the UK’s biggest platform dedicated exclusively to baby & toddler classes. We’re expanding in Leicester and are keen to hear from families about more classes and things to do for little ones – get in touch if you can help! We’re always open to recommendations!
Cardiff’s best… Parks and Farms
Happity are definitely big fans of outdoor spaces. They are good for families, all members, and offer things to do for everyone, whether you’re in Cardiff or anywhere around the country. But, if you’re looking for the best parks or nature walks to check out, here’s what came highly recommended:
A lovely community park with tons and tons to do! From the Roath Park Conservatory to the Trim Trail: There’s a little bit of something for everyone, and it’s worth the multiple visits to try it all.
Scenic, beautiful, and a chance to get a deep breath of that lovely coastal air. Generally considered an easy walking route, this is perfect for when you’re looking for a walk with parent friends, or to find a way to get out and about.
“A Gruffalo? What’s a Gruffalo?” Those who are fans of the Julia Donaldson classic will adore this pick, with a beautiful Gruffalo trail, with wonderfully carved and painted statues to bump into in your path. This location has lots to do, and is ideal for when you’re looking for a full day out with the kids.
A charity group running in various locations. Prams in the Park brings mums, dads and carers together to help unite others and to help parents meet, walk, and talk. A great activity, and free!
Would you consider yourself a local expert?
Happity is the UK’s biggest platform dedicated exclusively to baby & toddler classes. We’re expanding in Cardiff and are keen to hear about more classes and activities for little ones – get in touch if you can help!
Our city guide to Leicester’s most-loved local classes, activities, parks, farms, businesses and services for babies, toddlers and parents
A Bit About Leicester
If you’re looking for things to do with a baby or toddler, then you can’t go wrong with Leicester. One of the oldest cities in the UK, boasting about 2,000 years of history, Leicester is the home of much greatness, from the National Space Centre, to Walkers Crisps. It has a diverse culture, host to the largest Diwali celebrations outside of India each year, as well as the Caribbean Carnival and Leicester Pride. And when it comes to historic facts, Leicester has a truly unique one! The main figure that comes to mind is King Richard III. He was brought back to Leicester after his final battle and his remains were recently discovered in Leicester city centre… Under a car park. So clearly it’s not just the living who struggle to find where they parked!
When it comes to having fun in Leicester, the very youngest members of the population (and their carers) have their pick of things to do. We received a lot of recommendations from the mums and dads of Leicester, making this guide the longest we’ve made so far! We’ve honed in on some of the most-loved activities, destinations and services for little ones. (And for you!)
We firmly believe that nobody knows their community better than the parents and carers pounding the pavements every day, so if there’s anywhere on here we’ve missed, let us know – we’re always keen to hear about great classes, activities and businesses for babies and toddlers. Better still, if you’re a class provider, we would love to feature you in our listings – you can sign up below.
Whether it’s a colourful soft play that allows your tots to bounce off the walls safely, or a roleplay centre that allows them to explore the expanse of their imagination, these centres are fantastic for the under 5’s. And, FYI, all of the below have a cafe nearby for when you need your that well-needed tea break. We’ve checked for you!
Designed for the whole family, and a great activity in Leicester for your baby or toddler. This venue is a spacious fun day out for both the big kids and the little ones. There are seating areas throughout the venue that allow you to move around the centre and watch your children having fun, whilst also giving you plenty of places to rest. Enjoy their toddler zone, outdoor area, and their very cute roleplay zone, “360 street”.
Meridian Leisure Park, Lubbesthorpe Way, Leicester, LE19 1JZ
Cute, amazing, and oodles of fun! Not only are they a brilliant roleplay centre for your little one, offering a huge play space for them to explore their imagination, but they run seasonal events too. Easter, Christmas, Halloween: they have you covered. And they cater to different needs (including SEN sessions).
Rushfield Farm, Tilton Road, Billesdon , Leicester, United Kingdom
Possibly the youngest establishment on our list, this play centre has certainly made a splash amongst the parents of Leicester. This cute small business allows your little ones to explore and live out their imaginary professions as a vet, doctor, hair stylist and more! Open 7 days a week, running 3 sessions a day, and regular SEN sessions. What’s not to love?
This mobile pop-up village is a great addition to our list, for those looking for a place to visit, and those looking to hire for an event. Beautifully designed wooden equipment that you can hire for use at home, book for a party, or attend a pop-up sessions throughout the year.
Various Locations
Leicester’s best… Family Day’s Out
If you’re looking for a treat that could occupy the little ones as well as any big kids in the family (yes, this could include spouses), then these are some great day-trips out for you.
Theme park, farm, and waterpark: there’s a hefty helping of everything at Twinlakes! Dare ye enter Buccaneer Island? Will you come face to face with the birds of prey? Or maybe your little ones will meet their idols (including characters like Paddington Bear)? Whether you have a baby or toddler, this theme park in Leicester offers plenty of things to do for everyone.
Twinlakes Park, Melton Spinney Rd, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE14 4FF
Explore beyond the stars and discover all the joys of space! Winner of the Travellers Choice award 2022, the National Space Centre is an ideal pick for young families. They run small space days when they’re closed to school groups and have special tailored activities to under 5s. Sounds out of this world!
National Space Centre, Exploration Drive, Leicester, LE4 5NS
Leicester’s best… Baby and Toddler Classes
Do you fancy sampling a class that will help your little one develop a new skill? Or maybe you’re looking for somewhere to relax and find your tribe? Try some of these!
A familiar name, and for good reason! Hartbeeps is a franchise that runs through the whole of the UK, and are fantastic musical storytellers, creating multi-sensory play for babies and young children.
Multi-award winning franchise, and tons of fun, you can be guaranteed a fun and energetic time from a Diddi Dance class. They pack enthusiasm, energy, and action into a 45 minute dance class, which is just the perfect length when you have a little one in attendance. Hop along to a Diddi Dance class today.
A lovely class that comes highly recommended as a thing to do by the parents of babies from Leicester. The parents and guardians we spoke to said that they really saw how much energy and thought was put into each individual session, and absolutely loved the enthusiasm that the people running the activity offered. Some absolutely glowing reviews for a lovely class.
Story Imagin-ory is a Storytelling class that brings their tales to life through activities, singing, sign language, simple phonics and traditional storytelling and play. They have a strong focus on early learning development, and keep play fun for the little ones!
My Baby Spa and My Toddler Spa are two different businesses under the same pampering umbrella. They provide a luxurious spa experience (and a lot of fun!) for both you and your children, as well as plenty of cute photo opportunities.
Glowing, luminescent, and very pretty to look at! This magical looking class will leave both you and your child fascinated by the atmosphere that Little Glow has created. Check out their page, and see what kind of sensory delights you’d be in for here.
Breastfeeding Support for families in Leicester: Mammas aims to promote the health and wellbeing of mothers and babies, through the support, protection and promotion of breastfeeding, and through creating a better understanding of mother-baby relationships.
Recommended by multiple mothers across multiple Facebook Groups, Bosom Babies offers a kind and welcoming environment for those looking for breastfeeding support.
Circuit based fitness class for mothers (expecting and postnatal) where you can work on your own health. These classes cater towards your abilities, whatever stage you’re at, and if you’re not sure where that is, then you’ll receive plenty of guidance along the way. Your baby is welcome to come along for this thing to do in Leicester, so no need to panic about childcare for this one!
Various Locations
Happity is the UK’s biggest platform dedicated exclusively to baby & toddler classes. We’re expanding in Leicester and are keen to hear about more classes and activities for little ones – get in touch if you can help! We’re always open to recommendations!
Leicester’s best… Baby Friendly Cafe’s & Stay and Plays
One of the most stressful ventures out as a parent with a little one can be visiting a cafe or restaurant. Worried about pushchair access or if your little one makes too much noise? Don’t worry, these venues are the best place to sit in a judgment-free zone!
The pancakes come highly recommended at this cafe! One mother said that she took her baby and toddler to this Leicester location and found the food to be a really cool thing to do! Nicely decorated, and child friendly, this is a great pick to eat some breakfast in a zero-judgement zone.
Delicious coffee, and yummy food, Jenno’s’ menu doesn’t hold back! Plus a free Babycino for those tiny guests visiting. That sounds like a win for us!
21 Leicester Road, Blaby, Leicester LE8 4GR
Everards Meadows, Cooper Way, Leicester, LE19 2AN
There’s also a number of Stay & Play’s run by community groups (churches and libraries) that we’d struggle to rank or put in a specific list. We love any community group that offers a cheap or free place for parents to meet and have a hot drink. Check them out!
Everywhere We Grow is a Pre Loved Baby & Children’s Clothing Pop Up event that runs regularly in Leicester. They are passionate about bringing all families access to great quality clothing for our little ones, focussing on making clothing affordable and sustainable for young families.
Pre-loved, and pre-pared for you! This shop offers beautiful sustainable clothing and toys for your little one, as well as bundles and books for every occasion and conversation. Check them out. You’re bound to fall in love the moment you walk through their door.
Unit 3, The Fairway Centre, 9-13 Coventry Road, Burbage LE10 2HL
Leicester’s best… Parks and Outdoor Activities
The great outdoors is sometimes all you need to keep your kids entertained. It’s a brilliant thing to do in Leicester, or any location, for you, your baby, toddler, or any member of the family! And it does a world of good to breathe in that fresh green air. Here are the recommendations of the best parks, and the best activities, in the wild outdoors
A lovely green park to visit, with everything you might need with your visit, including a park, changing facilities, cafe and picnic benches. If you’re looking for an ideal place to clear your lungs, then this would be a great pick for you.
Another great choice with tons to do with your kids (for free!) They have two play areas, paths suitable for bikes & trikes, a shallow stream running through, a large green space for ball games where you can get out all your loud energy, and tons of quieter areas also dotted around all around the area.
This lovely animal farm and is a great place to take your little one, with no bookings required to join in the fun. Feeding, petting, and soft play are all available at this great little farm.
Paradise Educational Farm Park, Leicester Road, Sapcote, Leicestershire, LE9 4JF
A lovely charity, offering a delightful experience. They have just started offering a coffee and chat group to combat loneliness and Isolation for adults. Added bonus, you get the chance to see their amazing herd or gorgeous horses.
A fun little Leicester-based nature school for your baby or toddler, and a highly recommended thing to do from the parents we asked. There’s various stations providing different sensory experiences, including small world play, imagination time and messy play. The environment is an important factor at Nature’s Play, a large selection of the equipment and resources are either pre-loved or homemade, keeping this business environ
Would you consider yourself a local expert?
Happity is the UK’s biggest platform dedicated exclusively to baby & toddler classes. We’re expanding in Leicester and are keen to hear about more classes and activities for little ones – get in touch if you can help!
What activities are you going to be doing to celebrate Father’s Day?
Father’s Day is that special time of year when we celebrate all those who have ever been a father figure to someone. Whether they’re a Dad, Granddad, Uncle, Foster Dad, Step-Dad, Godfather, like-a-dad, Dad to an angel baby, or on their journey to fulfil their parenthood dreams: this is a great time to show your appreciation for them.
Searching for ideas of what to do this year? We asked our team, ‘What activities are you planning on doing (or have you done in the past) to celebrate Father’s Day?’ and they told us their plans.
Hopefully they can give you some inspiration!
Father’s Day activities: Let your child pick the present!
Lisa T, Happity’s customer experience manager, told us that she lets her son Jack pick the present. No matter how weird the choice!
“I always ask Jack what he wants to get Andy,” she says. “So whilst the present might be slightly odd, it shows that it has come from Jack and not just me buying something he would like. This year’s present is ‘Shower Gel that smells like lollipops’.”
Father’s Day activities: Enjoy a nice afternoon tea together
“We often make a nice lunch/afternoon tea,” says co-founder, Emily. “I guess that harks back to Covid times! Oliver often decorates a cake (buy a plain one and then a load of icing pens!)”
We love this idea, and Emily wasn’t the only one on our team who suggested an afternoon tea as an idea. “I can second the afternoon tea idea, food will be involved for us!” said Helen, our Growth Admin Assistant.
Give them a handmade card or craft (and a lie in)
One that popped up across most of Team Happity is making a handmade card or craft for dads.
“I always get my daughter to make the cards for my husband and my dad rather than buying them,” Lisa K, Head of Marketing, tells us. “She is very into painting rocks at the moment, so this year they will both be getting a Father’s Day rock, complete with glitter and googly eyes.”
“Jack will make a card and a picture and then Andy will get a lie in,” says Lisa T. “And then we’ll all go out for lunch. I think Jack also wants to pick him some flowers from the garden.”
“Lyra will decorate (scribble on) a card too,” confirms Helen. “And I’m sure Jamie would appreciate a lie in!”
“Similar here,” shares Sara, Happity co-founder. “Usually a lie in with breakfast in bed that the kids have helped make, plus a homemade card. In the past they’ve also painted ceramics, so he now has a collection of father’s day things that we can serve his breakfast on!
Breakfast in bed
Previously mentioned in some of the other points, but breakfast in bed and a good lie in really does feel like a treat on Father’s day.
“I’ll make Matt breakfast in bed,” says Lisa K. “And do my ONE soppy post of the year about him on social media. Personally I think this is better than any gift money could buy.”
After mentioning about giving her husband a lay in, Lisa T offered a great point as to how she plans her Father’s Day. “For me it’s about getting that balance of nice family time but also giving him a rest as well.”
Father’s Day activities: Attend a Father’s Day special class on Happity
Helen also mentioned how they had previously attended a Father’s day special class. “Last year we went to the Baby Sensory Father’s Day special, that was lovely!”
There’s lots of options on Happity for activities, and plenty of providers love to run seasonal & holiday specials. Head over to Happity to find an activity for your family.
Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
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