Looking for fun groups and activities for your child under 5?
Here’s a weekly guide of activities for babies and preschoolers across Nelson Tasman (term-time only). Check the links in the comments for schedule changes or if bookings are required.
This list is a great way to find community, make friends, and give your tamariki new experiences
Monday
• Chill Playgroup – St Stephens, Tahunanui – 9–11.30am | $3 | Under 5’s
• Just Gym Tumble Tots – Hampton Steet School, Nelson – 9.10-9.50am | $8 | Under 2’s
• Friends and Fun – Holy Trinity Anglican, Richmond – 9.30am–12pm | $2 | Under 5’s
• Wakefield mainly music – St Johns Anglican Church, Wakefield – 10am | $3 per family | Under 5’s
• Just Gym – Hampton School, Nelson – 10-10.30am| $90 per term | 2-3 years
• Tumble Tots – Motueka Recreation Centre – 10 - 11am| $6 per child, the $3 per extra child | Under 4 years
• Wriggle & Rhyme – Motueka Library - 10.30am–11am | Free | Under 2’s
• Just Gym – Hampton School, Nelson – 10.40 & 1.15pm| $90/$115 per term | 3 & 4 years
• Splashtime – Riverside Pool, Nelson – 10.50am | $5 | 6m – 3 years
• Preschool Gym - Gymnastics Nelson – 11 -11.45am| $140 per term | 2-5 years
• Nixie Pixie Musical Play - Ruby Bay (bookings required) – 3pm | Unknown | TBC
• Preschool Ballet, Rebecca Bignall Boutique Dance Company Nelson Centre of Musical Arts – 3.30pm| $5 | Under 3-5 years
• Lil Ballet - Legacy Dance, Richmond – 3.45-4.25pm | Unknown per term | 4-6 yrs
Tuesday
• Just Gym Tumble Tots – Richmond Community Hall – 9.10-9.50am | $8 | Under 2’s
• Dovedale Playgroup – Dovedale School – 9.30–11.30am | free | Under 6’s
• Nelson Nature Playgroup – Montebello Reserve, 25 Montebello Ave, Stoke – 9.30–11.30am | Koha | Under 5’s
• Preschool Free Play – Gymnastics Nelson – 9.30–10.30am | $10 | Under 5’s
• Kids and Coffee – All Saints Church, Nelson – 9.45–11.45am | Free | Under 5’s
• Melody Makers Playgroup – St Barnabas Church, Stoke – 10 - 11.30am| Free | Under 5's
• Just Gym – Richmond Community Hall – 10-10.30am| $90 per term | 2-3 years
• Wriggle & Rhyme – Richmond Library – 10am–10.30am | Free | Under 2’s
• Wriggle & Rhyme – Takaka Memorial Library – 10am–10.30am | Free | Under 5’s
• PolkaTots - Pre-School Music + Playtime – Alive Church, Motueka – 10am | $2 pp, Under 1s free | Under 5’s
• Postnatal Coffee & Chat – Into Parenthood, 10 week course – 10–12pm | Free | Under 3 months
• Just Gym – Richmond Community Hall – 10.45 & 1.15pm| $90/$115 per term | 3 & 4 years
• Preschool Gym - Gymnastics Nelson – 1.15 – 2pm | $140 per term | 2-5 years
• Preschool Ballet Dance - Stoke Dance Studio Jane Pascoe Movement – 2-2.30pm | $80 per term, $10 casual | 3-5 yrs
• Lil Hip Hop - Legacy Dance, Richmond – 3.45-4.25pm | Unknown per term | 4-6 yrs
• Mini Vamos! Drum & Dance – Nelson Centre of Musical Arts – Time unknown | $145 per term | 3-5 years
Wednesday
• Rudolf Steiner Playgroup – Riverside Centre, Motueka – 9–11.30am | Koha & Fruit | Under 3’s
• Just Gym – Richmond Community Hall – 9.15 – 9.45am | $90 per term | 2-3 years
• Hope Mini Movers – Hope Community Church – 9.30am | Koha | Under 5’s
• High five Playgroup Plunket Nelson / Tasman – Christ First Church, Stoke - 9.30 – 11.30am | Free | Under 5’s
• Art Club Nelson, Stoke – 9.30–10.30am | $150 per term | 3–7yrs
• Kids 'n' Koffee Māpua – Hills Community Church - 10 – 12pm | Koha | Under 6 years
• Story Time – Richmond Library - 10 – 10.30am | Free | 2-5 years
• Tasman mainly music – Tasman Bible Church, Tasman - 10am | $4 | Under 5’s
• Small Time – Elma Turner Library, Nelson 10.30 – 11am | Free | Under 3’s
• Just Gym – Richmond Community Hall – 10.45 – 11.30am | $115 per term per term | 3 & 4 years
• Preschool Gym - Gymnastics Nelson – 10.45 – 11.30am| $140 per term | 2-5 years
• Just Gym Tumble Tots – Richmond Community Hall – 11.40 – 12.20pm | $8 | Under 2’s
• Lil Stars - Legacy Dance, Upper Moutere – 1-1.40pm | Unknown per term | 18m-3 yrs
• Combo Class - Legacy Dance, Upper Moutere – 2-2.40pm | Unknown per term | 3-4 yrs
• Zap - Electrix Cheersport – 3.30-4.30pm | $120 per term | 4-5 yrs
• Combo Class - Legacy Dance, Upper Moutere – 3.45-4.25pm | Unknown per term | 4-6 yrs
• Preschool Ballet – Peta Spooner Academy of Dance – 1.30 – 2pm | $80 per term? | 3-4 years
• Just Gym – Richmond Community Hall – 2 – 2.45pm | $115 per term | 4 years
Thursday
• Nelson Baptist Playgroup – 9–11am | koha? | Under 5’s
• Bubs at the Hub – Tahunanui Community Hub - 9-11am| Free | Under 2’s
• Rudolf Steiner Playgroup – Founders Park (Jaycee Room), Nelson – 9am | $5 & fruit | Under 6’s
• Just Gym Tumble Tots – Richmond Community Hall – 9.10-9.50am | $8 | Under 2’s
• Nurture at Home Playschool – Hope Community Church – 9.30–12pm | Unknown | 2 – 5 years
• Story Time – Motueka Library – 10-10.30am | Koha | 2 – 5 years
• Mainly Music – Richmond Baptist Church – 10am | $3 | Under 5’s
• Little Jitterbugs Music Group – Plunket Richmond – 10–11am 1st Thursday each month | $3 | Under 3’s
• Just Gym – Richmond Community Hall – 10-10.30am | $90 per term | 2 - 3 years
• Just Gym – Richmond Community Hall – 10.45 – 11.30am | $115 per term | 3 & 4 years
• Preschool Dance, Jess Hannah Dance, Stoke 2 – 2.30pm | $12 casual / $80 per term | 3 – 5 years
• Little Poppets Dance, Kerry Clark Dance, Hope Recreational Hall - 3–3.30pm | $80 per term | 3 – 4 years
• The Dance Club Zumba - New Life Church Richmond – 3.30-4.20pm | Unknown per term | 3-13 yrs
• Lil Tap - Legacy Dance, Richmond – 3.45-4.25pm | Unknown per term | 4-6 yrs
• Kindy Sticks - Hockey Nelson – 3.45-4.30pm | $40 for 6 weeks - starting 23/10/25 | 3-4 yrs
Friday
• Friends and Fun – Holy Trinity Anglican, Richmond – 9.30am–12pm | $2 | Under 5’s
• Preschool Free Play – Gymnastics Nelson – 9.30–10.30am | $10 | Under 5’s
• Upper Moutere Playgroup – Moutere Hills Community Centre – 10am–1pm | Free | Under 6’s
• Nixie Pixie Musical Play - Ruby Bay (bookings required) – 10am | Unknown | TBC
• Mini Minors – Nelson Centre of Musical Arts – 10–10.45am | $88 per term | 18m–3yrs
• Nature Music Playgroup – Education Angels – 10–12pm/1pm-2pm | Unknown | Under 6's
• Just Gym – Richmond Community Hall – 10-10.30am | $90 per term | 2 - 3 years
• Splashtime – Richmond Aquatic Centre – 10am | $8 | 6m – 5 years
• Tots and Toys – Habitat for Humanity (Mosaic Room) – 10-11.30am | Koha? | Under 5’s
• STARTING OCTOBER Little Senses NZ – Hope Community Church – 10-11am | $20 or $150 per term | 6m – 5 years
• Small Time – Stoke Library - 10.30 – 11am | Free | Under 3’s
• Solo Springboard - Gymnastics Nelson – 10.45 - 11.30am | Unknown per term | 4+ years
• Just Gym - Richmond Community Hall – 10.45 – 11.30am | $115 per term | 3 & 4 years
• Preschool Gym - Gymnastics Nelson – 10.45 – 11.30am | $140 per term | 3-5 years
• Little Treble Makers – Nelson Centre of Musical Arts – 11–11.45am | $88 per term | 3–5yrs
• Just Gym Tumble Tots – Richmond Community Hall – 11.40-12.20am | $8 | Under 2’s
• Splashtime – Riverside Pool, Nelson – 11.40am | $5 | 6m – 3 years
• Lil Acro/Jazz - Legacy Dance, Richmond – 1.45-2.25pm | Unknown per term | 3-4 yrs
• Lil Acro/Jazz - Legacy Dance, Richmond – 3.45-4.25pm | Unknown per term | 4-6 yrs
Saturday
• Beginner Irish Dancing Class, Kahurangi Irish Dance School, Nelson – 8.30-9.15am | $100+ per term | 2+ years
• Lil Stars - Legacy Dance, Richmond – 9-9.40am | Unknown per term | 18m–3yrs
• Lil Hip Hop - Legacy Dance, Richmond – 9-9.40am | Unknown per term | 3-4 yrs
• Lil Ballet - Legacy Dance, Richmond – 9.50-10.30am | Unknown per term | 3-4 yrs
• Lil Cheer - Legacy Dance, Richmond – 9.50-10.30am | Unknown per term | 4-6 yrs
• Preschool Gym - Gymnastics Nelson – 9-9.45am & 10-10.45am| $140 per term | 3-5 years
• May - August Football clubs have 1st Kicks sessions for 4-6 year olds.
Sunday
• Art Club, Stoke – 9.30–10.30am | $150 per term | 3–7yrs
• Nelson Railway Society – Founders Park, Nelson – 11am–3.30pm | U3s free, Adults $6 | All ages
• Nelson Society Of Modellers Trains, Tahunanui – 1–4pm | $2 per ride | All ages
Other groups to check out:
Playcentre Space Group
The Perinatal Directory Mothers Circles
CHOICE BABY -Nelsons Natural Parenting and Home Birth Group
Aroha Spot-Nurturing the He'art' of relationships
Babyfocus nelson - 2m – 6m babies & The Outdoor Parent, Infant and Toddler focus groups, 9 months to 2 years
Links
Gymnastics Nelson – https://gymnast.co.nz/our-classes/preschool-gymnastics
Just Gym – https://www.justgym.co.nz/timetable
Legacy Dance https://www.legacydance.co.nz/lilgroovers
Babyfocus - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1429718333947677
Monday
Chill Playgroup – https://www.ststephens.nz/children-families
Rudolf Steiner Playgroup (Founders) – https://nelsonsteiner.wixsite.com/playgroup
Wriggle & Rhyme (Motueka) – https://www.tasmanlibraries.govt.nz/.../preschool.../
Preschool Ballet (NCMA) – https://ncma.nz/classes/preschool-ballet-group-class/
Tuesday
Nature Playgroup – https://www.instagram.com/natureplayparenting/
Kids and Coffee – https://www.allsaints.co.nz/kidswhanau
Wriggle & Rhyme (Richmond & Takaka) –https://www.tasmanlibraries.govt.nz/.../preschool.../
Splashtime Nelson – https://www.clmnz.co.nz/riverside-swimming-pool/kids/
Mini Vamos! (NCMA) – https://ncma.nz/classes/mini-vamos-drum-dance/
Into Parenthood - https://www.intoparenthood.co.nz/
Jane Pascoe Stoke Dance Studio - https://www.stokedancestudio.co.nz/enrol
Wednesday
Motueka Rudolf Steiner Playgroup – https://www.riverside.org.nz/.../riverside-steiner-play...
High 5 Playgroup – https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16uK2JuFx1/
Art Club Nelson – https://www.instagram.com/artclub.nelson
Story Time Richmond – https://www.tasmanlibraries.govt.nz/.../preschool.../
Small Time Elma Turner – https://www.nelsonpubliclibraries.co.nz/youth/small-time-2
Electrix Cheersport - https://www.electrixcheerleading.com/2024
Thursday
Rudolf Steiner Playgroup (Founders) – https://nelsonsteiner.wixsite.com/playgroup
Nurture Playschool – https://www.nurtureathome.co.nz/.../nurture-at-home.../...
Story Time Motueka – https://www.tasmanlibraries.govt.nz/.../preschool.../
Mainly Music Richmond – https://www.richmondbaptist.org.nz/mainly-music
Preschool Dance – https://www.jesshannahdancepilates.com/dance
Little Poppets – https://www.kerryclarkdance.com/enrol
Jitterbugs Plunket – https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19bEELYeJH/
Bubs at the Hub – https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15aAYuZhuN/
Nelson Hockey - https://www.nelsonhockey.org.nz/junior-programs/
Friday
Mini Minors (NCMA) – https://ncma.nz/classes/mini-minors/
Splashtime Richmond – https://www.clmnz.co.nz/richmond/kids/
Tots & Toys – https://www.facebook.com/groups/806025446682009
Small Time Stoke – https://www.nelsonpubliclibraries.co.nz/youth/small-time-2
Little Treble Makers (NCMA) – https://ncma.nz/classes/little-treble-makers/
Education Angels - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FE2BRtELU/
Little Senses NZ - https://www.instagram.com/littlesensesnz/
Saturday
Lil Stars (Legacy Dance) – https://www.facebook.com/share/16ztTJnYb5/
Sunday
Art Club Nelson – https://www.instagram.com/artclub.nelson/
Nelson Model Trains – https://nelsonmodellers.org.nz/