Baby Groups in and Around Hook, Hampshire
Heading out to a baby group with your new baby can feel very daunting - is there enough space for parking, for my buggy inside? What if nobody talks to me? What if my baby starts crying and I can’t soothe them, or they have a poo-nami? But the first weeks and months with a newborn can feel incredibly lonely - it’s that strange mix of never being on your own (sometimes it feels like you may never be on your own again) but at the same time not having anyone to have a conversation with, to share the challenges and frustrations with or anyone who is going to give you much positive feedback! It can help to get out the house and talk to some other adults, compare notes and be reassured that you aren’t the only one going through the challenges of life with a new baby.
Not only can it be difficult getting out the house with a new baby but it’s not always easy to find out what groups are on locally. I’ve put together this list of groups that are local to me in Hook, Hampshire - it’s by no means exhaustive so if you know of another group that should be added please do let me know. I have been to a lot of these when my boys were younger, or they come recommended by others. I’ve kept it to groups that are free to attend (or ask for a small contribution) and that you can go to one week and then not the next - there are plenty of baby classes available that ask you to sign up in advance for a number of weeks (and I will do a separate post about the ones that we used to enjoy) but they tend to be easier to find. Nearly all of them welcome anyone from baby age up to pre-school, useful if you have an older child to keep entertained as well but can be quite intense if you are looking for someone to go with your first-born.
local drop-in baby groups
Mondays
Hartley Wintney Bumps & Babies, St John’s Church, Hartley Wintney, 10.30am to 11.45am each week (except bank holidays)
This group has a separate baby area to one side for teeny ones and lots of space and toys for toddlers and pre-schoolers. It’s a popular group, it can be quite full on, but the people who run it are really welcoming. They have a Facebook group here that you can join for updates.
Rotherwick Toddler Group! Not Just for Mums! Rotherwick Village Hall, 10am to 11.30am, term time only
Another one for babies all the way up to school age, lots of toys and different craft and themed weeks through the terms. And the building is lovely! They also have a Facebook group you can join here for updates.
Tuesdays
Breastfeeding Circle, Church on the Heath, Elvetham Heath, 10am to 12noon each week
A free group run by two breastfeeding counsellors for babies of all ages, all breastfeeding problems supported. I haven’t been to this one myself but it has been recommended by lots of people, it has an active WhatsApp group as well for ongoing support.
Wednesdays
Little Stars, The Vine Church in Odiham, 9.45am to 11.15am, term time only
This is a toddler group plenty of toys, craft, story time and refreshments. It is mainly aimed at little ones who are walking up to age 3 but babies are also welcome.
Bumps & Babies, St John’s Hook, 9am to 11am, term time only
Again, not one I’ve been to because I had no idea it was on when the boys were younger despite walking past the church every day on the school run! Another one for babies up to pre-schoolers with toys and craft and some snacks.
Thursdays
I haven’t found any local drop-in groups on a Thursday morning - there used to be one at Elizabeth Hall pre-Covid but that has closed now. There must be something out there on a Thursday so if you know of one, let me know and I will add it to the list!
Fridays
The B-Group, The Vine Church in Odiham, 10.30am to 12noon, term time only
I may be biased as I currently run The B-Group but it’s a great baby group! We welcome pregnant mums and babies up to age 1 so it’s a little calmer than some of the other groups that go up to school age. There is tea and cake and the chance to chat with other new parents in a lovely, friendly environment. We have a Facebook group you can join here for updates, or come along one Friday and check us out.
Little Life, Life Church Centre, Hook, 9.30am to 11.30am, term time only
Another one that I haven’t been to despite living very close. This one is open for babies up to pre-schoolers - from what I’ve heard it is another lovely, calm group. I think that might be why we never tried it - by the time we moved to Hook I always had an energetic pre-schooler with me on a Friday as well as a baby and I wasn’t sure how successful that would be!
Busy Bees, Elizabeth Hall, Hook, 9.45am to 11.15am, term time only
This is a lovely group, more for older toddlers and pre-schoolers, with two themed crafts each week as well as toys, fancy dress and other activities. We used to go to this one a lot - it was a great way to do some pretty intricate craft without having to get anything out at home. Each session finishes with a snack and a drink for the little ones, songs and a sticker.
Tadpoles Stay & Play, Leapfrogs, Odiham Community Pre-School, 9.30am to 11am, term time only
Another one I haven’t been to because we would always head to Busy Bees if we were free on a Friday morning but if you are based over the other side of the M3 then this might be a good one to try.
Library Rhyme Time and Story Time Sessions
As well as these playgroups, there are lots of free weekly rhyme time sessions in the local libraries. I was talking to someone last week about these sessions - apparently the session in Farnborough is very good, with all the song words on display and different props that get used for some of the songs. I spent a lot of time at rhyme time sessions with my eldest as he liked to sit and observe. We lived in Shepperton when he was born and only had one car so it was always good to have something that we could walk to if my husband had taken the car. I remember one week when the lady who normally ran rhyme time was away and a few of us parents ended up cobbling the session together ourselves with some fairly ropey singing. The younger ones weren’t so keen on sitting still so I didn’t manage quite as many sessions with them but it was still good before they started moving! You can have a look at the list of rhyme time and story time sessions here on the Hampshire Libraries website.