Perfect Summer Ideas for Your Mothers’ Group

It’s time to give your local barista a break
Picture This
Babies are fascinated by colour and pattern from an early age, and visual stimulation is an important part of development. So, for an outing that will engage the minds of both babies and parents, suggest a gallery tour tailored for children aged 0-1. Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art hosts an Art Baby program that combines a tour led by an artist educator with some interactive floor-based activities (perfect for tummy time). The program changes according to current exhibitions and allows time to chat with other parents.
Screen Time
When the weather forecast calls for air-conditioning, take your group to a “mums ’n’ bubs” cinema session. These are usually free for children under five, have the lights dimmed (rather than completely off) and reduce the sound levels for tiny ears. Plus, there will be no need to feel self-conscious if your little one decides to babble all the way through the movie.


Get Outdoors
Many babies enjoy watching the world go by from the
comfort of their pram, so google “pram-friendly walks” in your local area and soak
up the scenery. The Glebe
Foreshore Walk and the Bay
Run are great ones for Sydneysiders, or try the Riverwalk
in Brisbane. As your babies get more mobile, swap the path for the playground
and help them burn off all that energy.
Make a Splash
Visit your
local pool or aquatic centre and join a baby swimming class – it will be a fun
bonding experience, as well as a reprieve from the summer heat. Babies will
become more familiar with the water, building a foundation for swimming skills
later on, and will delight in learning how to blow bubbles. Check the minimum
age requirement as it can vary between six weeks and six months.
Lap up the Library
It’s never
too early to start reading to your baby, with many studies showing it has a
positive effect on vocabulary development. One idea is to start a “baby book
club” and meet at the library to read and swap your favourite books with other
parents. Another idea is to join a “rhymetime” session. These are fun programs offered
by many local councils that use songs, games and puppets to foster your babies’
literacy skills, and are often followed by morning tea – so you don’t have to
forfeit your daily caffeine after all.