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Parenting Advice – Take It or Leave It?
by Kate Sawtschuk In the wise words of Bunmi Laditan, to be a mum in 2017 you need to make sure your children’s academic, emotional, psychological, mental, spiritual, physical, nutritional, and social needs are met …. To be a mum in every generation before ours?...
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by Kate Sawtschuk You’re scrolling through Facebook (in the two minute window you have while your kids are destroying some part of the house) and you see a hilarious meme or poignant article that you can relate to. It makes you feel that you’re part of the collective...What’s On
Sat April 5, 2025
Mega Creatures - Hunter Valley Gardens
05/04/2025 - 04/05/2025 @ 9:00 am - 9:00 pm
With school holidays fast approaching, there’s no better time to plan an Autumn adventure for the whole family. This April, Hunter Valley Gardens invites visitors to immerse themselves in a world of mythology and fantasy at the annual Mega Creatures installation, featuring pre-historic dinosaurs, mythical creatures and spine-chilling giant insects.
Open from Saturday April 5th until Sunday May 4th 2025, this mind-blowing event is a short two-hour drive from Sydney and one-hour drive from Newcastle. Visitors of all ages will be able to enjoy the rides, interactive fossil digs, a dinosaur egg hunt and other fun entertainment provided by Erth, alongside the giant animatronic mega creatures.
Families don’t want to miss this opportunity to step into a fantasy land filled with mythological marvels and dinosaurs this school holidays. It’s the perfect experience for the whole family at Hunter Valley Gardens.
See the full event program on the website here, as well as opening hours for both the day and night session.
Tickets available at Hunter Valley Gardens or Online
Sat April 26, 2025
Great Laugh in the Park
26/04/2025 @ 12:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Sydney Comedy Festival is celebrating its 20th birthday with a massive FREE outdoor comedy showcase taking over Darling Harbour’s Tumbalong Park on Saturday 26 April from noon to nightfall!
Great Laugh in the Park, hosted by Australian comedy legend, ABC Kid’s Giggle and Hoot’s Jimmy Rees OAM, will be joined by The Wiggles’ Dorothy the Dinosaur & Friends, ABC Art Blast’s The Listies, and The Greatest Magic Show featuring mind-boggling illusions and extraordinary circus acts. Plus, enjoy face painting, Circus Tent, food trucks, Circus Playground and more fun activities throughout the day!
For the big kids at heart, Gala on the Green will hit the main stage in the evening hosted by the incredible Matt Okine, with a hilarious line-up of comedy’s greatest global superstars including Sara Pascoe (UK), Drew Lynch (USA) Kemah Bob (USA) and Australia’s very own comedy favourites Nick Cody and Aunty Donna. Following the Gala, kick on with epic Australian party band Furnace and the Fundamentals, who will keep the energy high as the sun goes down and fireworks light up the sky.
There is limited capacity, so don’t miss out and register your spot now! First 1000 registrations will receive a FREE SHOWBAG packed with goodies on the day.
Mon April 28, 2025
Playgroups in the Ryde Area
28/04/2025 @ 9:00 am
We’ve created a listing of all the playgroups local to the Ryde area including times, activities and locations. Feel free to email us if you know something we don’t! You can also find more options on the Playgroups NSW website.
Monday
Playgroup @ St Annes
St Annes Anglican Church, 42 Church St, Ryde
9.30-11.00am Mondays – Join our playgroup for a fun-filled morning! Enjoy playtime, sing-along songs, engaging Bible stories, and morning tea. Bring your children for a wonderful opportunity to learn, grow, and make new friends!
Cost $40/term per family. Morning tea is provided for adults, please BYO for your children.
PlayConnect+
North Ryde Community Preschool – 13 Clermont Ave, Ryde
10:30am-12pm during school term. For children with a disability or developmental delay and their carers / siblings aged 0-8 years (no formal diagnosis required). Meet with local families, facilitated by Early Childhood Educators
Email to join us at no cost nreplaygroup@gmail.com
Cutler Parade Playgroup
2 Cutler Parade, North Ryde (behind Community Aid)
9.30am -11.30am Monday and Wednesday.
Cutler Parade playgroup is a friendly place for parents and carers to bring the kids each week. It runs on Mondays & Wednesdays. Fees are $50 per family a term (first week) and you need to join Playgroups NSW (free).
St Therese’s Playgroup
St Therese’s Catholic Primary School Community Room, 448 Blaxland Rd Denistone
9am -10.30am during school terms. Babies, toddlers and young children will have a wide variety of early learning experiences such as arts & craft, free play, dress-ups, games, story & song time and outdoor play on the trampolines & play equipment. Gold coin donation!
For further information please do not hesitate to email alison.khalil@syd.catholic.edu.au. or visit the Facebook page.
West Ryde Wombats Playgroup
West Ryde Community Hall – 3/5 Anthony Road, West Ryde
9:30am – 11:30am Monday and Friday for children 0-5 years. The fee to attend is $20 per school term per family to cover the hall rent, toys, equipment and craft consumables. The playgroup is affiliated with Playgroup NSW.
Junior Jivers
Wentworth Point Library (Function room 1) – 10 Footbridge Bvd, Wentworth Point
10-11am during school terms. Junior Jivers is a fun, musical themed playgroup for toddlers, pre-schoolers and their parents (or grandparents / carers) run by a group of volunteers from Newington Anglican Church.
This group involves a structured 30 minute music themed session (with dancing, singing and a bible story time). This session is usually followed by morning tea that is provided for children and adults and some free playtime! Cost per child for a term is $30.
For more info please contact Lucy (Junior Jivers Coordinator) via email lucy@newingtonanglican.org or 0433777481.
Play and Discover
West Ryde Anglican Church – Bellevue Ave and Dickson Ave, West Ryde (in the church hall, up the driveway).
10am – 11.30am during school terms, for children 0-5 years. It’s $20 per family per term, or $3 a week. Lots of open-ended play, followed by stories, a bible spot, and songs. Morning tea provided for kids and carers. Dads, Grandparents and nannies are more than welcome.
For more information please contact imogendiks@gmail.com
Pymble Playgroup
57 Merrivale Road, Pymble
930am-1130am Monday- Friday and a Farsi speaking group on Wednesdays from 10am-12pm during school term for children 0-5 years and parents and carers. It is $80 per family for the term for one session or $120 for two sessions.
We have a range of indoor and outdoor toys, musical instruments and play equipment in a lovely heritage home. There is a sandpit, waterplay area and play equipment as well as arts and crafts available for all to use. Bring your own morning tea and enjoy it on our communal tables whilst meeting some lovely local families.
Please email our friendly committee members with any enquiries. Midterm sign-ups are welcome, please email prior to signing up for more info – pymbleplaygroup@gmail.com
Tuesday
Ryde Uniting Church Maxim Playgroup
Maxim Street, West Ryde, 2114
Tuesday 9.30-11.30. Runs during term – $2 per family each week. Bring your own morning tea, very friendly and welcoming. Themed craft, stories, songs each week. Lots of toys & nice outside grassed play area with equipment.
Mainly Music North Ryde
St John’s Anglican Church – 152 Coxs Road, North Ryde
10am -12pm every Tuesday morning during school term – $$6 per session, or a 10 pass for $50.
Villa Maria Playgroup
Holy Name of Mary Parish Hall, corner of Gladesville Rd and Mary St Hunters Hill
9.30am-11.30am during school term. Children from 0-5 years. All welcome. A gold coin donation is appreciated with each visit.
Ryde Supported Playgroup
Ryde Public School Hall (Argyle Av)
9.30am- 11.00am. A free group for families with children up to 6 years. Meet other parents and share experiences, play and learn with your child, and discover other services and support in your community.
For more information contact 9410 0174 or spns@integricare.org.au
Macquarie Chapel Presbyterian Church
2 Herring Rd, Marsfield (cnr Abuklea Rd)
9.30am – 11.30am during school term. Learn and develop through play and friendship. Apart from free play, the children experience craft time, morning tea and group time. Parents and carers are able to chat over morning tea and build friendships too. For children 0-5 years. Cost: $20 per term for 1 child + $10 per child for 2nd/3rd (Children under 1yr-no charge).. BYO children’s drinks and morning tea (nut free).
For further information please email Juli Secker (Children’s Pastor) juli@macchap.com.au or ph: (02) 9878 8048
Epping Free Play Playgroup
Epping Uniting Church, corner of Oxford and Chester Streets (in the large hall)
11am-12pm for children aged 0-6 years and their parents/caregivers. Free of charge (includes tea and coffee) – parents and caregivers can sit down and enjoy a hot or cold drink while watching their children play with a variety of toys and games. It’s ‘Free Play’ (child-initiated, unstructured play) for children of all abilities and preferences.
Complete this expression of interest form or contact organiser@eppingunitingchurch.org.au or 0491 362 406
Olive Grove Cottage
St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Church – Church Basement/ 20 Wharf Road, Gladesville
9.30-11am during school term. We are a Montessori-inspired, child led playgroup for children aged 0-6 in Gladesville.
Pymble Playgroup
57 Merrivale Road, Pymble
930am-1130am Monday- Friday and a Farsi speaking group on Wednesdays from 10am-12pm during school term for children 0-5 years and parents and carers. It is $80 per family for the term for one session or $120 for two sessions.
We have a range of indoor and outdoor toys, musical instruments and play equipment in a lovely heritage home. There is a sandpit, waterplay area and play equipment as well as arts and crafts available for all to use. Bring your own morning tea and enjoy it on our communal tables whilst meeting some lovely local families.
Please email our friendly committee members with any enquiries. Midterm sign-ups are welcome, please email prior to signing up for more info – pymbleplaygroup@gmail.com
West Epping Uniting Church Playgroup
Carlingford Rd & Orchard St, Epping
10am-11:30am – Playgroup is held during the school term in the upstairs hall and includes indoor & outdoor play, sandpit play, fun activities for you and your child, morning tea, story and songs. Parents/Grandparents welcome! $35 per term or $5 per week. Contact Erica 0409 044 923
Wednesday
Italian Bilingual Playgroup
30-32 See Street, Meadowbank
9.30am – 11am Fridays for 2-5 year olds. Fun and interactive sessions in Italian and English filled with stories, games, music and art and craft activities, our playgroup makes learning another language fun.
Call 9807 2272 or email info@ibs.nsw.edu.au to reserve your spot.
St Michael’s Meadowbank Playgroup
53 Maxim St Meadowbank – Parish hall (enter via school)
9.15am- 11am weekly during Term time at St Michael’s Meadowbank Hall (entry via school gates) or Lions Park West Ryde (email for schedule).
Remember to bring $2, a piece of chopped fruit to share and a hat and water bottle for your child. Everyone welcome, no need to RSVP, just show up!
For more info contact the Family Educator – kirrily.mcdermott@syd.catholic.edu.au
Cutler Parade Playgroup
2 Cutler Parade, North Ryde (behind Community Aid)
9.30am -11.30am Monday and Wednesday. Cutler Parade playgroup is a friendly place for parents and carers to bring the kids each week. It runs on Mondays & Wednesdays. Fees are $30 per family a term.
Figtree Playgroup
Fairyland Hall – Church St, Hunters Hill
10am – 12pm for children 0-5 years old. Indoor and outdoor play, toys, games and craft. $30 per term per family or $7.50 per session per family. Bring a piece of fruit to share! For more info email figtreeplaygrouphh@gmail.com.
Magic of Storytelling Playgroup
Anzac Park, West Ryde
10am – 11.30am during school term. There are different stations set up (craft, blocks, books, babies, sport) plus the playground. Children can move between stations freely and there’s no need to stay for the full 1.5 hours.
Mainly Music Rhodes
Building 4, The Connection, 30 Shoreline Drive, Rhodes
Wednesdays 10am to 1130am during school term. A fun playgroup for learning and having fun through music. Morning tea for kids and adults is provided and ends with free play every week. The group is currently full but is accepting people for the waiting list. $8 per session (2nd child only charged when they are over 18 months old).
Our Lady Queen of Peace Gladesville Playgroup
Parish Hall – Cnr Westminster Road and Oxford Street, Gladesville
9:00am -10:30am during the school term for children 0-5 years old. There is craft, morning tea, prayer, story and music time.
Wild Kindy Playgroup
Field of Mars, North Ryde
9.30-11am during school term – meet at Field of Mars on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday . $135 term (2.5yrs to 5). Book by term.
It’s a nature-based playgroup, families enjoy nature activities, eco-art, messy play, use real tools and explore the bush.
Mini Movers Playgroup
All Saints Anglican Church North Epping
10 -11.30am during school term. Enjoy both indoor and outdoor play including music and games.
Pymble Playgroup
57 Merrivale Road, Pymble
930am-1130am Monday- Friday and a Farsi speaking group on Wednesdays from 10am-12pm during school term for children 0-5 years and parents and carers. It is $80 per family for the term for one session or $120 for two sessions.
We have a range of indoor and outdoor toys, musical instruments and play equipment in a lovely heritage home. There is a sandpit, waterplay area and play equipment as well as arts and crafts available for all to use. Bring your own morning tea and enjoy it on our communal tables whilst meeting some lovely local families.
Please email our friendly committee members with any enquiries. Midterm sign-ups are welcome, please email prior to signing up for more info – pymbleplaygroup@gmail.com
West Epping Uniting Church Playgroup
Carlingford Rd & Orchard St, Epping
10am-11:30am – Mainly Music is held during the shool term in the downstairs hall and includes an interactive music program with singing, dancing, props, morning tea and playtime afterwards. Parents/Grandparents welcome! $35 per term or $5 per week. Contact Elizabeth 0404102817
Rydalmere Public School Playgroup
Rydalmere Public School – 397 Victoria Rd, Rydalmere
9:30am to 11:30am during school term for 0-5-year-olds Gold coin donation to attend.
For more information email seetha.srinivasan@det.nsw.edu.au or text Seetha on 0448331588.
Thursday
North Epping Pre-Kindy playgroup
Northern District CCCS church – 41 Boundary Rd North Epping
10-12pm Thursdays during school term for children 0-5 year olds and their parents/carers. Come along for play, music and story time, craft and morning tea. A Gold coin donation is appreciated. More info and updates on the Facebook group.
Gladesville-Boronia Park Uniting Church Playgroup
93 Pittwater Rd, Gladesville
9.30am – 11am during school term. Mums, Dads, Grandparents and Carers with their pre-school children get together to have fun playing, doing craft, singing and enjoying morning tea together. $2 per child.
For more info contact Marilyn 0419164140.
River’s Edge Church – 7/ 2 Holker Street, Newington
10am to 11:30am during the school term. Enjoy coffee or tea whilst the kids enjoy playtime, craft and song and finish with morning tea (BYO). Suitable for kids 0-6 yrs and costs $2 per family, per visit.
For more information please contact Ali on 0409 635 802
St Charles Primary School, Ryde
2a Charles Street, Ryde
9am – 11am during school term. Join in for a morning of craft, play and friendship. Bring along recess, a hat & water bottle for your child. Located in the Parish Centre.
For further information contact Philippa Manley philippa.manley@syd.catholic.edu.au
Pymble Playgroup
57 Merrivale Road, Pymble
930am-1130am Monday- Friday and a Farsi speaking group on Wednesdays from 10am-12pm during school term for children 0-5 years and parents and carers. It is $80 per family for the term for one session or $120 for two sessions.
We have a range of indoor and outdoor toys, musical instruments and play equipment in a lovely heritage home. There is a sandpit, waterplay area and play equipment as well as arts and crafts available for all to use. Bring your own morning tea and enjoy it on our communal tables whilst meeting some lovely local families.
Please email our friendly committee members with any enquiries. Midterm sign-ups are welcome, please email prior to signing up for more info – pymbleplaygroup@gmail.com
Sts Michael and Gabriel Antiochian Orthodox Church – 72 Belmore St, (Cnr Junction St), Ryde
10.30am to 12.30pm Thurdsays, during school terms. Kids can enjoy supervised play and craft activities and healthy morning tea/refreshments for parents and children. The children pray a short prayer before eating morning tea and a short Bible study and prayers are optional for mothers who wish to do so. A donation of $5 is kindly requested (but not compulsory) to cover the costs of hall hire, craft activities and morning tea.
For more information please contact our Playgroup Assistant Linda Alkoudsi on linda.koudsi@gmail.com or 0401 948 885.
Friday
Italian Bilingual Playgroup
30-32 See Street, Meadowbank
9.30am – 11am Fridays for 2-5 year olds. Fun and interactive sessions in Italian and English filled with stories, games, music and art and craft activities, our playgroup makes learning another language fun.
Call 9807 2272 or email info@ibs.nsw.edu.au to reserve your spot.
136 Herring Rd, Macquarie Park
10am to 12pm Friday – Running during school term only, this is a Christian playgroup for children aged 0-5 years. Each week there will be a bible story, singing, craft and fun activities for the children as well as morning tea for both the children and adults. The fee is $5 per child and $10 per family (more than 1 child). Contact Suet Mie Lee suetmie.lee@thebridgechurch.org.au for more info.
Captivate PLAY!
Suite 3, Level 2, 2 Rowe St, Eastwood
10:30am Friday – Captivate PLAY! is a Christian playgroup for children aged 0-5 years. Every Friday we provide an interactive music and story time as well as morning tea, and of course free play! Our aim is to provide a safe & welcoming place where children AND adults can make friendships and have an enjoyable morning.
Christchurch Gladesville Upper Hall – entry from Western Crescent
10am – 11:45am during the school term. It is a music and movement group for children aged 2-5 years (younger siblings welcome) taught within a Christian context. The cost is $27 for the term for one child or $45 for 2 or more children ($3 per child per week/$5 per family per week).
LifeWay Lutheran Church – 56 Norfolk Rd, Epping
10am – 12pm during the school term. Cost is $5 for one caregiver & one child. Additional children or adults are an extra $2 each (newborns – 18 months are free). The group is full but they welcome you to come along to one session for free and leave your details on the waitlist.
West Ryde Community Hall – 3/5 Anthony Road, West Ryde
9:30am – 11:30am Monday and Friday for children 0-5 years old. The fee to attend is $20 per school term per family to cover the hall rent, toys, equipment and craft consumables. The playgroup is affiliated with Playgroup NSW.
Field of Mars, North Ryde
9.30 – 11am during school term for 2.5 – 5-year-olds. $135 term, book by term.
It’s a nature-based playgroup, families enjoy nature activities, eco-art, messy play, use real tools and explore the bush.
3AM Ryde Seventh Day Adventist Church – Cnr Lane Cove Road & Dobson Crescent Ryde
10am – 11.30am during school term. It is a free playgroup to support mums in the area with free play, morning tea, songs and story time. For ages 0-5 years of age.
Pymble Playgroup
57 Merrivale Road, Pymble
930am-1130am Monday- Friday and a Farsi speaking group on Wednesdays from 10am-12pm during school term for children 0-5 years and parents and carers. It is $80 per family for the term for one session or $120 for two sessions.
We have a range of indoor and outdoor toys, musical instruments and play equipment in a lovely heritage home. There is a sandpit, waterplay area and play equipment as well as arts and crafts available for all to use. Bring your own morning tea and enjoy it on our communal tables whilst meeting some lovely local families.
Please email our friendly committee members with any enquiries. Midterm sign-ups are welcome, please email prior to signing up for more info – pymbleplaygroup@gmail.com
Thu May 1, 2025
Playgroups in the Ryde Area
01/05/2025 @ 9:00 am
We’ve created a listing of all the playgroups local to the Ryde area including times, activities and locations. Feel free to email us if you know something we don’t! You can also find more options on the Playgroups NSW website.
Monday
Playgroup @ St Annes
St Annes Anglican Church, 42 Church St, Ryde
9.30-11.00am Mondays – Join our playgroup for a fun-filled morning! Enjoy playtime, sing-along songs, engaging Bible stories, and morning tea. Bring your children for a wonderful opportunity to learn, grow, and make new friends!
Cost $40/term per family. Morning tea is provided for adults, please BYO for your children.
PlayConnect+
North Ryde Community Preschool – 13 Clermont Ave, Ryde
10:30am-12pm during school term. For children with a disability or developmental delay and their carers / siblings aged 0-8 years (no formal diagnosis required). Meet with local families, facilitated by Early Childhood Educators
Email to join us at no cost nreplaygroup@gmail.com
Cutler Parade Playgroup
2 Cutler Parade, North Ryde (behind Community Aid)
9.30am -11.30am Monday and Wednesday.
Cutler Parade playgroup is a friendly place for parents and carers to bring the kids each week. It runs on Mondays & Wednesdays. Fees are $50 per family a term (first week) and you need to join Playgroups NSW (free).
St Therese’s Playgroup
St Therese’s Catholic Primary School Community Room, 448 Blaxland Rd Denistone
9am -10.30am during school terms. Babies, toddlers and young children will have a wide variety of early learning experiences such as arts & craft, free play, dress-ups, games, story & song time and outdoor play on the trampolines & play equipment. Gold coin donation!
For further information please do not hesitate to email alison.khalil@syd.catholic.edu.au. or visit the Facebook page.
West Ryde Wombats Playgroup
West Ryde Community Hall – 3/5 Anthony Road, West Ryde
9:30am – 11:30am Monday and Friday for children 0-5 years. The fee to attend is $20 per school term per family to cover the hall rent, toys, equipment and craft consumables. The playgroup is affiliated with Playgroup NSW.
Junior Jivers
Wentworth Point Library (Function room 1) – 10 Footbridge Bvd, Wentworth Point
10-11am during school terms. Junior Jivers is a fun, musical themed playgroup for toddlers, pre-schoolers and their parents (or grandparents / carers) run by a group of volunteers from Newington Anglican Church.
This group involves a structured 30 minute music themed session (with dancing, singing and a bible story time). This session is usually followed by morning tea that is provided for children and adults and some free playtime! Cost per child for a term is $30.
For more info please contact Lucy (Junior Jivers Coordinator) via email lucy@newingtonanglican.org or 0433777481.
Play and Discover
West Ryde Anglican Church – Bellevue Ave and Dickson Ave, West Ryde (in the church hall, up the driveway).
10am – 11.30am during school terms, for children 0-5 years. It’s $20 per family per term, or $3 a week. Lots of open-ended play, followed by stories, a bible spot, and songs. Morning tea provided for kids and carers. Dads, Grandparents and nannies are more than welcome.
For more information please contact imogendiks@gmail.com
Pymble Playgroup
57 Merrivale Road, Pymble
930am-1130am Monday- Friday and a Farsi speaking group on Wednesdays from 10am-12pm during school term for children 0-5 years and parents and carers. It is $80 per family for the term for one session or $120 for two sessions.
We have a range of indoor and outdoor toys, musical instruments and play equipment in a lovely heritage home. There is a sandpit, waterplay area and play equipment as well as arts and crafts available for all to use. Bring your own morning tea and enjoy it on our communal tables whilst meeting some lovely local families.
Please email our friendly committee members with any enquiries. Midterm sign-ups are welcome, please email prior to signing up for more info – pymbleplaygroup@gmail.com
Tuesday
Ryde Uniting Church Maxim Playgroup
Maxim Street, West Ryde, 2114
Tuesday 9.30-11.30. Runs during term – $2 per family each week. Bring your own morning tea, very friendly and welcoming. Themed craft, stories, songs each week. Lots of toys & nice outside grassed play area with equipment.
Mainly Music North Ryde
St John’s Anglican Church – 152 Coxs Road, North Ryde
10am -12pm every Tuesday morning during school term – $$6 per session, or a 10 pass for $50.
Villa Maria Playgroup
Holy Name of Mary Parish Hall, corner of Gladesville Rd and Mary St Hunters Hill
9.30am-11.30am during school term. Children from 0-5 years. All welcome. A gold coin donation is appreciated with each visit.
Ryde Supported Playgroup
Ryde Public School Hall (Argyle Av)
9.30am- 11.00am. A free group for families with children up to 6 years. Meet other parents and share experiences, play and learn with your child, and discover other services and support in your community.
For more information contact 9410 0174 or spns@integricare.org.au
Macquarie Chapel Presbyterian Church
2 Herring Rd, Marsfield (cnr Abuklea Rd)
9.30am – 11.30am during school term. Learn and develop through play and friendship. Apart from free play, the children experience craft time, morning tea and group time. Parents and carers are able to chat over morning tea and build friendships too. For children 0-5 years. Cost: $20 per term for 1 child + $10 per child for 2nd/3rd (Children under 1yr-no charge).. BYO children’s drinks and morning tea (nut free).
For further information please email Juli Secker (Children’s Pastor) juli@macchap.com.au or ph: (02) 9878 8048
Epping Free Play Playgroup
Epping Uniting Church, corner of Oxford and Chester Streets (in the large hall)
11am-12pm for children aged 0-6 years and their parents/caregivers. Free of charge (includes tea and coffee) – parents and caregivers can sit down and enjoy a hot or cold drink while watching their children play with a variety of toys and games. It’s ‘Free Play’ (child-initiated, unstructured play) for children of all abilities and preferences.
Complete this expression of interest form or contact organiser@eppingunitingchurch.org.au or 0491 362 406
Olive Grove Cottage
St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Church – Church Basement/ 20 Wharf Road, Gladesville
9.30-11am during school term. We are a Montessori-inspired, child led playgroup for children aged 0-6 in Gladesville.
Pymble Playgroup
57 Merrivale Road, Pymble
930am-1130am Monday- Friday and a Farsi speaking group on Wednesdays from 10am-12pm during school term for children 0-5 years and parents and carers. It is $80 per family for the term for one session or $120 for two sessions.
We have a range of indoor and outdoor toys, musical instruments and play equipment in a lovely heritage home. There is a sandpit, waterplay area and play equipment as well as arts and crafts available for all to use. Bring your own morning tea and enjoy it on our communal tables whilst meeting some lovely local families.
Please email our friendly committee members with any enquiries. Midterm sign-ups are welcome, please email prior to signing up for more info – pymbleplaygroup@gmail.com
West Epping Uniting Church Playgroup
Carlingford Rd & Orchard St, Epping
10am-11:30am – Playgroup is held during the school term in the upstairs hall and includes indoor & outdoor play, sandpit play, fun activities for you and your child, morning tea, story and songs. Parents/Grandparents welcome! $35 per term or $5 per week. Contact Erica 0409 044 923
Wednesday
Italian Bilingual Playgroup
30-32 See Street, Meadowbank
9.30am – 11am Fridays for 2-5 year olds. Fun and interactive sessions in Italian and English filled with stories, games, music and art and craft activities, our playgroup makes learning another language fun.
Call 9807 2272 or email info@ibs.nsw.edu.au to reserve your spot.
St Michael’s Meadowbank Playgroup
53 Maxim St Meadowbank – Parish hall (enter via school)
9.15am- 11am weekly during Term time at St Michael’s Meadowbank Hall (entry via school gates) or Lions Park West Ryde (email for schedule).
Remember to bring $2, a piece of chopped fruit to share and a hat and water bottle for your child. Everyone welcome, no need to RSVP, just show up!
For more info contact the Family Educator – kirrily.mcdermott@syd.catholic.edu.au
Cutler Parade Playgroup
2 Cutler Parade, North Ryde (behind Community Aid)
9.30am -11.30am Monday and Wednesday. Cutler Parade playgroup is a friendly place for parents and carers to bring the kids each week. It runs on Mondays & Wednesdays. Fees are $30 per family a term.
Figtree Playgroup
Fairyland Hall – Church St, Hunters Hill
10am – 12pm for children 0-5 years old. Indoor and outdoor play, toys, games and craft. $30 per term per family or $7.50 per session per family. Bring a piece of fruit to share! For more info email figtreeplaygrouphh@gmail.com.
Magic of Storytelling Playgroup
Anzac Park, West Ryde
10am – 11.30am during school term. There are different stations set up (craft, blocks, books, babies, sport) plus the playground. Children can move between stations freely and there’s no need to stay for the full 1.5 hours.
Mainly Music Rhodes
Building 4, The Connection, 30 Shoreline Drive, Rhodes
Wednesdays 10am to 1130am during school term. A fun playgroup for learning and having fun through music. Morning tea for kids and adults is provided and ends with free play every week. The group is currently full but is accepting people for the waiting list. $8 per session (2nd child only charged when they are over 18 months old).
Our Lady Queen of Peace Gladesville Playgroup
Parish Hall – Cnr Westminster Road and Oxford Street, Gladesville
9:00am -10:30am during the school term for children 0-5 years old. There is craft, morning tea, prayer, story and music time.
Wild Kindy Playgroup
Field of Mars, North Ryde
9.30-11am during school term – meet at Field of Mars on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday . $135 term (2.5yrs to 5). Book by term.
It’s a nature-based playgroup, families enjoy nature activities, eco-art, messy play, use real tools and explore the bush.
Mini Movers Playgroup
All Saints Anglican Church North Epping
10 -11.30am during school term. Enjoy both indoor and outdoor play including music and games.
Pymble Playgroup
57 Merrivale Road, Pymble
930am-1130am Monday- Friday and a Farsi speaking group on Wednesdays from 10am-12pm during school term for children 0-5 years and parents and carers. It is $80 per family for the term for one session or $120 for two sessions.
We have a range of indoor and outdoor toys, musical instruments and play equipment in a lovely heritage home. There is a sandpit, waterplay area and play equipment as well as arts and crafts available for all to use. Bring your own morning tea and enjoy it on our communal tables whilst meeting some lovely local families.
Please email our friendly committee members with any enquiries. Midterm sign-ups are welcome, please email prior to signing up for more info – pymbleplaygroup@gmail.com
West Epping Uniting Church Playgroup
Carlingford Rd & Orchard St, Epping
10am-11:30am – Mainly Music is held during the shool term in the downstairs hall and includes an interactive music program with singing, dancing, props, morning tea and playtime afterwards. Parents/Grandparents welcome! $35 per term or $5 per week. Contact Elizabeth 0404102817
Rydalmere Public School Playgroup
Rydalmere Public School – 397 Victoria Rd, Rydalmere
9:30am to 11:30am during school term for 0-5-year-olds Gold coin donation to attend.
For more information email seetha.srinivasan@det.nsw.edu.au or text Seetha on 0448331588.
Thursday
North Epping Pre-Kindy playgroup
Northern District CCCS church – 41 Boundary Rd North Epping
10-12pm Thursdays during school term for children 0-5 year olds and their parents/carers. Come along for play, music and story time, craft and morning tea. A Gold coin donation is appreciated. More info and updates on the Facebook group.
Gladesville-Boronia Park Uniting Church Playgroup
93 Pittwater Rd, Gladesville
9.30am – 11am during school term. Mums, Dads, Grandparents and Carers with their pre-school children get together to have fun playing, doing craft, singing and enjoying morning tea together. $2 per child.
For more info contact Marilyn 0419164140.
River’s Edge Church – 7/ 2 Holker Street, Newington
10am to 11:30am during the school term. Enjoy coffee or tea whilst the kids enjoy playtime, craft and song and finish with morning tea (BYO). Suitable for kids 0-6 yrs and costs $2 per family, per visit.
For more information please contact Ali on 0409 635 802
St Charles Primary School, Ryde
2a Charles Street, Ryde
9am – 11am during school term. Join in for a morning of craft, play and friendship. Bring along recess, a hat & water bottle for your child. Located in the Parish Centre.
For further information contact Philippa Manley philippa.manley@syd.catholic.edu.au
Pymble Playgroup
57 Merrivale Road, Pymble
930am-1130am Monday- Friday and a Farsi speaking group on Wednesdays from 10am-12pm during school term for children 0-5 years and parents and carers. It is $80 per family for the term for one session or $120 for two sessions.
We have a range of indoor and outdoor toys, musical instruments and play equipment in a lovely heritage home. There is a sandpit, waterplay area and play equipment as well as arts and crafts available for all to use. Bring your own morning tea and enjoy it on our communal tables whilst meeting some lovely local families.
Please email our friendly committee members with any enquiries. Midterm sign-ups are welcome, please email prior to signing up for more info – pymbleplaygroup@gmail.com
Sts Michael and Gabriel Antiochian Orthodox Church – 72 Belmore St, (Cnr Junction St), Ryde
10.30am to 12.30pm Thurdsays, during school terms. Kids can enjoy supervised play and craft activities and healthy morning tea/refreshments for parents and children. The children pray a short prayer before eating morning tea and a short Bible study and prayers are optional for mothers who wish to do so. A donation of $5 is kindly requested (but not compulsory) to cover the costs of hall hire, craft activities and morning tea.
For more information please contact our Playgroup Assistant Linda Alkoudsi on linda.koudsi@gmail.com or 0401 948 885.
Friday
Italian Bilingual Playgroup
30-32 See Street, Meadowbank
9.30am – 11am Fridays for 2-5 year olds. Fun and interactive sessions in Italian and English filled with stories, games, music and art and craft activities, our playgroup makes learning another language fun.
Call 9807 2272 or email info@ibs.nsw.edu.au to reserve your spot.
136 Herring Rd, Macquarie Park
10am to 12pm Friday – Running during school term only, this is a Christian playgroup for children aged 0-5 years. Each week there will be a bible story, singing, craft and fun activities for the children as well as morning tea for both the children and adults. The fee is $5 per child and $10 per family (more than 1 child). Contact Suet Mie Lee suetmie.lee@thebridgechurch.org.au for more info.
Captivate PLAY!
Suite 3, Level 2, 2 Rowe St, Eastwood
10:30am Friday – Captivate PLAY! is a Christian playgroup for children aged 0-5 years. Every Friday we provide an interactive music and story time as well as morning tea, and of course free play! Our aim is to provide a safe & welcoming place where children AND adults can make friendships and have an enjoyable morning.
Christchurch Gladesville Upper Hall – entry from Western Crescent
10am – 11:45am during the school term. It is a music and movement group for children aged 2-5 years (younger siblings welcome) taught within a Christian context. The cost is $27 for the term for one child or $45 for 2 or more children ($3 per child per week/$5 per family per week).
LifeWay Lutheran Church – 56 Norfolk Rd, Epping
10am – 12pm during the school term. Cost is $5 for one caregiver & one child. Additional children or adults are an extra $2 each (newborns – 18 months are free). The group is full but they welcome you to come along to one session for free and leave your details on the waitlist.
West Ryde Community Hall – 3/5 Anthony Road, West Ryde
9:30am – 11:30am Monday and Friday for children 0-5 years old. The fee to attend is $20 per school term per family to cover the hall rent, toys, equipment and craft consumables. The playgroup is affiliated with Playgroup NSW.
Field of Mars, North Ryde
9.30 – 11am during school term for 2.5 – 5-year-olds. $135 term, book by term.
It’s a nature-based playgroup, families enjoy nature activities, eco-art, messy play, use real tools and explore the bush.
3AM Ryde Seventh Day Adventist Church – Cnr Lane Cove Road & Dobson Crescent Ryde
10am – 11.30am during school term. It is a free playgroup to support mums in the area with free play, morning tea, songs and story time. For ages 0-5 years of age.
Pymble Playgroup
57 Merrivale Road, Pymble
930am-1130am Monday- Friday and a Farsi speaking group on Wednesdays from 10am-12pm during school term for children 0-5 years and parents and carers. It is $80 per family for the term for one session or $120 for two sessions.
We have a range of indoor and outdoor toys, musical instruments and play equipment in a lovely heritage home. There is a sandpit, waterplay area and play equipment as well as arts and crafts available for all to use. Bring your own morning tea and enjoy it on our communal tables whilst meeting some lovely local families.
Please email our friendly committee members with any enquiries. Midterm sign-ups are welcome, please email prior to signing up for more info – pymbleplaygroup@gmail.com
Fri May 2, 2025
Ryde Rotary's 80th Year of Impact
02/05/2025 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Join us on Friday 2nd May to celebrate Ryde Rotary’s 80th Year of Impact, in a special community networking event and fundraiser for violence prevention and survivor support efforts in our local community.
Tickets are available online – RSVP today!!
You will have the opportunity to meet community service-minded business people, social services teams, volunteers, and local leaders as we look back on the legacy of Ryde Rotary Club and forward to the future of community service in our area.
Looking forward to a great evening with live music, hearing from our partner organisations about the impact that Ryde Rotary makes, and enjoying food & drinks with our local community.
