Advertorial blog for Activity Angel’s
It all began when I was on maternity leave with my 15-month-old son Sidney. We were regulars at a few stay & play classes, but as lovers of reading together, we were sad that storytelling was never a feature of our local groups.
The only books we would find were the ‘usual’ children’s books, and I was frustrated that stories like the Gruffalo (don’t shoot me) had been done to death when there are sooo many wonderful books out there.
I wanted to introduce other parents to the world of imagination Sidney and I would enjoy at home. Rather than directly shouting at people “Yes, the Gruffalo is amazing, but have you also read… Lost and Found?” I decided to start my own class which would share these wonderful books with people in a creative way with clean, sustainable, imaginative play items to go alongside them. I’m sure too many mums have found themselves grimacing at the tired and grubby toys often synonymous with stay & plays.
Not all parents find discovering books as easy as we did however. And I found myself wondering, if you weren’t an event manager mum like me (I was the event manager at RHS Harlow Carr before maternity leave) how would you know how to create inspiring play environments for your baby or toddlers? I knew there was room for a baby class which gave parents ideas and confidence while connecting them with like-minded parents, while their babies began to learn through play… so Activity Angels was born!
I had my first official class in March immersing babies and their parents into the world of storytelling and play, with wonderful toys and a mum friendly soundtrack designed to get mums saying ‘Yes, I love this one!’ rather than cringing… (baby shark has a place)! I also provide a printed photo of each session every week, so families can keep their memories in a Discovery Diary.
We now have sessions in Leeds, Huddersfield and Harrogate. I really am loving meeting so many wonderful parents and babies, it has been a joy; and shows that a little idea formed in the middle of the night during a feed, might just be possible.
“We did our first class with activity angels today. My little boy loved it, he smiled the whole way through! Plenty of new and interesting toys and activities to do and play with. Lovely to meet and chat to the other mums.
Amy was welcoming and great at engaging mums and babies! Lots of thought and planning had obviously gone in it! A great class!” Sam & Noah Leeds“I love taking my 20 month old son and 13 month old charge to activity angels. It is different every week with lovely songs, books and activities. A very relaxed class with so much fun and very different to other baby groups I have been to. I would highly recommend this class!” Cathy, Albie and Alexander Harrogate
Sessions are currently running at the following times and locations:
Tuesday. 11am–12pm. Huddersfield: Storthes Hall Park, Kirkburton, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire HD8 0WA
Wednesday. 10.30–11.30am. Leeds: Dance Studio Sixteen, 151A Otley Old Road, Leeds LS16 6HN
Wednesday. 3-4pm. Harrogate: Enchantica’s Workshop, Unit 9, Beech Ave Business Park, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG2 8DS
Sessions are £7 per session or £6 if booking a block of 4 or more sessions. FREE first class taster are also available.
To get in touch, email amy@activityangels.co.uk or for more information visit their Website or Facebook page.
