South Jersey Playgroups and Home School Groups

ATLANTIC COUNTY

Groovy Kids Playgroup: Groovy Kids is a FREE private meet up group for parents with or caregivers to young children, (age 12 or younger) living in or near Hammonton, NJ looking for fun things to do with kids throughout the week. We also have scheduled play dates for our members.

  • Ages: 0-12 years old, tends to attract younger children as it happens during the school day
  • When? Thursdays from 10am-12pm
  • Where? Hammonton Success Center, 310 Bellevue Ave, Hammonton, NJ 08037
  • Cost? FREE
  • Registration? Pre-registration is not required
  • Website: Learn more on their Facebook page
  • Thoughts: Not yet attended

BURLINGTON COUNTY

Ms. Ally's SaturPLAY group: Your child ages 1-4 years old will learn through music, art, movement, sensory, free play, and more. Each week is a new theme for your child to explore (winter, transportation, nature, science, food, weather, animals, and senses). Each child receives a take home activity corresponding to the theme.

  • Ages: 1-4 years old
  • When? Saturdays from 9:30-10:15am
  • Where? Studio 67, Medford, NJ
  • Cost? $15 per drop-in
  • Website: Check out her IG @allycreativeclub
  • Thoughts: We had SO much at Ally's SaturPLAY group. My 16 month old loved running around to the various stations and exploring and playing with other littles, and the songs/stories/music was a lot of fun. We'll be back!

Family Circle Playgroup: Family Circle Playgroup (FCP) is where children 12 months to 5 years of age attend structured fun-filled playgroups with a parent or caretaker. It is located in Moorestown, New Jersey. FCP is a Non-Profit, Cooperative Organization! Parents or caregivers lead the playgroup on a rotating basis. FCP provides parents with materials and pre-planned themes to make teaching simple!

  • Ages: 12 months-5 years (must turn 12 months by Oct 1)
  • When? 2.5 hr classes, 1 to 2x per week - note sign-ups begin in March for the following year
  • Where? 318 Chester Ave, Moorestown, NJ
  • Cost? $250 tuition for the entire year and $450 for 2 classes per week
  • Website: https://www.familycircleplaygroup.com/ 
  • Thoughts: Not yet attended

CAMDEN COUNTY

Philly Arts Center Creative Playgroup + Storytime (Cherry Hill satellite location): Our beloved play program is the place to be for connecting with your community! Inspired by process-based exploration and our favorite books we serve up new and exciting activities each week to keep your little creative engaged and curious! Walkers enjoy sensory stations while floor-bound babes enjoy age-appropriate manipulative play.

  • Ages: 3 mos-30mos.
  • When? Thursdays from 10:30-11:45am. Check this listing (click Cherry Hill location) for any updates.
  • Where? They have various locations around Philly, but recently opened up a satellite location in Cherry Hill (1930 Marlton Pike East, Suite M64, Cherry Hill, NJ)
  • Cost? $10 per class (** Attend with a friend that is new to them and you're both free that day!)
  • Registration? Pre-registration is not required, you can just pay cash or check at the door. 
  • Website: https://phillyartcenter.com/ 
  • Thoughts: I attended this playgroup once and I really appreciated the various stations they had set-up for kids to engage in… I would definitely say it’s more appropriate for babies standing/walking, however if you wanted to bring a younger baby there were some things to play with on the floor. Wear clothes you’re okay with getting messy as there was paint stations.

Nanny B’s Tot School at Royal Fitness: A six week program to build caregiver and child connections through stories, songs, and movement. (Some background on Nanny B, she has a bachelor's degree in elementary education and early childhood development as well as a master's degree in Educational Administration. She is a certified holistic therapist and birth doula as well as a local nanny and mom of 3)

  • Ages: 0-6
  • When? Wednesdays or Fridays at 10:15am (Starts Feb 7)
  • Where? Royal Fitness, Barrington
  • Cost? $25 per drop in, unsure of cost of full series
  • Registration? Email family@royalfit.com or message @archetypemotherhood on Instagram for more info or to sign up
  • Website: https://www.facebook.com/archetypemotherhood or check her IG for current updates @archetypemotherhood
  • Thoughts: Never attended

(ON PAUSE AS OF NOVEMBER 2023) We Play to Grow Sensory Playgroup: In our classes, caregivers and their children will find ways to interact using imaginary play, interactive songs and stories, and household materials. Inspiring socialization, sharing, turn taking, problem solving and more, all through play. Parents will also meet other parents and become part of a community of mindful caregivers.

  • Ages: The current session is for 1 and 2 year olds
  • When? Tuesdays at 9:30am during the month of October
  • Where? Croft Hill Farm Cherry Hill
  • Cost? $120 for the 5 week session (or $24 per class)
  • Registration? Email michelesteriti@gmail.com to sign up and for any questions
  • Website: www.weplaytogrow.com or IG: weplaytogrow
  • Note: They also do some fun activities and storytime at the Marlton Farmer’s Market on select Wednesdays from 4-7pm through the summer/early Fall

Thoughts: I attended two of these playgroups. I enjoyed the variety of activities they offered and the opportunity for play with other babies my son’s age. I also liked that the activities felt easy enough to replicate at home.