Weekly community playgroup at Aspendale Gardens Community Centre offering playdough, painting, music, storytelling and play-based activities for preschoolers and families.
Ongoing activity
103-105 Kearney Dr, Aspendale Gardens VIC 3195, Australia
$7.00 per family per session
Bring your little ones along to a relaxed, friendly playgroup where creative play and social connection are the focus. This session is designed for parents and carers of preschoolers who want a safe, engaging space for their children to explore arts, music and early learning through play.
You can expect a warm welcome from experienced community staff and volunteers who set up a variety of play stations each session. Activities include playdough, drawing, painting, water and sand play, puzzles and storytelling, designed to spark curiosity and sensory learning for young children.
Sessions move at a gentle pace to suit toddlers and preschoolers, with short structured moments such as music and singing to encourage language and social skills. Parents often stay for coffee and a chat afterwards, which makes it great for building local friendships and parent support networks.
The environment is intentionally play-based and creative, focusing on early childhood development through hands-on activities and social interaction. This is a child-centred space where messy play is encouraged and development milestones are celebrated.
Playgroup runs every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 09:30 to 11:00, and is suitable for preschool-aged children and toddlers who enjoy creative and sensory activities. The sessions are family-focused, with activities adaptable to different ages and stages of development.
Typical activities include art and craft (playdough, painting, drawing), music and singing sessions to support speech and rhythm, and storytelling to build literacy foundations. There are also play-based stations like water and sand play, puzzles and cooperative games to encourage sharing and problem-solving.
Sessions are low-pressure and informal, so parents can choose how involved they want to be while still supporting their child’s play and learning. The $7.00 fee is charged per family per session to cover materials and venue costs.
The playgroup meets at Aspendale Gardens Community Centre, 103-105 Kearney Drive, Aspendale Gardens 3195 — a convenient local hub with parking and public transport options nearby. The venue is family friendly with accessible entrances and nearby amenities for nappy changes and refreshments.
Consider walking, cycling or using public transport where possible to reduce parking stress; the centre encourages active travel and is easy to reach from surrounding suburbs. There is a map on the community centre website with directions and public transport links.
Arrival is straightforward: drop-in five to ten minutes before start time to settle your child and say hello to other families. Staff are available on arrival to point out the activity stations and answer any questions about accessibility or facilities.
This session is aimed at children in the toddler to preschool age range and is run as a parent/carer-attended playgroup, so supervision of your child remains the responsibility of the adult attending. Please bring any necessary personal items such as nappies, snacks and a water bottle for your child.
The group supports inclusive play and asks families to be mindful of allergies and sensitivities; if your child has specific needs please speak to staff before the session so they can help accommodate. Materials used are child-safe but may include items that can cause mess, so dress children in play-friendly clothing.
If you are unwell or have been in contact with someone who is ill, please consider staying home for the wellbeing of other families. The community centre provides guidance on health and safety; feel free to contact them if you have concerns about COVID-19 or other infectious illnesses.
Cost is $7.00 per family per session, payable on arrival or as directed by the community centre; this covers materials and helps keep the program sustainable for local families. There is usually no long-term booking required — many families attend as a regular weekly routine, while others drop in as needed.
Some sessions may have limited spaces during peak periods so checking the community centre website or calling ahead can secure your place. The playgroup page on the Aspendale Gardens Community Service website has up-to-date details, contact info and any seasonal changes to the schedule.
Concessions or community support options may be available for families experiencing financial hardship; please contact Aspendale Gardens Community Service directly to discuss payment assistance or alternative arrangements.
