Playgroups for babies and toddlers and their parents in Toronto’s East End

So much more than just mom and baby classes! Build lasting friendships with other parents who have kids the same age and stage as yours by attending weekly playgroups in your neighbourhood. From itty bitty babies to busy toddlers and everything in between, there is a playgroup for you!

Meet your new best friends

You’re in this together. Join a Playgroup with other parents at the same stage of parenting as you.

Discover local businesses

Find out where all the hottest baby and toddler hang out spots are in the East End.

Get exclusive discounts

Take advantage of group discounts negotiated by East End Mom Friends.

Stay connected on WhatsApp

Whether it’s 2PM or 2AM, you can message your new besties to trauma bond and share cute baby pics.

Always know where to go

You have too much to think about already. Playgroups are designed so you don’t have to plan a thing.

Access special events

Playgroup members are the first to know about special events like photoshoots, markets, fundraisers, and more.

  • Itty Bitty Babies

    Newborn to 6 months ish

    These little ones are in the early stages—non-mobile and primarily focused on sensory experiences and simple activities. They may be napping all over the place and staying within arms reach of their parent(s) at all times.

    Activities: coffee shops, breweries, libraries and generally seated activities

  • Senior Babies

    6-12 months ish

    Babies in this group are starting to move and explore, with some beginning to sit and crawl.

    They follow a more consistent schedule with 2-3 naps per day.

    Activities: A mix of coffee shops, community spaces, and baby-safe exploration such as play spaces

  • Toddlers & Big Kids

    Energetic toddlers who may nap once per day or not at all.

    They’re fully mobile, confident in walking (or running!), and enjoy more independent exploration and play.

    Activities: Play spaces that are designed for more physical activities, including climbing, running, and group play

Find a playgroup in an East End neighbourhood near you

Playgroups run 7 days a week in neighbourhoods across Toronto’s East End, including:

Leslieville

Riverdale

Gerrard East

St. Lawrence Market

The Beaches

Upper Beaches

East Danforth

Birchcliff

“Joining two play groups when my kids were 18 months and 6 months old was truly life-changing for me and my family. These groups became more than just a weekly activity—they became a cornerstone of our lives. Not only did my kids make their very first friends, but I also found an incredible group of moms who I know will remain lifelong friends.

Through these groups, I gained so much—an amazing support system, insight into local small businesses in the neighbourhoods that cater to kids, and an entirely new appreciation for our local parks with their fantastic outdoor activities for little ones. Along the way, I even discovered new breweries and workout studios that made the experience even richer.

Navigating life with two under two was made infinitely better because of these play groups. I truly can’t imagine a better ‘early years’ experience for our family. Thank you for creating such a welcoming, enriching space for both parents and kids!”

— Kendra Teale, mom of 2 under 2

Sample playgroup schedule for babies

  • Week 1: Chocolate shop

    Get to know each other at a specialty chocolate shop with delicious treats for parents and lots of room for babies

  • Week 2: Library

    A visit to a local library branch to discover children’s books, activities, and programming

  • Week 3: Riverdale Farm

    Enjoy the outdoors and teach your baby about animals at the city’s only real working farm

  • Week 4: Swimming

    Discover a baby-friendly pool and introduce your baby to a fun sensory experience in the water

  • Week 5: Restaurant

    Grab brunch or lunch with your friends at a local family-friendly restaurant with delicious food options

  • Week 6: Indoor play space

    Discounted admission to a local play space featuring age-appropriate toys and activities

  • Week 7: Brewery

    Craft beer and cute babies at one of east Toronto’s many excellent breweries

Sample playgroup schedule for toddlers

  • Week 1: Indoor play place

    Discounted admission to a local play space featuring age-appropriate toys and activities

  • Week 2: Fire station visit

    Behind-the-scenes access to a local fire station - trucks, hoses, firefighters and all

  • Week 3: Kids gym

    Let your kid(s) bounce off the walls and burn off some energy while building important gross motor skills

  • Week 4: Library

    Spark your toddler’s love of reading with a visit to a local library branch with children’s books, activities, and more

  • Week 5: EarlyON

    Meet up at your local EarlyON Child and Family Centre to play with all the toys and clap along during circle time

  • Week 6: Park playground

    Weather permitting, spend a few hours climbing, sliding, and swinging at one of the east end’s best playgrounds

  • Week 7: Another play place

    You can never have too many play places on the Playgroup schedule when toddlers are involved

“I had my first child in April of 2020 and as you can imagine my maternity leave was not at all what I expected. Having survived through that I vowed that next time would be vastly different.

Fast forward to 2024, I gave birth in June and decided this would be my ‘YOLO mat leave’. Social engagements, physical activity, travel, I’m doing it all and East End Mom Friends has been indispensable in helping me to live my best life.

The weekly meetups give me a reason to get out, meet other parents and try a variety of local spots but most importantly they’ve given me a community. I’ve made new friends, reconnected with old ones and even become a team captain. Because of Easy End Mom Friends I feel a sense of excitement, engagement, and purpose that I don’t think I ever recovered after my first baby.”

— Tia, mom of 2 and EEMF Playgroup Team Captain

What to expect

  • Add your preferred playgroup(s) to cart and complete the check out process. You’ll be asked a few questions about yourself and your child(ren) to ensure you’ve joined the best group. You should receive a confirmation email that the order went through.

  • Before your next playgroup session begins, you’ll receive an email with important information, including the link to your Playgroup’s private WhatsApp chat. Please join the appropriate chat as soon as possible and ensure your WhatsApp profile includes your name and photo, which should be visible to non-contacts. Team Captains will only approve people who have registered.

  • Once all Playgroup participants have joined the WhatsApp chat, your Team Captain will facilitate introductions and share the schedule for your session.

  • Stay in touch with your new friends on WhatsApp, whether it’s commiserating about late-night wake-ups or sharing cute baby/toddler outfits. You’re in this together!

  • Your Playgroup membership will expire at the end of your session unless you register for the next one. WhatsApp chats will stay active so your group can continue to communicate with each other, if you wish.

FAQs

  • One session is $69.99 per family. Our aim is to keep this as affordable as possible in order to prevent financial barriers. If you are unable to commit to this rate, please reach out privately.  If you’d like to sign up for a second group, the rate is 25% off your second group! Use the code DOUBLE25 on your second sign up.

  • Playgroups usually run for 8 weeks, depending on the season, statutory holidays, and scheduled breaks. Each group meets once per week on a pre-determined day and time.

  • It depends. Groups often have the option to discuss amongst themselves if they’d like to alter timing slightly as the needs of the groups change, however some dates and times are not moveable due to the nature of facility rentals or local business hours.

  • Yes. Your membership will expire automatically on the final Friday of your playgroup session.

  • Prices are per family. Many parents of multiples attend our Playgroups. Twins, triplets, 2 under 2 - or even 3 under 3 (yep, it happens!) - your membership is for your household. When it comes to tiny humans, the more the merrier!

  • Some Playgroup locations may have an entry fee, and/or you will have to pay for your own food and beverages. Whenever possible, East End Mom Friends tries to negotiate an exclusive discount for Playgroup members. If additional costs are a concern for you, please reach out to us to be placed in a Playgroup that only attends free spaces.

  • You will receive a confirmation email that includes a link to join your group’s private WhatsApp chat before the session begins. Schedules are shared in the WhatsApp chat after all members join. If you haven’t received your confirmation email, check your spam folder or reach out to us.