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Babies (0-8 months)

Focus: Sensory Baby Play

Where they are:

Babies are just getting comfortable being out of the house and beginning to explore!

What to expect in class:

Our sensory baby play classes use song, movement, infant signing, puppets, fibre optics, bubbles, musical instruments and baby-sized apparatus. You’ll learn a variety of ways to play with your newest little bundle of joy. Non-mobile babies are exposed to sensory baby play, songs, and the beginnings of social play.  Meet like-minded parents while our expert teachers lead you through nurturing exercises and activities that stimulate your baby’s brain development. The first stepping stone to sparking a love of learning!

Babies will be introduced to Gymbo Tummy Time where your teacher will use slides, ramps, foam pieces, our web climber, mirrors, props, and bolsters.

Benefits of Gymbo Tummy Time

  • Strengthens muscles in the head and neck to improve head control.
  • Supports proper development of the spine, for correct alignment and strength needed for crawling and walking.
  • Helps align foot, ankle, knee, and hip, helping to build a stronger core needed for crawling.
  • Improves visual tracking and depth perception.
  • Strengthens arm muscles.
  • Helps build a strong core. Pressing your baby’s tummy against a surface helps relieve tummy issues like gas and constipation.
Our other Play & Learn classes:
Crawlers
Walkers
Runners
Explorers
Explorers Plus
Explorers Advanced
Family Play
Find your nearest centre
Most Loved Baby Activity Winner What's On 4 Kids National Children's Activities Awards 2025

Gymboree Play & Music won the Most Loved Baby Activity at What’s On 4 Kids’ National Children’s Activities Awards 2025!

 

infographic showing the benefits of Gymbo Tummy Time

 

Frequently Asked Questions - Babies

What age can babies start Gymboree Play & Music classes?

Gymboree Play & Music baby classes are suitable from birth up to 8 months. Our sessions are designed to support babies at every early developmental stage — from newborns to confident movers — with age-appropriate activities that encourage sensory exploration, movement, and bonding with parents or carers.

Are Gymboree Play & Music baby classes suitable for newborns?

Yes, Gymboree Play & Music classes are gentle and suitable for newborns. Activities focus on sensory stimulation, music, tummy time, and parent-baby bonding. Everything is led at your baby’s pace, making it a calm and supportive environment for both babies and new parents.

What happens in a Gymboree Play & Music baby class?

Each Gymboree Play & Music baby class includes sensory play, music, movement, and guided activities led by trained instructors. Babies explore our bespoke soft play equipment, textures, sounds, and age-appropriate exercises designed to support early learning, physical development, and social interaction.

What baby classes are best for 0–6 month olds?

Our Babies class is best for babies aged 0–6 months, offering development-focused activities that support early milestones such as tummy time, head control, sensory awareness, and bonding. These sessions are calm, nurturing, and designed to gently stimulate your baby’s growing senses and muscles.

How do Gymboree Play & Music baby classes support early development?

Gymboree Play & Music baby classes support physical, cognitive, sensory, and social development through play-based learning. Activities are designed to strengthen motor skills, stimulate brain development, encourage curiosity, and build emotional connections between babies and their parents or carers.

Do parents stay with their baby during the class?

Yes, parents or carers stay with their baby throughout the class. Gymboree Play & Music classes are designed to strengthen the parent-baby bond, and teachers guide adults on how to support their baby’s development through play, movement, and interaction.

What if my baby cries, sleeps, or needs feeding during the class?

That’s completely normal. Babies can feed, sleep, or be changed at any time during the session. Gymboree Play & Music classes are relaxed and baby-led, allowing you to respond to your baby’s needs without pressure or disruption.

What should I bring to a Gymboree Play & Music baby class?

You don’t need much — just comfortable clothes for you and your baby, nappies, wipes, milk, and anything your baby normally needs. Classes take place in a clean, padded environment, and babies should be barefoot so they can feel the space around them. We ask that grown ups wear socks.

Where can I find Gymboree Play & Music baby classes near me?

Gymboree Play & Music baby classes are available at locations across the UK. You can find your nearest Gymboree Play & Music Centre here: https://gymbo.co.uk/locations/

We love our classes at Gymbo! Polly is so warm and amazing with my little one. Each class is different and teaches them confidence and skills.

1 month ago

Love it! My boys have grown in confidence each week, the staff are so friendly, the spare fab. Perfect safe space for managing energetic twins and not feeling worried about where they are and what they’re doing, plus staff are always willing to help if needed. The membership works well and I like the option of adding open gym sessions too.

1 month ago

I've been taking my baby to Gymboree in Bristol since she was a few weeks old, and I'm now about to go back to work after maternity leave. It's been the best baby activity I've been to, and we've tried a few! It's more than a baby group - early on it was an activity to get out of the house for me, and later the multiple sessions during the week and open gyms really helped entertain my daughter when I was running out of ideas. Polly and team are amazing and it feels really inclusive of everyone, I can't praise them highly enough. I can have been having a tough day and l would leave gymboree lighter. I honestly feel very lucky to have been in walking distance of such a lovely and well-run gym/group.

1 month ago

We couldn't have chosen a better place for our little son to enjoy!
Customer services are absolutely fantastic, warm welcome, and always happy to help everyone!!
100% recommended!

1 month ago

Lovely staff and great classes but unfortunately no drop off classes at the a Bristol franchise for 3+ year olds.

Unfortunately the main website does not make it clear that the drop off classes for older children are not available everywhere, and promotes this as a core offer. We joined online and hoped that I could be with a napping baby whilst big sister had some fun, but these classes weren’t on offer and it was just 0-5s all together.

We gave it a go with one of these classes but it was just too much work with a tiny baby and a toddler to keep in check. We may return when the little one is walking.

Staff are very passionate and it is a great, but just not a good fit for us right now.

1 month ago

Such a warm and caring environment—the staff are amazing and my grandchild loves coming here!

1 month ago

Both my grandchildren and myself love the classes. Teachers are great and topics so inventive. My only slightly negative point is in the last few weeks the class has been very busy

1 month ago

We’ve loved the classes from baby sensory through to runners and explorers! Such a lovely safe space to play and learn!

1 month ago

We've absolutely loved coming here over the last two years. We started attending the regular classes when our nursery hours accommodated it, but now we do the parties and weekend open sessions when we can. Polly and the team are fantastic and make you feel so welcome! It's really boosted my toddler's confidence both physically and socially.

1 month ago

My daughter has been going to Gymboree for over a year now, and it's easily her favorite activity. I'm sure that her physical abilities have improved so much because of it. And I love the flexibility - the monthly membership is such good value, as we always end up going to a extra class or two each week on top of her regular one. Plus they run through school holidays! And I can't forget to mention the energy and enthusiasm Polly and Susie run their classes with. The kids all love them. Thank you Gymbo and team!

1 month ago

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Reviews

Both of my children (3.5 years and 11 months) go to Gymboree Play & Music and love it. My toddler goes to their drop-off Lego class which she raves about. It's very creative, working not only on Lego skills but also painting, drawing etc. My infant son loves his Gymboree Play & Music Crawlers class - particularly loves crawling all over their props, through the tunnels, etc. Great way to get the infant crawling over obstacles! Gymboree Play & Music is part of our weekly schedule for both kids and we look forward to participating every week. Invaluable!

Natalia

Cannot recommend Gymboree Play & Music Watford enough--truly THE BEST! ❤️🙌 What makes it so special are the amazing teachers/staff, especially Amber, Jack, Philippa, and Hannah! They’re not only incredibly talented in music and arts, but they’re also absolutely fantastic with kids of all ages.

My little girl was only 18 months old when we first discovered this wonderful place and started attending sessions. She’s now 5 years old, and we’re still here! That says it all 🥰

Rose

I genuinely believe that so many of my daughter’s milestones have been reached early because of the time she spends here. She was talking, walking, climbing, and exploring ahead of her peers, and I credit so much of that to the incredible environment and activities here. The space itself is wonderful — safe, clean, and full of opportunities for little ones to run, jump, climb, and burn off energy without any worries. But for me, Gymboree has been just as important as it has been for my daughter, especially as a mum without a village. ...What I didn’t realise was how much I would gain. I’ve made lifelong friendships and found a support network of the most incredible people.

Jennifer
Read more of our 1467 reviews
4.8 / 5