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Explorers Plus (28 months - 3 years)

Focus: Imagination

Where they are:

Jumping, climbing, crawling, and dancing!

What to expect in class:

Our play floor comes to life with a live construction site, dinosaur adventures, jungle fun, and even a trip to the fire station!  We’ll be improving balance and co-ordination skills along with building strong muscles and bones.

other Play & Learn classes:
Babies
Crawlers
Walkers
Runners
Explorers
Explorers Advanced
Family Play
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Explorers Plus 1

Frequently Asked Questions - Explorers Plus

What age are Gymboree Play & Music Explorers Plus classes for?

Gymboree Play & Music Explorers Plus classes are designed for children aged around 2 to 3 years. These classes support school readiness by encouraging independence, confidence, cooperation, and early learning through structured, play-based activities.

What happens in a Gymboree Play & Music Explorers Plus class?

Explorers Plus classes include physical challenges, creative projects, problem-solving activities, music, and imaginative play. Sessions are more structured and encourage children to follow instructions, work together, make choices, and express ideas confidently.

How do Explorers Plus classes support school readiness?

Gymboree Play & Music Explorers Plus classes help children develop listening skills, focus, confidence, independence, and social awareness. Activities encourage turn-taking, following routines, communication, and problem-solving — all key skills for a smooth transition to school.

How are Explorers Plus classes different from Explorer classes?

Explorers Plus classes place greater emphasis on independence, structure, and early learning. While Explorers classes focus on creativity and confidence, Explorers Plus sessions introduce more complex challenges, longer attention spans, and greater group participation.

Do parents stay with their child during Explorers Plus classes?

Yes, parents or carers stay with their child throughout the Explorer Plus class. Teachers guide adults on how to support independence, encourage positive behaviour, and help children navigate structured activities and transitions.

What skills do children develop in Explorers Plus classes?

Children develop confidence, coordination, communication, cooperation, problem-solving skills, and emotional regulation. Explorers Plus classes also support creativity, early learning, and independence through guided play and group activities.

Are Explorers Plus classes suitable for shy children?

Yes. Explorers Plus classes are supportive and inclusive, helping shy or cautious children gradually build confidence. Teachers encourage participation gently and positively, allowing children to engage at their own pace while developing social skills.

Are Explorers Plus classes good preparation for starting school?

Yes. Explorers Plus classes are designed specifically to support school readiness. The structured yet playful environment helps children practise routines, listening, group participation, and independence, making the transition to school more confident and positive.

What should my child wear to an Explorers Plus class?

Children should wear comfortable clothes suitable for movement and creative activities, such as leggings, joggers, or soft trousers. Children should have bare feet for safe movement on padded equipment. Adults should wear socks.

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

Gymboree Play & Music Explorers Plus 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!

2 months 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.

2 months 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!

2 months 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 1468 reviews
4.8 / 5