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Explorers (22 – 28 months)

Focus: Imagination

Where they are:
Your little one is communicating, sharing opinions (probably mostly ‘no’), and showing interest in their first friends! They can do new things like walk backwards, jump, and balance on one foot.
What to expect in class:
Our play floor comes to life with trips to the grocery store, eating pizza, finding animals, and even bugs! We’ll use creativity and imagination in all activities. Throw a pretend party, imagine a wild trip to outer space, or pretend to be an ant in a bug’s world…we’ll transform our playscape into a whole new world!
other Play & Learn classes:
Babies
Crawlers
Walkers
Runners
Explorers Plus
Explorers Advanced
Family Play
Find your nearest centre
Explorers 1

Benefits

Physical: Jumping, climbing, crawling, and dancing all support improved balance and coordination skills along with building strong muscles and bones.

Cognitive: Playing in this class supports pretending and imagining, which benefits problem solving skills, communication, and creativity.

Social: The classroom environment helps children prepare for school, learn how to be around other children and socialize.

Adults: School is just a few years away, and in this class, you get to witness your child’s mind come to life and be part of their learning journey. They are only this little for so long, let’s enjoy the moments and play!

Frequently Asked Questions - Explorers

What age are Gymboree Play & Music Explorers classes for?

Gymboree Play & Music Explorers classes are designed for children aged around 22 – 28 months. These classes support growing independence, confidence, creativity, and early learning through structured, play-based activities in a fun and supportive environment.

What happens in a Gymboree Play & Music Explorers class?

Explorers classes include physical play, creative activities, music, imaginative games, and early problem-solving. Children take part in guided activities that encourage movement, communication, cooperation, and creativity while building confidence in a group setting.

How do Explorers classes support early learning and development?

Gymboree Play & Music Explorers classes support physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. Activities are designed to strengthen coordination, encourage communication, develop listening skills, and help children practise independence and cooperation with others.

Are Explorers classes suitable for preschool-aged children?

Yes. Explorers classes are ideal for preschool-aged children and help bridge the gap between toddler play and more structured learning environments. Classes encourage routine, group participation, and confidence — all important skills for nursery or preschool.

How are Explorers classes different from Runner classes?

Explorers classes place more emphasis on independence, creativity, and early learning, while Runners classes focus more on energetic movement and physical exploration. Explorers sessions introduce more structured activities, imaginative play, and opportunities for cooperation and communication.

Do parents stay with their child during Explorers classes?

Yes, parents or carers stay with their child throughout the Explorers 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 classes?

Children develop confidence, coordination, communication skills, creativity, listening skills, and social awareness. Explorers classes also support early problem-solving, imagination, and emotional regulation through play-based learning.

Are Explorers classes good preparation for nursery or preschool?

Yes. Explorers classes help children practise group participation, routines, listening, and social interaction, making them a great preparation for nursery or preschool. The structured yet playful environment helps children feel confident in learning settings.

What should my child wear to an Explorers class?

Children should wear comfortable clothes suitable for movement and creative play, 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 classes near me?

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

My son Jude loves the class and gets so excited when he knows we are going. I look forward to it also. The fact he can explore the room but engage in activities when he wants to is brilliant. The staff, children and parents are lovely and it’s always a welcoming space. Even when we have had to change a day or time, the other classes have all presented with the same amazing qualities. The staff members are incredible. They engage with every single child and bring a positive and happy atmosphere in each and every session. I admire how hard they work to create such an amazing environment for us in class. Thank you!

3 weeks ago

Karen who runs the Cheam Branch is simply outstanding, my two boys love her classes. She is engaging and so good with the children, her baby class in particular is the best baby sensory class around (and I’ve tried a lot!) ⭐️ would highly recommend

3 weeks ago

I have taken my granddaughter once a week for a year and she has thoroughly enjoyed every session. She has grown in confidence and developed her physical skills greatly. The children are placed in groups according to development which means it is suited for their particular stage. As well as developing children’s physical skills, the sessions also include singing, movement and language development. Can highly recommend.

3 weeks ago

We love Gymbo! I’ve attended the Bearsden and Milngavie classes since my 3.5 year old was 9 weeks old. We’ve done baby massage, gymbo music and the normal gymbo programme from babies to explorers and the classes are always well planned, inclusive, and just great fun. We recommend Gymboree to all of our friends!

3 weeks ago

My 5 month old loves her Gymboree classes! It’s a fantastic way to keep them entertained, get out of the house and meet other lovely mums. Each lesson is so wonderfully put together. Elanoor is obsessed with Karen and is mesmerised by her beautiful singing voice.

3 weeks ago

Karen is very kind and helpful. My daughter loved going to Gymboree.

3 weeks ago

My son absolutely loves the sessions, they are really well planned and really relaxed and inclusive.

3 weeks ago

Friendly and helpful people working there. Clean and well taken care of. The open gym for a 3.5 year old is a good option. The art sessions although engaging for the price of £40 it feels like something that can be done also at home. Maybe small projects at process art, might be more appropriate to the price.

3 weeks ago

We love gymboree and my grandchildren love it and have really come on and learned how to interact with other children. The staff are really lovely and friendly and so are the people who go

3 weeks ago

We moved to London and signed up our daughter (11 months at the time) for Gymboree classes. We religiously attended classes for over a year and couldn't be happier. She went from crawling to running around and jumping with Gymbo. She loves Gymbo and her Gymboree family and it's bittersweet to say goodbye as she is moving on to nursery and other activities. Thank you so much to Pav and each and every Gymboree teacher.

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
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