(Many of these locations were originally compiled by Emma Durand-Wood from pregnancywinnipeg.com a wonderful local blog that I encourage you to visit)
McNallyRobinson Preschool Story Time
Come join us for our weekly story time with our lovely storyteller, Liza. For kids ages 3-5.
Wednesdays at 10 AM in the Atrium. Drop in.
Healthy Baby
“Drop in at a friendly program in your community! Learn about nutrition and health, ask questions about your pregnancy or your baby’s development, do activities with your baby, visit with other parents and moms-to-be, try new recipes and enjoy a nutritious snack, milk coupons available during pregnancy and up to 6 months postnatal, bus tickets and child minding may be available”. These groups meet, under various names, throughout Winnipeg and throughout the week. French language groups (“Bébés, parents et gazouillements”) are also available. The Women’s Health Clinic Mothers Program/Families Connecting groups are offered as part of the Healthy Baby program as well. Click on the above link for location dates and times.
Coping with Change
The Women’s Health Clinic Mothers Program runs a free workshop series called Coping with Change. “Coping with Change can help you understand the everyday changes that happen when a baby enters your life. Please join us as we discuss emotional adjustments, relationship changes, and getting support.” Call the Mothers Program assistant at 204-947-2422, ext. 113 for upcoming dates/times and to register.
The Women’s Health Clinic Mothers Program runs a free workshop series called Coping with Change. “Coping with Change can help you understand the everyday changes that happen when a baby enters your life. Please join us as we discuss emotional adjustments, relationship changes, and getting support.” Call the Mothers Program assistant at 204-947-2422, ext. 113 for upcoming dates/times and to register.
Y Neighbours
“Are you a mom looking for some adult conversation and a break? Would you like to meet other moms in your community? Are you interested in hearing guest speakers discuss a range of subjects from child behaviour to interior design? Would you like to join other moms on group outings? If so, the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg’s Y Neighbours Program may be just what you are looking for!” There are nine Y Neighbours groups currently operating around the city.
“Are you a mom looking for some adult conversation and a break? Would you like to meet other moms in your community? Are you interested in hearing guest speakers discuss a range of subjects from child behaviour to interior design? Would you like to join other moms on group outings? If so, the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg’s Y Neighbours Program may be just what you are looking for!” There are nine Y Neighbours groups currently operating around the city.
Ride and Play
“Ride and Play is a year-round drop-in play group that provides a variety of activities for children to explore. Indoor play includes a play area for infants, riding toys, craft, puzzles, tools, giant building blocks, and our bouncy house”
Location: Earl Grey Community Centre, 360 Cockburn St N, Winnipeg
“Ride and Play is a year-round drop-in play group that provides a variety of activities for children to explore. Indoor play includes a play area for infants, riding toys, craft, puzzles, tools, giant building blocks, and our bouncy house”
Location: Earl Grey Community Centre, 360 Cockburn St N, Winnipeg
TUESDAY: 9 am - 2:30 pm
WEDNESDAY: 9 am - 2:30 pm
THURSDAY: 9 am - 2:30 pm
ADMISSION: $3/child
Infants under 6 months free with a sibling. Pay at the door.
Passes: $30/10 admissions
Payable with cash or cheque.
Baby Rhyme Time, Time for Twos, and Pre-School Story Time – at Winnipeg Public Library branches around town. Sign-a-story (American Sign Language) also available. See the WPL website (children’s programs link above) for more details and when registration begins for next session (Current session started September 29 and runs to November 25). Classes book fast!
There are 13 parent-child coalitions within Winnipeg, and each offers programming. See the list below for the coalition in your area [list is a work in progress!!].
- Inkster Parent Child Coalition – “works with families in Inkster with children under 6 years old. Our programs focus on parenting/family support, nutrition/healthy lifestyle, literacy, community and capacity building while encompassing the importance of safety.” This Parent Child Coalition runs several programs throughout the week, including Wiggle, Giggle & Munch, Ride & Play (with a bouncy castle!), Snack and Story, and Bright Start, a parenting support program that offers “Pre-natal & post-natal care, breastfeeding support, nutrition information, healthy checks and immunization.” All this programming is free for free for Inkster families with children 1- 4 years of age to attend together. This coalition operates under the auspices of NorWest Co-op Community Health.
- Families Forward programming (Fort Rouge/River Heights Parent/Child Coalition): Families Forward hosts a wide variety of programming. Click on the “Community Programming” link at their website for a list of all the programs and groups in this area.
- TIE Tykes – Together in Elmwood – TIE is a “parent child coalition working to provide resources for the benefit of children and families in our community.” This group runs drop-in programming for babies and kids every weekday, at the Chalmers Community Centre at 480 Chalmers and the Elmwood East Kildonan Active Living Centre at 180 Poplar. See the website for details, dates and times.
- Communities 4 Families – Downtown Parent/Child Coalition runs some great programming including Wiggle, Giggle & Munch
School division programming:
Winnipeg’s various school districts offer an amazing amount of free, quality programming for families with young children, not just the students that attend their schools. Here are some of the options:
Winnipeg’s various school districts offer an amazing amount of free, quality programming for families with young children, not just the students that attend their schools. Here are some of the options:
- Louis Riel School Division (LRSD) Family Centres: The LRSD has family centres ate eight of their elementary schools (Archwood, Marion, Frontenac, Howden, St. George, Varennes, Victor Mager, Lavallee). “The Louis Riel School Division, with the support of the St. Boniface and St. Vital Parent-Child Coalitions, offers programming and activities for families with young children (aged 0-5). All divisional parents and their children are eligible to attend programs, at no cost, at any of the Family Centres.” Visit the LRSD website for current calendars for each family centre. Programs include “Stay and Play” and “Baby Play” as well as parent and other special programs. Many of them are open to residents of Winnipeg at large, not just those within the school division.
- River East Transcona School Division (RETSD) Early Childhood Unit Programming: the RETSD offers a ton of free registered and drop-in (Stay & Play) programs for children from birth to age 5 at schools throughout the district. Consult the latest issue of Kinder Links for all the details – visit the RETSD homepage and select the latest issue from the Kinder Links drop-down menu.
- Seven Oaks School Division Infant, Toddler & Preschool Programming: Seven Oaks provides free child and parent/caregiver programming at 14 division schools.
