Connect With Other Families in Woodend
If you are new to Woodend or would just like to meet other families with children the same age as yours, there are many ways to do this including: joining a playgroup, heading to your local library, visiting storytime sessions, becoming a member of a local toy library, enrolling your children into group music or sports lessons, and joining Facebook groups which support local families.
Woodend Playgroup: The Woodend Playgroup is at 45 Forest Street in Woodend and operates seven days a week. There are four sessions per day on weekdays and two on the weekend. You can join an existing group or create your own with your friends or your parent group. There is a fee to join but you can attend two trial sessions before joining to see if it is for you.
RAD Dads Macedon Ranges Playgroup: Particularly for local dads, this group schedules events for playdates, dad dates, pun and park hangs for new and seasoned dads to meet and connect with other dads in town.
Woodend Library: While the local library used to be mainly a place for quiet activities, it is now a thriving and lively hub where you can connect with others. Head to your local library to borrow books, meet up with other parents and their children, or for storytime. In Woodend, during school terms, there is Storytime for preschoolers on a Tuesday from 10 am to 10.30, then Baby Rhyme Time on from 11.30 am to 12 noon. Toddler Time is on Friday from 10 am to 10.30.
Toy libraries: Borrowing toys is sustainable, saves you money, keeps your home clutter free and your children engaged. Most toy libraries require you to pay an annual fee and perhaps to volunteer a small portion of your time. The Gisborne Toy Library and Kyneton Toy Library are closest to Woodend and are a good way to meet other people with young families.
Lessons: Some lessons in the area include: Kindagym, Active Kids Sports and Tiny Tackers (run out of Buffalo Stadium), Mini Maestros, Lovaball, Elly’s Music Playtime, Akari Yoga Mums and Bubs Pilates
Facebook groups: Sometimes it can be handy to ask a question online of parents in your local area. Some brilliant local ones include: Mums in Woodend and Macedon Ranges Vic, Australia; Macedon Ranges Rainbow Families; Macedon Ranges Mumma - Mums and Dads; Mums in Kyneton and Surrounds.
Heading to your local parks, walking tracks and kid friendly cafes, are also a way to bump into other families.
Don’t be shy - say hello when you are out next, you may just find someone from your new tribe.