Well you’ve done it! You’ve survived nine challenging months of pregnancy morning sickness, swollen ankles, gherkin cravings and stretch marks and now your baby is earth-side, lighting up your world and making the whole experience worth it!

To support your journey and this next chapter of your life, we’ve compiled a host of Central Coast activities you can do with your baby – from newborn stage through to their first birthday. Plus, we’ve also included a heap of postnatal services that will be there to help you celebrate the exciting times and support you in those more challenging moments.

From newborn photographers and baby music classes to breastfeeding support groups and exercise classes with an on-site nanny, we’ve got a list you’ll just want to keep revisiting again and again!

JUMP TO: Support Services | Postnatal Exercise Classes | Playgroups, Parents and Mothers Groups | Baby Classes| Free Immunisation Clinics for Children | Nursery and Baby Stores

Central Coast Postnatal Support Services

Little Lives First Aid training course for carers | Erina + across the Central Coast

Images supplied by Little Lives


Would you know what to do if your baby was choking? Could you do CPR on your child? Do you know how to treat a head injury or burn? We’ve found a wonderful local first aid course – run by paramedics and designed specifically for parents – that teaches you how to help and treat your kids, should an accident occur.

The course is called “Little Lives”, and it’s a 2-hour course that covers the first aid skills most needed by parents: CPR for babies and children, head injuries, fevers and febrile convulsions, choking, allergies and anaphylaxis, poisoning, burns, drowning, plus plenty of time for questions.

What sets Little Lives apart is the founders’ and trainers’ expertise and experience: they’re all paramedics and mums. They’ve each worked in emergency services for more than 10 years, hold Diplomas in Paramedical Science and each has their own gorgeous children.

Little Lives runs public courses twice a month at their beautiful training room in Erina. Plus, if you have a bunch of friends or a mothers group who would like to learn together, Little Lives also do private group bookings.

This is a course we recommend EVERY parent do. We’ve never said that before at Playing in Puddles, but honestly, when it comes to caring for the safety and wellbeing of your family, then surely this is the course to do!

When: The courses run twice a month (or can be booked privately).
Course Duration: 2 hours.
Cost: $80 per person ($1000 for up to 12 participants for private booking)
Location: Little Lives HQ in Erina. Or at a location suitable for participants eg. a community centre or in your home.
Phone: 1300 502 332
Email: [email protected] 
Website: https://ccfirstaid.com.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centralcoastfirstaidtraining/

Playing in Puddles visited. See our feature here.

Postnatal Exercise Classes on the Central Coast

VHAB, MULTIPLE LOCATIONS ACROSS THE CENTRAL COAST

Images ©V-HAB

Healthy Bumps VHAB (a.k.a. vagina and core rehab) sessions are postnatal exercise classes with a difference! This 6-week outdoor program is run by accredited Exercise Physiologist Alison and gives women (from 6 weeks postpartum) the opportunity to re-build their pelvic floor and core strength as they return to exercise properly and safely.

Alison places a firm focus on the rehabilitation of pelvic floor ligaments and abdominals that have gone through the stress of vaginal childbirth or C-Section. During a series of 40-minute sessions, she will work with you to rebuild strength and confidence while decreasing your chances of incontinence and prolapse later in life.

Here’s why we love this class:

  • It’s an evidence-based program run by accredited university-qualified exercise physiologists.
  • VHAB’s exercise physiologists help you to re-engage and rebuild both your pelvic floor and deep core muscles.
  • It helps reduce long-term complications, such as prolapse and incontinence.
  • They assist with abdominal separation so that you can return to more strenuous exercise without further weakening your body.
  • VHAB is allied health accredited, plus they take Medicare care plans and can rebate through private health funds.
  • Multiple locations across the Coast.
  • PLUS, did you know they’ll even create a new group specifically for your mothers’ group! Yep, we were excited by this news too!

We recommend you tell your mothers’ group friends and do it too – believe us, your body will thank you for many years to come.

LOCATION: Classes run in Terrigal, Kincumber, Bateau Bay, Holgate, Killarney Vale and Avoca. Some are indoors and some are outside in the sunshine.
PHONE: Alison, 0405 150 240
Website: https://vhab.com.au/
Email: [email protected]

MUMS THAT CIRCUIT, TERRIGAL HAVEN

Mums that Circuit isn’t your typical mums and bubs exercise group – for one it’s FREE! Run every Monday morning at The Haven oval under the shade of the huge pines, this 45-minute circuit session is run by a group for mums who want to get active and outdoors. Unlike a personal training session where exercises are instructed, this group allows women to come along with their kids and work out at the circuit stations at their own intensity and pace.

LOCATION: Terrigal Haven

Central Coast Baby Classes

Musikbugs newborn music classes, East Gosford

Images supplied by Musikbugs


Looking for some beautiful opportunities to bond with your precious newborn (and escape the house!)? Musikbugs in East Gosford is a specialist children’s music studio that runs classes for babies from 4 to 12 months (and beyond).

While all music is wonderful, Musikbugs offer far more than lullabies and swaying. Musikbugs’ music classes follow the research-based music and movement curriculum of Kindermusik, and each activity is taught with intention and development front of mind.

Musikbugs’ baby music classes provide bubs with an environment that’s both sensory-rich and gentle. Bubs are invited to explore new sounds, sensations and objects, and it’s gorgeous to watch their reactions as they discover the world around them.

Infant massage, toe and finger games, and plenty of rocking time are just the beginning of helping parents connect with their tiny humans, and each class teachers offer ideas for how carers can continue to bond together at home. 

Families who enrol in a term of Musikbugs classes also receive an instrument and two books to take home.

They have three options available: a full term, 4 weeks, or, if you want to try it out first, join in one of their one-off casual classes at the start of each term.  

Musikbugs
Location: 61A Webb St, East Gosford.
Phone: Sharon on 0424 446 778
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://pianobugmusicstudio.com.au/musikbugs/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepianobugstudio/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pianobugmusic

Baby Sensory classes, Erina

Images ©Baby Sensory

Looking for a fun activity you can do with your baby? One where your baby will be introduced to a world of new sensory experiences through sounds, smells, sights, textures, music, dance, signing, therapeutic games and massage? Baby Sensory Central Coast is a multi-award-winning baby class, and having enrolled our own Playing in Puddles’ babies in these classes, we can assure you that they are truly wonderful.

Designed for babies from birth to 13 months, these classes provide a wonderful opportunity for you to bond with your baby while supporting their development. Each session has a different theme and involves music, movement, sign language, and amazing sensory experiences.

But above all of this, and importantly for us, they’re really just a lot of fun. One week your baby will be invited to play with a bucket of oats, pop bubbles, play peek-a-boo with puppets and hide under a parachute hung with streamers and the next week they’ll be offered cinnamon quills and dried orange segments to smell and immersed in a darkened room surrounded by beautiful glowing fibre optic lighting and softly lit LED pebbles.

Baby Sensory
Location: 5/13 Bonnal Road, Erina.
Phone: Sam on 0490 412 928.
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.babysensory.com.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BabysensorycentralcoastNSW/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/babysensorycentralcoastnsw/
Special offers: Baby Sensory offers a free trial for newborns (12 weeks and under). They also offer Mother’s Group discount: $15 discount for groups of 4 or more who book the whole term together OR a $5 discount if you all want to try a class. Please text 0490412928 for the code.

Early Childhood Music Classes at the Conservatorium of Music, Gosford and Woy Woy

Images ©Central Coast Conservatorium of Music

The baby music classes at the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music will have you bouncing, patting, and singing along with your tiniest family members as you indulge in 30 minutes of creative fun together! Not only are these classes a great way to bond with your baby, but they’re also a great place to meet other parents and carers within our community.

Classes are held in a lovely heritage church in Woy Woy and at the Conservatorium in Gosford. Mention Playing in Puddles for a free trial class. 

LOCATION: Gosford & Woy Woy
PHONE: 4324 7477
WEBSITE: www.centralcoastconservatorium.com.au
EMAIL: [email protected]

Read More about The Central Coast Conservatorium of Music Classes

BABYTIME AT CENTRAL COAST LIBRARIES

Babytime is a FREE 30-minute session parents and carers can attend with their bubs. Led by a librarian, the session includes singing, rhymes and simple stories for babies aged 0 to 24 months. It’s a lovely opportunity to bond with your baby and meet other parents.

LibraryDayTime
Erina LibraryWednesday9.30am
Gosford LibraryWednesday10am
Kariong LibraryTuesday9.45am
Kincumber LibraryThursday9.45am
Lake Haven LibraryTuesday10am
Toukley LibraryWednesday9.30am
Tuggerah LibraryThursday & Friday10am

MUSIC MORNINGS AT IMPACT, ERINA

A FREE music and movement session that runs once a week during the school term. These are filled with percussion instruments, songs, dance and bubbles.

See Playing in Puddles’ feature to learn more.

LOCATION: Erina.

RAW AND UNEARTHED OUTDOOR PLAY CLASSES, KINCUMBER

Looking for something fun and exciting to do with your bub? These gorgeous outdoor group classes by Raw & Unearthed let families get back to nature and are a lovely way for parents and their babies to connect. Classes are for children aged 6 months to 6 years.

Tiny tots will get to explore the beautiful surroundings of Kincumba Mountain (such as honeymoon rock and the fabulous bushwalking trails) while they discover nature through tool play, charcoal and clay art, cubby building, exploring, rock climbing, mud play, puddle splashing, and more!

LOCATION: Kincumba Mountain Reserve, Kincumber.

Playgroups, Parents’ Groups, and Mother’s Groups

CENTRAL COAST HEALTH PARENTING GROUPS AND DROP-IN CLINICS

There are a number of parenting groups that are facilitated by a Child and Family Health Nurse at local early childhood health clinics across the Central Coast. Groups are organised according to three age groups including a new baby group (for babies 0-8 weeks), older baby group (for babies 5-7 months) and a pre-toddler group (for babies 9-12 months).

Families can also attend child and family health ‘drop-in’ clinics for parenting support or concerns for children aged 0 to 5 years.

LOCATIONS: Various locations across the Central Coast.

CENTRAL COAST SURFING MUMS

This is a group for mums who love to surf! Surfing Mums is a national, not-for-profit volunteer organisation with a presence on the Central Coast. Coordinated by local members, meet-ups are organised on specific days, at locations with the best beach conditions on that given day. Attendees pair up, decide who will surf and who will watch the kids first and after 30 minutes, swap over. This is a great way for parents to take to the waves for some exercise, whilst knowing that their kids are being watched AND having a ball in the sand! It’s also a fantastic way to make friends.

LOCATION: Avoca

GOSFORD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH COMMUNITY PLAYGROUP

The Community Playgroup at Gosford Presbyterian Church meets once a fortnight on a Tuesday at 10am during the school term. Everyone is welcome to head along to the meetups where they can relax in a supportive environment while little ones have fun playing and creating. Each session includes stories, crafts, songs, morning tea, and plenty of time for children to play and learn! To find out more about the next playgroup meetup, visit their Facebook page, or send a message through their website.

LOCATION: West Gosford

MAMA TRIBE

Mama Tribe is a national mums meet-up community whose mission is to ensure that no mum feels lonely, isolated, or without support. Every month, Mama Tribe Central Coast host a catch-up for local mums to meet-up and mingle – you can find locations and event details by joining their Facebook group.

PLUS, through Mama Tribe, you can invite other mums to your own events such as your weekly walks, coffee dates, park play dates, or kids’ activities! Simply create an event or “get together” in your local Mama Tribe Facebook group, share the event in the group, double-check who’s coming the night before by posting in the event, take a selfie, and use #nomumleftbehind so they can repost it!

LOCATIONS: Various locations across the Central Coast

PEG NATURE PLAYGROUP

A project of the Peninsula Environment Group, PEG Nature Playgroup is a Facebook group for families with pre-school-aged children who want to get together for nature-based play in the great outdoors! They get together weekly for bush walks, beach days, picnics, gardening, arts and crafts, farm visits, community events, celebrations and park plays.

LOCATIONS: Woy Woy, Umina, and Ettalong

PLAYGROUP NSW

Playgroup NSW has a directory of playgroups that are being run all over the Central Coast. Visit their website to find details on a playgroup near you!

LOCATION: Central Coast wide

AUSTRALIAN BREASTFEEDING ASSOCIATION

The Australian Breastfeeding Association run various workshops and catch ups across the Central Coast throughout the year. Sessions may include topics such as “infant oral development” or “starting solids”. Click the link above for further details.

Free Central Coast Immunisation Clinics for Children

FREE IMMUNISATION CLINICS, CENTRAL COAST

Immunisation ‘drop-in’ clinics are provided at various Central Coast locations for children under the age of seven. Clinics are usually held monthly on either Tuesdays or Fridays. There are also two Saturday clinics conducted each month.

Appointments aren’t necessary so you can just turn up with your bub at one of these clinics. It’s recommended you attend with your child’s ‘Blue Book’ and Medicare details.

Nursery, Baby Stores and Kids Markets on the Central Coast

Shopping for baby clothes and nursery items for your first bub is an exciting experience, but also a little daunting! To help you find a great selection of items to suit all budgets, we have compiled a list of baby stores, children’s clothes shops, kids boutiques, and markets around the Central Coast so you can get shopping!

Baby Bunting, West Gosford
Baby Bunting is the major baby store on the Central Coast! Selling everything from Boori cots and Stokke high chairs to Maxi Cosi car seats and a huge variety of baby toys, this large store has everything you need to prepare for your little one’s first few years of life.
Phone: 4322 1000 | Visit Website

Little Wren Designs, Umina Beach
Set inside The Galleria in Ettalong, this baby and kids boutique has a gorgeous selection of baby clothes, Jellycat soft toys, dolls, and a variety of wooden toys, including train sets and puzzles.
Phone: 0490 450 267 | Visit Website.

Magnolia Home, East Gosford
If you’re on the lookout for unique baby gifts, Magnolia Home in East Gosford has a great variety of goodies guaranteed to please. Stocking brands such as Toshi, Dreamtime and Living Textiles, you’ll find swaddles, rattles and giftset galore!
Phone: 4323 2400| Visit Website

Precious Little, Terrigal
Located under the Crowne Plaza in Terrigal, this little boutique has a very special selection of clothes, books, toys and accessories that would make the perfect gift for any newborn.
Phone 4385 1082 | Visit Website.

Zarlak kids, Terrigal
Featuring brands such as Children of the Tribe, Kapow Kids and Quincy Mae, this trendy store in Terrigal has an amazing variety of baby and children’s clothes. They also have a gorgeous selection of wooden toys, including stunning dolls houses and all the furniture to go with them!
Phone: 4384 7815 |  Visit Website.

My Kids Market NSW, Bateau Bay
Held twice a year on the Central Coast, My Kids Market is a shopping haven full of just about everything for boys and girls and at prices almost too good to be true! Markets are held in April and September and here you’ll find a whole host of great quality pre-loved childrenswear, toys, shoes, puzzles, books, prams, highchairs, and other nursery items on sale. And with brands such as Country Road, Seed, Love to Dream, Cotton on Kids, Fisher-Price, Lego, Bugaboo, Safe ‘n’ Sound, Mountain Buggy, and more to be found, you’re guaranteed to walk away with some beautiful additions to your little one’s wardrobe or nursery.
Email: [email protected] |  Visit Website.

Parks best suited to babies

Some of our favourite local places to explore with a baby

Baby-friendly and kid-Friendly Cafes

Click here to check out our feature on the best cafes on the Central Coast for families – the places that welcome families and bubs with open arms.

Header image: Jessie Walker Photography

Written By: KATIE STOKES

Founder & Editor

After working in print and online media for more than a decade, Katie launched Playing in Puddles in 2017. A mum of three young boys and local of the Central Coast, Katie loves discovering and sharing all that’s happening in our region.