Cherwell: Activities for under 5s

The new YouMove Early Years offer provides free and subsidised activities for you and your under 5(s).

You and your family can enjoy a range of activities, specifically with parents, babies, and young children, in mind. From sensory play for babies under 12 months, to Stay and Play sessions for your toddler, there are a number of activities across Cherwell to support you and your little one to be active.

Please note, this page will be regularly updated as new early years offers and activities become available for YouMove families. You can also reach out to your local YouMove coordinator (details at the bottom of this page) for more information.

Soft Play with Stories and Rhymes: 1 and 2 year olds

Enjoy playing on our soft play equipment, then listen to a story and do some singing!

The Sunshine Centre, Edmunds Road, Banbury OX16 0PJ

Tuesday 9.45 am – 10.45 am

£2 per session - booking essential on 01295 276769.

Soft Play with Stories and Rhymes: 3 and 4 year olds

Enjoy playing on our soft play equipment, then listen to a story and do some singing!

The Sunshine Centre, Edmunds Road, Banbury OX16 0PJ

Tuesday 11am – 12pm

£2 per session - booking essential on 01295 276769.

Cherwell District: Sensory and SEND activities:

Sensory Baby

Stay and play for little ones under 12 months

The Sunshine Centre, Edmunds Road, Banbury OX16 0PJ

Tuesdays 1.30pm - 2.30pm

£2 per session - Booking essential on 01295 276769

Stay & Play: SEND sessions

The Sunshine Centre, Edmunds Road, Banbury OX16 0PJ

Registration open from 9 am on Tuesdays for the following week and close at 12.00 pm on Mondays before each session.

Mondays 1pm - 2pm

£2 per week - booking essential on 01295 276769

Stay and Play sessions in Cherwell District:

• Stay and Play - Sunshine Centre, Edmunds Road, Banbury OX16 0PJ

Thursday 10am-11am, £2 per week, booking essential.

• Stay and Play - Britannia Road Children's Centre, Banbury - Grove Street, Banbury OX16 5DN

Wednesday and Thursday 10am-12pm, term time only. Open to families with a child under 5 years of age.

• Stay and Play - Bicester Methodist Church Hall, Bell Lane, Bicester OX26 6JQ

Wednesday 9.30am - 11.30am, term time only. Open to families with a child under 5 years of age.

Mums, Tots and Squats - Postnatal safe circuit fitness class. Toys playmats etc provided for little ones. Fun, friendly and effective workouts with the chance to meet other lovely local mums. Suitable for for all abilities (6 weeks postpartum, or 8 weeks for C section). Level 3 pre & postnatal fitness instructor. Class size limited to 12. Upper Heyford Village Hall on Fridays at 10am and West Bicester Community Centre on Tuesdays at 10am. £3.75 per session for You Move participants (50% off the usual cost of £7.50). For more information please email Steph at mumstotsandsquats@gmail.com or visit @mumstotsandsquats on Instagram or search Mums, Tots and Squats on Facebook.

Kidlington Library, 23 Oxford Road, Kidlington OX5 2BP:

1: Rhymetime: songs, rhymes, instruments and puppets - a relaxed session for babies, toddlers and carers.

Tuesdays 2.15-2.45pm, free.

2: Baby Builders: Suitable for 1 – 5 year olds, adult supervision is required. Join us after Rhymetime for some building fun!

Tuesdays 2.45pm - 3.30pm, free

Bicester Library, Franklins House, Wesley Lane, Bicester OX26 6JU:

1: Stay and Play - Come and have fun with your little ones playing with a range of toys.

Mondays 9.30am - 11.30am, free.

2: Storytime - Join us every Monday after school for a fantastic story time, term time only.

Mondays 3.45pm - 4.15pm, free.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch with your local YouMove Co-ordinator for Cherwell District, Harry on 01295 221980.