Fun under one: 7 things to do in the Illawarra with a young bub (from a first-time mum)

Babies don’t do a lot, but boy there’s a lot of work involved.

As a first-time mum, I was determined to find activities to entertain my infant and get out of the house so I felt like a real human.

At first glance, there were heaps of classes and activities aimed at bubs right across the Illawarra.

But early on it was hard to determine what was worthwhile and whether I would be just lugging a potato of a baby to a class that wasn’t suitable for his age and stage.

While there is bound to be something suitable for your bub, this is my experience about what was best during Henry’s first 12 months, and experiences of other mums in the region.

LIBRARY PROGRAMS

Free activities? Yes please.

Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama councils’ libraries all have reading and play programs targeted at preschool kids, including under ones, that are free to attend.

While it makes sense that many of these programs centre around reading, we were actually pretty big fans of the Baby Beats class offered at Wollongong Library.

Baby Beats was a fun mix of maracas, hand puppets and songs which lasted around 30 minutes altogether and ended with a free dance to a cracker of the Wiggles’ techno album.

Overall the vibe was pretty chill, there were a few tears, some breastfeeding, one kid crawled away, my kid stole another child’s maraca, but overall it was good fun.

The one catch with free things is that it can be easy to talk yourself out of going. But even if you don’t make it to a class, many libraries still have spaces with toys and books available to enjoy.

Pros:

• Free
• Designed for up to 12 months so it doesn’t really matter if your baby is full potato or is able to do things themselves.
• Isn’t too serious or intense an atmosphere and lets kids just be kids
• Doesn’t really matter if you don’t know other people
• Available at a bunch of the libraries, not just Wollongong

Cons:

• Could probably do a lot of it at home (but let’s be honest, I probably wouldn’t be that organised to set aside the time for it)
• Many only run during the school term
• Without costs or bookings, there’s no accountability and can be easy to be stuck at home

MESSY PLAY

I am certainly no stranger to ‘messy’ when it comes to raising my kid, so why not make it fun.

Messy play can help develop fine motor skills and creativity but, as you can guess from the name, there’s always going to be cleaning up involved, so it’s handy when someone else takes over that bit.

Top tip – make sure they’re taste friendly (most of them are, but it never hurts to check) because you can bet that mostly anything my child touched from around six months of age was going straight in the mouth.

So many places do it now, with prices ranging from free to a couple of cups of coffee and they often have cute themes which add to the photographable experience.

While these are super fun (and did I mention someone else cleans up?!) the younger the kids are, the more you’re going to have to be involved. If they can’t sit independently it’s going to be hard, not always impossible, but hard.

If there’s liquid involved your baby will get wet and then if you carry them you will likely get wet too. This wasn’t so bad in summer but factoring in contingency towels and backup clothing is probably a good idea.

Pros:

• Affordable options
• Accessible on different days by different businesses across all parts of the region
• Somebody else cleans up after your child (enjoy it)
• Most are non-toxic, taste friendly ingredients (worth checking though).

Cons:

• Somebody else may clean up after your child but you will still be left with a messy, likely wet, child
• If they can’t sit up there won’t be much they can do
• Minimum age around five to six months depending on the business

SENSORY CLASSES

Never underestimate the benefit of just going to a class that is set up and ready to go and you are guided through, particularly when your mental capacity is in overload from taking care of a new baby.

The sensory classes are all about introducing babies to new textures and sights and sounds, with sessions designed specifically for kids under one.

While older babies might engage a bit more with the activities, the environment could help give parents the confidence and support to move their new baby around a bit more and manage all-important tummy time.

But the classes generally require a term commitment and that can be expensive, particularly if you don’t know how your specific child is going to react.

Pros:

• Planned activities, set up and ready to go which allows you to actually enjoy the time with your baby rather than stress about curating activities
• Specifically designed for under ones
• Good for routine and accountability
• Generally inclusive and friendly spaces for parents (as well as babies)
• Opportunity to meet more mum or dad friends

Cons:

• Commitment of whole term before you know if your child will like it
• Costs can be upward of $20 a class, with whole terms/sessions required at start
• If you’re a bit more introverted it can be easy to avoid engaging with other people because often no-one forces you to talk to others (could also be a positive depending on what you need!)

DISCOVERY SPACE

On our first visit, three steps in there was a frame with sequins on it, so we were stuck right at the entrance for a good amount of time.

The Early Start Discovery Space at the University of Wollongong is full of interactive activities and programs for young kids and is now one of Henry’s favourite places, but eight months ago he probably wouldn’t have experienced the same benefits.

There’s lots of different experiences, activities and events for children of all ages, and with such a broad scope of things to do it is likely something will catch your kid’s eye.

The amazing thing is, with so much to potentially look at and do, your kid might surprise you with what engages them most – whether it’s bright lights, mirrors, shopping trolleys, a camp setup, music, water play, or maybe just a sequin frame; you don’t have to force them into anything- they can find things to do all on their own.

Pros:

• Heaps to do for many ages; not easy to get bored
• Lots of different memberships and prices (free for under ones but adults need to pay) including flexible passes so grandparents can also take them
• Can participate in activities and programs or just wander freely
• UOW location is easy to access, and there’s some free parking available for members
• Indoor and outdoor spaces
• Open every day

Cons:

• Can be expensive upfront for memberships (although you can get single passes)
• Not heaps to do for very little babies
• Can get busy with a lot of different ages of children (crawlers can be tripped over)
• Parking can fill up

SWIMMING LESSONS

There’s obvious benefits to learning to swim, but particularly early on swimming lessons are all about familiarising your bub with the water.

Prepare to sing, learn some nursery rhymes and have small panic attacks as you dunk your unsuspecting kid in the water.

There will likely be tears and there is always the risk that someone spits up in the pool … or something worse … but overall I find swimming lessons actually quite fun, and when they close their little eyes when you dunk them or start kicking their feet it can be surprisingly exciting, even though they still have zero survival skills.

There are many swimming classes that cater to bubs from six months, and a few around that cater to babies from five or four months if you’re a really keen bean.

You will have to take them in the pool at the early age, though don’t worry, the water’s warm.

Pros:

• Introduction to important life skill
• Fun watching them learn something new
• Engaging with parents with similar aged kids each and every week
• Pretty encouraging environment even when kids lose it
• Lots of options out there if you don’t vibe with your centre or instructor
• Classes are generally short (mine are 30 min) so doesn’t take heaps of time

Cons:

• Can be expensive; expect at least a couple of hundred dollars a term
• You have to go in the water and participate
• There will likely be tears and screams at some point
• Showering/getting them dressed afterwards can be a task
• Really only for kids older than five months

KINDY GYM

I was really hoping that a touch of gymnastics would help Henry to learn not to fall on his face so frequently, but I think I was a little optimistic.

There are a number of gyms aimed for kids around the Illawarra such as Gravity Gym, My First Gym and PCYC Kinder Gym for older children.

I think it really depends on how much your child is going to enjoy and benefit from the class and utilise the facilities because generally they can be pretty expensive for the little amount that under ones can actually contribute. To me, it seems really great for toddlers and kids, but for babies it can really depend. A lot of the activities such as music elements, soft play and sensory objects are things that I’ve found in other classes elsewhere for cheaper.

But if you are nervous about your kid starting to move (and all the stacks that come with that) letting them climb in a safe space like this could be a good way to ease your worries, or if you know that you’re going to utilise the free-play space then it could definitely be better value for money.

Keep an eye out though – there are often free trial classes or offers if you want to try before you commit.

Pros:

• Safe, supervised space for activities
• Planned sessions with instructor
• Similarly aged children
• Parents to connect with
• Variety of providers and class times across the board

Cons:

• Can be expensive if not utilised
• If your baby can’t do a lot, maybe don’t put them in gymnastics just yet
• Many of the activities can be done in other (cheaper classes)

MUMS GROUPS/PLAY GROUPS

When it comes to mums’ groups or play groups, I’ve found they can be super hit or miss.

There are some people I know that have absolutely found their ‘people’ in a mums’ group, who have literally stayed with them for decades. That also means that your little one has friends the same age and it’s all just a great vibe. Amazing.

But it’s hard to force friendship, and when your kids are too young to make friends on their own, things can fizzle. I think the group I was in went on a few walks then life got in the way and the WhatsApp group has now been silent for nine months.

Family health nurses can help you connect to a mums’ group but if you don’t connect with them don’t be afraid to try again.

Social media groups, churches and schools are places you could find groups but it might require you to put yourself out there a bit.

There are many fun planned activities to attend but don’t take for granted how much a picnic in a park, a playground, a stroll or even just a coffee could benefit you and your baby. Whether it’s a planned playgroup or a bunch of mates that have children or family members – people can be the difference between an activity helping you or creating an extra stress.

Pros:

• Usually free or cheap (depending on the activities you like)
• Kids of similar ages and stages playing and growing together
• Positive support network
• Lots of options around

Cons:

• Not every group will be suitable for you or your child
• May require some searching and putting yourself out there to meet new people
• You will likely have to plan things

The options for activities out there can be overwhelming and each kid is different so it will always be difficult to get it right without a bit of experimenting.

But just make sure whatever you choose to do is helping you, not just your baby. Don’t feel the need to splurge if you’re feeling the strain, don’t think you have to get out and about if you just need some rest, and don’t forget to ask for help if you need it.

P.S. You’re doing great.