Waltham Forest Best Start in Life

27/03/2026

Spring weather all over the place? Keep celebrations easy and indoors with Better Leisure Centres! 🌦️🎉

Better have party rooms available to hire, so you can host the whole celebration in one place at family‑friendly prices. They also run gymnastics and soft play parties that are perfect for younger children.

You can also hire a bouncy castle at Walthamstow Leisure Centre, visit the trampoline park at the Waltham Forest Feel Good Centre, or book a pool party. Chingford and Leytonstone Leisure Centres even include a fun inflatable obstacle course in the pool.

Find out more via the Better link in our bio.

25/03/2026

Getting ready for the holidays? Many Best Start in Life sessions will continue running throughout the Easter period.

You can find the latest The Lloyd Park Children's Charity Easter activities calendar in their bio.

Or visit their website via the link in the comments.

25/03/2026

Tip for this month from our PEEPs Learning Together Programme is around PLAY:
Play alongside your child, watching what they do and adding in sounds and words e.g. "The car goes vroom."

Follow Chit-Chat Pitter-Pat for more handy tips.

It’s TOP TIPS TUESDAY and our Tip for this month from our PEEPs Learning Together Programme is around PLAY.

Here are some Tips around Routines and play from Henry.
www.henry.org.uk/tips/talking

Play alongside your child, watching what they do and adding in sounds and words e.g. "The car goes vroom."

24/03/2026

FREE Baby Clothes Library this Friday! 👶💛

Got little ones growing fast? Come pick up free baby clothes, declutter and give good quality items a new life. No need to bring to take, just pop in!

📅 This Friday (and every last Friday of the month)
⏰ 11.30am to 12.30pm
📍 Lea Bridge Library, Lea Bridge Rd, E10 7HU

‘Baby clothes go round and round’ is a lovely way to share clothes and meet other parents and carers in Waltham Forest. No booking needed, just come along!

24/03/2026

This Easter, the Waltham Forest Holiday Activity (HAF) Programme is offering free, fun activities for school-aged children who receive benefit related Free School Meals.

Some clubs still have spaces for younger children, including 4 and 5 year olds.

Sessions run from Monday 30 March to Friday 10 April, excluding bank holidays. Each session includes a meal and a mix of activities to play, be active, learn new things and spend time with friends.

Bookings are essential. Look for the HAF Easter holiday booking link in the comments.

21/03/2026

This Easter, the Waltham Forest Holiday Activity Programme is offering free, fun activities for school aged children who receive benefit related Free School Meals. Sessions will run from Monday 30 March to Friday 10 April, excluding bank holidays.

Sessions include a meal and a mix of activities to play, be active, learn new things and spend time with friends.

Bookings are now open and are essential for all eligible children.
Find full details on Waltham Forest Holiday Activity Programme web page (link in bio).

20/03/2026

Dads’ Club sessions are a great way to meet other dads, share experiences and build friendships.

They run every Saturday in Waltham Forest, rotating between different Family Hubs and venues, so there is always a session each week.
Each location offers something a little different, so it is worth trying a few. For example, at Grow Wild sessions at Lloyd Park, children can play and explore nature 🐛🌼

Coming up:
• 21 March – Leytonstone Family Hub, 10am – 12pm
• 28 March – Grow Wild at Lloyd Park, 9.30am – 10.30am and 11am – 12pm
• 4 April – Chingford, 10am – 12pm

🔗Want to know more? Look for Best Start in Life events link in our bio.

20/03/2026

⏰ Deadline reminder for working families!
To get your 30 childcare hours for the summer term, you must apply by Tuesday 31 March.

Do not miss out on support that can help with childcare costs. Please apply or reconfirm your eligibility before the deadline.

👉 Apply now: www.gov.uk/apply-30-hours-free-childcare

20/03/2026

🌱 Spring’s here – hooray! 20th March is the first day of spring and the start of Very Hungry Caterpillar Day weekend at Walthamstow Wetlands 🐛✨

They're launching a brand new Very Hungry Caterpillar Trail™ on Saturday 21 March when you can join them for a fun, family-friendly day of nature crafts, minibeast hunting and storytelling sessions from everyone’s favourite caterpillar.
The activities are aimed at children under 8 years.

🦆 Follow the Trail along the main Wetlands path featuring illustrated animals from the World of Eric Carle.
Find out more via link in comments.

🌱 Spring’s here – hooray! 20th March is the first day of spring and the start of Very Hungry Caterpillar Day weekend at Walthamstow Wetlands 🐛✨

They're launching a brand new Very Hungry Caterpillar Trail™ on Saturday 21 March when you can join them for a fun, family-friendly day of nature crafts, minibeast hunting and storytelling sessions from everyone’s favourite caterpillar.

🦆 Follow the Trail along the main Wetlands path featuring illustrated animals from the World of Eric Carle.

Each session with The Very Hungry Caterpillar character will have limited capacity and entry will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

So get a wriggle on and join them!

20/03/2026

Family Day at William Morris Gallery this Saturday!

A special FREE Family Day in celebration of William Morris's upcoming birthday. Drop in and learn the traditional art of textile weaving as you create a snuggly little bed for a dozing dragon, a sleepy songbird or a bedtime bunny, inspired by creatures found in Morris’s designs. Use simple cardboard looms to explore texture, colour and pattern in a creative, calming activity that’s perfect for families discovering the joy of craft together.

Family Day: Cosy Critters (Saturday 21 March, 1 to 4pm)
Landing Space, First Floor (lift access available)
William Morris Gallery, Lloyd Park, Walthamstow E17 4PP

Drop-in sessions for families with children. Most suitable for ages five and above.

Family Day at William Morris Gallery this Saturday!

A special FREE Family Day in celebration of William Morris's upcoming birthday. Drop in and learn the traditional art of textile weaving as you create a snuggly little bed for a dozing dragon, a sleepy songbird or a bedtime bunny, inspired by creatures found in Morris’s designs. Use simple cardboard looms to explore texture, colour and pattern in a creative, calming activity that’s perfect for families discovering the joy of craft together.

Family Day: Cosy Critters (Saturday 21 March, 1 to 4pm)
Landing Space, First Floor (lift access available)
William Morris Gallery, Lloyd Park, Walthamstow E17 4PP

Drop-in sessions for families with children. Most suitable for ages five and above.

See link in first comment for more information.

20/03/2026

Healthy baby food on a budget 🍵

🥣 If you are feeling stuck or just want a bit of inspiration, come along to free Healthy Eating and Dental Health drop ins where your child can explore healthy foods, pick up tips, and learn through play in a relaxed and supportive environment.

🍼 If you are more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under four and receive benefits, you may be able to get help to buy fruit, vegetables and milk through the Healthy Start scheme. This comes as a Healthy Start Card that can be used in most shops.

You can also find recipes and meal ideas, and tips on how to introduce your child to solid food, on the NHS.UK Best Start in Life page.
All links are in the comments.

11/03/2026

Looking for fun sessions to enjoy with your little one?
Our Best Start in Life timetable is full of activities that help you support your child’s learning and development at home 🧸🌈

From play sessions to early learning fun, you’ll pick up simple ideas you can try together every day!
Take a look at what’s on across Waltham Forest and join in (link in comments).