Gymboree Play and Music Bristol
BEST FOR
Ages 0-5
ENTRY
from £5.50
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Bristol
What it’s like
Weekly baby and toddler classes plus open gym sessions, with parents joining in rather than watching from the side.
This is a class-based setup rather than a turn-up-and-play soft play. Babies get sensory sessions and massage, toddlers move into music and art, and Play & Learn classes use their own kit for the walking-to-five crowd. There's Theatre Arts too, with drama, singing, dancing and art bundled in, and Open Gym sessions on weekends which are 45 minutes of free play on the equipment with music playing.
The catch that trips people up is the sibling rule. If you're bringing a younger baby along to your older one's class, they need to be in a carrier or sling so your hands are free to actually take part. Adults aren't spectators here, you're on the floor with your child, which suits some parents and will feel like a lot of effort to others on a Tuesday morning.
Membership runs £49 a month unlimited, or there's a six-class Fun Pass at £75 if you don't want the commitment. Open Gym on its own is £5.50 a go, which is the easiest way to try it before signing up to anything. Worth knowing that membership needs at least a month's notice to cancel, so it's not a one-and-done sign-up.
Birthday parties are on offer too, with no clean-up for you to do afterwards and a decent discount if you're already a member. They're closed on bank holidays but say they run through the summer with various options.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Newborns to 5, though under-fives is a wide bracket for one class
- Parties
- Birthday parties available with zero clean up
- Worth knowing
- 50% off first month membership (minimum 2 month sign-up required)
- First month membership is 50% off, but that needs a minimum two month sign-up
- Open Gym is the cheapest way to try it out before committing to membership
- Younger siblings need a sling or carrier if you're bringing them to an older child's class
- Make-up classes don't cover missed Open Gym sessions or courses
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Open Gym sessions are £5.50 each. Monthly membership is £49 unlimited, or you can get a six-class Fun Pass for £75.
Do I need to book?
Booking is generally needed, though for Open Gym some centres allow walk-ups. Best to sort it in advance rather than turn up on spec.
What ages is it for?
Newborn through to 5 years old, with different classes for different stages, from baby massage up to Play & Learn and pre-school steps.
Do parents join in or just watch?
You join in properly. Adults take part in the classes rather than sitting on the sidelines.
Can I bring a younger sibling to my older child's class?
Yes, but they need to be in a carrier or sling so you can keep your arms free to participate and keep the older one safe. Older siblings can't come along to a younger child's class.
What happens if we miss a class?
You can attend another class at the same level for free as a make-up, booked through the members portal. This doesn't apply to courses, Open Gym or special events.
Do you do birthday parties?
Yes, parties are available with no clean-up required afterwards. Members get a discount, non-member prices sit around £13 to £13.50 depending on the theme.
Is membership a big commitment?
There's a minimum sign-up and you need to give at least a month's notice to end it, so it's not something to join on a whim.
Are you open on bank holidays or over summer?
Closed on bank holidays, but they run through the summer with various options on offer.
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