We are going to be in Brighton from 21st to 28th June, I know there is lots to do (can't wait!) but are there any groups or activities I could take DD to?

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We are visiting my Dads friend so there may be times when they want to do stuff that we don't so just wondered if there was anything that is a drop in type thing that is good for toddlers? Particularly if it is raining. Really I'm just excited I think and want to plan ahead!

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I used to live in Brighton but its been a few years so bear with me.

Peter Pans on Madeira Drive is great for younger kids with rides for the littlies.

Depending on what the kids like there are usually loads of arts and craft stuff for kids too eg there is a drop in place where kids can paint their own cups/ plates / bowls etc so they may enjoy this if the weather is bad.

The beach is shingle and my DS loved, infact still loves, throwing stones in the water and there is a fab free shallow pool for kids on the seafront with a playarea attached. It makes for a really good day out and the kids always sleep well after a day spent there!

If you are in central Brighton there is a park called the Level and this has another shallow pool for kids and a fab playarea. Take a picnic cos the kids will want to stay there all day!

If you like pubs I think there is a Wacky Warehouse type place in Saltdean and Rottingdean just down road has a much quieter beach with fantastic rock pools for the kids to look for crabs etc.

There are lots of great parks in Brighton too - Nizells Park in Hove is great, Preston Park has a great cafe attached and Hove Park ditto.

You are going to have a fantastic time!!! Enjoy!

Thank you notalone that is great to have some ideas. I didn't know there were places with shallow pools, last time we were there we played in the sandpit and play area on the beach front but didn't know there was a pool too so thats good to know. I can't wait to go!

Thats ok. If you want to ask anything else then feel free. Its all coming flooding back and I am really missing Brighton now! Its a fab place to be!

It is brilliant I wish I could live there. We are going to the aquarium one day and I'm hoping to get my parents to have DD while I do some shopping. Sounds like there are a good few free things to do too though which is great.

Whoops - forgot about the Sealife Centre!!

Shopping is good there too! Churchill Square is the mainstream mall and then there are the North Laines which are amazing. You will have to visit the chocolate shop in the other Lanes which sells crunchie and malteser cake to die for along with loads more!!!

Crunchie and malteser cake mmmmmmm! Did you go to any toddler groups there or maybe they wouldn't want someone coming as a one off?

there is a mother and toddler group in hollingbury called carden tots (off carden avenue) which is open every m-f from 9-3pm. IIRC I am sure they wouldn't mind you dropping in. It's £2 for the day.

Oh thanks dustyteddy thats good to know, is Hollingbury far from the cente? Weare staying in kinstown I think its called.

There is no Kinstown but you could mean Kemptown. If you are staying there Hollingbury is a fair way away. There will probably be some closer if you want to do M & T though.

I do mean kemptown yes! lol thanks anyway!

I think the paddling pool on the seafront has shut down last time I was there was no water in it and it was being used by skateboarders. Not sure if the one at the Level is still there, the fair is there at the moment but will be gone by June.

Depends how old DD is , but there is a place where u can hire rolerblades along the seafront nr Hove, also there is the King Alfred swimming pool/leisure centre which has an outdoor bit along that way too.

I live just outside Brighton in a place called Lewes, there is a Monkey Bizness indoor play herebut not much else (unless DD likes castles)

in lewes if the weather is nice go to the pells, the outdoor swimming pool, it's lovely

We've been down to the Pells the last 2 weekends running and the pool is not open yet!!!

noooooooooooooooooo!

I know we were dissapointed too. There are some huge monster fish in the duck pond though!

Thanks everyone, both pools sound like something we could definately do. Maybe the outdoor one will be open by June. Ours opened for the May bank holiday I think but I'm sure they don't usually open till mid-late May.

DD is nearly 20 months so bit young for roller blading but its good to know that theres an indoor play place in case its cold. Hope its sunny all week though!

Again this is a bit far out of Brighton, but if you are considering travelling to Lewes, there is a large Leisure Centre on the outskirts of Burgess Hill (approx 10miles north of Btn, on the A23). It has several drop in sessions for toddlers, for example Paint and Play, and Bounce & Roll (bouncy castle, balance beams/apparatus, ride-on's etc). B&R is £2.50 a session and pretty sure Paint one is similar. There is also a small soft play area and obviously the main swimming pool if you wanted to make more of a day. Anyway details here

Thanks for the link BMBDINT just had a look and it looks great what a lot of activities, I will definately bear it in mind for if the weather is bad.Wish we had all that here actually!