A photo popped up on my Facebook memories recently of my children at Techniquest toddler day – the once-a-month event where the science centre opens its doors to the pre-schoolers of South Wales – and it got me thinking about how much I loved those days. With that in mind, I’ve updated one of my old posts on Cardiff Mummy Says detailing the big family attractions in South Wales which host special days for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers, where extra activities are laid on especially for the under five gang and their families.

Have I missed any toddler and preschool days at big South Wales attractions? Do let me know in the comments below, on the Cardiff Mummy Says Facebook page, or you can tweet me on @cardiffmummy

For more ideas of local family-friendly events, follow Cardiff Mummy Says on Facebook   on Instagram or Twitter. 

Greenmeadow Community Farm, Cwmbran

Greenmeadow’s Baby and Toddler Tuesdays run every Tuesday from the start of February until the end of November, including the school holidays. Each week sees different taster sessions from local baby and toddler groups, such as music and singing, baby yoga, gymnastics, baby sensory, baby bushcraft, first aid for children and so on. There’s also plenty of animals to see and activities across the farm, including tractor rides.

Entry: Adults £6.50; children 2-16 £5.40; under 2s free; family (2+3) £23.50

Read our review of a previous Baby and Toddler Tuesday at Greenmeadow Community Farm

Mountain View Ranch, Caerphilly Mountain

The freerange outdoor adventure centre often runs spontaneous toddler days during term time if the weather is looking good. Although the park is generally open daily, not all the activities – such as storytime and the goat walk – run on off-peak days. Keep an eye on their Facebook page and website for announcements and more details. Also new for 2020, the all-new Gruffalo trail sculptures!

Off-peak admission £4.50 per person aged 2+; family of 4 £17; family of 5 £21; under 2s free. (Peak admission £7 per person aged 2+; family of 4 £27; family of 5 £33, under 2s free).

Read our review of what you can expect at Mountain View Ranch here.

Museum of Cardiff, The Hayes, Cardiff

FREE The Museum of Cardiff (formerly the Cardiff Story) opens its doors to under 5s and their parents/carers on the second Friday of every month for its Dinky Dragons event, with play, rhymes, stories, detective trails, craft, messy play, music and more. Plus the museum is full of plenty of interactive exhibitions bringing to life the history of Cardiff. The downstairs gallery has a fantastic play area, with historical-themed dressing up, a pretend coal train, kitchen and more.

Upcoming dates, all 10am-3pm; Rhyme Time and Story Time at 11am and 1pm.

Dinky Dragons continues to run throughout the school holidays too.

Friday 13 March

Friday 10 April (Good Friday)

Friday 8 May

Friday 12 June

Friday 10 July

Read more about what else you can find at The Museum of Cardiff in our review here.

National Museum Cardiff

FREE Every Friday during term, National Museum Cardiff invites children and their parents to explore the museum through play between 11am and 4pm for their Toddler Time activity days. There are boxes of toys, games and books in the different galleries, themed toys and activities with museum staff between 1.30pm and 3pm; plus other crafts and games relating to each week’s theme.

Read our review of a previous National Museum Cardiff Toddler Time here. (Cardiff Mummy Says is a blogger ambassador for National Museum Wales so the review this links to is a paid collaboration.)

Parc Play, Curran Embankment, Cardiff

The indoor/outdoor play centre runs toddler days on selected term-time Fridays throughout the year, so it’s worth keeping an eye on their website and social media channels. Past events have included everything from magicians and circus skills to exotic animals and owls. There’s also an outdoor sandpit, mud kitchens, climbing frames, slides and a dedicated toddler play area.

Adults £1; under 1s £1.95 or free with an older sibling; ages 1-3 £4.50; 4-12 £6

Parc is open 10am-6pm; events typically start at 10.30am and 2.30pm

Upcoming events

Friday 27 March – Meet Peppa Pig, 11.30am-2pm

Join special guest Peppa Pig for games, photo opportunities and craft.

Advance booking advisable.

Friday 3 April – Meet Peter Rabbit, 11.30am-2pm

Join special guest Peter Rabbit for games, photo opportunities and craft.

Advance booking advisable.

Read our review of a previous Parc Play Toddler Day here.

St Fagans National History Museum, Cardiff

FREE Wales’s open air living history museum welcomes toddlers and pre-schoolers and their families/carers every Monday during term, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. As well as more than 50 historical buildings from across Wales, activities include themed toys and activities with museum staff from 1.30pm to 2.55pm plus story time at 3pm.

Read more of what to expect at St Fagans National History Museum here. (Cardiff Mummy Says is a blogger ambassador for National Museum Wales so the review this links to is a paid collaboration.)

Techniquest, Cardiff Bay

As well as all the usual hands-on science exhibits, Techniquest toddler days usually see story time, a mini disco or session from a pre-school music class, arts and crafts to take away, a Play-Doh table, face painting and more, with a different theme each month.

Held on the first Friday of the month during term time, admissions costs £5.50 online or £6.70 when booked in advance online (including Gift Aid donation) for accompanying adults, with under 3s free and children 3-15 £3.30.

Upcoming dates, all 9.30am-4.30pm

Friday 5 June

Friday 3 July

Dates from September onwards will be announced later in the year.

Read our review of a previous Techniquest Toddler Day here.

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay

FREE Toddler Time sees music, singing and crafts filling Wales Millennium Centre’s foyer once a month during term time. There’s a range of sessions involving singing, dancing, playing and creating  throughout the day, introducing children to music in fun and engaging ways.

Upcoming dates, all 11am-2.30pm

Friday 20 March

Friday 17 April

Friday 15 May

Friday 19 June

Friday 17 July

Have I missed any toddler and preschool days at big South Wales attractions? Do let me know in the comments below, on the Cardiff Mummy Says Facebook page, or you can tweet me on @cardiffmummy

For more ideas of local family-friendly events, follow Cardiff Mummy Says on Facebook   on Instagram or Twitter.