Moving to a new town means starting from scratch, and if you have a kid or two, that can mean finding a playgroup in your new area. How do you go about finding the right group for your kids, and where can you look? Here are some ways to find the perfect playgroup, so your child can play with other kids, and you can connect with other parents in the area.
Meetup groups: Meetup.com has a lot of different groups available in most areas. All you have to do to find a playgroup is to use keywords (like playgroup + your town), and see what you come up with. There’s a good chance that you’ll have more than a few to select from.
Yelp groups: Kind of like Meetup.com, Yelp.com includes a number of different groups too, and you may be able to find one or even start one (what a great way to meet new people!) in your area. Both sites are definitely worth a look!
Local library: Sometimes, your local library will have information about playgroups in the area. Look for a community bulletin board, or ask a librarian about finding this kind of information.
Local recreation centers: Does your new town have a recreation center? These place are typically meeting spots for all kinds of activities including playgroups. If the center doesn’t offer anything, they might be able to tell you where to find additional details. Sometimes, you do have to register for a group in advance, so keep that in mind.
Ask your pediatrician: When you move to a new town, you’ll have to find a new doctor for your child. Often, these professionals know of different playgroups in town, and they may be able to help you out.
Talk to other parents: If you hit up the local playground and see other parents, don’t be shy. We are often so disconnected in today’s society that we sometimes are bashful when it comes to things like simply reaching out and saying “hello” to someone new — chances are that the mom at the playground is looking for some friends too!
Google it: You’d be surprised what you come up with if you take a few moments to Google words like “your city + playgroup.” A lot of other parents just like you have probably set up some form of online bulletin board where you can find a lot of information for you and your child. Take a moment to explore these groups, and you’ll quickly find what you are looking for!
Exercise classes: While not a traditional playgroup taking place on a playground, exercise classes that have been developed for kids and parents are a great way to meet other moms. Sign up for a yoga or dance or other class, bring your child with you (if it’s child-friendly), and start networking that way. In no time, you’ll have tons of new friends with children that you can socialize and enjoy spending time with!
Moving Long Distance
It can be hard to uproot your family and move to another town, especially if that town is located really far away from your old area. One thing that you can do to alleviate some of the stress is to work with a reliable moving company like Exodus Moving and Storage. Not only will we be happy to provide you with a moving quote that we will stick by, we are also more than happy to help you with every aspect of your move from packing to unpacking. Our goal is to make moving as painless for you as possible, and that includes coordinating every bit of your move, so that you can focus on things like finding playdates for your child, or connecting with other parents that you can become friends with.
It can be really hard to make new friends in a new town, but at least you won’t have to worry about the Denver movers that you hire if you work with Exodus! While getting out there and meeting new people can seem intimidating, you’ll have a much richer life in your new town if you do start networking. Are you looking for a playgroup in your new area? Come and join in the conversation on Facebook — you’re sure to find other people that are in your same situation!