The group I attended was the Dads Play and Learn Group at Tarner Family Hub in Brighton. It’s a free activity group designed specifically for dads, stepdads, and male carers with children aged 0–11. The aim is simple: to provide a welcoming space where dads can bring their kids, play together, and meet other fathers. It’s essentially a giant room full of toys, mats, toy kitchens, and small humans exploring their surroundings, with dads trying their best to keep up.
Walking Into the Room
If you’ve ever been to a typical playgroup in the UK, you’ll know the demographic. Nine times out of ten (possibly even 9.9, if we're being really honest), it's mostly mums. That’s not a criticism, it’s simply the reality. Many mothers take parental leave earlier and for longer, and often become the first to build local parenting networks. So walking into a room designed specifically for dads felt a bit different. There were toys everywhere, colourful mats across the floor, and in the middle of it all stood Henry, the organiser. Henry was also a dad himself, and, as it turned out, the only other one there that day.
So technically, the group consisted of:
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Henry
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Me
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Two babies
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A suspicious number of soft toys shaped like vegetables
The Awkward Moment
At one point, a family arrived hoping to join the playgroup. Henry politely explained that this session was for dads only. He had to turn them away. I’ll admit I felt a little conflicted in that moment. On one hand, parenting spaces should feel welcoming and inclusive. But Henry made a good point: there are lots of groups for parents in general, but very few specifically designed for dads. Dad-focused groups can create a different kind of atmosphere, one where fathers who might feel slightly out of place in traditional parenting groups can relax and connect.
The pros are obvious:
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Dads feel more comfortable attending.
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It encourages fathers to take an active role in childcare.
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It builds community among male carers.
The downside?
Exclusivity always feels a bit awkward in the moment. But ultimately, I understood Henry’s reasoning. If we want more dads involved in parenting communities, we need spaces that actively invite them in.
My Daughter’s Strategy: Sleep Through Everything
Meanwhile, my daughter had a very different approach to the event. She slept. The entire time. Honestly, it was a tactical masterclass. While she could have explored toys, attempted early crawling manoeuvres, and stared curiously at the other baby in attendance, she remained peacefully asleep, like a tiny Zen master, unbothered by it all. This gave me plenty of time to chat with Henry and observe the playgroup dynamic.
Why Play Matters (Even at Four Months)
At four months old, babies aren’t exactly building Lego castles or mastering football skills. But play is still incredibly important at this stage. Research shows that early play supports:
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sensory development
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motor skills
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social awareness
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language development
Even simple things like tummy time, colourful toys, and hearing other voices help babies understand the world around them. Groups like this create a safe environment where babies can explore and learn while parents exchange survival tips, covering everything from sleep schedules to the mysterious science of baby poo. My daughter may have slept through this particular session, but on many occasions since, we’ve seen first-hand how being in that kind of environment accelerates her development, from crawling to forming new social bonds.
The Dad Learning Curve
Let’s be honest. Many dads learn parenting on the job. One moment you’re cradling a newborn, thinking please don’t break the baby, and the next you’re confidently changing nappies at 3 am, half asleep. In fact, Mama Bamboo recently shared some brilliant advice for fathers in their blog:
From Nappies to Night Feeds: A New Dad’s Survival Guide
In fact, Mama Bamboo has been working closely with parenting experts, including MANtenatal, to support families with nappies and education.
You can read more about that partnership here:
Why MANtenatal Recommends Mama Bamboo, and if you’re curious about MANtenatal’s approach to supporting parents, their work is explained in this blog.
It’s reassuring to know that every dad, from first-timers to seasoned pros, has moments of uncertainty along the way. Groups like this one are a reminder that you’re not alone in feeling that.
Why More Dads Should Go to Playgroups
Before becoming a parent, I probably wouldn’t have imagined myself sitting on a brightly coloured mat surrounded by toy giraffes discussing sleep routines. But here we are. And honestly? It’s worth it.
Dad playgroups offer several benefits:
1. Confidence
You quickly realise you’re capable of handling things on your own.
2. Community
Talking to other dads removes the feeling that you’re figuring everything out alone.
3. Bonding
Spending time alone with your baby strengthens your relationship in ways hard to describe.
4. Perspective
You see that every family is learning as they go.
The Coffee Break Strategy
Meanwhile, my partner was across the street enjoying a coffee. She was close enough to help if needed, but she didn’t need to. That small moment of independence felt surprisingly significant to both of us. Parenting works best when both partners feel confident stepping into any role when needed.
Final Thoughts
By the end of the session, my daughter woke up briefly, looked around at the colourful chaos, and seemed satisfied that she hadn’t missed anything particularly urgent. Which, to be fair, she hadn’t. But I would have, had I not attended. I experienced something new as a dad, and it made me realise something important:
Playgroups aren’t just for kids. They’re for parents too.
They give us the chance to learn, connect, laugh at the chaos, and realise that we’re all figuring it out together. So if you’re a dad reading this and wondering whether you should try one, do it. Even if your baby sleeps the whole time, you might just discover a community you didn’t know you needed, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll even get to sit on a tiny chair designed for toddlers and feel surprisingly proud about it.
