For families with very young children, finding ways to connect with other young families can sometimes be a daunting challenge.  Parkside offers two monthly options for young families to get connected with others who are in the same life stage.

Play Groups

Play Groups (formerly known as Play-n-Learn) are a great way to help young children (birth-5 years of age) meet friends and learn how to socialize with other children in positive ways.  Plus, moms and caregivers gain the benefits of fellowship and encouragement with other adults while children play.  Play Groups are all about building relationships, so if you’re a young parent or a grandparent who cares for your grandchildren, we encourage you to add Play Groups to your monthly calendar.

How is Play Groups structured?  We meet the first Tuesday of every month in the lower level Commons.  Play time runs from 10:00-11:30, followed by an opportunity for kids, moms and caregivers to eat lunch together in the Commons (BYOL--bring your own lunch or pick-up a lunch treat at the Café). Hopefully, kids will go home well-fed, tired out, and ready for afternoon naps & quiet time!  At Play Groups, we have a couple of rooms set up with varying themes that allow children to pick the activities that most interest them.  One room might be designed for active play, one room might be more fine motor/manipulative play, another room might feature dramatic play.  Whatever the room or theme, children will have many opportunities to meet and play with other children and grow in their understanding of important concepts like sharing and being a good friend.  Moms and caregivers will be encouraged by the opportunities to freely play alongside their children while connecting with other families who have the same aged children.  Best of all—the “mess” isn’t at your house!

For more information, visit parksidechurch.com/play_groups. 

Preschool Story Time

Preschool Story Time (formerly known as Lunch Bunch) is designed especially for 2½-  to 5-year-olds and meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 11:00-12:00 in the lower level of the Commons, LL33.  Following the conclusion of Story Time, participants are encouraged to extend the fun by enjoying lunch together in the Commons (BYOL—bring your own lunch).

What do we do at Preschool Story Time?  We have fun!  Each Story Time has a unique theme, with a book, music, activities or crafts that coordinate with the theme.  Our next Preschool Story Time is on Tuesday, November 19, and our theme is thankfulness. Children are encouraged to bring an item or a picture of someone for whom they are thankful.

For more information, visit parksidechurch.com/preschool_storytime.

SPREAD THE WORD!

Invite non-Parkside friends to join you for Play Groups and Preschool Story Time.  Both options offer easy ways for Parkside families to build bridges for the Gospel. These are great relationship-building opportunities for young families to connect with each other—both children and adults. Join us on November 19th for our next Preschool Story Time or on December 3rd for our next Play Group!