Playgroups are the classic way for expatriate parents to meet others in the same situation. In the Frankfurt region, they range from informal park meetings to weekly sessions in church halls and community spaces.
What the old directory listed
The archived page pointed to groups in several places. In Frankfurt itself there were English-language playgroups in the Nordend area, a Monday gathering at the Galluspark play island and a Friday group in a church building. Around the city were weekly sessions in Hofheim am Taunus and Oberursel, plus groups serving Wiesbaden and Darmstadt. In Mainz, English-speaking families organised through a social media group. Several of these were run by volunteers rather than professionals.
Kinds of meet-ups
- Parent-and-baby sessions where children play and parents talk.
- Mother-to-mother groups that add coffee and conversation.
- Language clubs for English and bilingual children, sometimes with music.
- Support meetings such as breastfeeding networks.
- Meet-ups for pregnant women and new mothers.
Questions to ask before you go
- Who runs the group, and is it free or does it ask for a small contribution?
- What age range does it suit?
- Is the language English, German or a mix?
- Do children need to be registered or insured for the venue?
Starting your own
If you cannot find a group nearby, the original guide encouraged parents to share information in the community Facebook group, where a new meet-up can be organised quickly. Details of what is on offer in other categories appear in the activities guide.