Free Play Groups & Drop In Sessions in the Greater Moncton Area

Every parent, grandparent, and caregiver should keep this list of FREE, drop-in playgroups and indoor play options around Moncton handy! You never know when you’re going to need a ‘get out of the house for free’ plan.

We’ve done a quick list by days of the week; you’ll find the details about each event below. Please use the source links in the detail section to double check for cancellations, etc before heading out. (This post was updated Fall 2023. If you run a free, drop-in program for families we’ve missed, please let us know!)

FREE ACTIVITIES BY DAY IN GREATER MONCTON

MONDAY:

Indoor walking track at Crossman Centre, 10:30-12:30pm (strollers welcome)
Indoor walking track at Moncton Coliseum, 9am-4pm (strollers welcome)
Riverivew playgroup, 9:30am
Parent & Tot Open Gym at Crossman Centre, 10am – 12pm
Infant time at Hop! Skip! Jump! 10am-2pm
Early Childhood Family Resource Centre free play drop in,1-3:30pm
Kindergarten to Grade 5 (with a guardian to supervise) Open Gym at Crossman Centre, 2:15-3:30pm
Grade 6 – 8 Open Gym at Crossman Centre, 3:30-4:45pm

TUESDAY:

Indoor walking track at Crossman Centre, 10:30-12:30pm (strollers welcome)
Indoor walking track at Moncton Coliseum, 9am-4pm (strollers welcome)
Parent & Tot Open Gym at Crossman Centre, 10am – 12pm
Early Childhood Family Resource Centre Musical Morning drop in, 10-11am (alternates between French & English programming)
Infant time at Hop! Skip! Jump! 10am-2pm
Kindergarten to Grade 5 (with a guardian to supervise) Open Gym at Crossman Centre, 2:15-3:30pm
Grade 6 – 8 Open Gym at Crossman Centre, 3:30-4:45pm

WEDNESDAY:

Indoor walking track at Crossman Centre, 10:30-12:30pm (strollers welcome)
Indoor walking track at Moncton Coliseum, 9am-4pm (strollers welcome)
Sunny Tots, 10am to 11:30am (playground meet-ups or church hall gatherings)
Salisbury Playgroup, 9:30-11:30am
Infant time at Hop! Skip! Jump! 10am-2pm
Grade 6 – 8 Open Gym at Crossman Centre, 3:30-4:45pm

THURSDAY:

Indoor walking track at Crossman Centre, 10:30-12:30pm (strollers welcome)
Indoor walking track at Moncton Coliseum, 9am-4pm (strollers welcome)
Early Childhood Family Resource Centre Playful Thursdays drop in, 9:30-11:30am (alternates between French & English programming)
Infant time at Hop! Skip! Jump! 10am-2pm

FRIDAY:

Indoor walking track at Crossman Centre, 10:30-12:30pm (strollers welcome)
Indoor walking track at Moncton Coliseum, 9am-4pm (strollers welcome)
Infant time at Hop! Skip! Jump! 10am-2pm
Parent & Tot Open Gym at Crossman Centre, 10am – 12pm
Kindergarten to Grade 5 (with a guardian to supervise) Open Gym at Crossman Centre, 2:15-3:30pm
Grade 6 – 8 Open Gym at Crossman Centre, 3:30-4:45pm

SATURDAY:

Indoor walking track at Crossman Centre, 10:30-12:30pm (strollers welcome)

SUNDAY:

Indoor walking track at Crossman Centre, 10:30-12:30pm (strollers welcome)

From October to April there are lots of free skating options, too! Get those details on our Guide to Indoor & Outdoor Skating in Greater Moncton. You might also want to check out our Guide to Swimming in Greater Moncton, with details on great preschool and sensory options, too.

MORE DETAILS

The gym at the Crossman Centre (99 Wynwood Drive) is a hidden gem of community fun! There’s an indoor walking track that welcomes strollers daily from 10:30am until 12:30pm. Parents & Tots have the space Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 10am until noon. There are some mats and toys on site; just show up and play! Children in Kindergarten to Grade 5 (with a guardian to supervise) can drop in Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays from 2:15 – 3:30pm. Kids in Grades 6-8 have the gym Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 3:30-4:45pm. (All sessions require indoor shoes to be worn on the gym floor.)

The Moncton Coliseum also offers indoor walking. Depending on what events are taking place, the Coliseum is open from 9am to 4pm on weekdays from October 1 to March 31. Call 857-4100 for more info.

The Early Childhood Family Resource Centre of Westmorland-Albert runs numerous free programs for families, as well as hosting drop in fun in their playroom (near CF Champlain) and throughout the community. This includes the Wednesday playgroup in Salisbury, the Monday playgroup in Riverview (gathers at St. Paul’s Church). There are more than a dozen Family Resource Centres in New Brunswick, all with the mission of offering free, educational programming to families with children under the age of six. Check out the organization’s website for details on other locations in the province.

Sunny Tots takes place on Wednesday mornings from 10am to 11:30am at Sunny Brae Baptist Church on Elmwood Drive – or at a local playground when the weather permits! A snack is provided for the kids, and there’s tea and coffee and company for the adults.

Moncton’s Hop! Skip! Jump! offer free entry for up to two adults and infants (under one year old) on weekdays. A great way to check out this fantastic space!

BCG Dieppe offers drop-in programming for youth, with its calendar updated monthly. Check their Facebook page for the most recent details.

And don’t forget your local library – a wonderful place to visit any time, with the Moncton library now open seven days a week with its fantastic kids’ section!

A reminder these are the FREE, INDOOR play options in the Greater Moncton Area; there are lots of other great attractions and events for family outings. Be sure to check Pickle Planet’s weekly event round-up for ideas! You might also want to check out our profiles of Playgrounds, Parks, and more.