When your little one is due to start school it can be a scary time for both parent and child so it’s a good idea to attend meet-ups and make friends before September.

Below is a list of new starter reception Facebook groups, home educating groups and venue meet-ups that have been found for 2025 but if you know of any more then please Contact Us.

 

SCHOOL RECEPTION STARTER FACEBOOK GROUPS

 

• POOLE •

Heatherlands Primary School 

Lilliput Infant School 

Talbot Primary School

 

• BOURNEMOUTH •

Elm Academy

Hill View Primary Academy School 

Kingsleigh Primary School 

Moordown St John’s Primary School  

Muscliff Primary School

St Marks CE Primary School 

The Epiphany School 

Malmesbury Park Primary School

Winton Primary School

 

• WIMBORNE & FERNDOWN •

Ferndown First School

Merley First School

Parley First School 

Rushcombe First School 

 

HOME SCHOOLING FACEBOOK GROUPS

 

Bournemouth, Poole and Surrounding Area Home Educators

Home Educators in Dorset

 

SOFT PLAY / MOBILE PLAY SCHOOL MEET-UPS

 

PEEKABOO & BREW

Address: Peekaboo & Brew, 214a Macaulay Road, Broadstone, Poole, Dorset, BH18 8DX
Website: Peekaboo & Brew

 

LOLLIPOPS PLAY CAFÉ

Address: Lollipops Play Café, 16 Landseer Road, Westbourne, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH4 9EH
Website: Lollipops Play Cafe

 

DISCOVERY VILLAGE ROLE PLAY CENTRE

Info: Join other parents and carers of children starting school for the first time this September at the specially designed play sessions. These friendly meet-ups are the perfect way to help your child meet future classmates, start forming friendships, and feel more comfortable before the school term begins. To register your interest, please visit the website below.

Address: Discovery Village Role Play Centre, Merritown Lane, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 6BA
Website: Discovery Village Role Play Centre

 

MINI MONSTERS

Address: Mini Monsters, 960 Wimborne Rd, Moordown, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH9 2DG
Website: Mini Monsters

 

LITTLE BUGS SOFT PLAY

Info: To help with the new school transition, Little Bugs will be hosting School Starter sessions for some of the local schools.  Sessions will include kids drinks, snacks, colouring and soft play!

Address: Little Bugs Soft Play, 380 Ringwood Road, Ferndown, Dorset, BH22 9AU
Website: Little Bugs Soft Play

 

PLAY STREET DORSET

Address: Various locations
Facebook: Play Street Dorset

 

If you know of any more School Reception Facebook Groups or Soft Play Meet-Ups then please do Contact Us. 

There's lots of FREE Fireworks Displays exploding across Dorset this summer!  For more information on locations, dates and times, please see below.

 

SWANAGE

Info: The theme for the Carnival is ‘Cirque du Swanage’.  This popular event starts on Saturday 26th July 2025 and in addition to family friendly activities, live music, performances and air displays, there will be firework displays at 9.45pm on Saturday 26th July, Wednesday 30th July and Saturday 2nd August 2025.

Website: Swanage Carnival

 

WEYMOUTH SEAFRONT

Info: Spend the evening on Weymouth Esplanade enjoying the seafront attractions and then stand back to watch the grand fireworks display which is on every Monday at 9.30pm from 28th July – 25th August 2025.  Displays on 28th July and 11th August will have lower noise fireworks.

Website: Weymouth Town Council

 

LYME REGIS

Info: Lyme Regis Carnival week starts with a bang and the harbour offers a stunning backdrop for a spectacular fireworks display at 9.30pm on Friday 1st August 2025.  Lyme Regis Carnival is packed full of fun events and activities for all the family to enjoy, culminating in the Grand Carnival Procession on Saturday 9th August 2025.

Website: Lyme Regis Carnival

 

BOURNEMOUTH SEAFRONT

Info: The summer firework displays can traditionally be seen over the water near Bournemouth Pier at 10pm every Friday in August.  Dates TBC.

Website: Bournemouth Tourism

 

POOLE QUAY

Info: Fireworks night are traditionally held on Thursday evenings in August.  Evening entertainment on Poole Quay includes live music, small children’s rides and family fun with a dazzling firework display over the harbour at 10pm.  Dates TBC.

Website: Poole Tourism

 

WAREHAM QUAY

Info: Wareham Wednesdays events are held on each Wednesday through August and there’s going to be events lots of family friendly fun, live music and children’s entertainment.  All events end with a fantastic fireworks displays near The Quay at 10pm.

Website: Wareham Wednesdays

 

CHRISTCHURCH

Info: There’s so much going on in Christchurch over the Carnival weekend with fun for all the family and a fireworks display at The Quay from 9.30pm on Saturday 16th August 2025.

Website: Christchurch Carnival

 

MORE SUMMER LISTINGS!

Attractions & Places to visit

Soft Plays & Play Cafes

Events & Info

PYO Farms

Splash Parks & Paddling Pools

Pubs with Play Parks

Family Friendly Shows

Please note that unexpected circumstances can occur including bad weather conditions and therefore displays may be cancelled at short notice.  Please always check before travelling.