Make it Groovy: A Story, Craft & Dance Class in Ditton

AD – This post reviews a PR visit to Make it Groovy. This post also contains affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure page for more details.

 

Make it Groovy story, craft and dance class in Ditton

If you’re looking for a fun class full of stories, crafts and dancing for toddlers and pre-schoolers, then the Make it Groovy class in Ditton is the class for you! PS – scroll to the end of the post for a video of our visit!

 

What is Make it Groovy?

Make it Groovy is a fun and friendly music and movement class for toddlers and pre-schoolers aged 18 months to 5 years. Each class is based on a different book, aiming to bring the story to life through craft and dance.

 

Where are the Make it Groovy classes held?

Make it Groovy have two venues, East Malling and Ditton, both near Maidstone! I attended the Ditton group which is held at Ditton Community Centre, Ditton, Aylesford, ME20 6AH.

The East Malling venue is held at the East Malling Village Hall, 14 New Rd, East Malling, ME19 6DD.

 

Ditton Community Centre Ditton Community Centre

How long are the classes?

The classes are roughly an hour long – meaning there’s plenty of time for the story, craft and dance elements of the class. Each part of the class is perfectly timed – not too long and not too short – meaning you don’t have to worry about losing the children’s interest.

 

How much are the classes?

You have two ways of booking for the Make it Groovy classes – you can either book on for the full 7 week term at a cost of £45.50 (£22 for siblings), or book single sessions at a cost of £6.90 (£3.50 for siblings, siblings under 12 months are free).

 

My review of Make it Groovy in Ditton

I attended Make it Groovy at Ditton Community Centre on Thursday 27th January 2022. It was easy to find, and has plenty of parking in a large car park – there’s also a big field if your child wants to have a run around afterwards, although I’ll be surprised if they have enough energy left after all the excitement of the class!

Inside the community centre, you are greeted, given a bag and then you take a seat at one of the tables set out. I was impressed to see that each family had their own table and own equipment to use – it was by far the most ‘COVID friendly’ playgroup we have attended, so if you’re still a little bit nervous then I can highly recommend this class!

 

Ditton Community Centre set up for Make it Groovy Class Make it Groovy Story, Craft and song class for children in Ditton, Kent

 

Once everyone is ready, the first part of the class commences: story time! Families are invited to the open space at the front of the hall, where Jenny reads a story for everyone. Jenny is a great storyteller, voicing the characters well and moving around so that all the children can see the pictures in the book. This story then goes on to be the theme for the class. The book and therefore theme of our class was Superworm!

Next, it’s time for crafting! Jenny shows you the final product you’re aiming to create, with a quick explanation of how to achieve this. You then go back to your table to get started. Inside the bag you’re handed at the beginning you’ll find everything you need to create your craft. We were making a Superworm craft – we started off by gluing green tissue paper to a circle of card to create a garden scene, decorating with bug stickers. We then glued pink tissue paper to a worm shape, stuck on two googley eyes and drew a mouth to create Superworm! Jenny came round to check how we were getting on and to offer us a push pin so we could attach Superworm to our garden scene, so it could pivot and wriggle.

 

 

Make it Groovy Story, Craft and song class for children in Ditton, Kent Make a superworm craft at Make it Groovy children's class in Ditton 

 

The craft experience really was such a highlight of this play group for me – I love crafting! The other playgroups I have been to have been more communal craft tables, but I must admit I found Arthur held his attention much better on our individual table with our own dedicated craft materials – he completely forgot about the other children and could relax and enjoy the one on one time with me, crafting. Jenny was always on hand if you needed help, making her way around the room, but she didn’t hover or rush you. It was the perfect level of attentiveness!

Once everyone’s craft is finished, the families are invited to the open space of the hall once again, with our bags and our new crafts. There, we start the singing and dancing portion of the class! Jenny chooses themed songs and encourages the children to use their craft as a prop – Arthur loved wiggling his work to ‘there’s a worm at the bottom of the garden!’.

 

Read next: Superworm Trail at Jeskyns Community Woodlands in Kent

 

Making a superworm craft at Make it Groovy in Ditton Superworm craft at Make it Groovy in Ditton, Kent

 

Next, it’s time to empty our bags and get Musical with the musical instruments! Each bag had a random selection of instruments which was great – some groups I’ve been to, you only get one maraca to play with, but there was plenty for Arthur to explore in our bag! He loved the little egg shaker and tambourine – note to self. We also used sensory scarves found in our bag for rhythmic dancing, and then the best prop of all came out… Pom Poms! I’ve never been to a playgroup that uses pom poms before and let me tell you: they’re brilliant, and the children loved them! Arthur spoke about the spider on the floor song and his pom pom for days afterwards!

 

Toddler playing with sensory scarves Playing with pom poms

 

The class finished with some calming bubbles, which obviously ended how all playgroups with bubbles end…. the instructor being followed by a trail of children popping the bubbles!

Overall, it was genuinely one of the best baby and toddler class we have ever been to! I know I tend to say that about a lot of the classes we attend, but they’re all so different. I absolutely love that this class incorporates story time, crafts AND singing and dancing – and each portion is of such high quality. If you’re local to Ditton or East Malling I highly recommend this baby or toddler class!

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Jodie – Jodetopia (@jodetopia)

When are the Make it Groovy classes in Ditton?

If you like the sound of this baby and toddler class in Ditton, then why not give it a go?!

As of January 2022, the East Malling classes are held on Mondays at 9:45am, and the Ditton classes are held on Thursdays at 9:45am, although be sure to book online first!

 

Click here to book your Make it Groovy class now!

 

PS – If you visit off the back of my recommendation, please tag me in your photos on Instagram and use the hashtag #JodetopiaInKent

Are you looking for other baby and toddler classes in Kent? Check out all of my baby and toddler group reviews or why not try Tots with Tempo in Castle Hill?

 

Make it Groovy story, craft and dance class in Ditton