Play & Family Services
CALA Play & Family Services supports children and families primarily across Highland, and further afield when needed. We work within local communities to ensure support is available where it’s needed most, delivering play opportunities and family support shaped around the needs, interests and strengths of children and families.
With thanks to our funders, we work in partnership with other organisations and professionals including Highland Council, NHS Highland, Health Visitors, Community Service Workers, community groups, and local and national funders to provide joined-up, supportive services for families.
Our Play & Family Services team provides regular play sessions, family groups and tailored support, always putting children and families at the heart of everything we do.
For most of our sessions, there’s no need to book in advance—just come along and join in. You’ll find a list of what we currently have running below, along with full details on booking and how to take part. If you have any questions or would like support to attend, please contact the office for assistance.
About our groups
Play & Learn Sessions
Baby & Beyond Groups
Baby Massage
Community Toddler Group Visits
What's on currently - please see each individual session for their start date
Every Tuesday (9.30am – 11am),
Merkinch Community Centre,
Inverness,
IV3 8AD.
Free to all
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
CALA Play to Learn Sessions
Come along and join us for play, fun and laughter in a warm, friendly and welcoming environment!
Our Play to Learn sessions are designed for children under 5, although older children are always welcome, alongside their parents, carers, grandparents and other family members.
Enjoy a wide range of exciting play experiences that support children’s learning and development, while having the opportunity to meet, chat and connect with other families.
Our friendly, experienced practitioners are always on hand to support play, offer a listening ear, chat through any questions or concerns you may have, and signpost you to other sources of information and support.
Working in partnership with, and funded by, The Highland Council.
Every Tuesday (1.30pm – 3pm)
Aviemore Community Hub
Grampian Road
Aviemore
PH22 1PE
Free to all – NO BOOKING REQUIRED
CALA Play to Learn Sessions
Come along and join us for play, fun and laughter in a warm, friendly and welcoming environment!
Our Play to Learn sessions are designed for children under 5, although older children are always welcome, alongside their parents, carers, grandparents and other family members.
Enjoy a wide range of exciting play experiences that support children’s learning and development, while having the opportunity to meet, chat and connect with other families.
Our friendly, experienced practitioners are always on hand to support play, offer a listening ear, chat through any questions or concerns you may have, and signpost you to other sources of information and support.
Working in partnership with, and funded by, The Highland Council.
Every Wednesday – ( 10am – 11.30am)
Nairn Community and Art Centre
King St,
Nairn
IV12 4BQ
For Parents/Carers/Family and children under 1 years approx – NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Come along with your little one and enjoy some special time together in a warm, relaxed and friendly environment!
Our Baby and Beyond sessions offer a lovely mix of relaxing baby massage, songs, play and fun, with plenty of opportunities to bond with your little one and meet other families.
Enjoy a cuppa and a chat while our friendly, experienced practitioners are on hand to talk about your little one’s growth and development, answer any questions, offer support or signpost you to other helpful information and services.
Parents, carers, grandparents and other family members are all welcome – come along, relax, connect and enjoy some precious time together!
Working in partnership with, and funded by, The Highland Council.
Every Wednesday (term time) – (9.30am – 11am)
Community Village Hall
Seaforth Road,
Muir of Ord –
IV6 7TA
Free to all – NO BOOKING REQUIRED
CALA Play to Learn Sessions
Come along and join us for play, fun and laughter in a warm, friendly and welcoming environment!
Our Play to Learn sessions are designed for children under 5, although older children are always welcome, alongside their parents, carers, grandparents and other family members.
Enjoy a wide range of exciting play experiences that support children’s learning and development, while having the opportunity to meet, chat and connect with other families.
Our friendly, experienced practitioners are always on hand to support play, offer a listening ear, chat through any questions or concerns you may have, and signpost you to other sources of information and support.
Working in partnership with, and funded by, The Highland Council.
Every Wednesday – ( 2pm – 3.30pm)
Community Village Hall
Croy
IV2 5PG
Free to all – NO BOOKING REQUIRED
CALA Play to Learn Sessions
Come along and join us for play, fun and laughter in a warm, friendly and welcoming environment!
Our Play to Learn sessions are designed for children under 5, although older children are always welcome, alongside their parents, carers, grandparents and other family members.
Enjoy a wide range of exciting play experiences that support children’s learning and development, while having the opportunity to meet, chat and connect with other families.
Our friendly, experienced practitioners are always on hand to support play, offer a listening ear, chat through any questions or concerns you may have, and signpost you to other sources of information and support.
Working in partnership with, and funded by, The Highland Council.
Every Thursday (9.30am – 11am)
Raigmore Community Centre,
125 Ashton Rd,
Inverness,
IV2 3UY
FREE to everyone
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
CALA Play to Learn Sessions
Come along and join us for play, fun and laughter in a warm, friendly and welcoming environment!
Our Play to Learn sessions are designed for children under 5, although older children are always welcome, alongside their parents, carers, grandparents and other family members.
Enjoy a wide range of exciting play experiences that support children’s learning and development, while having the opportunity to meet, chat and connect with other families.
Our friendly, experienced practitioners are always on hand to support play, offer a listening ear, chat through any questions or concerns you may have, and signpost you to other sources of information and support.
Working in partnership with, and funded by, The Highland Council.
Every Friday 9.30am – 11am (term time only)
James Cameron Centre
14 Limetree Avenue, Dalneigh
Inverness
CALA Play to Learn Sessions
Come along and join us for play, fun and laughter in a warm, friendly and welcoming environment!
Our Play to Learn sessions are designed for children under 5, although older children are always welcome, alongside their parents, carers, grandparents and other family members.
Enjoy a wide range of exciting play experiences that support children’s learning and development, while having the opportunity to meet, chat and connect with other families.
Our friendly, experienced practitioners are always on hand to support play, offer a listening ear, chat through any questions or concerns you may have, and signpost you to other sources of information and support.
Every Friday 10am – 11.30am
Wimberley Estate Childcare Centre
Somme Cresent
Inverness
Come along with your little one and enjoy some special time together in a warm, relaxed and friendly environment!
Our Tiny Toes & Playtime Fun sessions offer a lovely mix of relaxing baby massage, songs, play and fun, with plenty of opportunities to bond with your little one and meet other families.
Enjoy a cuppa and a chat while our friendly, experienced practitioners are on hand to talk about your little one’s growth and development, answer any questions, offer support or signpost you to other helpful information and services.
Parents, carers, grandparents and other family members are all welcome – come along, relax, connect and enjoy some precious time together!
Ready Steady Cook & Play
Join CALA & New Start for Free Family Sessions.
Enjoy relaxed, hands-on cooking sessions for parents while children have fun with supervised play. You can come along for one or all of the sessions.
12, 13, 19 & 20 October 2026
10.30am–2pm
New Start Highland, Caresgate, Inverness
Raigmore Pop Up Play
Thursday 15th October
Thursday 22nd October
Both Sessions: 9.30am – 11am
Come and join the fun for all ages! Enjoy lots of exciting play opportunities indoors and outdoors. No need to book—just come along and play!
Location: Raigmore Community Centre, Inverness
Social Play Games
Friday 16th October
Friday 23rd October
10am – 11.30am
Basket Ball Court behind Somme Cresent, Inverness
Fun, active sessions for children aged 5 years – 11 years
No need to book, come and join the fun!
The Badenoch and Strathspey Family Hub offers play, activities and local support in a welcoming space. Drop in for a chat, refreshments and time with other families along with access to a variety of services.
Open Thursdays, 9am–4pm, rotating between Grantown-on-Spey, Aviemore and Kingussie. See the calendar below for weekly locations and activities.
Follow us on Facebook for regular updates on what’s happening.
View/Download a copy of the Grantown on Spey Family Hub Leaflet
There are two pages – click the image to move on
View/Download a copy of the Aviemore Family Hub Leaflet
Click here to access
There are two pages – click the image to move on
View/Download a copy of the Kingussie Family Hub Leaflet
There are two pages – click the image to move on
