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
Over 100 Families attend our groups week!
Parent Comment
“This group is the highlight of my week. It has helped my confidence to also go to over groups!”
What's on currently - SUMMER PROGRAMME
Venue: Ness Castle Primary School
CALA will be providing FREE drop in ‘pop-up-play’ sessions for pupils and parents who attend Primary 1-3 at Ness Castle.
Dates and Times
Tuesday 7th July (10am – 1pm)
Wednesday 8th July (10am – 1pm)
Thursday 9th July (10am – 1pm)
Pop Up Play is for children aged 0–10 years.
Come along and join the fun—no booking required! Stay for as little as 3 minutes or as long as 3 hours; the session is completely flexible, and we’d love to welcome you whenever you can make it.
Parents stay and enjoy the session alongside their little ones. It’s a chance to get involved in the fun, explore and play together, or simply take a step back, relax, and enjoy the company of other parents while watching your children play, discover, and grow in a safe, welcoming environment.
Venue: Raigmore Community Centre and Playpark
Dates and Times
Thursday 9th July 10am – 12.30pm
Thursday 16th July 10am – 12.30pm
Thursday 23rd July 10am – 12.30pm
Pop Up Play is for children aged 0–10 years.
Come along and join the fun—no booking required! Stay for as little as 3 minutes or as long as 3 hours; the session is completely flexible, and we’d love to welcome you whenever you can make it.
Parents stay and enjoy the session alongside their little ones. It’s a chance to get involved in the fun, explore and play together, or simply take a step back, relax, and enjoy the company of other parents while watching your children play, discover, and grow in a safe, welcoming environment.
Venue: The Family Room, Wimberley Estate Childcare Centre, Somme Cresent, IV2 3YB
Dates and Times
Friday 10th July Baby Massage – 10am – 111am and Stay and Play 11am – 12.30pm
Friday 17th July Baby Massage – 10am – 111am and Stay and Play 11am – 12.30pm
Friday 24th July Baby Massage – 10am – 111am and Stay and Play 11am – 12.30pm
Friday 31st July Baby Massage – 10am – 111am and Stay and Play 11am – 12.30pm
These sessions are designed for young children aged 0–3 years. We are pleased to offer the opportunity to join a baby massage session (for ages 0–1 years), followed by stay and play. You are welcome to attend either one or both activities, depending on what best suits you and your child.
To register your interest, please complete the short enrolment form via the link below. A member of the team will then be in touch shortly to confirm your place.
Venue: MOREFIELD PLAYPARK, 5 Kanachrine Ct, Morefield, Ullapool IV26 2TU
Date and Time: Tuesday 14th July, 11am – 2pm
Pop Up Play is for children aged 0–10 years.
Come along and join the fun—no booking required! Stay for as little as 3 minutes or as long as 3 hours; the session is completely flexible, and we’d love to welcome you whenever you can make it.
Parents stay and enjoy the session alongside their little ones. It’s a chance to get involved in the fun, explore and play together, or simply take a step back, relax, and enjoy the company of other parents while watching your children play, discover, and grow in a safe, welcoming environment.
Venue: Castle Heather Play Park – Castle Heather Ave, Inverness IV2 4JG
Date and time: 15th July 11am – 2pm
Pop Up Play and Food Fun is for children aged 0–10 years.
Come along and join the fun—no booking required! Stay for as little as 3 minutes or as long as 3 hours; the session is completely flexible, and we’d love to welcome you whenever you can make it.
There will be a variety of play experiences, along with activities using fruit and vegetables, plus lots of fun physical games and ideas, helping children get involved in hands-on ways to be active, explore, and learn
Venue: Field beside the James Cameron Centre
Date and Time: Tuesday 21st July – 11am – 2pm
Pop Up Play and Food Fun is for children aged 0–10 years.
Come along and join the fun—no booking required! Stay for as little as 3 minutes or as long as 3 hours; the session is completely flexible, and we’d love to welcome you whenever you can make it.
There will be a variety of play experiences, along with activities using fruit and vegetables, plus lots of fun physical games and ideas, helping children get involved in hands-on ways to be active, explore, and learn
Venue: Averon Centre Alness
CALA is delighted to be supporting Highlife Highland – times and information to follow
Venue: Grass area beside Lidl Car Park – Camanachd Crescent Fort William
Date and Time: Thursday 23rd July – 11am – 2pm
Pop Up Play is for children aged 0–10 years.
Come along and join the fun—no booking required! Stay for as little as 3 minutes or as long as 3 hours; the session is completely flexible, and we’d love to welcome you whenever you can make it.
Parents stay and enjoy the session alongside their little ones. It’s a chance to get involved in the fun, explore and play together, or simply take a step back, relax, and enjoy the company of other parents while watching your children play, discover, and grow in a safe, welcoming environment.
Information to follow
CALA will be providing play at the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival.
If you’re at the festival, we’d be delighted to see you! You can find us in the main open tent in the children’s area.
CALA will be providing play at the Black Isle Show
If you’re at the show, we’d be delighted to see you! You can find us in the Children’s Barn beside the entrance to the show.
More information to follow
Venue – Mallaig Play Park – Annies Brae, Mallaig PH41 4RG
Date and Time: 11th August – 11am – 1.30pm
Pop Up Play is for children aged 0–10 years.
Come along and join the fun—no booking required! Stay for as little as 3 minutes or as long as 3 hours; the session is completely flexible, and we’d love to welcome you whenever you can make it.
Parents stay and enjoy the session alongside their little ones. It’s a chance to get involved in the fun, explore and play together, or simply take a step back, relax, and enjoy the company of other parents while watching your children play, discover, and grow in a safe, welcoming environment.
Venue – Boat of Garten Field (beside the Community Hall)
Date and Time: 12th August – 11am – 1.30pm
Pop Up Play is for children aged 0–10 years.
Come along and join the fun—no booking required! Stay for as little as 3 minutes or as long as 3 hours; the session is completely flexible, and we’d love to welcome you whenever you can make it.
Parents stay and enjoy the session alongside their little ones. It’s a chance to get involved in the fun, explore and play together, or simply take a step back, relax, and enjoy the company of other parents while watching your children play, discover, and grow in a safe, welcoming environment.
What's on currently - Returning after 17th Aug 26
Every Tuesday (9.30am – 11am),
Merkinch Community Centre,
Inverness,
IV3 8AD.
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Every Tuesday (1.30pm – 3pm)
Aviemore Community Hub
Grampian Road
Aviemore
PH22 1PE
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Every Tuesday (10am – 11.30am)
Raigmore Community Centre
125 Ashton Rd,
Inverness,
IV2 3UY
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Every Tuesday (1pm-2.30pm)
Aviemore Community Hospital
Silverglades,
Aviemore,
PH22 1AJ
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Every Wednesday – (9.30am – 11am),
Community Village Hall
Seaforth Road,
Muir of Ord,
IV6 7TA
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Every Wednesday (1pm – 1.30pm),
15 Perrins Rd,
Alness
IV17 0SX
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Every Wednesday (10am-11.30am),
Kinmylies Janitor’s House,
Kinmylies Primary School,
Inverness,
IV3 8PB
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Every Wednesday (1pm – 2.30pm),
Dingwall Community Centre,
Tulloch St,
Dingwall,
IV15 9JZ
Every Thursday (9.30am – 11am)
Raigmore Community Centre,
125 Ashton Rd,
Inverness,
IV2 3UY
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Every Thursday (1pm – 2.30pm),
Nairn Community Centre,
King St,
Nairn
IV12 4BQ
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Every Friday (9.30am – 11am),
James Cameron Centre
14 Limetree Ave,
Dalneigh,
Inverness,
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Every Friday (10am – 11am),
James Cameron Centre,
14 Limetree Ave,
Inverness,
IV3 5RH
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Venue: Boat of Garten Field (beside the community centre)
Date and Time: 12th August – 11am – 2pm
Pop Up Play is for children aged 0–10 years.
Come along and join the fun—no booking required! Stay for as little as 3 minutes or as long as 3 hours; the session is completely flexible, and we’d love to welcome you whenever you can make it.
Parents stay and enjoy the session alongside their little ones. It’s a chance to get involved in the fun, explore and play together, or simply take a step back, relax, and enjoy the company of other parents while watching your children play, discover, and grow in a safe, welcoming environment.
More information to follow
