Free Developmental Playgroups
Looking for a fun and welcoming space for your little one to play and learn? Early Connections offers free developmental playgroups throughout San Francisco for children ages three and under. Early Connections playgroups are for children who are in need of additional developmental supports!
Why Join an Early Connections Playgroup
These playgroups are for families who are curious or concerned about the development of their children aged 0 to 3. They are designed to help your child explore and play in a supportive environment. Plus, they’re a great way to connect with other families and discover valuable community resources.
Build Essential Skills
Help your child develop critical skills like communication, motor coordination, social-emotional growth, and cognitive abilities through purposeful play and engaging activities.
Meet Other Families
Build friendships and find support from other parents and caregivers in your neighborhood. Each playgroup is hosted in partnership with local FRC or ECE, where families can access a wide range of helpful services.
Watch Your Child Thrive
See your child’s confidence, curiosity, and skills grow week by week. Early Connections Playgroups make learning joyful and meaningful.
Find the Right Playgroup for Your Family
We offer playgroups in more than five locations across San Francisco. Each playgroup has a unique focus to meet the diverse needs of families. Click on the links below to learn more about each one and to sign up.
- You can also call us at 415-920-5040 and we'll help you choose and enroll!
Children's Council
Location: Mission
Children’s Council of San Francisco’s developmental playgroups provide accessibility for children aged birth to three years who have mild to moderate disabilities, and/or learning differences. Children will engage in inclusive, sensory-based, and hands-on learning activities. We actively partner with their caregivers to participate in supporting their children’s growth and development during the playgroups and at home.
Felton
Locations: Mission, Outer Richmond, Cathedral Hill, Downtown, SOMA, Visitacion Valley, Bayview
Felton’s SEEDS Developmental Playgroups meet twice weekly for 90-minute sessions over 12 weeks at Felton’s inclusive Early Care and Education (ECE) centers. They are designed for children aged 0–3 experiencing moderate developmental delays. These playgroups offer critical developmental support for children who are awaiting formal intervention or GGRC services.
Project Commotion
Location: Mission
Project Commotion movement specialists and Linguistic Connection speech/language therapists combine their expertise to offer 10-week playgroups at Project Commotion’s movement gym. Families connect, move, play, sing, and chat with one another all while learning easy, fun ways to support their child’s development. Focused on learning from the child’s perspective, building strong relationships, and finding joy, Jardín Family Playgroups collaboratively grows a garden of support for families.
Sparkler
Locations: Bayview, Visitation Valley, Hayes Valley, Sunset, Chinatown
Sparkler and the National Center for Families Learning offer nine-week programs, families learn fun, engaging, developmentally appropriate ways to learn through play with their children. Each week, parents/caregivers and children explore a theme — such as literacy, math, or sensory skills — and receive a new book/toy to help set goals around early learning and support children’s early development. Available in English, Spanish, and Chinese! They are facilitated by multiple organizations across the city by Wu Yee, Faces SF, Recess Collective, and Slippery Fish.
Slippery Fish
Location: Lakeshore
These free, 9-week playgroups offer a fun, structured space for children 12 to 36 months (or younger) and their caregivers to learn and grow together. Led by a trained facilitator, each session provides guided play and support tailored to your child’s developmental needs.
Need Some Help?
We can help you choose the right playgroup or register by phone. Call us at 415-920-5040 and we’ll be happy to assist you!
Find More Fun Family Programs
If you are interested in attending a playgroup, but you don’t have specific developmental or health concerns or your child is older than 3, Family Resource Centers offer lots of playgroups, classes, and parent support groups!