Saturday mornings in Kernersville, NC

Sensory play, at your child's pace.

Hands-on classes where babies and toddlers explore textures, sounds and colors, building motor, social and cognitive skills. And a Saturday morning where you get to sit down and talk to someone over three feet tall.

Saturday mornings Kernersville Rec Center Ages 6 months to 4 years

What to expect

What the forty five
minutes looks like.

First 10 to 15 minutes

Music & movement

Time to warm up and get used to the room. Nobody has to join in. Watching from your lap counts.

The middle stretch

Explore the bins

Bins to dig, scoop, pour and squish. Every class has a different theme, so there is always something new.

Right up to the end

Play alongside friends

Open play with the rest of the room. Kids move between activities at their own pace, and everybody leaves a little worn out.

Also in the room, depending on the week

Parachute play
Building blocks
Balance beams
Stepping stones
Sensory toys
Bubbles
Movement games
Room to dance
Come dressed for it. Sensory play means dyed rice or other colorful fillers may end up on your hands, clothes and the floor. Bring a change of clothes for the water weeks and leave the cleanup to us.
Caregivers sitting together while toddlers explore sensory bins nearby

This is your space too

Building your village,
one class at a time.

The classes are for the kids. The room is for everybody. Come meet other parents and caregivers, get out of the house, bring your favorite coffee, and leave with a few new numbers in your phone.

Early parenting can get small and quiet fast. Forty five minutes with other people doing the same thing helps.

Upcoming classes

Two classes,
every Saturday morning.

One for babies and new walkers, one for toddlers and preschoolers. $15 per child, and all grown ups come free with each child and stay for the class.

Saturdays

Every week

6 to 18 months

Gentler sensory play for babies and new walkers, with time on the mat and plenty of room to watch.

  • Time9:30 to 10:15 AM
  • WhereKREC, Fitness Room
  • Cost$15 per child
See dates & register

Opens Kernersville Parks & Rec

Saturdays

Every week

18 months to 4 yrs

Full sensory bins, movement games and open play for walking toddlers and preschoolers.

  • Time10:30 to 11:15 AM
  • WhereKREC, Fitness Room
  • Cost$15 per child
See dates & register

Opens Kernersville Parks & Rec

How registration works. Classes at the Kernersville Rec Center are booked and paid through Kernersville Parks & Recreation, so the register button opens their site with the current list of Giggles & Growth classes and live spot counts. Register and pay once per child. All grown ups attend free with each child, and at least one is required to stay for the class. Refunds are given if a class is cancelled, or if you let the Parks and Rec staff know ahead of time that you will not be there.

Before you worry about it

Here is what is allowed in this room.

If any of these are the reason you have not tried a class yet, come anyway.

Watching the whole time from your lap Crying, and then crying again Skipping every activity but one Wandering off mid song Sitting in one bin for 30 minutes Not sharing yet Loud noises, big feelings Nursing or bottle feeding anywhere Leaving early with no explanation Arriving late after a rough morning

Your child gets to participate at their pace. That is the whole policy.

Austen, founder of Giggles and Growth

Founder of

Giggles & Growth

10+ years with children Early childhood education Childcare & children's ministry Mom

Meet Austen

None of us were meant
to do it alone.

Hi, I'm Austen. Giggles & Growth came out of the two parts of my life that matter most: motherhood and working with children.

I spent more than ten years in early childhood education, childcare and children's ministry. Then I became a mom, and it reframed all of it. I learned how much play, connection and community matter, and not just for our children.

So I built the space I needed.

Somewhere you bring your little one exactly as they are. Where toddlers explore, babies take their time warming up, and nobody worries about sitting still or doing it the right way.

I want the mom who has been stuck in the house all week to have somewhere to go. I want the parent who is nervous about bringing their toddler somewhere new to feel welcomed instead of judged. I want friendships to form, familiar faces to return each week, and children to grow up exploring alongside one another.

Welcome. I'm so glad you're here.

Play at their pace

No expectation to sit still, be quiet, or follow every activity. Kids explore what interests them.

Grown ups included

Caregivers stay in the room and are part of the class, not spectators waiting in a hallway.

Skills through play

Motor, social and cognitive development, built into activities that feel like play.

Local and small

Run by one person who knows your kid's name by the second week. That is on purpose.

Services

Three ways to
book a class.

The Saturday classes run through Kernersville Parks and Rec. Everything else travels, so we bring the full setup to you, run the session, and clean up afterward.

01

Saturday classes in Kernersville

Two classes every Saturday at the Kernersville Rec and Event Center, split by age. Open to anyone, booked through Parks and Rec.

See the schedule
02

Sessions at your location

A full class brought to your space for the children you already serve. ABA and therapy centers, daycares and preschools, community centers and parks departments across the Triad.

03

Private parties and playgroups

A themed sensory setup for birthdays, playgroup meetups and small private groups. We bring everything, and the mess goes home with us.

Ask about a session

Tell us a little about your group and we will come back with options and pricing.

We usually reply within a day or two.

Questions

The things people ask
before their first class.

Absolutely! Giggles & Growth is designed for you and your little one to enjoy together. A parent or caregiver stays with their child for the entire class, and there is no additional charge for any accompanying adults. Both parents, a grandparent tagging along, whoever comes, they are all free. This is not a drop-off program. You are part of the fun, too!

Come comfy and ready to play! Our classes can include sensory materials like colored rice, water, and other wonderfully messy activities. We recommend wearing something you do not mind getting a little messy and bringing a change of clothes for your little one just in case, especially during water themed weeks. Bare feet or grippy socks are both great options!

Yes! There is zero pressure to participate at Giggles & Growth. Your child is welcome to jump right in, watch from your lap, explore at their own pace, or simply take everything in.

Some little ones need a class or two to feel comfortable in a new environment, and that is completely okay. We want every child to feel safe and supported exactly where they are that day.

Of course! If a sibling will be participating in the activities, they will need their own registration and the regular $15 class fee.

Babies who will remain in a carrier, stroller, or on your lap without participating do not need to be registered. Older siblings tagging along do not require any additional fees and are encouraged to come. If you are unsure whether your little one needs a spot, just send us a message before class and we are happy to help!

We do our best to create an environment where children can explore in the way that feels most comfortable for them. Participation is always a choice. Children are welcome to skip an activity, take a break, observe, or spend more time with something they enjoy.

Music and movement can be the liveliest portion of class, so if your child has specific sensory sensitivities or accommodations that would help them feel more comfortable, please reach out before class. We would be happy to tell you what we have planned for that week and help you decide what may work best for your child.

We understand that life with little ones can be unpredictable! If you are unable to attend, please contact Kernersville Parks & Recreation in advance regarding your registration and refund.

Because class registration and payments are handled directly through Kernersville Parks & Recreation, they also handle all refunds. If Giggles & Growth has to cancel a class, refunds will be provided through them as well.

Sometimes! We love capturing sweet moments from our classes to share on the Giggles & Growth website and social media, but your child will never be featured without your permission.

We only share photos when we have permission from a parent or guardian, and you are always welcome to say no. There is absolutely no pressure. Just let us know at the beginning of class if you prefer that you or your child not be photographed.

Classes are held at the Kernersville Recreation Center. You may park in the front or side of the building and walk through the main entrance. You will be greeted by the facility staff at the front desk to sign in, and they will guide you to our room for the morning.

Already been to a class?

Tell another parent what it was like.

Most families who find us are nervous about walking into a room of strangers with a toddler. A few sentences from someone who has done it helps more than anything we can say.

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Class list

Know when new classes open.

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