Playgroups Are Great For Kids And Parents!
Parents are always seeking activities to do with their children, and many parents often join or start a playgroup. If you want to start a playgroup, but you do not want to spend much money, here's a graduated step plan to get you -- and your kids -- on your way to playtime fun! No money needed!
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Also, spend some time thinking about what you would like for the group to do, such as meeting for a social playtime or participating in structured activities. The materials for some of these activities may cost money, so consider them carefully. Second, you need to find other parents who want the same things from a playgroup as you do. This means getting the word out about your playgroup!
Starting a playgroup for about $5
In addition to all the "free" suggestions mentioned above, invest about $5
and market your playgroup to other parents who may be interested in joining.
Place posters in area businesses where parents with children are likely to see them, such as libraries, pediatrician's offices and parks. Compare prices for using copy machines at various locations, then print one master copy of your flyer on your computer, and make the necessary copies. If your spouse can use the copier at work for free, that's even better! You only need about 10 to 20 copies to start.
What you can do with about $10
After you have tried the above methods and if you have about $5 more to
spend, use it on getting the word out about your playgroup.
Distribute about 50 flyers in neighborhoods that seem to have a large number of families with children. To save on flyers, don't canvass the entire neighborhood. Be very selective -- put flyers at houses with toys in the yard, a minivan in the driveway, or a carseat in the car.
After two weeks, if you don't hear from enough interested parents, distribute another 50 flyers in neighborhoods a little further out. Continue this method until your playgroup has the number of members that you want.
Another way to get the word out to a large number of people is to send a
photo release to your local newspaper. Take a photograph of your child
playing at the park or doing a craft.
Write a short paragraph describing the
activity and giving information about this new playgroup. Be sure to include
your name and phone number. Most local papers are eager for photographs and
information about local residents, and they will be glad to print your photo
and story.
What you can do with about $20
You can always join a local chapter of a national organization for parents,
such as MOPS (Mothers of PreSchoolers) or MOMS Club (Moms Offering Moms
Support) or Mothers and More. Some other clubs for moms are based on the
Internet. Although nearly all of these national and Internet-based
organizations charge membership fees, they are nominal and they cover a
variety of extra services and benefits, such as playgroups. If the one in
your area doesn't, you may meet other mothers who would be interested in
starting one with you. For contact information on national parents'
organizations, go to OnlinePlaygroup.com.
If there is not a local chapter of a national organization in your hometown, you may be interested in starting your own chapter. Many of the national organizations provide start-up kits for that very purpose. However, the fees for starting a chapter may prove prohibitively expensive, so check into it first. Instead you may want to investigate some Internet-based organizations that provide playgroup start-up kits without requiring additional fees or yearly memberships. For example, OnlinePlaygroup.com has its own Playgroup Starter Kit.
Other costs to consider
The costs involved in a playgroup are generally found in the beginning when
you are trying to advertise your group. Once your playgroup has started, the
only cost involved is the money that the hostess spends on snacks, and that'
s something you can control. Here are some other money-saving
considerations:
It's all up to you. Make your playgroup fit your needs and your budget! 
