Brisbane Childrens’ Playgroup | Brisbane’i Eesti Mängutuba
The Brisbane Estonian Playgroup is where Estonia’s youngest cultural ambassadors get their start – usually with a song, some glitter and a snack. The group meets twice a month on Thursdays for the tiniest folk (ages 0–4) and twice a month on Sundays for the slightly bigger ones (up to age 10), racking up a solid calendar of learning, laughter and language.
Each 2-hour session takes place at the Paddington Play Centre hall, offering age-appropriate Estonian language lessons, themed crafts and community connection. After the activities, kids head to the park to run wild – ideally while still humming folk tunes and not eating the crayons.
Sundays include a special workshop-style format for older children that weaves language learning into longer, hands-on projects. It’s learning disguised as fun (and the kids are onto it).
Throughout the year, the group also puts on special events like a Mother’s Day concert picnic, a Father’s Day pancake morning, and a full-on Christmas show featuring song, dance, instruments, and adorable stage fright. Performances often bring in 30+ children and, just quietly, steal the show at community events.
The playgroup is lovingly led by Iti Connor and Sigrid Vetevood-Saar, who also runs the Brisbane Estonian Children’s Library. With the support of the Brisbane Estonian Society, this is where language and heritage get passed down – sometimes with finger paint.
