Sarah Mayhew Craddock reveals how activities in the brightly coloured Barefoot Books light up any dull day

There is literally never a dull day amongst the bookshelves, tents, café, and popping primary colours of baby-centric Barefoot Books on the Banbury Road in Summertown.

Barefoot Books is a difficult one to pin down – is it a shop, is it a café, is it a venue?

Well, it’s all of that and more.

Its bright and bold interior is an experience to behold.

Barefoot Books is a place to meet and make friends, browse bookshelves, listen to live storytelling, toe-tap to tunes, get creative with arts and crafts, limber up with a yoga class, have a bite to eat, and party. It’s the kind of child-friendly wonderland that dreams are made of.

Easing families into the week after the inevitable Manic Monday (wish it was Sunday, ‘cause that’s my fun day – my I don’t have to run day) comes the opportunity to “heal your soul” with Feel-Good Tuesdays!

Clockwork Music kick offs the day at 9.40am with classes for pre-school littlies that lay the foundations for first music lessons.

After which there’s a chance to stretch and relax with yoga classes for post-natal mums (the perfect way to get one’s core and pelvic floor back into shape after a baby) and their babies; followed by an adult yoga group for all levels that teaches a variety of Hatha and Ashtanga techniques that will help tone, strengthen, and aid relaxation – aaaaaand relax . . . but not before baby has relaxed too!

The ladies behind Baby College, Oxford run an award-winning MamaBabyBliss Baby Massage programme at Barefoot Books from 2.15pm.

This is a hands-on practical class in which carers can learn how to massage babies safely, in doing so deepening attachment, relieving symptoms of wind and colic, and promoting better sleep (better sleep – imagine that).

Those in search of long lost muscles and in need of an early evening energy boost can join Jo Kelsey’s Pilates sessions from 6.30pm.

Little princes and princesses are invited to join the Princes and Princesses Tea Party and be crowned by Susannah ready for enchanting story-time sessions every Wednesday from 3.30 to 5pm.

Thursday mornings see Mad Academy crash into town with their ribbons, balls, pom-poms, hoops and parachutes presenting high-energy, free-spirited, fun and physical music-and-dance classes for littlies.

Thursday afternoons take on a more elegant approach to movement with Barefoot Ballet and Tap Classes, which are suitable for all abilities and also incorporate creative storytelling and mime.

Extensive research has been carried out revealing the benefits of introducing littlies to foreign languages, and Barefoot’s free Spanish Sing-Along classes on Friday mornings offer a fun introduction to Spanish through traditional songs from Spain and Latin America.

Based on the musical principles of Kodaly and Dalcroze, other musically-minded littlies might enjoy Little Genius Music classes on Friday mornings. Or for those wishing to instil a sense of heritage, the traditional nursery rhyme and sing-along sessions on Friday afternoons from 2pm will perhaps appeal.

Barefoot Craft Club takes place every Friday and Saturday from 4 to 4.30pm, offering the opportunity to get crafty before Story Time, tucking into something tasty in the Storyteller’s Café where Lubo’s pizzas are served until 6.30pm on Friday nights.

Saturdays’ Saturdads invites dads to roll out and up with the kids for a Big Barefoot Breakfast, whilst mum enjoys a break of her own.

Littlies (and dads) can return home looking like a wild animal or a favourite superhero as face painting is on offer at weekends from 12 to 2pm.

Anyone wishing to warm up their grey matter for the week ahead can attend the free, Sunday Brunch-Time Family Quiz from 10am to 1pm.

Pre-booking is advisable at Barefoot Books and whilst there, don’t forget to browse the bookshelves.

There’s an abundance of books available to enhance the experience of many of these classes and courses, from Barefoot Books Bear bilinguals in Spanish to Clare Beaton’s musical book and CD combinations.

Barefoot Books, 294 Banbury Road, Summertown, Oxford, OX2 7ED - 01865 311100

barefootbooks.com/visit-barefoot/oxford-uk

Barefoot Books recommends pre-booking tables in the Storyteller’s Café for groups which are larger than two people.

Some events are free but there is a charge for others.