August 28, 2017 TnH Global 0

Child-Friendly Holiday Ideas in India

Itching to go for a holiday somewhere, but feeling restrained by your toddler? Fret no further—with exciting avenues for fun, entertainment and education, families can look forward to a blissful holiday with the kids. Read on for our list of some of the most child-friendly holiday destinations and resorts in the country.

Child-friendly vacation spots

With so much diversity and culture, India has a number of places that are perfect for taking your little ones for a holiday. With young kids, the best holiday destinations are those that are a short flight or drive away. This way, parents can make sure that the children don’t get too bored or restless, and can also stop on the way once in a while to stretch their legs if they need to.

Jaipur: Relatively close to Delhi, Jaipur makes for an easy driving holiday with kids. Try to stay at a resort where the young ones have enough space to run around and explore. The Amber Fort has an elephant ride, which is bound to be a hit with most kids. Further, an evening out with camel rides and swings at Chokhi Dhani makes for another colourful outing in the city. Teenagers or adolescents may even enjoy a visit to Jantar Mantar or appreciate culture at some of the city’s fascinating forts, palaces and vibrant markets.

Agra: The city of the Taj Mahal is mostly easy to do with a child if you’re travelling from Delhi. The Delhi-Agra expressway is an excellent road that gets you to the city almost within two hours. If the child is old enough, he or she might enjoy a visit to the Taj. If they are younger, they might prefer a puppet show or sound-and-light show about the history of the city. A visit to Wildlife SOS’s Agra Bear Rescue Facility might also be an exciting activity that will help youngsters become sensitized about wildlife conservation.

Matheran: About a two-hour drive from Mumbai lies this quaint vehicle-free hill station. It is important, particularly for city children, to be able to come out of the confines of their homes and value nature and the outdoors as much as they can. For this, a trip to a hill town at least once a year in the summer is a must. There is plenty that children can grasp by interacting with birds, trees and butterflies. Also, a forest walk or short hike will teach them much more about life than what months of education can.

Darjeeling: Several children are intrigued by the railways. During this stage, it may be a good idea to embark on a train excursion. Carrying a storybook and telling them all about the destination during the journey will help keep them captivated about the trip. The toy train that goes from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling is a sheer delight for all children. Darjeeling also has plenty of tea gardens and waterfalls apart from a cable car ride, all of which will keep the young ones enchanted.

Ooty: Ooty is a haven for family holidays, complete with recreational treats like the Nilgiri toy train, horse riding and boat rides on the Ooty lake. The Honey & Bee Museum here has an educational tour on how honey is gathered. Further, the Jolly World Children Park has lots of exhilarating rides, stalls and slideshows for kids of all ages. Its go-kart track is fun for grownups too. And don’t forget to try some of the famous chocolate goodies available at the local confectioners— something that no child will be able to resist!

Child-friendly hotels and resorts

As the trend of families travelling with their offspring has steadily gone up over the years, hotels and resorts across the country have gone all out to cater to the market in various ways. With child-friendly activity centres, babysitting services and games to keep the little ones entertained, parents too get a chance to put their feet up and unwind during a family vacation.

Club Mahindra Tusker Trails, Thekkady:

The Club Mahindra chain of hotels offers several child-friendly activities and facilities, like a crèche or fun zone with various games (carom, table tennis, karaoke, children’s playing area, etc.). On long weekends or during the peak holiday season, the hotels even organize special events targeted at families travelling with their children to keep them busy. Their Tusker Trails property in Thekkady—a great combination of nature and adventure—is their most ideal one for a family vacation.

Westin Sohna Resort and Spa, Sohna:

This is the perfect choice for Delhiites looking to spend a relaxing weekend getaway with their kids at a family-friendly hotel close by. Its sprawling lawns, tennis courts, bicycling area and cricket grounds will keep the young ones amused, while their parents take out time to rejuvenate at the spa! The hotel also has an in-house zoo that is sure to catch any child’s fancy.

Wonderla Resort, Bengaluru:

Embodying the concept of an amusement park holiday, the Wonderla Resort in Bengaluru is connected to the city’s Wonderla Amusement Park. The hotel provides a holistic experience of a pleasurable family holiday. The facade of the property resembles that of a castle, the rooms are all brightly lit up and the amusement park has all the thrills and adventures designed for kids having varying interest—water rides, an XD movie experience, the scary Sky Wheel ride and the Mini Venice ride.

Tree House Hideaway, Bandhavgarh National Park:

One of the best resorts for an adventurous family holiday, the experience of staying in a tree house is one that any child will cherish for a lifetime. Bandhavgarh is home to several tigers, so a jeep safari is a must-do that will certainly electrify all kids. Apart from wildlife, children will also get to internalize the beautiful flora and fauna of the jungle while staying at the resort.

Park Hyatt Resort and Spa, Goa:

Camp Hyatt organizes entertaining interactive, educational indoor and outdoor leisure tasks for children such as art and crafts, pottery, a movie room, children’s library and play station games. There is another section having giant chessboards, soft toys, beach toys and kiddie pools, with lots of space for children to run and play around. The hotel even has a special menu for children, including traditional favourites and healthy food items.