Winter in Bangalore is an amazing time. It isn’t bitterly cold but chilly enough to make you want to wrap a stole and seek the warmth of the sun.
The rains are gone and the city is dry, green and colourful, with pink blossoms all around. And most importantly, after a month of dull weather the sun is finally out. What’s a better time than this to take the children out and indulge in something unusual? We give you a list of 10 things to do with kids this winter. Indoors and outdoors, both.
The eco-park ‘Our Native village’. Pic courtesy: Lavanya G, Biome-Solutions.
1. Climbing the wall at Kanteerava or going golfing: If your brat has scaled everything at home from the window grills to the washing machine, it’s time to take him to the Artificial Climbing Wall at Kanteerava stadium and give vent to his inner simian. Try the Rs 150 per hour package to check if your child is really interested before signing up for a longer course if you wish to. There are instructors and safety gears in place and many participants for national and international climbing tournaments train here. A pair of canvas shoes is all your child needs while starting out. Call Kameshwar Rao at 9886664666. Active kids can even go golfing at SPT Sports on Sarjapur Road. They charge Rs 200 as green fees on the weekend if your child wants to try and tee off. You can hire a bucket of balls and seek the advice of the coach around on junior’s golfing skills.
2. Bullock cart rides and organic farming: City kids rarely get a chance to live a life that is closer to nature. One good way to give them the chance is to take them to a farm or eco resort over the weekend. Try the eco-resort Our Native Village at Hessarghatta. Spread on a 12 acre farm, the resort claims to be 100 per cent eco friendly and has concepts like rainwater harvesting, organic farming etc., all very educational for kids. Activities take you back to games of yore like gilli danda, flying kites, taking a ride on a bullock cart, milking a cow and more. They have overnight stay packages available. Call 41140909.
3. Riding high: Horse riding is something all children love and if the weather is good why not make the most of it, with a good lunch thrown in? Drive down to Embassy Riding School near the Airforce Station in Yelahanka. Pony rides for children cost rides Rs 300 per hour and you need to call them 12 hours in advance. They even have an Italian restaurant in the premises for you to not just have a fun riding session with the kids but also make a leisurely lunch out of it. Call 28468296.
If you live in South Bangalore and want to try riding closer home, then check out the Horse Riding stables in Puttenahalli, located in the ground between Brigade Millennium and Elita Apartments. Kids from four years on can try out pony rides with the help of the groom on Sundays, preferably early in the morning from 8.30 AM onwards. They also offer horse riding lessons for children. You need to call in advance if yo plan to drop in for a joyride or find out about lessons. Call 9611353882.
4. Air Heroes: If you have kids who are enamoured of fighter planes, try the HAL Heritage Centre and Aerospace Museum. The museum is filled with fighter jets, helicopters and the like and if it’s a clear day, you can have a good time walking around with your little pilot in the making. Just avoid the ‘flight simulators’ which were probably installed a long time ago and aren’t really cool enough to attract today’s PSII kids. Call HAL Heritage Centre and Aerospace Museum at 25228341.
Gerry Martin with children. Pic courtesy: Gerry Martin.
5. Learning skills: Noah’s Show is a Jayanagar based company that runs learning and hobby programs for children. Their programs this December include learning to make different paper plane models that also help kids to grasp basic concepts of science. Kids can learn different aero stunts and hand launch techniques when it comes to paper planes. They even have a Magic Tricks workshop for children that can teach them all about illusions with the wand, card tricks, etc. You need to call Noah’s Show for exact dates and location details. For kids above six years. Ph: 9902030359.
6. Animal Farm: Former National Geographic adventurer and herpetologist Gerry Martin grew up with wildlife all around him and likes to ensure that city kids can get a close up view of animals, birds and reptiles as well. You can call him and book a trip for your kids and their friends to his farm, off Sarjapur Road on a Sunday. This December he is planning an experiential nature workshop that will focus on one particular aspect of nature, like reptiles, insects, birds or nature skills. Call him early December to know more details. Gerry Martin: 9845779666
7. Music and movement: Movement education is a wonderful way to make your children indulge in various kinds of physical activities that are great for confidence and skill building. Jelly Beans, the movement education centre at Koramangala will have winter camps for three to six-year-olds, involving several aspects of body coordination, gymnastic activities, etc. Everything in this brightly coloured space is about fun in a way that also helps in your child’s development. Call 41655267 in early December to find out about the two week camp.
8. PD Ravindra’s innovative terrace: For a museum with a difference, take your child to the second floor of former engineer PD Ravindra’s office and his terrace. He has designed periscopes, kaleidoscopes, a bubble generating machine and even a forest area in his roof garden. His aim is to simplify science for children and Ravindra says he’s had several kids visit him during summer camps and enjoy the exhibits. He’s there from 11 AM to 5.30 PM everyday though he comes in a bit late on Sunday. You need to call him in advance to book a visit. A fun and learning experience for children on a smaller scale. Good for kids who have started learning the basic concepts of science in school. Call P D Ravindra at 9886868131.
9. Playing happy: Soft play areas can be great when your kid needs to have some fun climbing up and jumping down without you worrying whether he’s going to fall down and get hurt. Monkey Maze in Indiranagar has a huge fun and soft play area with tunnels, rope ladders, ball pools, slides and basically stuff to keep the tots engaged and active. They even have books and craft materials around for your child to either browse through to try their hand. Call them at 40957631 and 9739008045 to know about upcoming fun events.
10. Amusement Parks: Innovative Film City at Bidadi comes with fun rides, a Ripley’s Believe it or not museum, Horror house and several other things but what younger kids seem to like the most here is the Dinosaur Park, Mirror Maze and the beach. For a more international amusement park experience try Wonderla, also at Bidadi. Closer home, there’s Fun World near Palace Grounds. ⊕
References
For a more ideas of places to take your kids around in Bangalore, check out our previous article.
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Please note PD Ravindra’s new number: 9482514883
Address of P.D. Ravindra’s innovative terrace:
No. 19, 8th Main Road, Indl. Area, BSK II stage, (Behind Monotype Bus Stop),
Bangalore – 560070
Phone: 26390931, 26710787