Hold on to your wallets, people. The summer holidays are here and it’s enough to fill you with dread. A month and a half of free calendar space that will demand to be filled with amazing, exciting adventures for your kids. If you’re not careful, the summer sun will effectively burn a hole in your pocket So, we got crafty. We hunted down some of the best things to do in the major cities in India, and we found them priced at less than 100 bucks! So whether you live in these cities or are planning to visit during the summer vacation, here are fun, summer activities you can enjoy.
CITY#1: New Delhi
1. National Zoological Park
source: https://tinyurl.com/yyv8qwno
Home to around 1,350 creatures like the one-horned rhino, the Royal Bengal tiger and the chinkara, this zoo is your child’s favourite animal book come to life.
Entry Fee:
- Adults: Rs 40
- Children 5 – 12: Rs 20
- Children under 5: free
2. Bal Bhavan National Children’s Museum and Aquarium
source: https://tinyurl.com/yywlq8fa
You could probably spend the whole summer here alone, as they have a science park, mini zoo, an aquarium, a traffic park, library and several museums. A toy train ride is also available for Rs 10 per child.
Entry Fee:
- Adults: Rs 20
- Children: free
3. National Rail Museum
source: https://tinyurl.com/y2gyy3vr
If your children love trains, bring them here. They have a stellar collection of vintage trains, historic photographs and even 3D simulation rides. End of the day, you’ll be the mother of the year.
Entry Fee:
- Adults: Rs 50
- Children: Rs 10
- Note: doubles on weekends
4. Sunder Nursery
source: https://tinyurl.com/y68f6zaz
This 16th century park complex is a history, geography and biology lesson in one beautiful, outdoor classroom. They have 6 UNESCO world heritage sites, over 300 varieties of trees, 80 species of birds and 36 types of butterflies within 90-acres of greenery. Little wonder that this park made it to Time Magazine’s ‘top 100 places to visit’.
Entry Fee:
- Adults: Rs 30
- Children: Rs 30
5. Lodhi Gardens
source: https://tinyurl.com/y4hszvlq
A perfect place to run around, play frisbee or just lie back and enjoy the stunning view of this gorgeous 90 acre landscape. Great place to burn energy and have your kids asleep by bedtime without any fuss.
- Adults: free
- Children: free
CITY#2: Kolkata
1. Botanical Garden
source: https://tinyurl.com/y5l89u9v
They have over 12,000 different specimens that include flowers, trees, rare plants and even the largest banyan tree in the world.
If these gardens don’t make your kids’ jaws drop to the floor, nothing will. The beauty and variety here really help kids appreciate the wonders of nature. Just a perfect summer outing.
Entry Fee:
- Adults: Rs 10
- Children: Rs 10
2. Alipore Zoo
source: https://tinyurl.com/y4p6rpn3
Introduce your little ones to their first live elephants, giraffes and chimpanzees. There is a couple of hours’ worth of exploration here, so brace yourself.
Entry Fee:
- Adults & children over 5: Rs 25 (Rs 30 on weekends)
- Children under 5: Rs 10
3. Science City
source: https://tinyurl.com/y65zye5x
Start your journey here with an open-air cable ride that offers you a bird’s eye view of the entire landscape. There are museums, exhibits and rides for older kids, while younger ones can enjoy the dinosaur ride and the science-related children’s playground. If all schools were this interesting, no child would ever complain.
Entry Fee:
- Adults: Rs 60
- Children: Rs 60
- Note: Pay extra for rides and exhibits: up to Rs 80
4. Millenium Park
source: https://tinyurl.com/y2pb27v3
This park stretches for 2.5 km along the river Hooghly. The garden boasts of lovely greenery along with many children playground rides here that can be enjoyed in the evening, along with some cool river breeze.
Entry Fee:
- Adults: Rs 5
- Children: Rs 5
5. Victoria Memorial
source: https://tinyurl.com/y58jh7l4
This iconic monument is known for its beautiful, manicured lawns and a museum that chronicles the city’s history. What will get the children excited, is the dazzling light and sound show held during the evening.
Entry Fee:
- Adult: Rs 20
- Children over 3: Rs 20
- Children under 3: Rs 10
CITY#3: Mumbai
1. Nehru Planetarium
source: https://tinyurl.com/y35883vn
For an out of this world experience, bring your kids to the planetarium. Here, they can discover galaxies, stars and other celestial bodies in the 3D, dome-shaped theatre and also experience some of the other space-related exhibits.
They also conduct various programs and competitions to inculcate scientific temper in children.
Entry Fee:
- Adults: Rs 100
- Children over 5: Rs 100
2. Nehru Science Centre
source: https://tinyurl.com/y6c3m2me
With over 500 interactive exhibits, this centre has been designed to teach and thrill your children. There are ‘oh so many things’ to do here, you can easily lose half a day here without noticing.
Entry Fee:
- Adults: Rs 50
- Children: Rs 50
3. Juhu Beach
source: https://tinyurl.com/y5zfpw8a
A wide span of relatively clean beach where your kids can build sandcastles, jump over waves or just enjoy the cool summer breeze. Juhu beach is Mumbai’s gift to children in the heat, and it’s a great place to cool off.
Entry Fee:
- Adults: Free
- Children: Free
4. Shivaji Park
source: google.com
This is Mumbai’s largest park and a great place for adults and kids to hang out in the evenings. There is a playground, a cricket pitch and football arena as well for the kids to enjoy. Great place to let off some steam, especially in the summer.
Entry Fee:
- Adults: Free
- Children: Free
5. Sanjay Gandhi National Park
source: official website SGNP
With over 25,660 acres of parkland, there is so much you can do here. Plan a picnic, explore the Kanheri caves, or go bird watching, on a tiger safari, boating, mini train ride… the options are endless.
Entry Fee:
- Adults: Rs 74
- Children: Rs 29
CITY#4: Chennai
1. Arignar Anna Zoological Park
source: https://tinyurl.com/y4jhrjl6
160 species of birds and animals call this zoo home. And a number of them are endangered species as well.
Take your child on deer safari and even a lion safari. They also have a shark aquarium, a habitat for water birds, and many other attractions to capture your child’s rapt attention.
Entry Fee:
- Adults: Rs 30
- Children between 2 – 12: Rs 10
2. The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust Park
source: https://tinyurl.com/y6aluf5q
Enough cartoon crocodiles. Bring your child here to see the real deal. This is one of the largest reptilian zoos in the world, housing 35 species. They also host a large number of snakes, amphibians, water birds and contain a nesting beach for Olive Ridley sea turtles. The star is, of course, the crocodile. And if you want to see this creature is all his glory, come on down. Try to visit on the day when crocodile feeding is done.
Entry Fee:
- Adults and children over 10: Rs 60
- Children under 10: Rs 30
3. The Anna Centenary Library
source: https://tinyurl.com/y2e5da7u
If your child is a book lover, bring him here. If he isn’t, he’ll convert to one. This is South East Asia’s largest library, with one entire floor dedicated to children’s literature. There are lovely little reading nooks that let your child explore many different worlds in air-conditioned comfort.
Entry Fee:
- Adults: Free
- Children: Free
4. Marina Swimming Pool
source: https://tinyurl.com/yyxhu9z6
This 100 feet long pool is double the size of an Olympics pool, and even comes with its own sea view. Located right next to the popular Marina beach, this pool attracts its fair share of visitors. After a swim here, you could stroll down the Marina promenade with your kids and take in the relaxing scenery.
Entry Fee:
- Adults: Rs 15
- Children: Rs 15
End Note
There are plenty of ‘fun’ and interesting things to do with your kids this summer that are also pocket-friendly.
Note: All the ticket prices mentioned are as per the latest pricing information available on 31st March 2019. Please check the website of the respective attractions for any changes in the ticket prices.
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