Travel The World With Kids: Bengaluru

The Women’s Web, ‘Travel The World With Kids’ series is a set of interviews with mothers from all over the globe who are interested in exploring their backyard attractions with their tiny tots! We hope you find them useful, if someday you choose to visit their part of the world. Presented in Q&A format, this one is with Artnavy of Abouttimenow, from Bengaluru .

Touted as the ‘Silicon Valley’ of India, Bangalore has long been known as a hip place to chill out. Blessed with wonderful weather most days, find out more about the fascinating things that Bengaluru has in store for you and your kids!

Hi Artnavy! Do tell us a little about yourself.

Marketing professional, book/ music/ culture/ travel buff, a kids’ book reviewer, a blogger, a kids’ writer, a bit of a story teller…. mother of two and wife to one, for now!

What are some of your suggestions for parents visiting with young kids to do (under 3, 4-6) in Bengaluru?

If your family is into wildlife then you should definitely check out the Banerghatta Zoo, Gerry Martin Farm, Green Pocket and Riding Club (older kids) for some animal related fun. Bengaluru is not nicknamed ‘The Garden City’ for nothing! Take advantage of the greenery and go on nature walks in any one of the lovely parks around, namely Lalbagh, Cubbon Park, Lumbini and Indira Gandhi. You could also enjoy boating on the Ulsoor lake.

For the scientifically inclined, do check out the Planetarium and the HAL Aero Museum (above 5 yrs). If you are looking for places of cultural significance then head to the Bangalore Palace (a.k.a Windsor), Dhaatu Puppet theatre (above 5 yrs), Nrityagram and Taj Kuteeram, Our Native Village, ISKCON temple and St Marks Church. 

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If you are lucky, you might be able to catch some of the interesting events/ exhibitions that occur at different times throughout the year. Some noteworthy ones are Dastkar, Kala Madhyam mela, Groundnut Festival, Flower Show at Lalbagh, Ranga Shankara Theatre – lots of kids’ plays and story telling happens here (above 6) and Kids baking at Baking Institute.

Alternatively you could also take your kids to activity centres such as Claytopia/ Monkey Maze/ Globe trotters/ Kids Kouch/ Hippocampus/ Brainvilla. Modern entertainment also includes Wonderla, Innovative Film City, Leela Galleria and Bowling Alley for kids (Amoeba).

Although not all adventurous places are suitable for kids, you could still look them up and evaluate their kid-friendliness. Nature Admire, Care India, Eagleton Golf resort, Patel’s Inn Go Karting and Princess Horseback Adventures Company.

What have been some of your favourite outings in Bengaluru with your kids? 

If I had to choose a couple, because of universal appeal, it would be Bannerghata Zoo, Jungle lodges, Gerry Martin Farm, Mekedatu, Chitra Santhe and the Flower show. Bangalore Palace with older kids is awesome. A search for weekends and/ or Bangalore on my blog will help you see all the fun one can have in Bengaluru with kids. 

For tourists visiting Bengaluru for the first time, do you have any particular suggestions that they need to keep in mind? 

Not just in Bengaluru but while traveling with kids to other places too, just go with the flow and do not be too rigid with plans. Remember this?

Any particular restaurants in Bengaluru that you think kids will enjoy?

I feel that Barbeque Nation has a great service and spread for kids. Vegetable carving for your curious kid at Benjarong and lovely open spaces at Eden Garden are also some other great options.

What about shopping areas?

Stroll around Commercial Street and KR Puram Market for soaking in the sounds, sights and colours. A drawback though is that they can get pretty crowded and intimidating.

What places would you recommend for kid-friendly day trips out from Bengaluru?

I would say Galibore, Nandi Hills, Mysore, Chennapatna, Ranganthittu, Georgia Sunshine, Somnathpur, Shivanasamudram Falls, Mekedatu, Chunchi Falls, Lepakshi, Geese Haven and many more yet to be explored!

Thank you Artnavy for sharing these wonderful insights about your city with us!

*Photo credit: Artnavy

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