Best Things To See And Do With Children In Mumbai

With its various historic landmarks, museums, parks, beaches, and artistic offerings, it is only obvious that Mumbai has plenty to offer children. Whether your children are craving adventure, interactive learning opportunities, or great outdoor spaces, we’ve got you covered with this list of the best things to do and see with children in this city.

Parks

Mumbai has many park offerings that are suitable for children. Whether for outdoor games, a picnic or for bird watching, there are plenty of options within the city. If you would like a clean, sunny place with a spectacular view of the Arabian Sea, the Hanging Gardens in Malabar Hill may be your best option. The Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Borivali – the largest park in the world located within city limits – is your best option if you would like to escape the city with your child, and plunge into a stunning greenery. It offers rewarding and very easy hikes, and plenty of opportunities to observe wildlife. Challenge your child a little more by hiking up to the landmark Kanheri Caves. These rock-cut Buddhist cave temples dating to the 1st century B.C.E. can offer a history lesson like none other.

Hanging Gardens: Simla Nagar, Malabar Hill, +09 876 789 090

Sanjay Gandhi National Park: Borivali East, Mumbai, +02 228 860 362

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Beaches

The city’s many beaches never fail to awe, irrespective of one’s age. Enjoy a game of volleyball in Mumbai’s most famous Juhu beach. If not, let your kid ride a camel or a horse by the beach! There are plenty of eateries around if they (or you) are craving ice cream after! Further north from Juhu is the equally-famous Versova beach for just as much fun but relatively less crowding and a vibrant fish market to walk your kids through. If you would like an even quieter beach to spend quality time with your kids, head a little further north from the city to Erangal Beach in Madh Island, Kalamb beach near Virar, or Marve beach in Malad.

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1. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya

Museum

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya

Get a history lesson from the city’s historic landmarks or even better – from its many museums. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai’s primary museum, hosts artifacts from the Indus Valley Civilization, the Mughal era, and more. This historic institution can offer your child an opportunity to appreciate Indian history like few others can. The museum regularly hosts workshops, seminars, film screenings, and tours for children. Check out our guide to Mumbai’s museums if your child is now looking forward to more museum visits!

Theatre and Music Workshops & Shows

The city’s most famous theater, Prithvi at Juhu, frequently organizes plays and even theatre workshops for children. Past events have included an interactive workshop with the Symphony Orchestra of India where children were introduced to various instruments, as well as classic music compositions. Another workshop helped kids explore slapstick comedy, guiding them to use their bodies and everyday scenarios to invite laughter. As for play options, several comedies such as Motley’s Dear Liar featuring the celebrated Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah are for ages six and upwards. The National Center for Performing Arts (NCPA) also hosts various workshops for children. These have included training in music appreciation, stringed instruments, theater and more.

Prithvi Theater: 20, Juhu Church Road, Janki Kutir, Janki Kutir, Juhu, +02 226 149 546

NCPA: Nariman Point, Mumbai

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2. Zoo at Byculla

Zoo

Zoo at Byculla

The zoo and garden at Byculla’s Jijamata Udyaan, originally called the Victoria Gardens, is sure to entertain children. The zoo houses over 400 animals and birds, including crocodiles, alligators, hippopotamuses, blue bulls, elephants, and monkey deer. The nearby botanical gardens may prove a nice spot for a picnic on a sunny day.

Jijamata Udyaan, Byculla East, Mazgaon

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3. Bookstores

Store

Bookstores

The city’s many bookstores can prove to be both fun and rewarding places for children. Kitab Khana in Fort may be a particularly good choice considering the frequent events its hosts for children, including book readings and reenactments, as well as creative workshops. The store’s various cases are filled with classic and contemporary books in English, Hindi, Marathi, and more. Its huge collection of children’s books showcased in brightly colored shelves and accompanied by kid-sized bean bags will only add to the magical experience your child can have at this store!

Kitab Khana: 45-47, M.G.Road, Somaiya Bhavan, Ground Floor, Flora Fountain, Next to Davars College,, Kala Ghoda, Fort, +02 261 702 276

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When I go to a book shop. With thousands of books. Millions of ideas! And billions of emotions! I feel safe! I feel whenever I want to travel, or know, or understand, or kiss, or experience, or just see world! There is a book with exact perspective, that exact incompleteness in me! Books fill my incompleteness! I feel wisdom is already written, waiting for me to read them!!! I love books! In the real sense of love! ❤❤❤ #Book_love #Mumbai_diaries #kitabkhana #florafountain #bookstagram

A post shared by Ninad Acharya (@ninadacharya) on Jul 30, 2016 at 11:00pm PDT

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