Must See Places for Children in North India

The winters are drawing to a close and maybe you are thinking about how to best use the rest of this pleasant coldness in the air. This may be the best time to go around the city and do some touristy things with your children or go out on a trip around the country.I do believe travelling with children can be one of the most rewarding and fun experiences for both parents and children. While it provides a much needed break to all involved, it also gives parents the golden opportunity to teach children about many things like history, geography, botany, zoology, physics and most importantly “Life”.

Today and across my next 3 blogs, I will be listing some of the must visit places for your children which you should complete before they grow up. Then they can visit these places as adults and get a complete different perspective along with that sense of reminiscence and nostalgia. To make it easier, since India is just too big to fit into one blog alone, I will divide my blogs according to regions- North (with a special emphasis on the city of Delhi), West ( emphasis on Mumbai), East (emphasis on Kolkata) and South on Bangalore and Chennai. Here I start with North India and Delhi.

5 things to do in North India

1. Take in the beauty of Taj Mahal. Why they will thank you: The sight of this monument leaves memories of a lifetime.
Age group: All ages

2. Take a camel safari in Rajasthan.
Why: For the great adventure.
Age: From age 6 (the drastic change of the temperature in the day might be tough on the children below 6 years of age)

3. Watch religion take its course at Golden temple, Amritsar.
Why: Serene atmosphere, lovely architecture and our culture, what’s not to like.
Age: All ages ( Since everyone who enters the temple has to walk bare foot , be prepared to carry your little ones as they may get tired of standing in the lines to get inside the main shrine)

4. Go tiger shooting, with your camera, in Jim Corbett National Park in the Nainital district of Uttrakhand.
Why: A great place and great weather to get close to nature, tiger or no tiger. Great place to catch other wildlife and bird watching. Look out for elephants as they are majestic .
Age: All ages, but the early morning safaris would probably not be good for a baby. For that your child needs to be at least 4 years old.

5. Set them free in Kingdom of Dreams
Why: This new Gurgaon attraction has entertainment, culture, arts, crafts and food. Don’t miss the culture gali and the Bollywood show.
Age: All ages (for the show a child needs to be over 5 years of age)

Also, if you are living in Delhi or visiting Delhi this season, here are some must- dos with your child.

10 things to do in Delhi

Ages: Most of this you can do at all ages, but for museums, a level of understanding will be required, hence you can take them as and when they start appreciating a day out of fun.

1. Marvel at the size and architecture of Qutab Minar.

2. Dolls Museum: Take a look at the largest collection of costume dolls from all over the world at the International.

3. Visit the National Museum to take in the various artifacts and archeological wonders.

4. Watch time go by, literally at Jantar Mantar. Children will love the observatory and sundial.

5. Relive great battles at Lal Quila.

6. Play in the 10 acre children’s park at India Gate. While visiting the historical site, indulge your children with the parks games, library, fountains and amphitheatre.

7. Indulge your taste buds at Dilli Haat. Children will love the colourful place and with so much food around, they will never go hungry. Be careful about hygiene though. Buy dolls and ghaghras for children at great bargains.

8. Give in to your inner scientist at National Science center, at their 7 galleries.

9. Train enthusiasts will love the National Rail Museum. Make sure to take the toy train ride.

10. Go flower gazing at the Mughal Gardens which is also known as “Gods own heaven”.