Here's something I have been working on... a list of all the great places you can explore as a family unit, or with a group of your friends and their kids... [ whatever age the kids are, of course younger the better! ] Feel free to share it further; and / or add to the list if you have any suggestions.
Step away from the TV and endless gadgets. Explore your city and dare to go beyond the malls!
Here is a list of some fun yet structured weekend activities you can pursue, in and around Pune. Make a play-date with your family for every Saturday evening, and see your little one looking forward to the next weekend / activity planned.
Someone I know, who is very wise told me, don’t expect your kid/s to be outdoorsy - if you’re not.
I will try and find out more to add to this. Meanwhile, happy family bonding and exploring!
1. Shaniwar Wada – explain the name and its historic significance, touch and feel the old stone walls, consider the sound and light show, if the timings work
2. Vishram Baug Wada – houses the GPO now, explore the carved pillars, carry some drawing / art material and do some sketches
3. Tulsi Baug – explore the intricacies of the carved doors, temple within and little knick knack stores. Reward yourself with a missal-pav or sugarcane juice, whatever your fancy...
4. Shinde Chatri – walk about and explore temple, sit there and draw some
5. Vegetable market @ Mandai – touch and feel vegetables, explain colours, process and do a mock-shopping exercise
6. Grocery shopping at Dorabjee – give your little one a trolley and ask him / her to fill up. A great time to share healthy eating tips and shop for a together ‘cook and bake’ session. Cook together on Sunday morning, from the wares you bought together. Make waffles, pancakes, cookies or Spanish Omelettes
7. Drive to Lavasa, walk about / cycle by the promenade
8. Lonavala – explore the various waterfalls and catch the view from various vantage points to Dukes Nose / Monkey point or Dukes Retreat
9. Sinhagad - climb up and explore the fort, eat a rustic meal of chilled dahi, pithla-bhaakri and / or kanda bhajji
10. Joshi Railway Museum – explain the mini train model and how the train system works
11. Aga Khan Palace – explore the property, explain the role of the freedom fighters
12. Parvati – run up or climb up [ depending on your fitness levels ], explore temple and surroundings
13. Chaturshringi – climb up and explore the temple and tekdi
14. Vetaal Tekdi – it’s a gradual climb and take apicnin hamper – enjoy once you reach the top
15. Tekdi from Kanchan Galli – gradual climb, view the city scape once you’re up
16. Aquarium near Bal Gandharva – explore the various fish variety and explain colours and marine life
17. Raja Kelkar Museum – houses more than 20,000 artefacts. Can be explored time and again...
18. Joggers Park, Kalyani Nagar – excellent track to have a little race and finish it with an ice-cream treat or something healthier
19. Japanese Garden – explore the garden / various arrangements
20. Empress Garden – botanical exploration – explain the various big trees, carry a picnic hamper, sketch and draw outdoors or carry skates / cycle or a skateboard
21. Nulla Park – same as above
22. If malls you must then try the super-fun bowling at Blu-O [ for slightly older kids ]
23. Explore http://www.naturetrails.in/ and options : Durshet Forest Lodge, Kundalika Rafting and much more...
24. Fort Jadhavgadh – an hour drive away. Scenic fort, great picnic spot and a lovely museum too
25. Snake Park at Katraj – a good way to make sure your kids don’t grow up squeamish about reptiles
26. Saras Baug – a great garden to explore, take a picnic hamper or visit the temple there
27. Pataleshwar Caves, JM Road : would you believe there is something like this right on JM Road, great place to explore on an evening
28. Pune University Campus – great jogging track, botanical treasure and a good history to explain to your kids...
29. Chittaranjan Vatika - an excellent park, with quaint pathways. Refresh and treat yourself to some naariyal paani at the end of your walk / play...
Feel free to write in with more suggestions if you can think up of any...
