Travelling—it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller – goes a popular quote.

Indeed, there isn’t anything as relaxing, inspiring, and educational as travel. You can learn only so much sitting in a classroom or from books. When you set out to travel, though, the whole world is your oyster. There is so much to learn from nature, as well as a diversity of experiences.

India offers a traveller a whole range of experiences- from its hills to its pristine beaches. If you are planning a holiday with children, you sure need to choose child-friendly places. Ensuring the comfort and safety of the children and ensuring that there are age-appropriate activities to keep them busy is paramount,
A well-planned holiday can make all the difference and give you memories to last a lifetime. Here are some child-friendly holiday destinations that the entire family will remember fondly, much after the vacation. As the poet William Wordsworth had said in the context of the Daffodils, the memories of these vacations will “flash upon the inward eye.” The memory of those giggles of your child enjoying the holiday will also keep you rejuvenated. So here goes:

Places to visit with children

1. Goa

Head out to sunny Goa for a fun-filled holiday. Its serene beaches, Calangute, Baga, and more—will be the perfect setting for the children to bask in the sun. Children love water activities, and Goa has a lot to offer. Take them to the Splashdown water park in Anjuna or Froggyland Water World in Nuvem and see them have the time of their lives. There are also options for wildlife sanctuaries where the children can have a lot of fun spotting wildlife.

2. Kerala

Give the child the experience of a lifetime as you head out to Alleppey and settle in a luxury houseboat. Children are delighted with a home on the water. Alternatively, you could also head to the hills of Munnar, which will offer scenic pleasure and an opportunity to relax in one of the luxury properties with many child-friendly activities in-house. Get the child to experience the tea plantations and see them rejoice in the wonders of nature.

3. Jaipur

Head out to the Pink City of Jaipur to acquaint the child with the wonders of history. The Majestic Amber Fort will be a great place to start. You can also experience the lovely sound and light show that enthrall the children. Come see a traditional puppet show and enjoy the child’s unadulterated laughter. Get the child to enjoy the famous Elephant or camel ride and get them that much closer to nature. It will also offer you a coachable moment to tell them about the need to care for animals.

4. Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The beaches in Andaman are perfect for a family holiday. Get the children to relax on the soft sands at Radhanagar or Corbyn’s Cove Beach. While in Andaman, there is no way you would want to miss taking a glass-bottom boat ride. It will bring marine life up close and personal for the child. This is one experience that the child will talk about for days to come. There are also a lot of opportunities to take leisurely walks amidst the flora and fauna and get the child to understand and experience the magic of mother nature.

5. Himachal Pradesh

If there is one experience the child will not forget in a hurry, it is the experience of being aboard a toy train on the Kalka-Shimla path. At the end of the mesmerizing ride gets them to experience apple orchards in Shimla. There is nothing quite like picking out fresh fruits from the orchards. This is one aspect of nature that they will thoroughly enjoy.

6. Darjeeling

Speaking of toy trains, another must-do destination is Darjeeling. It offers natural beauty and fun experiences like little else. The fun toy train ride through the scenic beauty of the hills, views of tea gardens, and, of course, the majestic Kanchenjunga mountains is to die for. While in Darjeeling, children will also enjoy visiting the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, home to rare Himalayan animals such as the Red Panda, the Snow leopard, and more. The Nightingale Park is also a must-visit. Children will love to run around and enjoy the fresh mountain air.

7. Kanha National Park

Speaking of places to visit with family, you can also head out to the Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh, which offers access to the forests that are home to the Royal Bengal Tiger. Staying at one of the camp cottages there will offer the children many things to do, including walking with elephants and experiencing art workshops with local artists. Then, of course, the signature jungle safari will bring them close to wildlife.

8. Jawai Dam

If you want the child to experience how nature and man come together for mutual well-being, visiting Jawai Dam in Western Rajasthan is in order. Not only will the children witness the largest dams in western Rajasthan, but they will also witness how man and nature live in harmony with each other. Filled with activities such as excursions to see leopards perched on boulders or visits to the tribals will fill the children with awe.

To Sum Up

There you go. If you have always thought of travelling with kids as daunting, these vacations will change that. With fun-filled activities and places that children will truly enjoy and learn from, you are sure to have a memorable vacation. From wildlife safaris to camel rides in deserts, exploring ancient forts, and more,
there is a lot that is on offer in terms of holidays in India for families. Go ahead and make the most of your fun vacations and build memories together.

Keep watching this space for more informational content. We believe in learning by doing it at Footprints Playschool, one of the largest chains of play schools and creches. The scientifically developed HighScope Curriculum followed at Footprints is designed for the child’s holistic development. It is little surprise that Footprints has emerged as a preferred parenting partner.