5 places in India your kids will fall in love with!

When my 8-year-old received a medal for innovation and out-of-the-box thinking abilities the other day in school, instead of celebrating, he told me he needed to start travelling more to find his calling in life!

At first, I was slightly apprehensive, for this is a parenting aspect I never thought I’ll need to bother with, help your kids find their ‘calling’. So, I thought the simplest and most budget-friendly way of going about it was taking them to all the magnificent places our own country holds! From Jammu and Kashmir’s serene, poetic landscapes to the tropical paradise of Kerala, I wanted Rian to experience all of it!

Travelling with my kids is like hanging out with a bunch of adults (they’re so calm!!).

Here’s a list of places in India that you should definitely visit with your kids:

Darjeeling’s Famous Toy Train!

The best time to experience the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (which has come to be known as the ‘Toy Train’) is during the winters! Resembling an automobile that’s straight out of a fairytale, the Toy Train is perfect for kids as it offers a combination of historical knowledge and oodles of fun. Somewhere amidst those breathtaking Himalayan landscapes, my kids and I reconnected like never before.

The Enchanting Land of Paragliders – Manali!

One of the most amazing places to visit with kids, if you love staying outdoors, this postcard location is sure to take your breath away and leave you feeling immensely philosophical and relaxed! The landscape that Manali offers will touch upon your senses while offering you a multitude of activities to pass your time. Rian and Shalakha thoroughly enjoyed zorbing through the fields, paragliding with the locals, and playing in the snow in Rohtang Pass. The months of September and October are ideal for a little family vacation in Manali!

The Amusing Puppets of Udaipur

Kids love puppetry, and when it is presented as magnificently as in Udaipur’s Puppet Show, you certainly do not want your kids to miss out on the action! As much as the City of Lakes has much to offer in terms of its rich culture and heritage, the puppet show is what caught my kids’ attention. They were thrilled to witness something so amazing, and what’s more? It was an awesome way to teach them quite a lot about Udaipur’s culture, its folklore, and history. Our day ended with the perfect boat ride, I was glad to have ticked that off of my checklist!

The Enchanting Elephants of Thekkady

If you have always been a lover of the backwaters of Kerala, then Thekkady will make you euphoric! We visited the Periyar National Park, which is one of the most bio-diverse regions of India, home to not only the majestic tigers and elephants but to a vast amount of greenery and stillness! What made for an unforgettable experience for my kids was the hour-long elephant ride through the dense jungle that hit all the right spots. Equally calming was the ride across the backwaters on a houseboat.

Auli’s Mystical Snowcapped Mountains

Sipping on a cup of hot coffee while staring out the window at the fearless Himalayan mountains has always been kind of a dream of mine! So, when we finally made it to Auli, as exhausted as we were, the beauty and quietness stole our breath away and I finally got around to drinking that cup of coffee with a view! The snow slides kept us hooked for the better part of our trip. If you’re concerned about your kids’ safety, don’t worry, there are licensed professionals who will be with them throughout the ride. Your kids will love you for the experience!

When I think about some of the best places you can visit with kids, these are most certainly at the top of my list! And these trips were rendered super special because I had the best travel companions I could ever ask for.

What are your favourite places to visit with your kids? Do let me know in the comments below.