Top 10 Kid-Friendly Destinations In India by HolidayIQ

November 13, 2014
2,947 Comments
As children’s day is approaching, we bring you ten children friendly destinations researched by Holiday IQ. This ranking is based on the

actual on-site user actions of travelers planning holidays with children for
the November 14 – 16 weekend. 

Open spaces, plenty of activities and safety are factors to
consider when you plan a vacation with your kids. But you need not worry when
it comes to planning a holiday with children. India has myriad destinations
that are child-friendly – clean and uncrowded beaches where you can relax
and watch your kids build sand castles or heritage destinations where kids
can discover a thing or two about India’s rich history. Presenting, top
kid-friendly destinations recommended by HolidayIQ.com Travelers.
 
1. Ooty
 
Chocolates are sure to entice the young and the youthful!
Indulge your sweet tooth with truffles, fudges and marshmallows available at
King Star Confectioners on Commercial Road. Let the little tyke indulge in
mini-train and pony rides. An educational trip to the tea and botanical
gardens and a live demo about honey gathering and bee keeping at the Honey
& Bee Museum must be a part of your trip. Not to forget, make sure to take
a boat ride on the famous Ooty lake.
 
What Kids Must Do: Chocolates at King Star and a boat ride at Ooty Lake.
 
How to Reach: Approximately 88 kilometres away, Coimbatore is the
nearest domestic airport from Ooty which is well-connected with most of the
Indian cities. The nearest railhead is Mettupalyam, 40 kilometres from Ooty.
 
 
2. Jaisalmer
 
Who isn’t fascinated by fairytales? Jaisalmer is like an open
history book. Don’t miss a chance of walking your kids through historic tales
of valour and visit Jaisalmer’s old forts and palaces! And then there are
Jaisalmer’s local transport options – the elephants, camels and rickshaws. You
can also camp in the Thar Desert and star gaze.
 
What Kids Must Do: Camel safari and star gazing in Jaisalmer
 
How to Reach: Jodhpur Airport is the closest domestic airport that is
functional throughout the year. Jaisalmer is well connected with a wide network
of trains covering most of the Indian cities like Delhi, Jodhpur, Jaipur and
others. 
 
3. Goa
 
HolidayIQ Traveller Anshuman says, “Beaches like Calangute
can be visited with family. The beaches in Goa, especially Calangute, are safe
for kids as they have many lifeguards around. Sea rides and seeing dolphins are
great activities.” Adventurous kids will love water sports – snorkeling, boat
rides and parasailing! Or you could just flop on the beach under a palm
tree while your children make sandcastles. Take them to Old Goa,
which has beautiful churches, monuments & forts. Benaulim Beach, Mandrem
Beach and Morkim Beach are famous for their soft sand & clean, shallow
water.
 
What Kids Must Do: Water rides at Goa’s beaches and a heritage tour of Old Goa
 
How to Reach: The Dabolim Airport lies just 29 kilometres from the
state’s capital, Panjim. The two major railheads in Goa are Madgaon and
Thivim, which are well connected by trains from all over the country.
 
4. Ajanta & Ellora
 
Walk them through the Ajanta-Ellora Caves – UNESCO World
Heritage Sites. The caves are home to beautiful paintings, monuments and
sculptures. HolidayIQ Traveller Divya from Delhi suggests you buy something
from stores outside the caves. “They sell a rare collection of
encyclopedias and folk literature that makes great reading for kids and adults
like.” Also, do “visit Siddharth Garden for its sprawling landscape,
exotic animals and a toy train ride for the kids,” says HolidayIQ
Traveller Amrita.
 
What Kids Must Do: Buy encyclopedias outside the caves and visit Siddharth Garden
in Aurangabad
 
How to Reach: Currently Aurangabad is the nearest Air point
for Ajanta. It can be reached from New Delhi and Mumbai (Bombay), international
airport. Jalgaon is the best place to drop in for Ajanta if you like Rail
journey.
 
5. Darjeeling
 
“Take a trip to Mirik Lake or visit Himalayan Zoological Park.
Don’t forget to take a toy train ride from Darjeeling to Kurseong,” says
HolidayIQ Traveller Debarati. Think of Darjeeling and you can think of nothing
but the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway or the Toy Train. Make sure that you take
kids for a pony ride on Mall Road.
 
What Kids Must Do: Pony rides on Mall Road, a cable car & toy train ride. Visit
the Garg World Amusement Park, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park,
Observatory Hill, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Bengal Natural History
Museum
 
How to Reach: Bagdogra Airport is the nearest air connection which is 96
kilometres away from Darjeeling. The DHR Toy Train service starts at New
Jalpaiguri and will get you to Darjeeling at a speed no faster than 30 miles
per hour. It takes 7 hours and halts at Batasia Loop from where passengers can
take photographic shots of Mt. Kanchenjunga.
 
6. Gir National Park
 
“It’s a great place for kids and to rediscover the child in
you,” says HolidayIQ Traveller Rajesh from Ahmedabad. Consider the Gir
National Park for a quintessential wildlife experience. Spot the Asiatic lion
in the wild. Hotels located close to the Park have activities that will keep kids
busy. Sasan Gir is a great opportunity to reconnect with nature, hear the
chirping of the birds, take a walk along natural streams and breathe in fresh
air.
What Kids Must Do: A wildlife safari and nature walks
How to Reach: Closest airport to Sasan Gir Railway Station is Keshod Airport.
 
7. Shillong
 
Living root bridges, scenic surroundings as well as clean and
fresh air to breathe in, Shillong is a place where you can let your kids truly
enjoy a relaxed vacation. Shillong has many attractions children will love
including “the Indian Airforce Museum, which is an informative place for kids,”
says HolidayIQ Traveller Rajesh from Mumbai. HolidayIQ Traveller Supriya from
Kolkata adds, “Take your children to the Lady Hydari Park. They will love
it.” 
 
What Kids Must Do: Visit the Indian Airforce Museum and Lady Hydari Park
 
How to Reach: The nearest major airport and railway station is at
Guwahati, which is nearly 120 km away from Shillong. Guwahati Airport is
well connected to many major cities in India including Bangalore, Chennai,
Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata.
 
8. Auli
 
HolidayIQ Traveller Subho from Kolkata recommends, “Carry a
lot of woolens for kids especially as they will love playing in the snow. Do
carry or rent gumboots, water jackets and pants.” Auli has a vast range of
exciting adventure activities. It is a great place for skiing.
 
What Kids Must Do: Skiing in Auli. Government-certified operators at GMVN offer
beginner courses.
 
How to Reach: The Jolly Grant Airport located in Dehradun is the nearest
airport to Auli. It is at a distance
of around 279 km from the hill station. It connects the place with several
cities of the country. 
 
9. Kaziranga 
Atop an elephant or in jeep, embark on a family adventure! Drive
through green grasslands and spot giant one-horned rhinos, myriad species of
birds, elephants, wild water buffalos, and if you are destined to, the tiger!
Kaziranga National Park is “a great holiday destination for families
especially with kids,” says HolidayIQ Traveller Pritesh from Guwahati. Do
not forget to carry a pair of binoculars and watch in awe beautiful animals in
the wild.
 
What Kids Must Do: An elephant safari at the Kaziranga National Park
 
How to Reach: Nearest airport is in Jorhat town, which is 96 km away
from Kaziranga. Jorhat is connected to Kolkata, Delhi and Guwahati by regular
flights. The nearest railway station to Kaziranga is Furkating, which
is 80 km away.
 
10.  Andaman and Nicobar Islands
 
HolidayIQ Traveller Anisha says, “Havelock Island is great place
for kids. They will enjoy playing on the beach. Do take them snorkeling with
Rajan – the swimming elephant.” The islands aren’t a world away, but the flight
across the ocean, boat and ferry rides are nothing short of a fairytale. Diving
and snorkeling to watch corals is a must-do. You can also take him for a ride
on a glass bottom boat and let him take a closer look at the vast coral
colonies.
 
What Kids Must Do: Glass bottom boat ride to see corals and underwater sea life
 
How to Reach: Port Blair is Andaman’s major gateway which is well
connected by air & sea while regular passenger ship services are available
to Port Blair

 

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