Travelling In India with Kids

Traveling is a wonderfully life enhancing experience, for children and adults. If you always planned to see India but now think that’s it’s an impossible feat because you have children, then think again. The trip may require a little more planning but family holidays don’t all have to be of the package holiday variety with everything in one place. With some extra preparation you can have the family holiday of a lifetime, with your children, who will love being exposed to new cultures, foods and people every bit as much as you! So book your flights to India and have a fantastic family adventure!

Seeing India

Source – thebrij

Temples and architectural wonders may be thrilling for you but unfortunately children don’t see things in the same way. To keep them from getting bored make sure you find things to amuse them like funny statues or places they can run around while you explore. If there are other children around, let them all play nearby. Most cities in India have exciting play parks and water parks that kids will love but it’s not a bad idea to pack some toys, coloring books and games just in case you find yourselves somewhere where there isn’t a lot going on for kids.

The streets of India are packed with colorful and tacky toys that you can buy for next to nothing and the kids can give their old toys to street children they may see.

The Breezy North

Northern India is a fabulous destination for a family. The climate is very forgiving compared to many of the scorching parts of the country, the food is gentle on tiny tummies, transport is reliable and the people are extremely friendly. Delhi is more chaotic but great fun and has plenty of colourful and noisy sights to keep the kids mesmerized. Agra is stunning and full of fading grandeur and home to the magnificent Taj Mahal, while in West Bengal, on the road to Kalimpong, the end of the monsoon blows in welcomingly cool breezes.

Up in the Hills

Hill stations like Shimla and Darjeeling come equipped with little trains and pony rides that kids will adore. Shimla also has an ice rink and Darjeeling a mountain zoo. In Delhi, the kids can go boating on big plastic swans or take to the rides at the huge playground, beside the India Gate. Check out First City and Time Out Delhi which are great magazines for listings of local events and activities for kids. If you want to go trekking in the hills, there is no reason why you can’t, just be sure to hire an additional porter or two to help carry any tired children, leaving you free to enjoy the stunning views.

Beach Beauties

Any place with a beach, like Goa and Kerala, will be popular with the younger members of the family with plenty of chances to splash around in the sea and build sand castles, leaving you to catch some rays and rejuvenate. These locations often have fantastic family resorts too offering plenty of homely touches and food and drink that kids will find a little more familiar. With crèches and kid’s clubs, adults can partake of some yoga and spa treatments if they feel the need.

Getting Around

Traveling around India is often seen as one of the toughest challenges. Being stuck on a cramped bus with people, goats and chickens for hours and hours on end in scorching temperatures is a situation no one in their right mind would want to put themselves in willingly, let alone with kids. Thankfully, trains are a great option in India and you can book tickets online in advance. Trains are slower and more relaxed, allowing you to see much of the country while you sit back and rest your legs. Many trains now provide refreshments and have comfy compartments where you can sit and sleep and are a wonderful and adventurous way of seeing the country. Kids will love being on the train and can easily be kept amused with games, books and toys and by spotting exciting things from the train windows. ‘I Spy’ anyone?

Lingo

Before you go or while you’re on the road, try to teach your kids some basic Hindi like hello, thank you and how much and watch them pick up the language in no time…probably faster than the grown-ups, especially if you stop in one place for a while.

Fantastic Foods

Food doesn’t have to be a problem for children travelling in India. Let them try new things and decide for themselves what they like and don’t. Of course, Indian food will be hotter and spicier than any they have had at home, but there are plenty of simper foods on offer such as Indian breads, eggs, plain rice, fresh fruit and toast. In Delhi, restaurants offer tamer versions of Indian cuisine, along with snacks like pizzas and burgers. On the road, fresh fruits like pineapples and bananas as well as hot, sweet chai with biscuits to dunk are usually available, providing much needed sustenance (and vitamins) throughout your travels.

Chill Out Time

Keep to a leisurely pace on your travels and make sure to enjoy some time relaxing in your hotel room. Children tire easily and will be far less grumpy if they’ve had a chance to rest. This goes for adults too! Remember that you can’t see all of India in one trip, so take your time and make the most of the places you are visiting. Stay a few days in one place too, as it can be wearing for kids if they are moved to a new location every day.

Cultural Tips

If your little ones happen to be blonde haired and blue-eyed they will inevitably attract attention in India. Cries of ‘one photo, one photo!’ might start to drive you crazy as locals demand pictures of but respond politely but firmly to any unwanted requests should do the trick.

Guest blogger James is a freelance writer and travel blogger based in London, United Kingdom. When not excitedly crammed into a flight to India (or some other exotic destination) with his two kids he can usually be found reading the Lonely Planet, planning his next trip.