Overview
Bangalore often stops at Bangalore to take in its creature comforts (like Marmite at the Spar grocery) before continuing on to the north or west to reach destinations like Mysore or Kochi.
There are many great places to visit in Bangalore with kids. These include open spaces, soft-play, and gated playgrounds. Bangalore enjoys a cooler climate due to its higher altitude. This allows for a refreshing break from the heat while travelling in summer (although it can still be unbearably hot between April- June).
Bangalore was our home for a year. So I thought I would share some of our favourite family-friendly activities in Bangalore.
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Gardens Botanical Lalbagh
Lalbagh and children in Bangalore Begin at the West Gate. Follow the lakeside route, keeping an eye out to monkeys and eating sweetcorn at one of the food stalls. It’s a pleasant surprise to find such a green space in such a crowded city. The kids can run and play without having to worry about traffic.
If you continue along the path, you will find the Peninsular Gneiss (a small temple) and a drink stand on the opposite side of the gardens. You can also climb to the top for spectacular views of the city’s skyline.
Open daily, 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. Entry price Rs. 20; children under 12 years old are free; camera Rs.
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Bugle Park and Big Bull Temple
Bangalore’s Big Bull Temple for children
Follow the steps to the Enormous Bull Temple. Here you will find a large granite statue of the revered bull wearing floral decorations. For a few rupees, you can get a priest’s blessing. Don’t forget to place your hand on the bulls’ hoof for luck. Take the stairs to your right and you will find Bugle Park. Here, the children can play with the neighbours and climb over boulders.
The Big Bull Temple is open daily from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Bugle park, however, does not open until 4.30 pm.
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Iskcon Temple
Children at the Iskcon Temple, Bangalore. It is one of the most impressive Iskcon temples anywhere in the world. There is a great food market just outside the main temple. Plan to arrive for lunch. Our boys received a Hare Krishna flute. You are prohibited from taking photographs at temples.
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Afternoon tea is available at the Taj West End.
The Taj West End, Bangalore: Tea with children The luxurious Taj West End in Bangalore has been providing a sanctuary for its residents. It was an amazing experience for someone from the UK to sip great tea while watching the boys play barefoot on the lawn. We also enjoyed some delicious cupcakes (only Rs. 50++ each). After you finish your tea, explore the beautiful gardens.
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Square Park
Cubbon Park in Bangalore with children
The large park, covering 120 hectares, is located in the heart of Bangalore. It is well-known as the “lungs” of Bangalore and is a favourite spot for children to climb trees, gather sticks, and fight over boulders. Combining it with a visit to the Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technical Museum makes this even more enjoyable.
Cubbon Park is open daily from 6 am to 6:30 pm
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Visvesvaraya’s Industrial and Technical Museum
This interactive science museum features a dinosaur, many buttons, wheels, levers, and other useful information. It also contains some interesting technical exhibits, and strangely distorted mirrors.
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Bangalore’s children’s playground
Other well-kept, gated playgrounds are available throughout Bangalore. Many have security personnel. They are great places for kids to play with their neighbours, even though they could use a new coat of paint. Most don’t open until the late hours of the night (sometimes as late as 4pm).
Nandanavana Children’s Playground is our favourite, as well as Defence Colony Children’s Park. They are both open daily from 3:00 pm to 7:00pm (closed daily between 4 and 8 pm, Rs5). Shoes must be removed.
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Funky Monkeys – Soft Play
Funky Monkeys Bangalore Kids. Are you sure the children deserve some normalcy after all their travelling? Funky Monkeys is a safe, secure and entertaining place for children under 12. The staff will keep an eye on your children so you can enjoy a cup of tea and the relative peace. Orion Mall has information about other indoor play spaces in Bangalore.
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Hilton Bangalore swimming pool
Hilton Bangalore Embassy GolfLinks guests can enjoy 5-star luxury for one afternoon with a guest-day-pass to their outdoor pools. There is also a heated pool for children and a jacuzzi, which is great for little ones. Enjoy a beef burger with Kingfisher and a chilled bottle of Kingfisher before you relax in one of the cabanas by the pool.
