Keeping the kids busy in the vacations can be a challenge, more so in winter when sometimes you need to entertain them indoors all day. This time I’ve tried all the usual stuff and reinforced some of my earlier ideas about what works best for kids, and frankly, for most adults too!

Cutting a long story short, I feel the simplest formula is taking kids to an open space where they can run around, climb, interact freely with each other… alternatively, a child-friendly indoor space that has some simple toys, a casual atmosphere, simple food and friendly faces will do the trick. My kids are happiest, however, at home when all their friends are over….the know the space, they have all their toys and art material at hand, a parent or grandparent (anybody’s will do as long as they know them well!) to offer security and sufficient freedom to do what they want. In the past few days, Fudge has been an added bonus of course in our home, attracting the kids in the neighborhood here!

Finding the right spaces in our cities is a challenge, we all know. Malls are loud and exhausting and have the most inappropriate food options. Many outdoor spaces are ill-maintained. You have to drive long distances to take kids somewhere really nice. Why can’t every neighborhood have a decent park with some semi-covered space where kids can shelter from the chill, sun or rain? I would think its a basic need for a nation where a substantial proportion of the population is below 15. This same nation is combating a scary health concern- obesity and high risk for diseases like diabetes, and heart ailments, especially among urban populations. More the reason to campaign for outdoor, non-exclusionary, clean, outdoor and indoor spaces where children can grow stronger in mind and body, as well as develop integral life skills that come with interacting and sharing with their peers.

Here are pics of some spaces I explored….

DLF Promenade in Vasant Kunj has a great outdoor play area. The space is sheltered from the wind but open to sky. The equipment safe yet challenging. And its free entry too, bot the Rs 100 per hour type of utter nonsense!

Cafe Bel Cibo across the road from our complex offers a great child friendly space, complete with games, toys, warm interiors, great kid menu...was a life saver today when it was cold and windy outdoors...

Simple games kept kids from different age groups occupied through lunch today, while mums, aunts and grandmums could catch up!

Home sweet home! Fudge or no Fudge, putting all the kids in one home has been the safest, simplest and most successful strategy for us mums to cope with potential holiday boredom!