Amarsons Park in Breach Candy is dotted with cute animal pictures and random fantastical elements (see mermaids below), keeping kids entertained for hours. The park charges Rs. 10 as an entrance fee and therefore keeps out stragglers and pervs, and is by the sea which is always a pleasant site in Bombay.
Band Stand in Churchgate had a massive overhaul about 10 years ago and is a very sizable park with many jungle gyms, swings, and climbing options. The highlight is the horse and pony rides offered at the very entrance of the park. This being a very public park, it is critical that you keep your child in your sight at all times and never let him/her talk to strangers.
Other posts in the Mumbai series:
India - General Travel Tips
Bombay (Mumbai), India - Most Baby-Friendly Club
hi kaamna, love your blog! and love the fact that you're toting karam around the world with you! what fun! so far zaara's only been to the bandstand but we'll try and expand her horizons this year... keep writing and posting links on facebook...shonar
ReplyDeletethanks shonar! will do!
ReplyDeleteKaamna, What an informative blog and great idea. You might want to mention that the use of mosquitto repellant and covering kids up is crucial during the monsoons not just in parks but when they're out playing anywhere in Bombay. With the recent malaria and dengue outburst you can never be too careful.
ReplyDeletegood point, maleeka.. updating now. thanks for the feedback!
ReplyDeleteMumbai is not a toddler friendly city unless you are a member of a good club, sign-up for specific classes for your kids etc. The parks are grubby and crowded, mosquitoes are an issue, parking is impossible so you have to have a driver, and traffic is horrible. However there are quite a few good kiddies shops to browse in especially at Phoenix Mall. Wouldn't recommend anyone to specifically travel to Mumbai with toddlers unless they have to.
ReplyDeleteMumbai is definitely not the most child-friendly place in the world. But it is home to many families, and people visit it for many other reasons. It helps to know what you are up against for sure.
ReplyDeleteHi Kaamna
ReplyDeleteInformative blog. did you visit Goa in india...Goa is a tourist place, mumbai is not for tourists, it is a commercial place.. visit www.funholidaysgoa.weebly.com and do visit goa on your next visit to India
I disagree about the comments on Bombay. I live in Bandra and have a vast choice of parks..Patwardhan park (off linking rd), joggers park, bandstand park are nice and kids love it. There are some smaller ones also like Almeida park, madhu park, guru nanak park etc..My son is spoilt for choice !!
ReplyDeletegoa is great and definitely a wonderful place to take the kids!
ReplyDeletewrt bandra - i am sure there are a lot more greener options than South Bombay but it is too getting a bit overwhelming. regardless, i am a bombay girl, so will always think any suffering in bombay is worth it :)