A recent study underlined a worrying decline in outdoor playtime among Mumbai’s children. We handpick offbeat and fun ideas to get your kids up and moving
Representation pic
Nearly 45 percent of Mumbai’s children are overweight; 67 percent of them get less than an hour of outdoor playtime. If the quiet reminders before this didn’t work, perhaps these numbers should be a rude awakening for the city’s young parents. The Early Childhood Association (ECA-APER), in collaboration with the Podar Institute of Education, revealed these concerning statistics in a survey last week. “Kids prefer air-conditioned rooms to outdoor parks… They don’t like to sweat it anymore,” an expert had told mid-day in an April 17 newsarticle. Here are six outdoor activities that will have your kids running, jumping, laughing and yes, sweating.
Land it right
A trainer instructs a child at a gymnastics session. PIC COURTESY/GOFIGUREFITNESSindia on INSTAGRAM
Your lazy post-afternoon-nap stretch has the potential to be so much more. Stretch, twist and tumble at Go Figure Fitness’s gymnastics programme for children. The collective has an exhaustive programme for children from as young as two years old. The classes are categorised into age groups, each focusing on a different set of real-life benefits. For instance, did you know an early introduction to gymnastics can help children develop stronger motor skills and co-ordination? Landing a perfect 10 doesn’t have to be the only goal.
AGE GROUP 3 years and above ON Wednesdays and Fridays; 5 pm and 6 pm (below six years); 7 pm (above six years)
AT Go Figure Fitness India, Kolivery Village, Vidya Nagari, Kalina, Santacruz East.
LOG ON TO @gofigurefitnessindia
3 years and above
Skate to the party
Skaters at Somaiya Sports Academy, Sion. PIC/ASHISH RAJE
Lace your roller skates up and feel the wind in your hair at guided sessions across the handful of skating tracks in Mumbai. A three pronged programme at The Skate Academy accommodates beginners and intermediates as well as professional aspirants. Beginners get to choose from speed, freestyle or artistic skating based on personal preferences. Guided by coach and veteran roller skater Ajay Shivlani, the academy promises to keep injury-minimisation at the core of its training system.
AT Somaiya Sports Academy, Sion; other venues in Bandra and Ghatkopar.
LOG ON TO theskateacademy.in
3 years and above
Make a splash
A toddlers’ swimming session in Sanpada. PIC OURTESY/MICHAELPHEPLSSWIMMING ON INSTAGRAM
This quintessential summer activity isn’t going out of style any time soon. Learn swimming from certified trainers of the Michael Phelps Swimming Academy across the city. The Get Wet programme at the academy is designed for parents of toddlers as young as three years old to help their child step out of their comfort zone in the water with games. From breathing techniques to acing strokes, a step-by-step programme encompasses the fundamentals of swimming under the watch of trained lifeguards.
AT Multiple locations across Andheri, Kurla, Vashi, Chembur, Sanpada, and other suburbs.
LOG ON TO michaelphelpsswimming.in
3 years and above
Surf excellence
A surfer rides a wave in Virar. PIC COURTESY/MUMBAI SURF CLUB
Surfing isn’t just for distant shores. The Mumbai Surf Club’s surfing sessions are open to participants over eight years old. While the waves are relatively high during this time of the year, expect the age bar to drop to six years in the latter half. The club is Surfing Federation of India-certified with a roster of instructors certified by the International Surfing Association (which also entails mandatory lifeguard training). Each 90-minute session begins with a briefing on the shores before hitting the waves. While riding a wave might seem exciting, be prepared to sweat it out before you sign up.
ON Tuesdays closed; timings announced on a day-to-day basis AT Mumbai Surf Club, Rajodi Beach, Virar.
LOG ON TO @mumbaisurfclub
8 years and above
Escape the box
A kickboxing session in Breach Candy. PIC COURTESY/JUNIORFIT
Kick it back, literally, at this kickboxing training programme by Junior Fit, a fitness platform based in South Mumbai. The ongoing sessions in Breach Candy offers children who wish to improve stamina, build confidence, and sharpen focus a specialised one-on-one experience. For children who prefer battling the sun in familiar terrain, the platform also offers simpler at-home services for toddlers and teens. Choose from obstacle courses, aerobics sessions and yoga classes.
AT Gold’s Gym, Shyam Nivas, Bhulabhai Desai Marg, Breach Candy. (At-home services available city-wide)
LOG ON TO @juniorfitindia
10 years and above
Out of the park
A child learns a vault at a session. PIC/ATUL KAMBLE
Learn how to hop, skip and jump through imaginative obstacles at the Mumbai Movement Academy’s arenas. From making giant leaps to striking the balancing act just right, children start from the basics under supervised environments. With trial courses available for those who want to test the waters before making the dive, the academy also has a children-focused summer camp around the corner. The daring stunts are overseen by Art du Deplacement and Parkour Teaching (ADAPT)-certified trainers. Given the distant deadlines for Mumbai’s roadworks, we’d call this a long-term investment.
ON May 5 to 16 (summer camp)
AT HVB Global Academy, Marine Drive. Other sessions in Andheri, Juhu, Bandra, Kemps Corner, Powai.
LOG ON TO @mumbaimovementacademy
6-14 years
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