From paddleboarding with your pet, to camping underneath a sky full of stars and fireflies, we give you the lowdown on how to make the most of this summer break without the heat breaking you
If both you and your pet are water babies, then paddleboarding with your pooch might be just the way to beat the heat! Representational pic/iStock
The school year is out, temperatures are up, and the temptation to be glued to screens is stronger than ever. Tablets and video games are both dangerously convenient babysitters, but real summer memories can only be created offline.
Unstructured play, outdoor time, and family rituals are things no screen can replicate. So, instead of passive entertainment, why not fill up summer with real experiences? Whether you are itching to step outdoors or craving indoor activities to stay away from the sweltering sun, here’s your no-fuss anti-screen guide for the summer.
Outdoor adventures
You don’t have to bake under the sun to have outdoor fun. Smartly timed mornings, shady spaces, and water-based adventures can keep you as cool as a cucumber.
Groovy walks
Instead of mall hopping, take the family on a guided mangrove walk with Naturalist Explorers. Mumbai’s mangroves, which protect the shoreline, also offer surprisingly cooler temperatures compared to city streets, thanks to dense greenery and natural breezes.
Pic/Getty Images
Along the way, kids will spot mud crabs that “walk” on land, and maybe even some birds. The best part? These walks double as impromptu science lessons, minus the textbooks. The best time to go, is an early morning as that gives you a better chance to spot wildlife and avoid heat.
Alternately, you can go by yourself to the Gorai Mangrove Park which opened on May 1 and offers a 740 metre-long boardwalk along the mangroves.
Contact: Naturalist Explorers via Instagram @naturalistex for bookings and the full schedule.
Paddle with pooches
We are sending you on a surf trip in the hills. Seems odd? But you need to thank Roysten Misquitta for this experience. A year ago, this adventure junkie launched Stand up Paddleboarding (SUP) in the green hills of Kamshet. The best part? You can surf with your pet!
Misquitta provides life jackets for pets and humans, and ensures everyone who is on board is having fun in the backwaters of the river. There are overnight packages that you can enquire about if you would like to opt for a getaway. The all-inclusive option covers an eco-friendly homestay, homestyle meals, treks, a local tour or excursion, among other activities that are also designed to be pet friendly. For those who don’t want to escape the city, Misquitta’s Pet SUP adventures can be enjoyed as a one-day experience in Bandra as well.
SUP feels a bit done? Head to Lonavala instead and try Jet Surfing. Offered by Outdoorsy Lonavala, it’s a 30-minute ride on a motorised jetsurf board that is equipped with a stability-enhancing tube. This makes it easy for beginners to balance. A quick briefing is all you need to cruise across the lake with ease, although this activity is only allowed for ages 12 and above.
Price: Rs 2,500 per person and Rs 3,500 per person with a pet for SUP Rs 3,500 for jet surfing (includes photos)
Contact: WhatsApp 9820068611 to book or DM @lonavalalocal or @outdoorsylonavala on Instagram for either experience
Jugnoo watch
There’s something timeless about sitting under a starry sky and watching a thousand fireflies light up the trees around you. Mid May marks the beginning of the firefly season in Bhandardara and nearby Purushwadi. For two to three weeks, this area turns into natural fairylands.
The experience also offers a soft introduction to camping: basic tents, barbecue dinners, and simple storytelling under the stars. Several trekking tourism groups organise overnight trips. We recommend Treks & Trails, as they organise Bhandardara Fireflies Camping — Firefly Fest.
Price: Rs 1,299 for ages 4 to 9 and Rs 1,899 for ages 10 and above
Contact: www.treksandtrails.org to book
Make your gelato and eat it too
What’s better than eating gelato? Making it yourself. Trove Experiences curates a gelato-making experience along with Nova Artisan Gelato at Kemps Corner. The artisanal gelato brand offers hands-on workshops where families can learn to churn classic Italian-style gelato from scratch, and taste eight flavours to understand the nuances and taste of the dessert. You also get an insight into the history and techniques of the craft. It’s a lesson in patience: churn, chill, churn some more, and creativity. Plus, nothing beats the thrill of devouring your own creation at the end, as you get to take home a 300 ml gelato tub of your customised flavour.
Price: Rs 2,500 per person
Contact: troveexperiences.com to book
Indoor fun
Not every day is meant for the outdoors. On hot afternoons, here’s some screen-free fun for indoor days
Capsule time
Imagine opening a box 10 years from now filled with today’s favourite toys, a photo of your pet, handwritten notes, concert tickets, or a trending meme. Building a family time capsule is a simple, sentimental project that turns into a priceless treasure trove over time.
Get the kids involved in decorating the box, picking items, and writing little letters to their future selves. Stash it safely in a closet, as we have no backyards in Mumbai to burry things — just don’t forget to agree on a “do not open until” date!
Be an acrobat
If your child is bouncing off the walls, why not direct that energy somewhere productive? Sportspark Gymnastics is a professional gymnastics training academy, specialised in the coaching of artistic gymnastics.
Think obstacle courses, trampoline sessions, strength training, and safe tumbling techniques taught by professional coaches whose students have competed at international gymnastic sporting events. The best part? Gymnastics builds flexibility, focus, and confidence. These are skills that carry over into everyday life and every other sport, too.
Contact: 7020856923/8369833800 to enquire about classes
Museum hop
Take advantage of Mumbai’s museums and science centres rolling out summer-exclusive exhibits designed for kids. Think science models and interactive art installations. Scroll through the schedules of the CSMVS Children’s Museum, MuSo, Nehru Science Centre, Playseum, Nehru Planetarium for summer listings, and you will find it worth your while. These spaces cleverly balance entertainment and education, offering families a full day of discovery.
Host a gallery opening
Your fridge door deserves a breather. Instead of cluttering it with sketches, encourage your children’s creativity by hosting a mini art exhibit at home.
Frame their best doodles, sculptures, and paintings. Set up a “gallery” in the living room. Invite friends and family over for a viewing. Serve snacks and drinks and let the little one take visitors on a guided tour, explaining the inspiration behind each art piece. Here’s another tip: Let them name their artworks and write tiny “artist statements” for full effect.
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