50 Essential India Experiences With The Kids

Mountains, monuments, markets and meals—it’s always the best time to get the kids to fall in love with our incredible country.

- Chaitali Patel

MAKE CHEESE ON A FARM IN THE HILLS, TAMIL NADU

At a farm stay, the kids can get to see firsthand how food is grown and animals are reared, and the hard work and passion it takes to keep a farm up and running. Eat, make and talk all things cheese at Acres Wild, a 22-acre, family-run, organic cheese-making farm in Coonoor, in the Nilgiris. Immerse in the eco-friendly, sustainable way of life at this property. About six hours away lies Cinnabar, a farm stay in the Palani hills that encourages nurturing your relationship with the land and the food it gives you. Guests can learn bread-making and cheese-making and take part in harvesting from the heirloom vegetable garden.

BE A CULTURE VULTURE IN CHETTINAD, TAMIL NADU

Chettinad is one of India’s most culturally rich regions. Visit the village of Athangudi, known for its handpainted tiles. Children enjoy making patterns with freshly made colours on these tiles. Drive a half-hour to reach the village of Karaikudi, famous for its resplendent mansions built by affluent traders, and its potters who delight in showing you a trick or two at the wheel. The highlight has to be the large and charming terracotta horses, painted in bright colours, and placed as votive offerings at Ayyanar temples by devotees seeking boons and protection. These Ayyanar temples can be found in the forests a little outside the villages; lookout for the one closest to Karaikudi. —Priti Mahajan

PICNIC UNDER THE LOFTY TREES OF CUBBON PARK, BENGALURU