Chennai for Children

Jules

Hi all, Just joined the Forum having been in Chennai working since March 2006.
My wife and 3 year old have joined me in the last weeks. Does anyone have any advice for good, healthy, fun things to do for children other than the zoo etc.
Thanks.
Jules

Nick-H

I don't know the small zoo at Guindy... the main zoo is an hour (maybe two; depends where you are starting) or so drive outside Chennai, at Vandalur. It is a favourite day out for Mrs N and I; we just happen to like the place. It probably wouldn't get many child-points compared to, say, London zoo --- but I'm sure it will good for at least one day out.

There's the Crocodile Bank... I would guess that the proximity to big, lethal animals might score good child points. They also have some snakes there, for venom harversting. It is closer to Chennai as well.

There is the MGM Dizzy World. Can't say anything about it, a I hate fairground or amusement park stuff and would never go. I would not trust my child to the safety of an Indian roller coaster. Or myself!

Welcome to the site

I'm sure that after a year-plus of working here you can give good advice to others. We get a regular stream of would-be and may-be Chennaiites!

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Jules

Hi Mike et al.

Thanks for the reply. Just spent a great afternoon with my daughter enjoying the fun of the Sunday brunch at the Courtyard. (ok so maybe a little expensive but great for new commers). I shall endeavour to supply Chennai for Children options to the site. Jules

SAHM

Try Vanilla in Mylapore. They have an indoor and outdoor play area with babysitters - I think it's Rs 150 per visit. You can see the children and they have access to you while you eat at the cafe, enjoy the wireless internet, or shop at their small (but very high-quality) children's store. The indoor play area is like one that you would find at an American mall, all soft covered floors and things to climb on, etc. Vanilla also offers children's movement classes and massages for mums. It's very nice, especially on rainy days.

Another option is to go south on ECR to the cleaner and less crowded beaches - south of Neelangarai the beaches are sometimes maintained by the people who live in the houses that face them. (i.e., us). We pay crews a few rupees a month to pick up the trash, but it is a public beach, and we don't mind if you bring your kids. You will see some other expatriate children out and about. The beaches abound with small crabs to chase and seashells, although the rip tides are said to be fierce.

Many people like to take their children to Ideal Beach, which I understand is close to Mahaballapuram (sp?). It is a family resort which offers a clean beach, pool, food, and massages/spa treatments. It is very popular on the weekends with expatriate families, so again, you will see other children there.

There is a children's restaurant and games place, similiar to the American Chuck E. Cheese's, in CitiCenter. I haven't personally been there but it is said to be nice. Tons of video games and so forth.

Most people enroll their children in a local creche or preschool. Ones I have heard good reviews about include Gateway, The Alps, and the American International School (although I believe that AISC is currently full, but you should check). There are many more. This of course allows the kids to socialize and learn a bit of academics, while also providing opportunities for the moms to get to know other moms.

There are many of us in town with small children. Even if you can't get (or don't want to get) your child into AISC, that is the main hub for mothers with kids. It might be worth a visit (tour) of the school for you to see what is going on - even to just check out the bulletin boards for other opportunities to mingle.

Good luck,

SAHM

Jules

Hi and many thanks for the recommendations especially Vanilla which both my wife and daughter greatly enjoyed!!

ISN

Some interesting places to visit in Chennai

Chennai Government Museum http://www.chennaimuseum.org/

Valluvar Kottam http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valluvar_Kottam

Adyar Banyan Tree http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/m...1600230300.htm

Kalakshetra http://www.kalakshetra.net/

Birla Planetarium http://www.chennaibest.com/discoverc.../museums01.asp

Elliots Beach

Theosophical Society http://www.ts-adyar.org/

San Thome Basilica http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Tho...edral_Basilica

VGP Golden Beach Resort http://chennaionline.com/toursntrave...terest/vgp.asp

Vedantangal Bird Sanctuary http://www.indiantigers.com/vedantan...sanctuary.html

Madras Crocodile Bank http://www.madrascrocodilebank.org/Aboutus.htm

Dakshinachitra http://www.dakshinachitra.net/index.htm

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Nick-H

You say 'other than the zoo etc' --- is that because you don't want to go there, or simply because you know about it already?

I'm fond of Vandalur Zoo --- and it is pretty spread out, so requires a lot of walking. Good for exhausting the children!

I could add Metacaudu boating lake to the list if I could spell it .

Also St Thomas Mount, for a dose of ancient Christian history and a great view.

ISN

Muttukadu http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/15/stor...1559490400.htm

St. Thomas Mount http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Thomas_Mount

India with 4 kids!

We spent lots of time with our four kids at the big bookstores in Chennai -- the Landmark at Spencer and the one at the new big mall (sorry I can't remember the name!). They had great kids book sections!

Also, we drove out of town to Mamallapuram (I'm sure I spelled that wrong!) and my kids did enjoy the stone sculptures/and connected stories.

Hope this helps,

India with 4 kids!

Nick-H

I prefer the older name, Mahabalipuram, but I think your spelling is right!

It is not that far from town, especially as many ex-pats settle near the coast on the ECR, so there is no driving accross the city to start with. Less than an hour to drive, so good even for an afternoon out.

SAHM

Forgot to mention the playgroup that the Overseas Women's Club hosts. The contact is Stephanie at 9940101343. This is a great way to network also.

SAHM

nikkikrish

Hi all, I'm new to this site. Does anyone know if this meetup group with kids still exists and any addional/different advise (since this thread is so old)?

I've been to India 5x. I absolutely loved my first two trips, and have struggled with the last 3 (since I had children). My husband is Tamil, so we go at least once a year, for 1 month. I'll be going again this January (2009). I realize I need to somehow get more engaged in Chennai, and with some things that are appropriate for small children (3yrs & 1yr). My husband works while we're there, so it's kind of like picking up and moving for 4 weeks. He would actually like to have us go more often or even move there. But, I've been struggling.

ISN

The Overseas Women’s Club is still active checkout these links

http://www.owcmadras.com/

http://www.owcmadras.com/activities.htm

Can you share with the forum in what industry your husband works?

nikkikrish

Wow, thank you so much for these links! I checked them out and it seems as if this is exactly what I've been looking for (I also LOVE to cook South Indian food).

My husband works in IT/Software Development. He has his own company with offices both in Seattle USA and Chennai. So, he actually travels to Chennai for 3/4 weeks every 3 months, which is why he would actually like me and the kids to go more often than 1x year.

We have a flat in Besant Nagar.