Things to do with kids in Kochi

Things to do with kids in Kochi

1. BuyErnakulam

   Bay Pride Mall

   A small-sized family mall, one of the earliest in Kochi, in heart of city with a few brand stores, a small food court, a fitness centre, a gift shop and a music store. Also connects directly to Marine Drive.

2. SeeThrippunithura

   Hill Palace Museum

   The erstwhile Kochi Maharaja's palace, now converted to a large museum with a small zoo. Has paintings and epigraphy from collections of Travancore and Cochin royal families. It is the largest archaeological palace in South India with more than 500 artifacts divided into 16 galleries. The highlight of the Palace is the display of multi-billion worth Cochin Royal Crown and Crown Jewels. The Crown Gallery is a high security zone with elaborate security checks. Photography and bags are prohibited. The Palace complex is huge with several buildings inside. There is a good Deer Park (10AM-4:30PM) which also has peacocks. A small fauna garden was set up in 2003. The palace has more than 100 different species of trees and plants of medical value. The palace has five large gardens and two large resting grounds of late Maharajas.

   10AM-12:30PM; 2-4:30PM (Crown Gallery closes at 4PM) (closed Mondays)·Indians ₹20, foreigners ₹500 (including Deer Park and all attractions)

3. DoThrippunithura

   Kalikotta

   The official concert palace hall of the Kochi royal family who are patrons of more than a dozen cultural institutions and societies. Most performances are free. The mega Kathakali festival organised prior to Temple festival of Thripunithura Poornathresya Royal temple, is one of the largest Kathakali events here.

4. SeeKalamassery

   Kerala Museum

   A good, well maintained museum with a 40 minute light and sound show (English and Malayalam) about Kerala history. Depicts the history of Kerala through life-like wax statues. Adjacent are the Museum of Dolls with nearly 1,000 dolls from various countries, and M.N.F Art and Sculpture Gallery that has many good collections of paintings and sculptures. This museum has a small, well maintained garden.

   ₹100 (₹30 for children)

5. BuyKalamassery

   Lulu International Shopping Mall

   A big shopping mall, consisting of more than 360 outlets including food courts, restaurants, family entertainment zones and a nine-screen multiplex, ice skating rink and bowling alley.

6. DoErnakulam

   Marine Drive Walkway

   A two-km-long promenade and no car is allowed to ply there. The backwaters are on one side and a busy shopping district is on the other side of the walk. The walkway starts from, goes through two scenic bridges and ends at Rajendra Maidan. The total distance is less than a kilometre. Stroll along this calm stretch without motorised traffic and enjoy an ice cream or fruit juice. A few malls stand along the way. Chill off the heat while you walk with a Sharjah shake or ice-cream, or one of the local delicacies. There is a children's park in the middle and two hanging bridges.

7. SeeOld Kochi

   Peirce Leslie Bungalow

   The only surviving bungalow built in authentic Portuguese style, it was the home and office of a famous English merchant family - the Leslies. It has been restored into a boutique hotel. The hotel management allows tourists to explore the grand exteriors and public interior spaces.

8. DoErnakulam

   Silverstorm Water Park

   A good family theme park with 29 water and dry rides, a very large park and a Chinese village

9. EatErnakulam Not mapped

   Lokah World Cuisines

   Offers nine international cuisines from an American Wild West theme to Vietnamese sea-food, Italian pastas and Arabic grills. This restaurant has a family hall, a smoking lounge, a street food area and French cafe along with bakery. Free wifi for guests.

   11AM-11PM

10. EatOld Kochi Not mapped

    Upstairs Italian

    Run by an Italian family, classic traditional Italian cuisines.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Kochi (CC BY-SA 4.0).