As a parent are you still grappling to find a meaningful engagement to keep your kid busy this summer vacation? Look no further. Shillpi a Singh list of some activities to make it fun-filled for them
It is that time of the year, eagerly awaited by children, but dreaded by most parents. And the countdown has almost begun as schools in the city will break for two-month-long summer vacation in a couple of weeks from now. The mere thought of escaping the daily rigmarole of school routine brings a lot of relief to the students of all hues even as their hapless parents keep reeling and seething with the anxiety on how to keep children fruitfully engaged through these days.
“As parents, most of us want our children to use this time wisely. They should not just end up whiling away their time, and instead indulge in something that adds to their skills, educates, entertains and above all keeps them busy,” says Aparajita Chandra, mother of 11-year-old Shaanvi, who is headed to Pashan Lake in Pune for a half-day bird-watching workshop in Pune today. Organised by Ease India Travel as a part of its summer initiatives aims get more people out of their homes and inculcate a new hobby that can even turn into a life-long passion. Birding or bird watching is an enriching activity that not only takes the children outdoors, but it also teaches them all about the world of birds, their habitats etc.
“We believe in inculcating a spirit of exploration in the minds of the young. During birding, we also explain to children how endemic birds are under threat from a shrinking ecosystem and why it is vital to protect their environment if our future generations are to see these birds at all. So it is like a combination exposure to science, nature and environment in a fun-filled way,” says Ritu Goyal, founder and CEO, Ease India Travel.
But if you have missed this bird watching event, worry not. Here’s a curated list of activities to make the holidays a happy one, both for harried parents and their wards.
Groom them right
What: The summer camp organised by Dr Tushar Guha’s Nrityanjali, the 55-year-old institute of performing arts, education, personality development and management services, is titled Believe in Self and Fun Fiesta.
Who: Children in the age group 6-16 years
Where: Mumbai
When: April 20-26 and May 2-6, 2018
Why: A renowned psychologist, educationist, and corporate trainer, Dr Guha believes that children need to be nurtured and groomed to develop their potential to the best of their ability. The camp brings about positive growth in the mind and body of the child and enhances his/her faculties through meditation, yoga, voice culture, creativity through story weaving, salad dressing and village visit. Classes in art and craft, swimming, music and dramatics, Indian and Western dances will be held.
How: Call 022- 2596 73 88/2595360 or 9987002658/9223387197 or send a mail to nrityanjali@nrityanjali.org.in or nrityanjali@vsnl.com or visit their website (www.nrityanjali.in) for more info.
Let the fun begin
What: The unique multi-sports coaching program from the UK will be organising the most active and fun-filled summer camps at its centres spread across Mumbai. Children here will indulge in multiple sports, ball games, parachute play, develop team spirit and nurture important life skills to make their summer holidays active and truly fun.
When: 1.5 to 2 hours daily (5 to 10-day camps) starting April 16
Who: Children in the age group 3 to 9 years (Batches as per age groups)
Where: Across Mumbai – Borivali, Kandivali, Malad, Goregaon, Andheri, Vile Parle, Khar, Bandra, Chowpatty and Mulund
Why: Director, KFSL, and Master Franchisee of Enjoy-a-Ball India, Pooja Erande says, “Our camps are designed such that we have age appropriate fun-packed activities and ball games across a variety of sports that children are sure to love. Apart from sports activities, we lay huge emphasis on developing social skills, team spirit, sportsmanship and positive relationships through team games and fun activities so that our little Enjoy-a-Ballers take back beautiful memories, new friendships and happy smiley faces back home.”
How: Call 9833011507/9820413472/9820644530 to drop a mail at info.india@enjoy-a-ball.com 
Skill smart
What: With its wide range of activities, Growing Up Social Playshop aims to inculcate life skills along with social-emotional learning in children, teenagers and young adults. Children will learn positive self-image, creative visualization, etiquette (general, behaviour, dining, etc.), body language of self and others, communication (verbal and non-verbal), art of active listening, understand and express emotions, empathy, social competency through fun practical learning, audio/visual activities, games, role plays, guided meditations, etc.
Who: Summer Camps for age group 7 to 11; 12 years onwards can join ‘Teen Empowerment Program’ and then there is a Dining Etiquette program too.
When: 5 days’ Camp of 2.5-3 hours per day and 3 hours Dining Etiquette program; April 16-21 at Mulund and April 23-28 at Thane. May month camps will be announced soon.
Where: Thane, Mulund, Vile Parle, and Powai
Why: Life skills include psycho-social competencies and interpersonal skills. “Skills like positive thinking, social skills and emotional skills help children build healthy relations with self and others, think creatively, communicate effectively, empathize, manage emotions and live their lives healthily and productively. Growing Up Social Playshop works on all the above skillsets and inculcates positivity in children’s mindsets with HYL,” say Smita Manjrekar and Trupti Nachane about the camp activities.
How: Call 9892672902/ 9702155131 to register to mail at growupsocial@gmail.com
Stage it right
What: Prithvi Theatre has been holding summertime workshops for 27 years, and staging plays for children for 14 years, and this summer too one can enjoy the exciting range of plays and workshops at Summertime@Prithvi.
Why: Prithvi Theatre aims to contribute to the development of our society by awakening and exciting the creativity in our youth. Not necessarily to create artists, but to create awareness, respect, and appreciation for the arts in our youth, which will contribute to making a healthy civic society in the future. We do this by holding the annual season of plays and workshops for the youth during the summer, Summertime@Prithvi, tells Kunal Kapoor, Trustee, Prithvi Theatre.
Who: There are plays for children between 3 and 100+ years old and 24 Creative Workshops for the ages 4-16 years.
When: From April 21 to June 9, 2018.
Where: Prithvi Theatre, Juhu
How: Tickets for plays available at Prithvi Theatre from 1 pm to 9 pm and bookmyshow.com; Registration for workshops starts April 8 at Prithvi Theatre.