12 Best Kids Friendly Places to Visit near Bengaluru

I grew up hearing about the soothing weather Bengaluru offers but sadly never got an excuse to excuse myself to visit the city but I often take virtual tours to some of the tourist attractions in the city, all thanks to Google Earth. During my virtual expedition, I stumbled upon some of the best sites I thought are perfect for kids, so after tons of research here I am with a list of the 12 places to visit with kids but only this time, outside the city. By reading this blog, you may get serious travelling goals with your kids when you can enjoy the great outdoor visiting the national parks and bird sanctuaries; the mystic beauty of the heritage sites and the illuminating night shows at the lustrous gardens built in a complete Islamic style of architecture. But these are not the only places to cover, kids who love glitz and glamour can visit the film city, there are trekking places for those who love adventure and also camping sites for those who enjoy dwelling in the wild. Don’t worry, I have also listed less adrenaline-pumping places to that can be suitable for both kids and you, come let us scroll down to know more.

Bannerghatta National Park: A place where kids can get first hand wildlife experience

As an 8-year-old, wildlife was something new to me, something magical yet realistic, the only thing I remember was seeing a beautiful red panda running through the bushes finally climbing a tree. Such instances make childhood memories worth remembering, so why not you do the same for your kids. Before 10 years of age it is the best time to take your kids to the national parks and for that matter, you can visit Bannerghatta National Park located just an hour away from the city centre of Bengaluru. Since you’re travelling with kids, chances are you may get exhausted by the end of the day and to relieve your tiredness; BNP has jungle lodges and resorts like Muyura Vanashree that offers sleeping accommodation and restaurants to fill your tummy. And to make things even more convenient, there is another restaurant called Hill View located in the vicinity of the national park. In addition to witnessing beautiful animals via safari, the park also facilitates boating activities to relax.

• Timings: 09:30 to 17:00
• Safari: 10:00 to 16:30
• Distance from Bengaluru: 35.7 km by NH48

Innovative Film City: A place where the kids can learn, explore and enjoy

Getting bored is out question when you visit Innovative Film City and I mean for both kids and parents. This entertaining hub has a lot of kid-friendly activities where you get to see amazing attractions and museums, venture on adventure sports and explore the studios by that I mean the 3D ones. Basically, you’ll make the day out of it and your kids won’t make haste to go home. At the film city near Bengaluru, the attractions that can lure your kids is probably the Cartoon City where you’ll be surrounded by old and new toon friends, caution, even you (parent) will be a kid again. There are other attractions too like the Aqua Kingdom where you can soak in the waters in hot summers and enjoy watersports like a wave pool, lazy rivers and slides. Do you love dinosaurs, well then experience the lost world where dinos rule at Dino Park and also explore the Haunted Mansion where skeletons, zombies and everything scary will to life. There are other fun things to do here like Go Karting, Bungy Jumping and even a Bull Ride. What’s best are the tours to studios like Bigg Boss House and the Innovative Film Academy along with popular museums such as Wax Museum and Tribal Museum that helps kids learn and educate about filmmaking and art and craft.

• Timings: 10:00 to 19:00
• Distance from Bengaluru: 40.7 km by NH275

Mysore: A city that offers something for all kinds of attractions from amusement parks, to heritage sites

The southwestern Karnataka city of Mysore now known as Mysuru is amongst the best cities to visit with kids since it has a cluster of family-friendly attractions. One place kids would love to visit in Mysore is the amusement park called GRS Fantasy Park where exciting children rides like Ramp Slide, Baby Train, Mini Aqua Bowl are the all-time favourites. The park also features some rides for adults like Freefall Crazy Cruise, Dragon’s Den etc. Mysore Zoo on the other hand is also a notable place to visit that houses all sorts of animals and birds like anacondas, zebras, baboons, tigers etc. If you are bored of that, visit the Rail Museum which is another best attraction for kids because along with exploring the toy train and vintage locomotives, the exhibits also offer kids very informative tour around the museum. Karanji Lake is another great place where you can enjoy boating and sightsee many birds like ibises, storks black swans and a wide range of butterfly.

• Timings: 08:30 to 17:30
• Distance from Bengaluru: 149 km by NH275

Shivanasamudra Waterfalls: A soothing paradise of waterfalls where not only you but even your kids will not want to leave from

The fresh smell of the waft that gently pass through the air when the water hits the hard surface of the rocks has always been my favourite sight to see. Similar to the national parks, this is one of the most cherished memories that I’d like to revisit time and again. But coming back to the waterfalls there in a distant place three-hour drive from Bengaluru is a small island city of Shivanasamudra that offers a visual treat of Barachukki and Gaganachukki waterfalls. What can you do here is, of course, adore the phenomenal sight from the two respective viewpoints, there is also another viewpoint called Dargah which offers a spectacular sight of the waterfall. Asia’s first hydroelectric power station is also located in Shivanasamudra built in 1902. Shivanasamudra also has a few ancient temples and a boating facility near Madhya Ranga Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, which is one of the renowned temples in the whole of Karnataka.

• Distance from Bengaluru: 138 km by NH275

Horsley Hills: A place away from the car fumes where only sweet fragrance of nature and spine-tingling attractions exist

Another romantic destination near in Andhra Pradesh that is also one of the most preferred places for a family getaway is Horsley Hill. This town offers a soothing environment that results in best escapade for city dwellers, the uninterrupted view of the mountains and lake from the viewpoint is quite a reputed attraction here. Often seen lovebirds parading holding hands, sights of family trippers wearing giant hats and pitch black shades on top of fluorescent ‘kurta pajama‘ can also be seen (no offence). Besides adoring the endless expanse of lustrous land and the orange dipping sunset, you can also visit Gali Bandalu. A rocky attractive slope aka Windy Rock is another famous attraction that as its bonafide tag receives a lot of speedy wind. If you are not tired of waterfalls and animals yet, Horsley Hills also features Kaigal Falls running down from forty feet high along with wildlife destination, the Horsley Hill Zoo.

• Distance from Bengaluru: 157 km by Bellary Road

Brindavan Gardens: A perfect resting place surrounded by freshness of flora and magical fountains dancing to the rhythm of music

Adjacent to Kaveri River and the Dam, this beautifully Mughal built Brindavan Gardens is one of the most popular tourist spots in Karnataka. This symmetric design terrace garden is surrounded by colourful ornamental plants that also feature a number of fountains that illuminate with colourful lighting during the night show. As a kid, seeing the fountains dance in the rhythm of the music is one one of the most memorable experiences. The Brindavan Gardens are divided into South Brindavan, North Brindavan and Childrens’ Garden, there is also a fruit orchard, two Horticulture Farms and Cacti and Succulent Garden.

• Timings: 6:30 to 21:00
• Distance from Bengaluru: 149 km by NH275

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary: A home to migratory birds and a place where boat rides never seemed more adventurous

Let’s cheer for one of the best bird sanctuaries in India, Ranganathittu that offers a safe refuge to some of the exotic birds. Since it is located on the banks of River Cauvery with a wide expanse of deciduous forests, it gives an inviting feel not only to birds but also aviary lovers. One of the fascinating things you’ll get to see as soon as you enter the bird sanctuary is probably the huge bamboo trees which the city dweller hardly get to see. Similarly, a collection of eucalyptus, figs, karanji, jamun also makes the park radiant. Along with bird species such as white ibis, little cormorant, spoon bills, painted stork, open-billed stork, lesser whistling teal and many more, this sanctuary also is home to mammals and reptiles like common mongoose, common otter, flying fox, bonnet macaque, palm civet and marsh crocodile. If you seek for an adventure activity, boat rides tours are also offered guided by experienced boatmen where you may get a glimpse of species like crocodiles.

• Timings: 9:00 to 18:00

For Indians

• Entry: Rs 50 I Rs 25
• Boating: Rs 50 I Rs 25

For Foreigners

• Entry: Rs 300
• Boating: Rs 300
• Distance from Bengaluru: 135 km by NH275

Janapada Loka: A destination that treasures crafts and artworks offering insights on state’s culture

You’ll come across Janapada Loka or Folk World en route Mysuru from Bengaluru and it is often ignored by many passersby but this museum is a must visit for all the right reasons. Preserving the rural Karnataka folk culture, here a sense of old world charm can be felt. I know it may not seem to be an ideal place for kids, but truth be told, it could help in education. The museum treasures a collection of shadow puppets that is around 500-year-old, folk-art objects, musical instruments, temple chariots, festival costumes and replica of a traditional Karnataka village. One of the best things about Janapada Loka is that it offers a platform for local musicians, rural artisans and even craftspeople to highlight their artworks. The main attractions of Janapada Loka, however, are the multiple sculptures of the rural Karnataka folk culture. A visit here provides an opportunity to witness the traditions of Karnataka all in one place, now, the next time you pass by, make sure to at least spend some time here, take lots of pictures and buy souvenirs.

Note: Closed on Tuesdays

• Timings: 09:00 to 17:00/30
• Distance from Bengaluru: 57.7 km by NH275

Channapatna: A place to learn the ancient method of toy making

Welcome to the ‘Toy Town’ of Karnataka in Channapatna, a small south Indian destination famed for the wooden toys and lacquerware. The speciality of the toys here are that, they are made from soft ivory wood completely prepared from vegetable dyes, interesting isn’t it? You can come with kids and your visit here will be even more exciting, take a look around the toy bazaar you’ll see an assortment of Channapatna toys displayed by the artisans. If we go back to the history to unravel on how it all started, Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore invited artisans from Persia and trained them to make wooden toys. But who says toys are only for kids, in fact, there are also a number small toys with a hook that work best as a keychain or something to hang on your car mirror or simply at home. Besides visiting the toy bazaar, Channapatna also lets you visit the temple of Navaneetha Krishna, visit wine testing and also the Bharat Art and Crafts.

• Distance from Bengaluru: 66.7 km by NH275

Channarayana Durga: A perfect trek to find complete isolation, a rustic fort and few ancient temples

For little adventurous ones, Channarayana Durga is a perfect destination to venture on a trek to a fort located on a hill. This trek is considered to be a moderate all year round, but I’d rather stay away during the monsoons since the stones remain slippery. For beginner kids who enjoy trek, this is not a bad option, however, there are no signboards to make aware of the directions due to fewer tourists, but that was years ago, hopefully, there are a few signs put up now. Thankfully, guides can also be hired form the village in case you feel safer that way. The trek to the hill fort starts from a small village of the same name, Channarayana Durga and it has three stages. The top most part of the fort consists of pond, temples and vegetation, the second rather has the ruins damaged by treasure hunters, it was probably used for storing ammunition and food grains. There is also a watchtower that overlooks at the dry green shrub and hillocks in the third part of the fort.

Note: During the medieval times, this ancient Channarayana Durga was one of the most prised forts and many battles were fought for its possession finally falling into the hands of the Maratha Kingdom.

• Distance from Bengaluru: 97.9 km by SH3

Melukote: A destination filled with rich heritage temples, each displaying exquisite architecture

A land filled with the richness of heritage, Melukote is one of the sacred destinations in the whole of Karnataka surrounded by ancient temples each telling stories through their architecture. This place is famous for the temple of Cheluvanarayana Swamy that is beautifully built displaying intricate design and an exquisite collection of the jewels. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and it is also believed to have visited by Lord Ram. During the famous festival of Vairamudi Sevam, the idol is paraded around the temple wearing a diamond crown which is displayed only during special occasions. If you are planning to visit here during the months of March-April, make sure to witness this phenomenal event. Yoga Narasimha Temple is also another most visited shrine located on a hilltop which makes it a vantage point for birdwatching. Dedicated to the Lord Yoga Narasimha, it is said that the King of Mysore presented a golden crown to the Lord here. Apart from the heritage attractions, Melukote Temple Wildlife Sanctuary is another wildlife place famous for housing wild cats like leopard, langur, pangolin and bonnet macaque.

• Distance from Bengaluru: 143 km by NH275

Bheemeshwari: A place perfect for kids to experience wildlife and grownups to plunge in the lap of luxury

Something the kids would enjoy and perhaps never forget, I certainly wouldn’t, Bheemeshwari is one of the best places for camping and experiencing jungle life. It does not matter whether you’re visiting with kids just to be closer to nature or being a part of thrilling adventure activities. Bheemeshwari’s Nature and Adventure Camp will certainly offer a great weekend holiday for kids as well as grown-ups. The adventure sports the camp offers are zip-lining, rope walking, and even kayaking, for wildlife seekers, you can spot animals like elephants, deer, turtles, crocodiles, snakes and a lot of bird species and the largest game fish know to all fishing lovers, the great mahseer. I’d say a stay here is an experience since Bheemeshwari Nature and Adventure Camp features five jungle camps and around eighteen resorts and even tree houses and charming huts each offering their best facilities all at a comfort to the wallet prices (depends on how you like your stay).

• Distance from Bengaluru: 108 km by NH275

Bengaluru is one of the outstanding destinations in India that offer beautiful attractions to visit for all kind of travellers, true that. But it also has some promising places around it and hopefully, after reading the blog, you found ideal places to take your kids to. And if it is the transportation or tickets you are worried about, you can give us a call at ( +91-9212553106/07 ) to know about our best tour packages. Liked whatever you just read? Well, then give my blog a big thumb up and also share and re-share because good information should be passed to all.