Are you planning a family trip to India and wondering what the best places to visit in Delhi are for kids? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered in this guide to the best family-friendly things to do in Delhi, with plenty of kid-friendly activities, places to eat with kids, and tips on some of the best family-friendly hotels in Delhi too. Read on!
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Best places to visit with Family in Delhi
While Delhi may not be the first destination that comes to mind when planning a family trip, there are plenty of fun places for the kids in Delhi (and adults too!). Many members of our India Travel Facebook group have planned family trips to India and had a great time.
India is not only an amazing place for adventurous kids to visit and experience a culture that can be very different from what they are used to back home, but India also has to be one of the most kid-friendly destinations in the world. Occupying a central place in society and being good at practically everything!
a city with a rich history, beautiful historic buildings, and bustling markets. With the right approach to traveling to Delhi with the family and an open mind, the capital city of India can be a truly magical place for the whole family to explore. The best that child-friendly Delhi has to offer includes amazing history and monuments, museums, markets, street food, great restaurants, shops, and a bit of nature too!
Read on to discover my top tips for having the best family trip to Delhi, including where to stay, what to do, where to eat, and how to get around.
Why Plan a Family Trip to Delhi?
Delhi is a place full of history, mayhem, unbelievably good food, and adventure! Experiencing Delhi with children can give you lifelong experiences if you know what and how to explore!
It has beautiful architecture and adventure parks that will please young and old alike. That’s not all, there are plenty of weekend getaways from Delhi to some truly amazing hill stations in India, which you can also include in your family’s Delhi itinerary.
Read on to learn more about all the places you can visit in Delhi with your family!
What to do in Delhi with Kids
Apart from all the usual top places to visit in Delhi, here are some of my favorite attractions to explore with the little ones in tow. Depending on the age and taste of your children, you can customize it accordingly.
The Jantar Mantar
This is truly an architectural masterpiece. This building was specially designed to make astronomical weather readings easy, and older kids with an interest in science and astronomy will love it.
Take your time to understand the reason behind its creation, it is very interesting and will help you understand more about the history of India.
The India Gate
India Gate is the city’s war memorial, and it is situated at the end of the Rajpath in the center of Lutyens’ New Delhi. It was built in memory of all the Indian soldiers who were massacred during the First World War.
India Gate also has a 10-acre children’s park where you can find a library, musical fountain, theater, and amphitheater, along with games and toys. Your kids will surely love to visit this place, it is a great place for them to learn about Indian history as well. While there is no information on display, it is a good place to tell your children stories about India’s recent history. You can also look back down the Rajpath towards the Indian government buildings.
Tip: The best time to visit the Gateway of India is at sunset!
Kingdom of Dreams Amusement Park
Perfect for younger children, or just when the kids have had enough of history, an amusement park like Kingdom of Dreams can be a great option to keep everyone in the family entertained. The kingdom of dreams is located in the suburbs of Delhi (Gurgaon) and is a fairyland of childhood. Traveling here is worth your time and effort!
In the park, you will find different theatrical performances that will be very entertaining for your children.
Additionally, Culture Gully should not be missed. Along with a crafts village and street performers, one can find several restaurants based on the cultures of various Indian states here. To enter the Culture Gully, you have to pay $10, which can be redeemed for food.
Humayun’s Tomb & Isa Khan’s Tomb
If you love Mughal-style monuments, Humayun’s Tomb and Isa Khan’s Tomb are great places to visit.
Although Humayun’s Tomb is a popular site, Isa Khan’s Tomb is in a quieter corner, and the grounds are large enough to ensure you rarely feel crowded here. So there is usually plenty of space to take your time to wander around with a guide or on your own and fill your kids in on Delhi’s Mughal architecture and history.
It’s also a good place to watch the sunset, and Isa Khan’s octagonal tomb also makes a nice backdrop for family photos.
Qutab Minar
Located at the southern tip of Delhi, the Qutub Minar is part of the Qutab complex, an impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is the tallest brick building in the world, a fact that will impress and intrigue your little ones!
There are some fun photo opportunities here, of your children holding the minaret or running around it.
Tip: stick around to watch the pigeons fly over the Minar, it’s a sight to behold!
Akshardham Temple
A relatively new addition to the Hindu temples in Delhi and recently completed in 2005, the Akshardham Temple certainly packs a punch when it comes to size and grandeur. Apart from being a magnificent-looking structure, there are interesting activities within this Swaminarayan temple that visit a fun experience for the whole family.
Also, several statues and robots add even more life to this place and will keep your children busy.
Tip: Try to visit here outside of the weekends, as it can get very crowded on Saturdays and Sundays, with long queues…
Safdarjung tomb
Another great place to visit with your children is the Safdarjung Tomb, which was built from sandstone and marble in 1754. This mausoleum is a great place to introduce your children to intriguing Mughal architecture (Indo-Islamic architecture) and gets fewer visitors than Humayun’s Tomb.
There is also a park here where you can have a nice picnic with your children.
Okhla Bird Sanctuary
Finally, there is the Okhla Bird Sanctuary Park, an easy day trip from Delhi. You can spend several hours observing more than 300 different bird species.
Here you will especially find different varieties of waterfowl, it is a beautiful place and a great way to introduce and teach your children about the different types of birds.
Where to Stay: Best Family Hotels in Delhi
Delhi has many accommodations available. From budget stays to pricey hotels, there are plenty to choose from, with great options for family hotels in Delhi that even your kids will love.
Some of the options recommended below are in Gurgaon, which offers more space and larger rooms, others have facilities like kids’ clubs but are around a 30-minute metro ride from Delhi (a long drive with traffic). If you want to stay in central Delhi, choose the Delhi city hotel options instead.
Below you can find my recommendations on accommodation in Delhi, all of these properties are great places to stay for both you and your children.
The Gurgaon Trident
Trident is hands down the best place to stay if you have kids! It has a Kids Club where your children can participate in fun activities such as crafts and baking.
There is also a games room, a library, and a swimming pool, so you can relax while your children have fun in the games room.
Also, children under 8 years old are free. Finally, on Sundays, the Tridente organizes brunches where children eat for free!
Click here for rates / to reserve a room at the Trident
The Claridges, New Delhi
Claridges is not only a wonderful place to stay, but it also has a great restaurant! The food here is delicious, and on top of that, they put on fun puppet shows to entertain guests on some nights. Your kids will love it!
Claridges also has a beautiful pool and offers fun activities like cookie baking.
Vivant of the Taj
The Vivanta by Taj hotel has something in store for everyone in the family! For children, there are treasure hunts, and movie screenings, for adults, there are different activities such as barefoot dining by the pool, street food, and more.
You can also see artisans making pottery and bangles, giving a perfect Indian cultural touch to this place.
The Oberoi, New Delhi
Oberoi hotels have fairly spacious rooms, making them the perfect place to stay for a family trip.
Oberoi hotels also offer many personalized services, where the staff go out of their way to accommodate the entire family.
Also, they try their best to help tourists better understand Indian culture. All in all, your stay at an Oberoi hotel is sure to be a fabulous experience for the whole family.
The Scarlette, New Delhi
The Scarlette is more of a very cozy guesthouse than a five-star hotel, unlike some of the other suggestions below. The cozy pension was created with families and their young children in mind.
Being owned and operated by a French ex-pat, The Scarlette is an excellent place to stay. It even provides babysitting services.
Best places to eat with children in Delhi
There are many fantastic restaurants in Delhi, but I’ve listed a few of my favorites for families below. Choose busy restaurants over ones that feel empty if you want to be sure the food is fresh (lots of movement on the plates). When in doubt, order an Indian Thali because it is always freshly prepared.
If your kids are a little more adventurous and you want to mix things up, a great option to consider is taking a food tour of Old Delhi – your guide will take you to the best (and most hygienic) stalls so you can get a real taste of popular snacks and Indian cuisine.
Delhi Heights Cafe
This place not only serves delicious food but is also a fun place for kids. Because? It has many games that your children can enjoy! There are also books that you can browse during your visit.
Cafe Delhi Heights has several branches in Delhi and Gurgaon.
Fio Country Kitchen and Bar
Located on the south side of Delhi, this restaurant is decorated with fairy lights, making it a cute place to visit. Although it is considered a perfect place for a (first) date, families can also really enjoy this place, since live shows and special concerts take place from time to time.
Cafe Rose, Said ul Ajaib
If you are looking for privacy and a cute little place with lovely decor, Rose Cafe is the place for you.
Here you can find cafeteria food including Italian, Lebanese, and Mediterranean cuisine. It is a perfect place in Delhi to dine with your family.
Lodhi – The Garden Restaurant, Lodhi Road
Finally, Lodhi Road is another must-see place in Delhi. With incredible graffiti and a garden with architectural wonders, this place is on every traveler’s wish list.
And, if you are exploring this side of the city, you can enjoy a great dinner at their Garden Restaurant.
Tip: This place hosts concerts from time to time, so it’s a good idea to call them and check if they have a table available before you go.
Transport in Delhi – Getting around Delhi with children
Delhi is very well connected and easy to get around! You can travel by bus or Indian rickshaw.
If you plan to get around by auto rickshaw (a true cultural experience), be sure to agree on a price before getting on to avoid being overcharged. There are no flat rates for cars, however, bus fares are fixed.
Another way to travel comfortably is the taxi or taxi. Ola and Uber are the most convenient ways to travel. All you have to do is download its app.
Whenever you plan to move from one place to another, just enter your desired destination and a taxi will be there to pick you up.
Safe Family Travel to Delhi
Delhi can be overwhelming at times. It can be quite a culture shock for tourists, with so much traffic, people, or pollution at the same time. The sheer number of people (Delhi is home to over 20 million) can be overwhelming. For more information on coping, check out my guide to coping with culture, shock in India here.
One important thing to remember is not to travel (late at night) at night. If you have to travel during this time, it’s best to ride Uber or Ola, or at least have a local guide with you.
Another security measure to adopt is to carry the shoulder bag in a lateral position. Unfortunately, pickpockets are quite evident in crowded places.
That being said, if proper precautions are taken, Delhi is a wonderful place to visit with children. You just have to get used to the idea of crowded places and how to behave.
And always remember, traveling to India is like looking in a mirror, it will reflect what you expect to see.
Visiting Delhi with children – Conclusion
India is a nation where there are many different cultures and mindsets. You will receive from him what you are hoping for. Enter the nation and welcome it with open arms; you will undoubtedly feel at home and loved there.
Nothing prevents you from organizing a family trip to this wonderful nation now that you can apply for an Indian visa online.
You can find warmth, kindness, and beauty in the people of India despite its chaos and invisible magic!
India has something to offer everyone and it all begins or ends in Delhi. This includes the Ladakh Mountains, Bangalore’s gardens, and Jaipur’s stunning forts. Our Team “MVH Travels” tailors holidays for your specific needs. Contact us for further information where we can modify your travel arrangement to suit your needs for a “Life-Time Memorable India/International Tour”.