12 Places To Visit With Kids In Kochi

Kochi (also known as Cochin) is a city in Southwest India's coastal Kerala state. It is also called the Queen of the Arabian Sea. It is a city covered with beautiful spots that display Kochi for what it is, beautiful, scenic and artsy. Along with a huge display of art and culture, Kochi is a place that has multiple places for kids to explore, enjoy and learn from. We Bring you a list of 12 places to visit with your kids in Kochi.

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Fort Kochi - Places to Visit in Fort Kochi

The main sites are conveniently contained in a relatively small area, making it all accessible for little legs. Fort Kochi, also known as Old Kochi or West Kochi is a beautiful place with a lot of history. There are 2 beautiful churches in Fort Kochi. One, Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica. Built by the Portugese , it is located right in the centre of town. It is a prominent landmark and is a beautiful white on the outside and colourful frescoes and paintings. Second, St. Francis Church. Built by the built by the Europeans in India and its most prominent feature is that it houses the erstwhile resting place of legendary explorer Vasco Da Gama.

Take a wander along the quiet, colourful Princess Street and Burgher Street. Check out Teapot Café at Peter Celli; they have a stunning display of 100 different kinds of teapots and tea chests that double up as tables. Be sure to check out the cool street art along the way. Walk back towards the Chinese Fishing nets via the Beach Walkway, alongside Mahatma Gandhi Beach.

Entrance Fee : No Charges
Timings: Best before 5 PM

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Ferry To Fort Kochi

There are lots of transport options to reach Fort Kochi: auto-rickshaw, taxi or bus direct from your hotel. However, we’d recommend the fifteen minute ferry crossing , the kids will love it. There are even freighters and navy ships to spot en-route.

Entrance Fee: Under Rs 10 per person ( free for those under 5 ).

Matancherry - Places to Visit in Matancherry

Matancherry is a small town within Kochi that oozes historical charm and are dotted with monuments from the past. It would be considered an incomplete trip without visiting Matancherry. Take a walk or a bicycle to explore the town. The town of Mattancherry has the following places to explore:

• The 365 year old St George Orthodox Church aka Koonan Kurishu – the oldest St George church in Kochi.
• A Gujarati Jain Temple built in 1960
• Paradesi Synagogue– the oldest functioning synagogue in India
• Mural art at Mattancherry Palace
• Stroll and shop along Jew Town

Entrance: No Charges
Timings: Mattancherry Palace is open 9am-5pm Sat-Thurs, Pardesi Synagogue is open 10am-1pm and 3pm-5pm Sun-Thurs, closed Jewish holidays , Jain Temple is open from 5:30am – 7:30pm, St George Orthodox Church is open from 6am – 9:30pm.

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Subhash Park - Parks in Kochi

Subhash Bose Park is a classic choice for families to bond over like the old times. The oldest, largest, and most famous park in Kochi it has become one of the icons of the city. The park has the usual fun and rides but is more elaborate and spacious. There are swings and large grassy lawns for children to play, while adults can catch up with each other, relaxing on the nearby benches. Apart from the regular recreational activities, kids can enjoy the boat ride, train ride and so on.

Entrance Fee: No charges
How to reach: Take a bus to Marine Drive and get down at the District Court bus stop
Timings: 10am to 9pm

Wonderla Kochi

Wonderla, formerly known as Veegaland, is the name that stands for entertainment and complete fun for the entire family. The oldest amusement park in Kerala, this theme park has the most thrilling rides and even a water park. The park is so huge that it is almost like a town, filled with wholesome fun and entertainment.

Entry fee: Rs 970 for adults and Rs 620 for children
How to reach: Located in Pallikara, the best way to reach Wonderla is by hiring a taxi
Timings: Open daily from 11am to 6pm (weekdays) and 11am to 7pm (weekends and public holidays).

Hill Palace - Places to Visit With Kids in Kochi

Hill Palace was built in 1865 and is a palace later turned into a museum and an excellent place for kids to learn more about history. It is built in a traditional Kerala style architecture. It was well preserved art, murals and different kinds of paintings. Antique ceramics from the Far East, Tombstone, Hood stone, Laterite memorials, contemporary art and wooden memorials from ancient civilisations like the Indus Valley and Harada are also kept for display here. The main highlight among the above is the Gold crown which is fitted with precious stones. The rooms in here are also huge, declaring the lavish lifestyle of former kings and his household.

Entry fee: Rs 30 for adults; Rs 10 for children up to the age of 12
How to reach: Hill City is located in Thripunithura, which is 10km from Kochi city. The best way to reach it is to hire a taxi such as Uber or Ola. You can also take the local bus from Vytilla Mobility Hub and get down directly at the gates of the entrance to the museum, at the Hill Palace bus stop.
Timings: Open daily except Mondays, from 9:30am to 12:30pm, and then 2 to 4:30pm.

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Cherai Beach - Best Beaches near Kochi

You can always turn to nature for fun and nothing beats an active day at the beach Cherai Beach near Kochi is a beautiful destination to spend quality time with loved ones. With gentle waves, it ensures fun for the entire family. Take a dip or splash in the waves, or just laze back on the soft sands to create a memorable time. Village walks around Cherai can give an even closer look of the natives here leading a simple yet meaningful life. The annual Kite flying festival is celebrated with great pomp and joy where people from every age group participate for fun and enjoy every moment of their favourite sport.

The backwaters can be easily accessed at Cherai which has been a major tourist attraction since decades for international as well as domestic tourists. The backwaters reveal a lot about the natural diversity of this place along with the historical and geographical charm of this place. A place is best explored through its local cuisine, plunge into a gastronomic journey sampling the various specialities that the locals serve. This part of the country is known for its seafood cuisine, dig into juicy tiger prawns, mussels, crabs and lobsters freshly cooked and served to perfection. Appam with stew, Karimeen, Malabar Parota, Kerala style beef fry and Kerala style Meen molee are a few native dishes which should by all means.

How to reach: Cherai is located 25km from Kochi and can be reached by hiring a taxi or taking the local bus from Vypeen.

Lulu mall - Places to Visit With Kids in Kochi

One of the largest shopping malls in India – Lulu Mall in Kochi has a special attraction for children. Their topmost floor houses Sparky’s – an entire section filled with games and rides for children. A safe place to leave the little ones while the elders enjoy shopping, Sparky’s ensures hours of unending fun. Apart from Sparky’s , the mall has a huge food court which include more than 22 multicuisine kitchens and 4 fine dining restaurants. It has a 9 screen PVR Multiplex, Arcade centres and South India’s largest Ice staking rink.

How to reach: Hire a taxi or take a local bus to Lulu Mall in Edappally. You can also travel conveniently in the Kochi metro and get down at the Edappally Station.
Timings: 10am – 10pm

Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary - Places to Visit in Kerala

Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary is located on the backdrops of the famous backwaters of Kochi, Kerala. It is one of the most ecologically sensitive areas in Kerala. The sanctuary is famous for its mangrove forests along with the variety of exotic and migratory birds, various species of butterflies, spiders and mammals. The watch tower gives a spectacular view of the sanctuary from up top. It is an absolute treat to the eyes and an ideal place for a nature lover. It is a great place for kids to learn the importance of nature, peace, silence and patience. There are guides available to show you around the sanctuary.

How to reach: Hire a taxi to the entrance gate of MBS or take a bus to High Court Junction bus stop and walk less than a kilometre to reach MBS.
Timings:Open daily from 10am to 5pm
Best season: January to March

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Kodanad Elephant Training Centre - Places to Visit in Kerala

Elephants are considered as auspicious animals in Kerala. No major festival or celebration in Kerala is complete without a massive elephant processions. Kodanad Elephant Training Centre is one of the largest in Kerala and is an hour away from Kochi. The training centre has recently shifted to Abhayaranyam at Kaprikkad, but that’s only about 3 kms away from Kodanad. Getting there early in the morning by about 8am is best as the elephants come out to play, bathe and feed, and the experience is worth it.

Visiting Time: 08:00 hours to 17:00 hours.

The entry fees at Kodanad elephant training centre is as follows:
Adults - Rs 10
Children up to 12 years - Rs 5
Foreigners - Rs 25 
Parking fees - Rs 5 for two and three wheelers
Rs 10 for cars and jeeps.
There is an Rs 25 fee for using still cameras in the park.

Kochi Folklore Theatre & Museum - Places to Visit With Kids in Kochi

A slice of Kerala’s rich cultural heritage, Kerala Folklore Theatre & Museum comprises three floors, each done up in the traditional Kerala architectural styles. Masks, manuscripts of medicinal and astrological secrets, traditional dance costumes and jewellery as well as artefacts from the Stone Age are all preserved with care at this not-for-profit organisation. This architectural museum has a huge collection of wood works in Kerala and a perfect instance of Kerala ancient carpentry. It has more than 6000 art works

Stage shows are scheduled regularly, and they usually begin at 6.30pm.

Museum timings:  9am – 6pm
Entry Fee:  Rs. 50 for students and Rs.100 for adults

Scuba Cochin - Fun Things to Do in Kochi

Dive along the middle side of Kerala in a fantastic ambience of 8 acres wide quarry dominated with volumes of marine life and rugged surroundings. In the idyllic village of Thiruvankulam, you’ll spend two hours unravelling a world so different from ours.

One of the first PADI-approved dive centres in South India, Scuba Cochin is the perfect place to dive in and take that scuba certification course you’ve always wanted. In addition to organising daily dive trips between 9.30am – 4.30pm, they also offer certification courses from open water diver to instructor.

Fees: Starts at Rs.7000

These are the 12 best places to visit in Kochi with kids that ensure unforgettable memories and a lot of history and knowledge to take back. Do let us know your favourites.

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