Come out to play: Fun outdoor activities kids can enjoy in Mumbai this summer

Nearly 45 percent of Mumbairsquos children are overweight 67 percent of them get less than an hour of outdoor playtime If the quiet reminders before this didnrsquot work perhaps these numbers should be a rude awakening for the cityrsquos young parents The Early Childhood Association ECAAPER in collaboration with the Podar Institute of Education revealed these concerning statistics in a survey last week ldquoKids prefer airconditioned rooms to outdoor parkshellip They donrsquot like to sweat it anymorerdquo an expert had told midday in an April 17 newsarticle Here are six outdoor activities that will have your kids running jumping laughing and yes sweatingLand it rightA trainer instructs a child at a gymnastics session PIC COURTESYGOFIGUREFITNESSindia on INSTAGRAMYour lazy postafternoonnap stretch has the potential to be so much more Stretch twist and tumble at Go Figure Fitnessrsquos gymnastics programme for children The collective has an exhaustive programme for children from as young as two years old The classes are categorised into age groups each focusing on a different set of reallife benefits For instance did you know an early introduction to gymnastics can help children develop stronger motor skills and coordination Landing a perfect 10 doesnrsquot have to be the only goalAGE GROUP 3 years and above ON Wednesdays and Fridays 5 pm and 6 pm below six years 7 pm above six yearsAT Go Figure Fitness India Kolivery Village Vidya Nagari Kalina Santacruz EastLOG ON TO gofigurefitnessindia3 years and aboveSkate to the partySkaters at Somaiya Sports Academy Sion PICASHISH RAJELace your roller skates up and feel the wind in your hair at guided sessions across the handful of skating tracks in Mumbai A three pronged programme at The Skate Academy accommodates beginners and intermediates as well as professional aspirants Beginners get to choose from speed freestyle or artistic skating based on personal preferences Guided by coach and veteran roller skater Ajay Shivlani the academy promises to keep injuryminimisation at the core of its training systemAT Somaiya Sports Academy Sion other venues in Bandra and GhatkoparLOG ON TO theskateacademyin3 years and aboveMake a splashA toddlersrsquo swimming session in Sanpada PIC OURTESYMICHAELPHEPLSSWIMMING ON INSTAGRAMThis quintessential summer activity isnrsquot going out of style any time soon Learn swimming from certified trainers of the Michael Phelps Swimming Academy across the city The Get Wet programme at the academy is designed for parents of toddlers as young as three years old to help their child step out of their comfort zone in the water with games From breathing techniques to acing strokes a stepbystep programme encompasses the fundamentals of swimming under the watch of trained lifeguardsAT Multiple locations across Andheri Kurla Vashi Chembur Sanpada and other suburbsLOG ON TO michaelphelpsswimmingin3 years and aboveSurf excellenceA surfer rides a wave in Virar PIC COURTESYMUMBAI SURF CLUBSurfing isnrsquot just for distant shores The Mumbai Surf Clubrsquos surfing sessions are open to participants over eight years old While the waves are relatively high during this time of the year expect the age bar to drop to six years in the latter half The club is Surfing Federation of Indiacertified with a roster of instructors certified by the International Surfing Association which also entails mandatory lifeguard training Each 90minute session begins with a briefing on the shores before hitting the waves While riding a wave might seem exciting be prepared to sweat it out before you sign upON Tuesdays closed timings announced on a daytoday basis AT Mumbai Surf Club Rajodi Beach VirarLOG ON TO mumbaisurfclub8 years and aboveEscape the boxA kickboxing session in Breach Candy PIC COURTESYJUNIORFITKick it back literally at this kickboxing training programme by Junior Fit a fitness platform based in South Mumbai The ongoing sessions in Breach Candy offers children who wish to improve stamina build confidence and sharpen focus a specialised oneonone experience For children who prefer battling the sun in familiar terrain the platform also offers simpler athome services for toddlers and teens Choose from obstacle courses aerobics sessions and yoga classesAT Goldrsquos Gym Shyam Nivas Bhulabhai Desai Marg Breach Candy Athome services available citywideLOG ON TO juniorfitindia10 years and aboveOut of the parkA child learns a vault at a session PICATUL KAMBLELearn how to hop skip and jump through imaginative obstacles at the Mumbai Movement Academyrsquos arenas From making giant leaps to striking the balancing act just right children start from the basics under supervised environments With trial courses available for those who want to test the waters before making the dive the academy also has a childrenfocused summer camp around the corner The daring stunts are overseen by Art du Deplacement and Parkour Teaching ADAPTcertified trainers Given the distant deadlines for Mumbairsquos roadworks wersquod call this a longterm investmentON May 5 to 16 summer campAT HVB Global Academy Marine Drive Other sessions in Andheri Juhu Bandra Kemps Corner PowaiLOG ON TO mumbaimovementacademy614 yearsatOptionskeyd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7formatiframeheight90width728params