Check out these 8 indoor and outdoor activities around Mumbai this season

The school year is out temperatures are up and the temptation to be glued to screens is stronger than ever Tablets and video games are both dangerously convenient babysitters but real summer memories can only be created offlineUnstructured play outdoor time and family rituals are things no screen can replicate So instead of passive entertainment why not fill up summer with real experiences Whether you are itching to step outdoors or craving indoor activities to stay away from the sweltering sun herersquos your nofuss antiscreen guide for the summerOutdoor adventuresYou donrsquot have to bake under the sun to have outdoor fun Smartly timed mornings shady spaces and waterbased adventures can keep you as cool as a cucumberGroovy walksInstead of mall hopping take the family on a guided mangrove walk with Naturalist Explorers Mumbairsquos mangroves which protect the shoreline also offer surprisingly cooler temperatures compared to city streets thanks to dense greenery and natural breezesPicGetty ImagesAlong the way kids will spot mud crabs that ldquowalkrdquo on land and maybe even some birds The best part These walks double as impromptu science lessons minus the textbooks The best time to go is an early morning as that gives you a better chance to spot wildlife and avoid heatAlternately you can go by yourself to the Gorai Mangrove Park which opened on May 1 and offers a 740 metrelong boardwalk along the mangrovesContact Naturalist Explorers via Instagram naturalistex for bookings and the full schedulePaddle with poochesWe are sending you on a surf trip in the hills Seems odd But you need to thank Roysten Misquitta for this experience A year ago this adventure junkie launched Stand up Paddleboarding SUP in the green hills of Kamshet The best part You can surf with your petMisquitta provides life jackets for pets and humans and ensures everyone who is on board is having fun in the backwaters of the river There are overnight packages that you can enquire about if you would like to opt for a getaway The allinclusive option covers an ecofriendly homestay homestyle meals treks a local tour or excursion among other activities that are also designed to be pet friendly For those who donrsquot want to escape the city Misquittarsquos Pet SUP adventures can be enjoyed as a oneday experience in Bandra as wellSUP feels a bit done Head to Lonavala instead and try Jet Surfing Offered by Outdoorsy Lonavala itrsquos a 30minute ride on a motorised jetsurf board that is equipped with a stabilityenhancing tube This makes it easy for beginners to balance A quick briefing is all you need to cruise across the lake with ease although this activity is only allowed for ages 12 and abovePrice Rs 2500 per person and Rs 3500 per person with a pet for SUP Rs 3500 for jet surfing includes photosContact WhatsApp 9820068611 to book or DM lonavalalocal or outdoorsylonavala on Instagram for either experienceJugnoo watchTherersquos something timeless about sitting under a starry sky and watching a thousand fireflies light up the trees around you Mid May marks the beginning of the firefly season in Bhandardara and nearby Purushwadi For two to three weeks this area turns into natural fairylandsThe experience also offers a soft introduction to camping basic tents barbecue dinners and simple storytelling under the stars Several trekking tourism groups organise overnight trips We recommend Treks amp Trails as they organise Bhandardara Fireflies Camping mdash Firefly FestPrice Rs 1299 for ages 4 to 9 and Rs 1899 for ages 10 and aboveContact wwwtreksandtrailsorg to bookMake your gelato and eat it tooWhatrsquos better than eating gelato Making it yourself Trove Experiences curates a gelatomaking experience along with Nova Artisan Gelato at Kemps Corner The artisanal gelato brand offers handson workshops where families can learn to churn classic Italianstyle gelato from scratch and taste eight flavours to understand the nuances and taste of the dessert You also get an insight into the history and techniques of the craft Itrsquos a lesson in patience churn chill churn some more and creativity Plus nothing beats the thrill of devouring your own creation at the end as you get to take home a 300 ml gelato tub of your customised flavourPrice Rs 2500 per personContact troveexperiencescom to bookIndoor funNot every day is meant for the outdoors On hot afternoons herersquos some screenfree fun for indoor days Capsule timeImagine opening a box 10 years from now filled with todayrsquos favourite toys a photo of your pet handwritten notes concert tickets or a trending meme Building a family time capsule is a simple sentimental project that turns into a priceless treasure trove over timeGet the kids involved in decorating the box picking items and writing little letters to their future selves Stash it safely in a closet as we have no backyards in Mumbai to burry things mdash just donrsquot forget to agree on a ldquodo not open untilrdquo dateBe an acrobatIf your child is bouncing off the walls why not direct that energy somewhere productive Sportspark Gymnastics is a professional gymnastics training academy specialised in the coaching of artistic gymnasticsThink obstacle courses trampoline sessions strength training and safe tumbling techniques taught by professional coaches whose students have competed at international gymnastic sporting events The best part Gymnastics builds flexibility focus and confidence These are skills that carry over into everyday life and every other sport tooContact 70208569238369833800 to enquire about classesMuseum hopTake advantage of Mumbairsquos museums and science centres rolling out summerexclusive exhibits designed for kids Think science models and interactive art installations Scroll through the schedules of the CSMVS Childrenrsquos Museum MuSo Nehru Science Centre Playseum Nehru Planetarium for summer listings and you will find it worth your whileThese spaces cleverly balance entertainment and education offering families a full day of discoveryHost a gallery openingYour fridge door deserves a breather Instead of cluttering it with sketches encourage your childrenrsquos creativity by hosting a mini art exhibit at homeFrame their best doodles sculptures and paintings Set up a ldquogalleryrdquo in the living room Invite friends and family over for a viewing Serve snacks and drinks and let the little one take visitors on a guided tour explaining the inspiration behind each art piece Herersquos another tip Let them name their artworks and write tiny ldquoartist statementsrdquo for full effectatOptionskeyd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7formatiframeheight90width728params