Often keeping children occupied for the entire holiday can be a challenge. Make sure to bring games, story and colouring books and small toys to entertain them when they become restless. Specific activities for children are not common in Cochin but there is plenty for the whole family to do. Often children are simply mesmerised by how new and completely different everything is to what they are used to. But this may wear thin so having an idea of what may entertain them can often be a good plan.

Beaches
Kerala is home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. All the family will be catered for whether building sand castles, swimming or just laying in the soft sand lapping up the sun. There are few children who don’t at least enjoy a day out at the beach.

Bullock cart riding
This is another fun and novel way for the family to tour the streets of the city. The relaxed pace of the cart, moving in motion to the jingle of the bullock’s neck bells, will take you a step back in time and let kids imagine they are in a movie. Children will often get the opportunity to take control of the animal for a short period, watched carefully by the animal’s driver.

Elephant safari
Visitors to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, located in nearby Thakkaddy, will be afforded the opportunity to rise high up onto the back of the majestic elephants that are looked after at the park. The surrounding jungle scenery, explored from the soaring height, is a breathtaking experience. Both children and adults can partake. The animals are tame and their mahouts take control of their actions for the entire ride.

Hill Palace Museum and horseback riding
Hill Palace Museum, a former residence of the Cochin royal family, is today an impressive archaeological museum, located 12kms outside the city on the Eranakulam Chotanikkara route. During museum opening times, horseback riding excursions through the beautiful grounds and surrounding countryside can be taken. Apart from the very smallest children, all age groups can participate.

Mini Golf
One of the Western world’s most embraced modern sports is now available in the developing East. Although very young children probably won’t be able to navigate the course, most of the family should be able to give it a go. The course is located at the beautiful Bolghatty Palace, built by the Dutch in 1744. The palace today functions as a hotel and is located on an easily accessible island.

Picnicking
This is a popular daytime excursion to a nearby lake, river or waterfall. Many locals pack a picnic for a family day out, so why not join them? Pick up some fishing equipment before you leave and try your hand at catching your lunch. Picnic tables can be found in parks and outdoor areas inside and in the surrounding areas of the city.

Puppet shows
One of the main local art forms is the Yakshagana Bombeyattu puppet shows that can be found in establishments across Cochin. This long-standing and proud tradition is performed almost on a daily basis and information on where to find the best companies in the city is available from hotel front desks or tourist agencies.

Cochin Planetarium
This excellent establishment will offer you the chance to immerse yourself in strong local traditions and astronomy. The evening star-gazing session is particularly worth the price of the ticket for spectacular views and insight into the night-time world in the sky.

Swimming
Swimming pools can be found in many of the city’s hotels and resorts. However, the local beaches and their crystal clear waters offshore are some of the best in world; while numerous water catchments offer some of the freshest water around.

Rickshaw rides
Kids of all ages and their parents will be thrilled by this exciting three-wheeled mode of transport. Drivers usually speak great English and will be able to give you a low-down of the local sites.

Train journeys
A train journey can be one of the most comfortable, affordable and enjoyable ways of getting out into Cochin’s surrounding areas and seeing the countryside. The landscape is diverse: a fascinating picture book of colours, shapes and natural features.

Walking
This is one of the best ways to explore any new place, and a walk around the area of Cochin is bound to be rewarding. Get out into the flat areas of paddy fields and watch the field workers cultivate their rice, one of the most important foods in the country. The city streets by day are alive and full of new adventures to be had. Meet new friends and chat with local street stall workers, or simply take it all in as you wander through the streets.

Waterfalls
The fabulous mountain backdrops of the city are home to many picturesque waterfalls. Some cascade, some gently tinkle, many have pools for swimming – and all are beautiful. You will often find picnic tables, making them ideal for a fun family day out.

Water sports
Wind surfing, sailing and power boating are among some of the exciting water sports that are available to tourists along the beaches of Cochin. Family members of all ages can be catered for with professional help and a range of equipment to suit all interests.

Veega Land amusement park
Located approximately 10kms from the bypass turnoff for Vyttila, Veega Land is home to a musical fountain, lakes and pools for the best water activities and a fabulous theatre.

Just as one would expect from a city so rich in history, the cultural offerings in Cochin abound. The city has strong traditions dating back many centuries that are still very much alive to this day. From art, music, dance and theatre to traditional massage and historic rituals, Cochin will amaze and delight all those who venture to partake.

Art galleries
The city has a number of excellent art galleries, housing works by both national art masters and internationally renowned painters. Works from the world famous Raja Rami Varma and Raja Raja Varma are on display, while rare pieces such as murals and masterworks from China, Tibet and Bali can be found in the city’s galleries.

Auto-rickshaw rides
This is one of the most fun and interesting ways to explore the city’s modern cultural phenomenon. Three-wheeled, black-and-yellow rickshaws can be found all over the city, waiting on street corners to pick up interested customers. Often drivers will not only be able to take you the city’s hot spots but they will also be able to give you information about the sights in pretty good English.

Ayurvedic massage
This ancient art of traditional massage has long been used as a powerful method of healing. This is a must for all visitors to Cochin and one that will give you a renewed energy for the rest of your trip.

Cinema
Malayalam culture has a strong tradition in movie-making. A trip to the cinema can be a very rewarding insight into the excellent film industry of the region, while the annual film festivals offer big screen treats with English subtitles.

Coconut toddy
One of the region’s most popular specialities and a must-try for all visitors is the coconut toddy. The sweet juice extracted from the palm of the coconut, mixed with baked fish known as karimeen policchathu, is one of the most interesting things that is likely to hit your palate while on holiday in Cochin.

Dhow boat building
This is one of Kerala’s oldest traditions dating back 1,500 years to the time of the Arabs. It is a slowly dying art form and a spectacular sight to behold. One of these shipping vessels takes over two years to be completed even with a team of up to 30 expert craftsmen. Take a trip to Beypore for some interesting photo ops and tell your friends back home about this masterful art locally called uru.

Long tea’ drinking
Not only is this delicious drink a famous roadside treat in and of itself, but the sight of the tea makers stretching their arms to lengths of almost one meter as they pour is an entertaining sight to behold.

Elephant pageants
The whole family will delight in this fascinating spectacle. Elephants adorned in colourful costumes march in majestic procession, accompanied by the rhythmic beatings of drums and free style trumpet blowing. The Trichur Pooram, the most impressive and biggest of these entertaining festivals, each year sees the city streets come alive.

Exotic art
Whether you decide to partake in watchkathakali, mohiniyattam, theyyam or thiruvathira, you will be taking your artistic self to a new level. Courses in these traditional and fascinating art forms are on offer from a number of centres. Information can be found at your hotel or from local travel agents.

Handicraft centres
Theses centres display and sell a large collection of local crafts from sandalwood and coir shell ornaments to kathakali masks and charming jewellery boxes. You are bound to find the ideal gift to bring back or the perfect souvenir from your trip.

Cochin traditional dance
Known as kathakali, the traditional dance of the city is a spectacular sight to behold. The style includes a masterful combination of voice, dance, mime, instrumentals and dramatics. Try one of these locations: Kalathil Parambil House on Valanjambalam Chittor road; Art Kerala on Kannarathodathu lane; or Cochin Cultural Centre, Manikath road.

Malayalam language learning
An intricate system with 56 letters and a musical tone, this ancient language will both challenge and delight you while abroad. Courses are available from a number of language schools and your hotel will be able to provide information on their locations.

Mud therapy
This is one of the most invigorating natural experiences, bringing new vitality to your skin and mind. Treatments are available at the Kavil Bhavan Yoga and Cultural Centre, which can be found in the city.

Oxen racing
This Indian equivalent to the Western sport of horse racing provides an exciting day and lots of fun for all the family. This is one of the region’s longest standing sports and the perfect place to take some unique photographs to amaze friends and family back home.

Percussion music performances
The area of Kerala has a rich culture in percussion music dating back many hundreds of years. The particular instruments used are known the world over and their production is a fine art. People of all ages will be thrilled by the thumping rhythms and fascinating look at one of the region’s proudest traditions.

Snake-boat racing
Local festivals often see the winding back waters of Cochin come alive with large teams comprising of up to a hundred oarsmen taking to their snake-boats. This full energy, full force spectacle sees the boats cascade through the waters as their teams sing at the tops of their voices in unison.

Theyyam
Similar to the African rituals known throughout the world from television and film, this religious ritual is the oldest ritual and form of expressive art in Kerala. These agitated and furious spectacles take place in local temple grounds and are a means of invoking the temple deity.

Cochin’s food offerings are endless. Indian food is known the world over for its artful combinations of spices, providing daring customers some of the most distinct flavours. For those who wish to delve into the local cuisines and tantalise their taste buds with a rich combination of herbs and spices, Kerala cuisine offers endless opportunities for exploration. From street stalls to quaint eateries, the local cuisine can be found all over the city from early morning to late in the evening. While ghee, a type of cooking butter, is used in the cuisine of the north, the Kerala style of food preparation utilises the more delectable coconut oil.

For those less adventurous eaters, Western food can be found in restaurants, many of which are housed in the city’s hotels. Everything from Italian and Mediterranean to oversized American hamburgers and Chinese specialities can be found in Cochin.

Cochin’s shops and markets are best known for their wealth of handicrafts. Visitors can return home with an array of gifts and ornaments from their India trip such as camel-bone carvings, wood carvings, crafts made from coconut shells, cane and bamboo, and mats made from grass. Jewellery can be found all over India at much lower prices than in Western countries and the province of Kerala is no different.

Ethnic garments are also among some of the most popular purchases, while well preserved antiques can be found in abundance. There are also a number of large Western style shopping centers located on MG road and Marine drive. Generally shops open at 10:00 and shut at around 20:00; most are closed on Sundays.

The natural landscapes around the city boundaries have often been described by both locals and visitors in so many words as ‘to die for’. From the serene ambience of the natural healing baths to the strands of impeccable beaches, the textured outdoors of Cochin are ideal for revitalising your inner soul and finding yourself.

Healing baths
The waters of the Nelliyampathy forests and the mineral springs of Varkala are known by visitors and locals alike as some of the top destinations to escape into nature and feel the healing essences of the water. Although both areas are not easily accessible, they are certainly worth the effort for their marvellous healing effects.

Beaches
The region of Kerala is well known for some of the world’s most spectacular beaches. Wade the waters, catch the surf or simply relax on the soft sand and lap up the sun’s rays. A trip to the beach is a pleasant way to spend a day out and can be enjoyed by all the family. Cherai beach, located on the border of the Vypeen islands, is the ideal swimming spot and one of the few places to spot dolphins. Fort Cochin beach is one of the area’s most popular beaches, with locals and tourists alike taking to the pristine shores for a fun day out. Padinharekara beach offers some of the most spectacular views encompassing the Bharathapuzha, the Tirur Puzha and stretching far out over the Arabian Sea; while Vallikunnu beach can be part of a day tour to the nearby bird sanctuary.

Bird-watching
An educational and fun day out for any child, the bird sanctuaries in Kerala are home to numerous species. Lucky watchers will have the chance to check out birds from egrets and herons to hundreds of migratory birds that make their way to western India each year.

Boat tours
This is one of the most pleasant ways to observe the animals and wildlife, from the comfort of a small boat. Kumarakom and Periyar, two sanctuaries, are home to herds of elephants which can be spotted bathing in the lakes; while Indian bison will leave all the family wide-eyed with gleeful wonderment. The tour will also take you through Cochin’s backwaters, starting at the picturesque harbour.

Canoeing
This is one of the best ways to see the backwaters of Cochin and the life of the locals living here. Drift peacefully along the calm ripples and take in the sights, sounds and smells at a mind-easing pace.

Climbing
The beautiful mountain scenery located around the city is also the perfect location to try your hand at some serious rock climbing. Whether you are a beginner or seasoned climber, rock climbing companies will be able to provide you with the appropriate services, tuition and equipment.

Eco-tourism
Locals are just slowly learning about the rich opportunities for the development for eco-tourism in area but already the industry is being embraced. Exotic plants can be found all over from delicate orchids and anthuria to large coverings of sandalwood trees. One of the most spectacular sights is the rare neelakurinji, which only blooms every 12 years; when it arrives, this flower sets the sides of the Munnar mountain alight in a spectacular shade of blue.

Elephant safaris
Visitors to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, located in nearby Thakkaddy, will be afforded the opportunity to rise high up onto the back of the majestic elephants that find shelter at the park. The surrounding jungle scenery explored from a somewhat scary height is a breathtaking experience.

Fishing
The waters around Cochin are ideal for a fishing trip. They are home to hundreds of species of fish, whether you choose to cast your line in at the banks of the river or from the beach. Fishing equipment can be easily purchased from local stores.

Golf
Cochin’s golf course is of a reasonably high standard and offers a great way to get out into the surrounding countryside. Green fees are inexpensive and rental equipment is available. While it’s not a pro course, you will find it suitable for a bit of exercise or a day out with the family.

Paragliding
This is an excellent way to take in the exquisite, panoramic views of the diverse landscapes around Cochin. This liberating and highly exhilarating experience will afford you a vantage point that usually only birds get to see. A number of companies provide services in and around the city but the best excursions set off from the top of Munnar.

Tiger-spotting
Although young children will not be able to partake in this activity, it is certainly an adventure for brave young teenagers and anyone with a taste for adventure. Guided treks into the dense, overgrown jungles will often afford you a glimpse at the unnerving yet fascinating tigers.

Water sports
Wind surfing, sailing and power boating are among some of the exciting water sports that are available to tourists along the beaches of Cochin. Family members of all ages can be catered for with professional help and a range of equipment to suit all interests.

Yoga
Why not try this world renowned form of relaxation and meditation in the country of its origin? Ashrams can be found throughout the city, with some of the best located at Trivandrum and Kasaragod. Spiritual gurus, the local experts, conduct classes and will lead you to a new level of relaxation.