Wow, it is no longer imperative to go to a mall and spend unnecessarily for your child’s play time. Thanks to BBMP’s efforts in namma Bengaluru, suddenly there’s a spurt of public spaces converted into parks, gardens and specifically safe and clean kid’s play areas. This is meant for children under the age of five though you can spot a lot older kids prancing around merrily on most evenings.

Among the malls, the one that I did notice to have substantiate space and value for money was the Forum in Koramangala with regards to its children’s play area. Even now when I take my little one once in a while to this mall, he enjoys his time there. The others like Meenakshi or the Orion have so called kids play areas but either they are too constrained in space or they charge exorbitantly for half an hour.

South Bangalore and many other areas are witnessing hordes of parents gathering in these mini parks every evening. It is quite a happy scene to notice the unmindful glances on a child’s face who is perhaps sitting on a swing for the first time or the 1000th time and is just enjoying the time out there. It is relaxing to see parents -both moms and dads and even grandparents trying to get their little ones have a good time and in turn have a stress-free hour or two in the evening.

When I was in my childhood, I didn’t have these constructed spaces though there was lot more greenery and open grounds in Bangalore. It is coming back as a circle where parents and kids are enjoying open spaces, more greenery than claustrophobic malls though they are air-conditioned and give that premium look. But hey, one cannot live in these premium space everyday right? So  let’s leave such outings for occasional visits and utilize happy evenings in more open spaces where nature greets you wholeheartedly.

Will try and put up a pic of one or two parks shortly.