No school, no break: How parents are managing summer holidays

By Dhwani Desai
Summer is here — and while children eagerly count down the days to their holidays, parents are feeling the pressure. “It’s two months of summer holidays for the kids, but no one has given us any time off. We still have to work and keep up with schedules.” says Shakeela Zaib, an HR professional and mother to two kids. For most parents, the weeks leading up to the break are all about one question: how do you keep children engaged for nearly two months? In a city like Bengaluru, however, the options are plenty.
Camps, classes, and carefully planned days

Summer camps continue to be a go-to for young parents. Typically running for two to four hours a day, these camps revolve around curated themes and a mix of activities. Children get to explore arts and crafts, dance and music, fireless cooking, theatre, and sensory play. More specialised camps go a step further, offering focused training in areas such as theatre, trekking, nature exploration, public speaking, and pottery.

Since many schools host these camps, children spend their mornings in familiar, safe spaces — a big draw for parents, including actor Pranitha Subhash. “People say children should be allowed to get bored, but realistically, if I don’t plan activities for my two kids, they end up fighting. Camps keep them positively occupied and help maintain a routine, so there’s no struggle when school begins,” she says.

Summertime goals

Some parents prefer a more relaxed approach. Comedian and actor Sonu Venugopal calls her plan for the holidays “an interesting experiment” with her five-year-old daughter. “The goal is to learn swimming. Beyond that, we’ll go cycling, continue ballet and singing classes, visit the local library, and host art parties at home,” she says. Family time is also key — visits to cousins and grandparents, along with small responsibilities at home, are part of the plan. “The idea is to keep her active enough that she winds down early,” Sonu adds with a laugh.

Summer is also the season for sport. Swimming tops the list, but football, cricket, basketball, and badminton remain perennial favourites. “Given Bengaluru’s weather — the rain and the chill that follows — my daughter hasn’t been able to learn swimming. She’s nearly six now, so I want to make the most of the warm summer days to get her started,” says Radhvi G, a homemaker. For older children, the approach is more rigorous. “My son will attend cricket coaching twice a day — morning and evening. It’s the best time for him to hone his skills. And since he enjoys it, it’s a win-win,” says Kanchan Kalghatgi, a tech professional.

Activities kids can explore this summer:

l Theatre workshops
l Visual arts and pottery
l Public speaking and storytelling
l Learning a foreign language
l Baking
l Yoga and gymnastics
l Farming experiences
l Trekking
l Animal and pet care workshops
l Stargazing and birdwatching
l Robotics and STEM



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