Summer Camps - Tennis Workshop - In & Around Powai

P3Sports 

What:  Table tennis summer camp for kids 

When: Starting 6th May 

Duration: 10 day work shop 

The camp will be of 4 hr duration  , until the 17th of May.

Timings: 9:30 am - 1:30 pm; Mon - Fri

Where? Venue - Pawar Public school.

Activities included:

Table Tennis including physical training, arts n crafts .

Snacks will be provided to the kids to keep them charged up .

Fee: Rs.3500

What makes it interesting? 

Its a great opportunity for the kids to learn basics of table tennis.

Contact Details: 

Call: 9967669506 / 9820561166 / 9820574792

Chicken Soup For the Indian Teenage Soul - Teens talk, Growing up

They say experience is the best teacher and what better way to learn than learning from others experiences. So, here is the latest in the Chicken Soup series - Teens talk, Growing up. Something which parents can gift their young adults....share the emotions, triumphs and failures while enabling them to tackle the trials and tribulations of being a teenager. Happy Reading :)

Music CD - 50 Greatest Children Songs - Review

Since my daughter was born, like most children she loved music. So, my search began for a music CD which  I wouldn't mind playing in the background all day long. I tried and tested a number of CDs but invariably I ended up with nursery rhymes sung in silly accented shrill, baby voices which was pretty irritating for me as well as my daughter.

Then one day I picked up a CD named 50 Greatest Children Songs, with a great song compilation sung in lovely soothing voices. Its been 4 years and my daughter still enjoys listening to this Music CD and thankfully I am still not tired of hearing it too.

I would rate this music CD a 10/10 - as its a soothing one to play in the background while enjoying Mommyhood.

Happy Listening :)

Birthday Party Venues @ Powai

Mumbai has a perennial space problem but it does provide quite a variety of birthday party venues. Where as, Parents in Powai have limited options when it comes to choosing a birthday party venue for their child. Though, I must add that the options are slowly increasing in number while there is still ample room for more and better birthday party venue providers for children as 
each year parents like to try out something new. 


Here are a few options open to Parents in Powai:


1. Pizza Hut - This is where we celebrated our daughter's fourth birthday.
Here is my review of Pizza Hut as a party place. 
More details at - http://www.pizzahut.co.in/dinein/Parties.php

Here I would like to mention that Pizza hut does offers more options / variety of food than Papa Johns. 


2. Papa Johns (Powai) - I had attended my nephew's birthday party here in 2010 and it was a lovely experience. The events coordinator was great and for a change the clown was talented and funny. Unfortunately, when I went to enquire about having a party for my daughter in Apr-2011 they said that they have discontinued entertainment due to some incident which happened. 


Here is my review of Papa Johns (as a guest at the party)
> The place is nice and spacious. 
> The staff is pleasant and courteous
> Music was good and so was the service. 
> They don't really do theme parties 
> They do have a host and games arranged


The charges are approx. Rs.199 per child - inclusive of food and return present and Rs. 149 without the gift. The cake is excluded and is to be arranged by you.

Rating: I would rate this place 6/10. As they have no entertainment arrangements as well as don't allow hiring any entertainers.
Contact no. 022-25707373

Website - http://papajohnspizza.in/birthday-partymenu

3. Utsav -  Attended a birthday party as guest so, don't really know all the details but understand that the food is 'value for money' as the place is not too expensive. They also have a party organiser to arrange games etc. for the kids at the birthday party. 
Contact no.  022-25705356 / 7, 9819258618.   


4. Meluha - The Fern - I attended a birthday party at Meluha - the Fern which was organised on the pool side terrace (which has a lovely view) or they can also arrange it indoors. I don't have all the details but here are some points to get you started and help you decide. 
> Min. headcount is 20. 
> They charge - R. 650/- per plate for Veg and Rs. 750/- per plate for Non veg. 
> They have a few preferred party organisers which take care of entertainment. 
> The decoration is taken care of by them. You can decide the theme. 
Contact No. 022-25755555
Website: http://www.meluhafernhotel.com/


5. Rodas - I have not attended any parties or tried out this venue but one of my friends did and she loved it. Here are some points she mentioned: 
> Min. headcount is 20. 
> They charge - Rs. 900/- per plate which includes veg and non-veg.
> They have party organisers which manage the entertainment. 
> The decoration is taken care of by them. 
Contact no. 022-66936969
Website: http://www.rodashotel.com/about-us.htm


Hope the above info. helped. 


HAPPY PARTYING :)


If you have any venues to add to the list above please feel free to share with us and other Parents in Powai.:)
If you need information on other birthday stuff - hop on to this page

Monkeying around with the Tumbling Monkeys Game

I have not written for quite a while...and one of the main reasons is this new game which my daughter is in love with. She can't get enough of this game. So, I have to join in (not that I am complaining). In fact, here are the reasons why both of us just love this game:



My daughter helps me set it up,

1. Encourages colour recognition of the different coloured sticks
2. Enhances fine motor skills and co ordination
3. Once the monkeys are in - Its really funny to watch them come tumbling down.
4. This game also teaches and reinforces turn taking and counting (30 sticks - 10 of each colour and 30 monkeys)
5. The aim of the game is to tumble minimum monkeys when each player pulls out a stick of a specific colour though my daughter prefers changing it to who can tumble and collect most monkeys,  This works for me too as she loves counting who's got the maximum number and Won. 
6. All in all this is a FUN game for all ages and can guarantees loads of laughter

For a price of INR 599/- this is one of the best ways to spend rainy days at home. Surely, a great way to make the most of your time together by simply Monkeying Around. :)

I would rate this game a 10 /10. Also, makes a great birthday present. :)

No Mess Painting with Crayola

While my daughter loves painting but its really no wonder that till now, I dreaded painting time.  Every time she wanted to paint either I tried to avoid it by distracting her with something less messy or had to cover up everything possible with newspaper. 


Then, one fine day I hit a jackpot!!! 


While browsing through books at Crosswords - something really interesting caught my eye - Crayola Mess - Free Color Wonder Paints and Paper. 


These amazing paints are truly magical and god sent (even though they are man made of course) for parents like me. Crayola Wonder Paints work only on special paper sheets - so there are no messy hands to wash up or cleaning up required.  Can you imagine ? Finally, parents can enjoy the joys of painting without any worries. 


Costing in the range of Rs. 500 - Rs. 700 these wonderful mess free wonder paints and the special sheets which go along with them is truly worth the peace of mind which it gives to any parent while enjoying their child creating his / her own special masterpiece.   


I would give this product a 10/ 10. Full marks for helping me enjoy the Little Picasso my daughter is growing into. 


Crayola Wonder Paints and Sheets are available at most stationary shops but in case you don't find it - try at Crosswords (I bought mine from there).



HAPPY PAINTING !!! :)

Thrilling Indoor Summer Fun @ R - City

While I hate the idea of taking my child to a mall for an outing(most of the time), unfortunately besides Happy Planet Powai doesn't seem to have any other options for indoor entertainment for parents and children.


So, yesterday once again when I reluctantly entered the R-City mall at Ghatkopar, with my daughter suddenly I noticed a new addition in the form of a kid friendly Adventure Boot Camp - located next to the Bouncy Castle.





Organised by a training & adventures company named, Proboscis, this adventure camp set up indoors has a range of thrilling adventure sports suitable for kids and adults of any age group.


The indoor adventure sports they have on offer range from simple ones like obstacle courses for smaller children, rock climbing for people who want to scale new heights, rappelling for anyone who wants to test limits and a 50 ft high rope bridge for the 'not so faint hearted'. 





The charges for these specialised adventure sports are pretty nominal at around Rs.100 for each sport and Rs.250 for a package which makes it really enticing for thrill seekers this summer. 





In short, this is a worthwhile experience for the entire family and I would give it a 10/10 experience as it finally gave me a better reason to head to the mall besides window shopping -  at least till 30th May. As, this event will be at R-city mall only till the end of this month. 


Till then I do plan on going to the R-City mall but not to exercise my wallet. 


Have a thrilling Summer. :)

Enjoying Summertime as a Powai Parent

                                                                                                                   *photo credit: "D Sharon Pruitt


As the summer vacation is progressing; like most parents, I sure am running out of ideas on how to keep my little hurricane busy. 


So, I decided to list down 10 things to do together while having Summer Fun: 


1. Happy Planet - Visit this amazing indoor air conditioned play area and chill out while your kid has a great time. More details here. 


2. Haiko Mall: Haiko is celebrating a summer by having a variety of workshops on weekends.


3. Shiamak Davar's Dance Classes - If your child likes to shake a leg enroll him / her to Shiamak's dance classes, held at Gopal Sharma School - Powai Vihar, Powai Mumbai – 400 076 


4. Summer Camps - There are a number of summer camps being held at every nook and corner. The one I liked is held by Just Kiddin' School as I found it unique. Another one that I found really nice, entertaining and educative is held at home by Rekha - more details at: http://www.kiddieclasses.com/


5.  R - City Mall - If you are in need of some retail therapy then head to the R-City Mall where along with satiating your shopping needs, you can try your hand (rather your leg) at ice skating and for the little ones there is a lovely bouncing castle as well as ice skating. 


6. Hakone - This is an all time favourite but the only problem is that it is outdoors. So, plan an evening out at Hakone and let your children free. Hakone always has a lot to offer. In fact if you are new to Powai and have kids then this place is a must see. 


7. Crossword - Spend some leisurely time amongst books at Crossword while you enjoy a cup of coffee and your child explores the world of books. 


8. Swimming -  If you stay in a a society the use the club to splash around this summer or else enroll your child for swimming classes. 


9. Fun @ Home - Home is really where the heart is so have fun at home and sharpen your competitive skills in some indoor games with your child. Whether you win or lose celebrate with some cool milkshakes prepared together. 


Or Try some no mess painting with Crayola Wonder Paints.



10. Help!! Can't seem to think of anything else - I am new to Powai so please feel free to share more kid friendly places for summer in Powai. Just add your ideas in the comments and hopefully we'll have a nice list to refer to whenever we hear "I am bored. What do I do"?? in future. :)


Happy Summer Fun!! :)

Indoor Summer Fun @ Happy Planet

If like me; you have been wondering how to keep your kid entertained during summer then here is a new convenient indoor option available for parents in Powai - 


The Place - Happy Planet


What is it?  It is an indoor, air conditioned 15000 sq. ft. play area for kids of all ages. There is something for everyone including mega bouncy slides, water bed, trampoline and the unique water bumpy boat rides which makes it an extra special kiddie zone in the area.


Catering to parents with tired feet while trying to keep up with excited toddlers, is the 'Bliss' Spa to pamper yourself. Bliss offers basic beauty treatments like manicure and pedicure along with foot reflexology and back or head massage.


After all the activity when hunger strikes just walk up to the restaurant which serves multicuisine fast food to please your pallette. 


What is the Cost?


Freedom pass  - 450/- on weekdays and 550/- on weekends, includes most of the rides and games. 


I personally found the Freedom pass most convenient for our first time visit as our daughter could try out any available ride and then select the ones she liked best. In her case she loved the bumping boat ride.  


You can also buy stand alone cards with a one time minimum charge of 200/- and then you can recharge as per your requirement


Please do carry cash as the last time i went they did not have the facility to accept cards, as they had opened up just recently. 


Other Facilities: If you happen to fall in love with the place you could also book 'The Party Place' at Happy Planet to throw a real fun party for kids.


All in all I would definitely give it 8/10 and recommend this place for a unique kind of Summer Fun for your kid.


Address: 
Happy Planet Powai, 4 Mins from IIT Powai, 1 min from Eastern Express Highway, Mansukh Compound, Near Crompton Greaves, Kanjurmarg E, Mumbai- 42.


For more info. visit - www.happyplanet.in
Contact Nos: 9833067879, 25771162 ,25771163


PS: Please feel free to give your reviews and inputs on other great places for kids this summer. Happy Holidays :)