Map to indoor hangouts for kids this winter

Winter in Kolkata may be gentle, but there are days when the nip in the air nudges families to seek warmth indoors. While cosy mornings and afternoons spent wrapped in soft sunlight and board games sessions in the comfort of your own home is the obvious option, there is more. Step outside and the city offers an entire universe of indoor adventures — places where children can learn, play and imagine without worrying about the chill.

From museums where dinosaurs, mummies and meteorites spark big questions, to trampoline parks where all that pent-up energy finds the right outlet, Kolkata’s indoor world is as rich and varied as its outdoor charms. Whether your child is a science enthusiast, an art lover or simply full of restless winter-time energy, there’s something waiting to delight them.

So, what are you waiting for? Here’s your ready guide to the best indoor escapes to keep your kids engaged, warm and inspired this winter.
 

Nehru Children’s Museum

Location: 94/1, Chowringhee Road, Kolkata
Timings: Wednesday–Friday, 11am–7pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am–7pm, closed on Monday and Tuesday
Entry: Rs 10 (kids under 16 years), Rs 20 (16+)

Located in the heart of the city, this museum is a must-visit for its colourful displays, toy gallery, and dioramas that are an instant hit with children. The main attractions include a Doll Gallery with dolls from 96 countries in traditional attire, popular Ramayana and Mahabharata galleries that bring the Indian epics to life through miniature clay models, and additional collections featuring puppet displays, Ganesha statues, and miniature cars.

Location: 19A, Gurusaday Road, Ballygunge
Timings: Monday–Friday, 9.30am–6pm; closed on Diwali and Holi
Entry: Rs 30–50 for children, Rs 90 for package tickets that include museum entry fee, 3D show, one science show and coal mine for adults

Visit one of the oldest science museums in the country and make learning feel like an adventure for the youngsters. Explore multiple static display and interactive galleries, a mockup of a coal mine and multiple shows.

Location: 27, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Park Street
Timings: Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–6pm; closed on Monday
Entry: Rs 20 (children), Rs 75 (adults), Rs 500 for foreign nationals
Photography charges are extra for both smartphones and cameras.

Dinosaur fossils, Egyptian mummies, meteorites, ancient coins, paintings and monumental sculptures in India’s oldest and largest museum. Need we say more?

Location: 96, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, near Victoria Memorial
Timings: Open daily
Shows: Hindi: 12 noon, 2pm, 4pm; English: 1pm, 6pm; Bengali: 3pm, 5pm (schedules vary on holidays)
Entry: Rs 70 for Students (for a group of 25 or more), Rs 140 (Adults)

For many children, the Planetarium’s domed theatre is their first true brush with astronomy. As stars swirl, comets flash past and cosmic entities collide, they watch the universe unfold. It also has an Astro Corner and exhibition galleries to explore.
 

Museum of Astronomy and Space Science

Location: 466 Barakhola, Netai Nagar, Kolkata 700099
Timings: 9am–6pm, closed on Wednesday
Entry: Rs 100

A journey through space is what this museum offers. For bigger groups, the museum provides a scientist who acts as a guide and explains each exhibit. The museum has a telescope, actual space rocks, life-size astronaut models, as well as a space theatre.

Location: Opposite Eco Park Gate 2, New Town
Timings: Tuesday–Sunday 12noon–7.30pm; closed on Monday
Entry: Rs 150 (Saturday, Sunday and state holidays), Rs 100 on all other days, free entry (for children below 3 years)

Life-size wax figures of superheroes, legends, icons and celebrities make this museum a fun, photo-friendly break. From Iron Man to Salman Khan, this museum has it all. Don’t forget to visit the cafeteria as it offers a bird’s-eye view of Eco Park.
 

Just Jumpin, New Town

Location: PS QUBE New Town, Action Area IID, near Decathlon, Calcutta-700161
Timing: 11am–9.30pm
Entry: Rs 650 for 90 minutes (Monday to Friday), Rs 750 (weekends and public holidays), Rs 60 (for mandatory trampoline socks)

This trampoline park is pure delight — jump pits, obstacle zones, foam blocks and padded climbing features. Children can bounce, race and tumble safely under supervision. A great option for chilly evenings when indoor energy-burn is much needed.

Best of both worlds

For those looking to make the most of their outings there are a few spaces which offer the best of both worlds — spaces where families can enjoy enriching indoor experiences but pop outside and have outdoor fun if the weather holds.

Location: Queen’s Way/Maidan area
Timings (Galleries): Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–6pm, closed on Mondays and designated national holidays; the gardens are open every day.
Entry: Rs 50 (Gallery), Rs 30 (Garden), Rs 100 (Light and sound show), Free admission for school students in uniform with school identity cards

Inside the iconic Victoria Memorial, children and families can explore galleries that bring history alive through paintings, manuscripts, textiles, weapons and personal artefacts from different eras. With well-curated permanent and special exhibitions, the indoor experience provides an engaging and educational winter outing for young visitors. However, if the kids get too antsy indoors, set them free in the gardens. An outing can't get more perfect than that.  
 

Location: J.B.S. Haldane Avenue, Topsia / EM Bypass
Timings: Daily, 10am–7pm (ticket counter open till 6pm); closed on Holi
Tickets: Entry fee Rs 70 (Tickets for rides and shows are extra): package tickets range from Rs 213–Rs 330 for entry fee along with rides and other attractions.
 

While the outdoor attractions at Science City — from ropeway and hedge mazes to food stalls — definitely prove exciting for children of all ages, its indoor attractions can easily keep children engaged for hours on cold wintry days. Inside, families can wander through the Evolution Park with its life-size dioramas, explore hands-on science exhibits, and experience immersive audio-visual shows that bring space, physics and natural history to life. The Space Theatre remains a major draw, transporting visitors into the cosmos with its dome projections, while various themed galleries introduce young minds to robotics, biodiversity, energy and more. With so much to discover under one roof, Science City is a perfect choice for a winter outing.