7 Family-Friendly Things to Do in Delhi with Kids

Delhi’s lively and fast pace can seem overwhelming when you’re visiting with children. But with the right knowledge and planning, India’s capital offers plenty of engaging family-friendly experiences.

Beyond the bustling streets of New Delhi and busy commercial districts like Connaught Place, you’ll find plenty of things to do with kids, including interactive museums, lush green spaces, and cultural experiences that encourage hands-on discovery.

From science centres and railway museums to picnic-friendly grounds and neighbourhood markets, this guide covers the best things to do in Delhi with kids, along with practical tips to help you plan an enjoyable trip for the whole family.

• Location: Delhi, India

• Best for: Families with children of all ages

• Top highlights: India Gate, National Science Centre, National Rail Museum, Dilli Haat, Lodhi Garden

• Getting around: Extensive metro network, app-based taxis widely available

• Good to know: Many attractions open early to avoid the heat

India Gate is one of Delhi’s most recognisable landmarks and one of the best free things to do in Delhi with kids. The wide lawns surrounding the memorial give children space to run around and unwind after a day of sightseeing, while parents can enjoy a relaxed break in the heart of the city.

Just behind the main monument, Children’s Park offers slides, swings, and open play areas designed specifically for younger visitors. It’s a good place for the entire family to enjoy some downtime, especially in the early morning or early evening.

• Location: Central Delhi, along Kartavya Path (formerly Rajpath), near Central Secretariat metro station

• Opening hours: India Gate is open 24 hours a day. Children’s Park operates on seasonal hours, typically from mid-morning until early evening, with shorter hours during winter.

• Cost: Free

• Good to know: Access to lawns around these attractions may be restricted during national events, public holidays, or heightened security periods. Opening hours and access can change at short notice, so it’s worth checking official Delhi tourism updates or local listings online before you visit.

If you’re travelling with curious kids, the National Science Centre is one of the best indoor attractions in Delhi. The museum focuses on hands-on learning, with interactive exhibits covering space, physics, human biology, and everyday science.

Exhibition halls are spacious and clearly laid out, making it easy to move through with children. Short demonstrations and live science shows add variety, and the indoor setting provides welcome relief from Delhi’s heat during the warmer months.

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  Location: Bhairon Marg, near Pragati Maidan in central Delhi. It is close to India Gate and easily reached via Pragati Maidan metro station.

• Opening hours: Generally open daily from around 9.30am to 6pm, with ticket sales closing before the final hour.

• Cost: Low-cost entry, with tickets priced at around ₹80 per person (around $0.70-$1.40 USD). Optional add-ons such as 3D films and special science shows are available for a small additional fee.

• Good to know: Allow at least two to three hours to explore properly. Weekday mornings are quieter, while weekends and school holidays can be busy with school groups, particularly from late morning onwards.

Delhi’s National Rail Museum is consistently popular with families, thanks to its combination of outdoor displays and engaging indoor galleries. Children can explore historic steam engines, royal carriages, and life-size locomotives at their own pace.

One of the highlights is the short toy train ride that loops around the grounds, giving children a fun change of pace between exploring the larger exhibits. The museum has an open-air layout, wide paths, and generous space between displays, so it’s easy to move around if you have a stroller.

• Location: Chanakyapuri, in south-central Delhi. The museum is easily reached by taxi, with Dhaula Kuan and Lok Kalyan Marg metro stations the most convenient nearby options.

• Opening hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm, with last entry in the late afternoon. The museum is closed on Mondays and some national holidays.

• Cost: Entry is around ₹50 (under USD $1) for adults and ₹10 (under USD $0.10) for children on weekdays, and slightly higher on weekends and public holidays. The toy train ride and simulators incur a small additional fee.

• Good to know: The museum is spread across a large outdoor site, so comfortable shoes, sun protection, and water are useful, especially in warmer months. The toy train is popular with kids and can sell out during busy periods, so it’s best to ride earlier in your visit.

Spread across around 90 acres, Lodhi Garden offers a calmer, more spacious side of Delhi. The park is an important heritage site, protecting some of the city’s best-preserved monuments from the 15th and early 16th centuries.

The garden is home to several significant landmarks, including the octagonal Tomb of Muhammad Shah, built in 1444, the walled Tomb of Sikandar Lodi, the Bara Gumbad complex with its mosque, and the Sheesh Gumbad, once decorated with glazed tiles. The Athpula Bridge, built during Emperor Akbar’s reign, is another standout and often a favourite spot for photos.

With so much to see, and plenty of benches and grassed areas to unwind, Lodhi Garden is a popular place for families in Delhi.

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  Location: Lodhi Road, between Khan Market and Safdarjung’s Tomb in central Delhi. The nearest metro stations are Jor Bagh and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

• Opening hours: Open daily from early morning until evening. Opening times vary slightly by season, generally from around 5am or 6am until 8pm.

• Cost: Free

• Good to know: The garden is large and mostly open-air, so comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, and water are essential. Early mornings are best for families, as temperatures are cooler and paths are quieter. Facilities are limited inside the park, so it’s best to come prepared.

Dilli Haat is an open-air market that introduces children to India’s regional crafts and food in a way that’s easy to digest. Stalls rotate regularly, showcasing handmade textiles, toys, jewellery, and souvenirs from across the country, so there’s always something new to see.

Food counters serve smaller portions of regional dishes, including vegetable or chicken momos from the North‑East, masala dosa or idli from South India, pav bhaji from Maharashtra, chole bhature from Punjab, and litti chokha from Bihar. Whether you’re catering to cautious eaters, curious kids, or adults keen to try the best of Indian cuisine, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at this market.

• Location: INA Market, South Delhi, close to INA metro station.

• Opening hours: Generally open daily from late morning until around 9–10pm, depending on the season.

• Cost: A small entry fee applies, with tickets priced at around ₹30 for adults and ₹20 (under $1 USD each) for children. Food is paid for separately and is reasonably priced.

• Good to know: Stalls change every few weeks, so food and craft options vary by visit. Seating is mostly outdoors, so visiting in the late afternoon or early evening is more comfortable, especially when travelling with kids.

Shankar’s International Dolls Museum was founded in 1965 by K. Shankar Pillai, a well‑known political cartoonist and the creator of India’s Children’s Book Trust. The idea began when Shankar received a single traditional doll as a diplomatic gift in the 1950s. As he travelled internationally, he continued collecting dolls that represented local dress, customs, and everyday life, eventually turning the growing collection into a permanent public museum.

Today, the museum holds around 6,500 dolls from more than 80 countries. The museum treats dolls as cultural records, with each figure dressed in accurate regional costumes that reflect its place of origin. Many displays are arranged in small scenes, helping children understand how clothing, music, and ceremonies vary around the world.

• Location: Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, near ITO in central Delhi, housed in the Children’s Book Trust building.

• Opening hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5.30pm. Closed on Mondays and select national holidays.

• Cost: Very affordable entry, with tickets priced at around ₹30 for adults and ₹13 (under $1 USD each) for children.

• Good to know: The museum is fully indoors and air‑conditioned, making it a comfortable option during hotter months.

Delhi’s metro system is clean, efficient, and often an attraction in itself. For many families, it’s their first experience of a large, modern rapid‑transit network, and the scale alone can be exciting, from the long escalators to the colour‑coded lines and fast‑moving trains.

From the windows, children can watch the city change as the train moves between elevated and underground sections. On elevated stretches, they’ll see busy markets, flyovers, parks, and clusters of apartment buildings passing close by, while underground stations feel more like tunnels in a science‑fiction film, with platform screen doors and automated announcements. Interchange stations such as Rajiv Chowk and Kashmere Gate are especially memorable, with their size, multiple levels, and constant flow of trains.

• Location: Citywide network covering central Delhi and the wider National Capital Region.

• Opening hours: Trains run from early morning until late evening, with first and last services varying slightly by line and station.

• Cost: Very affordable, with fares based on distance travelled. Tickets can be bought as single‑journey tokens or loaded onto reusable smart cards.

• Good to know: Outside peak hours, trains are less crowded and more comfortable for families.

Delhi is vast, so planning your transport makes a big difference, especially when travelling with children.

Delhi Metro: The fastest and most predictable way to get around Delhi. Ideal for reaching major attractions without sitting in traffic, and a novelty for many children.

App‑based taxis (Uber, Ola): Best for door‑to‑door travel, especially with younger children, strollers, or tired legs. More comfortable for short hops and evening returns.

Auto-rickshaws: A three-wheeled vehicle; Useful for short distances and a fun experience for older children, but less practical with car seats or lots of bags.

Try to group nearby attractions together and avoid crossing the city during peak traffic hours. Early starts help you see more while keeping everyone comfortable.

• Don’t squeeze everything into your itinerary: Plan no more than one or two major sights per day, and allow plenty of downtime so children don’t feel overtired.

• Start early: Mornings are cooler, quieter, and easier for getting around, especially if you’re using the metro or visiting outdoor attractions.

• Stay central: Choosing accommodation close to key sights reduces travel time and helps you return easily for breaks during the day.

• Pack for the day: Carry water, snacks, sun protection, and hand sanitiser.

• Mix learning with play: Combine museums and educational landmarks with open spaces, short rides, or interactive stops to keep children engaged.

• Be flexible: Traffic, crowds, and energy levels can change quickly, so treat your plan as a guide and allow plenty of flexibility. Some of the best experiences in Delhi are unplanned!

If you're travelling to Delhi with children, staying close to the airport and a direct metro connection can make the city far easier to navigate. Aerocity offers a calmer base away from traffic‑heavy neighbourhoods, while still keeping you well connected to central Delhi.

Novotel New Delhi Aerocity provides a comfortable place for families to recharge after a long day of exploring the city. Rooms are spacious, with configurations designed to accommodate an extra bed or sofa beds, as well as interconnecting rooms on request.

When you’re not exploring, the whole family can enjoy the temperature‑controlled outdoor pool, or make use of the fitness and spa facilities. Children also have access to quiet indoor activities, such as board games and a small library. Novotel New Delhi Aerocity is walking distance from the Airport Express metro line, giving you a fast, direct connection to central Delhi and the airport.

Book your stay direct on Novotel.com or via the ALL Accor app to access the best available rates, member-only benefits, and savings of up to 10% when you join the free ALL Accor loyalty programme.