2021 Jul 19
Are you a seasoned parent looking for unique ways to spice up the parenting routine? Or maybe you’re new to the game having just had kids? Perhaps you’re a teenager trying to plan a family outing that can be mutually enjoyable for both your parents and younger siblings? Whatever it may be, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. In Colombo, there’s something to be discovered in every corner and something to be enjoyed for every family.
And the best part – you don’t need to do a big family outing to make a big family memory – happiness enjoyed as a family can be found in the simplest and smallest of things. Here’s our roundup of the top 10 family experiences in and around Colombo – read on and enjoy!
1) THE MUSEUMS
Economic History Museum
This small money museum is located on the ground floor of the Central Bank building (also known as ‘Central point’) in Colombo. The museum retells the story of money in the country – including the evolution from the barter economy to currency. It also displays coins from all the periods of Sri Lanka’s history, from the kingdoms of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa to today.
Sri Lanka Air Force Museum
Opened in 1993, this is a contemporary, unusual but cool museum. It is perhaps one of the more unique places to visit in Colombo. The Air Force Museum focuses on both the technological aspect of aviation and the historical component, starting from the Royal Air Force operations in the country during WWII up until today.
The museum is located in the Aircraft Preservation and Storage Unit at the Air Force Base in Ratmalana. The civil engineering exhibits, aircraft engine models, photo gallery and exciting results of successful airstrikes that destroyed enemy assets make for an interesting and informative family excursion.
National Museum
Museums represent infotainment in probably one of its oldest forms, and the National Museum is no different. It features a wide variety of photos, exhibits, artifacts, authentic historic items and replicas that spread over two buildings and two floors, with dedicated sections for each of Sri Lanka’s historical periods, covering both the ancient and the more recent colonial times.
2) DEEP SEA DIVING
“No way!” and “really?!” are two of the most common responses we get when people hear that Colombo is one of the best places in Sri Lanka for a great wreck diving experience; and to be honest, this was our initial reaction too. Not only does Colombo have an impressive array of shipwrecks, but it has some great reefs too – and this would make for a great activity for the more adventurous families out there.
The famous and unique dive sites include the Gorgonian Gardens (a unique dive site supposedly found nowhere else in Sri Lanka).
To perform a dive, you’ll either have to be guided or have received basic training, so for more information, you can contact:
Island scuba
They operate part-time on a booking basis
Address: Sea Wave Restaurant, (Beachside of Railway Tracks), 58/6 De Alwis Place, Dehiwala, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Phone number: 0766 981 885
Website: https://islandscuba.net/, https://islandscuba.net/colombo-gallery/
Email address: dive@islandscuba.net
3) DOUBLE DECKER BUS RIDE
Enjoy the city of Colombo from a different perspective as you cruise through its streets in an iconic double-decker red bus. The Colombo City Tour – the only open-deck city sightseeing service in Sri Lanka, is a venture by Sri Lanka Tourism and Ebert Silva Holidays. It offers an exclusive glimpse into Sri Lanka’s premier city of “Old & New”. There are 3 tour package options – ‘Glimpse of Colombo’, ‘Heritage of Colombo’ and ‘Colombo at Night’.
Address: Ebert Silva Holidays (Pvt) Ltd – No.40, Nikape Road, Dehiwala
Phone number: 0777 599 963/ 0777 772 595/ 0112 814 700
Website: https://www.colombocity tours.com/
Email address: info@colombocitytours.com
Charge per adult – LKR 1,000
Family package- 2 children accompanied by parents (2 adults) are free of charge and the charge for the third child is LKR 450
Please note that all tours have been temporarily suspended due to the current COVID-19 situation.
4) ESCAPE ROOMS
A relatively new addition to Colombo’s activity landscape, Escape Rooms are themed, scenario-based, interactive adventure games in which a group of people have to work together to solve clues and crack puzzles in order to complete the objective of escaping within the time limit – usually of 1 hour. It’s a fun experience that brings the whole family together, especially those who love an intellectual challenge.
The clues can be tricky, but no knowledge and special skills are required. The games being able to accommodate 2-8 players is an additional plus point that makes it ideal for a family crowd. After all, a family that plays together, stays together! You can check out:
Escape the Room
Address: 216, Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Himi Mawatha (Thimbirigasyaya Road), Sri Lanka
Phone number: 0750 333 333
Website: https://escapetheroom.lk/
Email address: escapetheroomsl@gmail.com
Walk-ins are not currently allowed and they are operating only on an advance booking basis.
5) THE PARKS
Baddegana Wetland Park
This wetland park located in the city’s suburbs (in Sri Jayawardanepura Kotte) is a new addition to Colombo city as it was only very recently opened to the public. It is a great place for nature lovers where families can enjoy fauna and flora native to the wet zones of Sri Lanka. It is home to many birds, insects and mammals, out of which some are endemic to Sri Lanka. The park is also popular for its variety of migratory birds during the season lasting from August up until April.
The Duck Pond, Wader Walk, Migratory Bird Walk and Butterfly Walk are some of the notable attractions here that will no doubt be fascinating for the little ones. These attractions also give them and their parents the opportunity to learn about the environment. There are also educational tours such as boat rides focused on identifying different species of butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies.
Diyatha Uyana
Yet again in the suburbs of Colombo city, this modern park located on the banks of the Diyawanna Oya ticks all the boxes when it comes to a family outing. It’s a relaxing place away from Colombo’s urban jungle where families can opt to spend an evening strolling along the walking paths or enjoying a swan boat ride on the lake. There are food vendors, a kids play area and some mind-blowing views that make for great pictures!
There’s also a splendid aquarium nearby showcasing a wide variety of fish, and you can even get some weekend shopping done at the Good Market stalls in the vicinity.
Beira Lake Park
The Beira Lake has an interesting past. Today, the linear park running along its waterside remains as a slice of greenery in the city. In addition to this park, the lake area also includes swan pedal boat rides and a suspension bridge with a small island in the middle of the lake. It is a great place to spend some quality time relaxing in serenity with family, especially in the evenings.
Viharamahadevi Park
In a city like Colombo, finding a large green area in the form of a public park such as the Viharamahadevi Park is pretty unique indeed. The park has nice paths facilitating activities adults can enjoy together with their kids, such as cycling, running or walking. The multitude of trees present here give pleasant shade and make it perfect for an afternoon/evening family picnic. Families can sit together and chill while playing games or sharing stories, or take a leisurely stroll through the well-manicured lawn and fountains – quality family time indeed.
6) SECOND-HAND BOOKSHOPS
Kids love books! Books open them up to a whole new world of fun and fantasy limited only by their imagination. Thus, books are a child’s best friend; and what’s more, parents love them too! This makes this probably one of the few examples where family and friends mix well together! Couple this with the exorbitant prices of books in Sri Lanka, and you can see why second-hand bookshops are such a widely enjoyed family activity.
The famous second-hand bookshops of Maradana (down Dr. Wijewardene Mawatha) are a famous row of tiny stalls in Colombo that do just this; and the prominent names here include Premadasa Bookshop, Warnasuriya Book Depot and Sarath Books. These are open from approximately 9 am to 4.30 pm daily.
7) THE DEHIWALA ZOO
Kids are born to be wild, and we’re no strangers to how much they enjoy being in the company of animals! With its 72 species of mammals, 65 species of birds, 31 species of reptiles, 89 species of fish, 03 families of amphibians and 30 species of butterflies, the Dehiwala Zoo is a fantastic family outing that piques the interest of adults and young ones alike.
It has special animal shows featuring elephants and sea lions, which are incredibly fascinating; and the fact that they are a form of edutainment makes them all the more likeable for parents as a fun family activity. In addition, the zoo specialises in offering a great nature experience for kids. Child visitors are provided many fun opportunities including swings, mat slides and treehouses in the kids’ zone. The petting area also helps kids learn to love animals.
8) CLOCK INN
This is an artistic budget hotel located in the heart of Colombo that offers both dormitory and private room accommodation options. Its value lies in the fact that it’s located in close proximity to major dining, shopping and entertainment spots in the city such as the Majestic City mall. The fact that it’s not too heavy on the pockets makes it ideal for a short family stay.
Address: 3, 457 Colombo – Galle Main Rd, Colombo 3
Phone number: 0112 500 588
Website: https://www.clockinn.lk/
Email address: colombo@clockinn.lk
Charge per double room on bed and breakfast basis: LKR 5,000 per night
9) GALLE FACE GREEN
Galle Face Green is the city’s most famous attraction and an absolute family favourite! The stretch of green grass along the sea promenade is perfect for all kinds of family activities from kite-flying (favoured in particular because of the strong winds by the ocean) to games like dog-and-the-bone and run and catch. In the age of social media and electronics, this is a great getaway to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. You can also dip your toes in the waves and visit the jetty jutting out into the ocean.
The experience here however wouldn’t be complete without the street food – with its explosion of smells and flavours. Evenings see a host of stalls – the most noteworthy and old-standing of which is ‘Nana’s’. On the seaside, they serve fried, barbecued and grilled food options such as fried seafood, devilled gram and parathas. You can buy items to take away and sit on the grass to enjoy them or sit down at one of the larger stalls with plastic chairs and tables.
10) INDEPENDENCE SQUARE
A classic landmark in Colombo city, Independence Square is extremely popular with parents for a Saturday/Sunday outing – and rightly so! There’s an opportunity for a wide variety of family activities here from cycling in the square or on the neighbouring path to walking/jogging on the shaded tracks, from picnicking on the lawn to playing outdoor games. Families can sit or stroll through the Independence Memorial Hall with its iconic stone lion statues. They can also visit the Memorial Museum just below, built to commemorate the people who served the nation in the past.
Also, just around the corner is the Arcade Independence Square – a colonial building that has now been converted into a mall. A large number of shops and restaurants as well as the cinema and underground glass aquarium here (which kids find so very exciting to observe and walk/play on) add to the attraction of the area and make it a prime family location in Colombo.
So there you have it, folks! Some of the best family-friendly experiences this bustling metropolis has to offer. Please note that some of these places/activities may be temporarily closed due to the current COVID-19 situation. Also, this list is by no means exhaustive. There are plenty of other attractions (restaurants, malls, etc.) you can enjoy in addition to the ones listed above. With good company (and we know family is the best!), any place works. After all, home is where the heart is.
They say ‘a Sunday well spent brings a week of content’. With this list, we hope we help you do just that! Whether you’re living in the capital and looking to discover new family fun, or if you’re from elsewhere – this roundup should be helpful in creating a lovely new memory.
Have you visited these places? Which one’s your favourite? Have we missed out on a great family spot? Do let us know in the comments section below!
