Tucked away in a maze of lanes in Colaba, Go Bonkers offers children a space to learn and play. Katha Nauriyal visited the latest indoor playing area to check it out
As I entered Go Bonkers in Colaba, I was welcomed by a playful ambiance and fresh décor. However, the first thing that caught my attention was the check-in facility. It helps you conveniently track the duration that your child has spent in the play area and pay accordingly.
As I made my way through excited children sprinting past the play area, I could not help but notice the generous splashes of colour that gave the entire zone a playful aura. Offering a multi-level activity area, it featured a pair of slides, swings, trampolines, a ball pool zone and a basketball court — which by the way, were all well-cushioned to ensure safety. Additionally, it featured a separate section called The Toddler Zone, which is designed specifically to help toddlers jump, climb, crawl and balance. I also noticed that the caretakers who managed the kids quite efficiently operated every section — some even accompanied the little ones on the slides! Adding to this, my guide told me that three staff members are always present inside to look after the children.
However, what really took me by surprise was a quiet section to read amidst this loud, buzzing environment. It offered a range of books and magazines that are not only a great option for children who prefer the company of books, but also offer picks for parents who like to flip through pages while their naughty ones are busy battling obstacles. Adjacent to this nook was an in-house cafe that served snacks such as smiley fries, pizzas and cookies. But, what was unique about its offerings was that meals here are prepared with children’s preferences in mind and priced between an affordable Rs 60 and Rs 500. The cafe also has a screen where parents can watch their kids play in the activity area. To make it more parent friendly, Go Bonkers conducts yoga classes that you can avail of while your children are gallivanting. I visited just in time to see an evening class. Classes cost approximately Rs 4,000-Rs 5,000 every month.
In a nutshell, Go Bonkers is a safe play area, equipped with CCTV cameras, and is the perfect place for your children to play during the monsoon. However, it may not be of great help to parents looking for a spot to drop their kids while they are off to work, as it is mandatory for a child to visit with a guardian. In addition, the maximum time a child can spend at Go Bonkers varies from two to three hours, which may not be enough.
You can book the entire venue to host birthday parties that can accommodate 60 to 100 guests, costing you around Rs 50,000, exclusive of taxes.
Where Sidhwa House, Ground Floor, next to Colaba Fire Station
Timings 10 am to 8 pm
Contact 2204 7112
Prices Tuesday to Thursday: Rs 450 per hour, Friday to Sunday: Rs 500 per hour