What you see – Vanilla is not as plain as the name. And even as you drive into the tree-lined avenue that houses the mom and kids center, you realize this place is something different.

What you get – So what does Vanilla have? It’s got a play gym for children, it’s got a Wi-Fi vegetarian café, it’s got an outdoor play area for children (where they can actually drive cars), it’s got a store, it’s got a library, it’s got a massage center, and it’s got exercise classes.

First, the play gym. Over here, you have child-friendly, non-toxic trampolines, see saws, tunnels, and little mountains, all of them completely safe. Your child can do anything from run up and down foam steps, to rappelling, to rolling, bouncing and more. It’s great fun.

Outside, in the play area, the ‘cars’ are non-battery-operated or motorized, which means the child has to navigate the car using their motor and coordination skills. The store stocks linen, some toys and books, as does the library, where you can buy books.

At the massage center, things are simple - the mom can get a massage done while the child is watched at the play gym. She can get a full-body massage or a reflexology one or acupressure or post-natal. This way she will not feel nervous about her child being left at home as the child will be in the same complex.

At the café, the menu is simple and tasty, just as a child would like it. There’s pasta, sandwiches, juice and French fries apart from some wedges and cutlets. The prices too are reasonable, a meal for you and your child would work out to less than Rs. 200.

The exercise classes upstairs are both for mother and child (and by child, we mean baby too), where the two are taught to discover their bodies. These are dance, aerobics, yoga and movement classes, which we are told are quite popular.

As for prices, Vanilla charges Rs. 150 per child to use the facilities (the gym and the outside area) for an unlimited amount of time. The massages cost between Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000.

Vanilla keeps conducting some fun sessions on special days like August 15, Halloween etc. So register with them to get the details. Apart from this you can conduct a birthday party there, which will work out to Rs. 400-Rs 500 a child (that includes the menu and the play-gym area).

Our verdict – Vanilla is basically a place that mothers and their children can go to – kids up to the age of four/five will enjoy it.  It is simple, well-thought, safe and very child-friendly. Not many like this in the city. The place has ample parking space.

Anytime between – 9.30 AM - 7 PM (Weekdays)
                                10.30 AM - 7 PM (Sundays)