Parents Opt For Active Summer Learning For Kids

HYDERABAD:  Long holidays are no longer about idle time or endless cartoons. Across Hyderabad, parents are signing up their children for structured summer programmes that promise more than just keeping them occupied.

From coding and robotics to gardening, storytelling and outdoor survival skills, this year’s summer break shows a clear shift towards hands‑on, skill‑based learning, driven by concerns around screen time and lack of physical activity.

“Children are spending too much time on screens during holidays. We wanted something that keeps him active but also teaches something useful,” said Sneha Reddy, a parent from Kondapur, who enrolled her nine‑year‑old in a mixed activity camp that includes theatre, yoga and basic coding.

City‑based camps are responding with a wider mix of activities. Launchpad in Kondapur offers storytelling, drama, quizzes, writing, music and introductory coding sessions for children as young as three.

Specialised camps are also gaining traction. Robotics and AI workshops, often run through maker labs and tech academies, attract older students keen on problem‑solving and design thinking. Some programmes linked to institutions offer short‑term certification courses aimed at improving analytical skills and exposure to emerging fields.

Outdoor camps are seeing increased interest too. From tree climbing and rope activities to team‑building exercises, these programmes focus on physical movement and social interaction. “Kids learn confidence when they are outdoors. They learn to solve problems, work in teams and handle challenges,” said Natasha VS, organiser of an adventure‑based camp.

Residential camps, running for two to three weeks, are another option. “These programmes combine sports, arts, personality development and life skills in a structured environment,” said Mende Rajith, parent to twin 12‑year‑olds preparing for a residential camp from April 22.

Creativity‑led workshops are emerging as popular choices. Gardening, pottery and niche sessions like Kintsugi — the Japanese art of repairing broken objects — are being explored as therapeutic and reflective experiences.

For children, the appeal is simple. “I like going because we get to play and also make things. It’s not like school,” said Harin Maloth, a 10‑year‑old attending a summer programme in Malkajgiri.

Organisers say the focus has shifted from passive engagement to active learning. “Earlier, camps were mostly about play. Now parents want outcomes, whether it is confidence, communication or problem‑solving skills,” said Natasha, programme coordinator.

With schools increasingly incorporating skill‑based learning during the academic year, summer programmes are becoming an extension of that approach rather than a break from it. For many families, the idea is not just to fill time but to use it well. “If they are anyway going to spend hours doing something, it might as well be meaningful,” Sneha added.

As temperatures rise and holidays stretch ahead, the city’s summer camps are turning into places where children are not just passing time, but learning how to think, create and engage with the world beyond screens.