We are living in the era of screens, with kids, adults, and even senior citizens somewhat addicted to them. Since such is the case, sometimes we rightly feel the need to spend some time with our family in a place where there are no screens — just unadulterated, innocent activities that are equally fun for both adults and kids. So, if you’re eyeing a long weekend and are looking for some fun weekend activities in Islamabad for your kids – here are our top picks to get the ball rolling.
FUN WEEKEND ACTIVITIES IN ISLAMABAD – SOME MUST-VISIT PLACES
There’s no shortage of fun weekend activities in Islamabad, and the only non-fun activity you will encounter is shortlisting your options – but guess what? We’ve covered that part, too, just for you!
Also, since we are discussing the capital, you do not have to worry about the weather since it stays moderate throughout the year so that you can enjoy plenty of fun things with kids throughout the year. From hiking on Margalla hills to munching on some exclusive cuisines, there are plenty of things you can do in the federal capital, including visiting the places mentioned below with your kids for a fun weekend in Islamabad:
- Islamabad Zoo
- Centaurus-Fun City
- Melody Food Street
- Laila Carnival Park
Islamabad Zoo
Administered by the Capital Development Authority and located near Margalla Hills, Islamabad Zoo is a crowd-pleaser, good enough for anyone looking to spend a fun weekend in Islamabad with their family. The history of the zoo dates back to 1978 when it was a natural reserve for leopards, spotted deer, and Indian gazelle found in the constituency of the capital. Thirty years later, in 2008, the zoo was upgraded to serve as a recreational area for families and a wildlife sanctuary.
The zoo houses dozens of species of outlandish birds and rare animals including pheasants, Indian peafowls, great white pelicans, ring-necked parakeets, chinkaras, blackbucks, spotted deer, and hog deer, to name a few. Apart from that, the zoo also houses carnivorous animals such as brown bears, lions, and Indian wolves. Similarly, the many species of reptiles on display in Islamabad Zoo include Indian roofed turtle, red-eared slider, black pond turtle, and Indian softshell turtle.
In a nutshell, Islamabad Zoo is full of charms and serves as a welcoming and budget-friendly avenue for parents looking for kid-friendly activities at weekends in Islamabad.
Location: Pir Sohawa Road, Saidpur, Islamabad.
Entry Ticket in PKR: 30/-
Days and Timings: Monday – Sunday, 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Centaurus Mall – Fun City
Located on the 4th floor of Centaurus Mall, Fun City is an indoor amusement park and among the fun places to visit in Islamabad at weekends. The amusement park is divided into five sections: attraction rides, playground system, games, virtual reality, and carnival. The thrills delivered by the attraction rides will get your adrenaline pumping with options like “Drop N Twist”, “Bumper Cars”, “Happy Swing”, “Top Flip” and a VR theatre that can be enjoyed equally by adults as well as children. The playground system in Fun City is carefully built to accommodate families with toddlers and extremely young children. As mentioned earlier, Fun City also boasts quite a few innovative and interactive games including carnival games and virtual reality games which can be enjoyed by children of all ages, while adults can stand by their side and cheer them up as they lead.
So, the next time you’re shopping at Centaurus, you can also spend some quality time with your kids at Fun City. The indoor park is also an idyllic choice for hosting thematic birthday parties and school trips since it enables you to choose from their extensive booking menu.
Location: 4th floor, The Centaurus Mall, F-8, Jinnah Avenue, Islamabad.
Entry Ticket in PKR: Varies for each ride
Days and Timings: Sunday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 11: 00 PM | Friday – Saturday 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Melody Food Park
Image Credits: Facebook/ Melody Food Park, Islamabad
There’s no better way to spend quality family time in Islamabad than enjoying authentic flavours served by the many restaurants operating in the federal capital. And since we are discussing eateries in Islamabad, it is not possible to not mention Melody Food Street — the one place that has a unique mix of activities on offer for every age group.
The food street features some of the best delicacies under one umbrella at extremely budget-friendly prices. To paint a picture with words, Melody Food Park is swarmed with several kiosks, restaurants, and eateries offering hygienic food and snacks, coupled with a comfortable sitting area. So, if you’re running on a budget and looking for some fun activities for weekends in Islamabad, take a walk across Melody Food Park at breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Location: 1 Street 5, G-6/3 G 6 Markaz G-6, Islamabad.
Entry Ticket in PKR: Free entry but prices vary for different eateries.
Days and Timings: Monday – Sunday, 7:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Lake View Park
Image Credits: Facebook/ Lake View Park, Islamabad
Situated near Kashmir Highway, Lake View Park is a massive territory housing a slew of fun weekend activities for families to enjoy in Islamabad. The park offers so much that it is almost impossible to fit everything into a single list. The massive park is divided into four main sections: Laila Carnival Park, Boating – Lake View, Bird Park, and several small gardens for relaxing or having a family picnic.
Specifically, Laila Carnival Park is an outdoor amusement park equipped with thrilling rides and a climbing wall – ideal for building trust, determination, and fearlessness in children. The amusement park also boasts an ATV track, a 4D cinema, and some eateries. The fun doesn’t end here because Lake View Park also features boating and there’s no better feeling than spending a day out near the Rawal Lake with your family. Of course, teach your children some extra precautionary measures before hopping on the boat and make some basic boat rules to keep them safe around the water. As mentioned earlier, the park also houses a separate aviary for birds that is said to Pakistan’s largest birdcage. Owing to the park’s massive size, passenger trains and golf carts are readily available to shuttle people from one side of the park to the other. The rides are provided by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) since the park is managed by the CDA, too.
Taking considerations of the amount of fun you can have at Lake View Park, packing a picnic basket and planning to go for it immediately is never a bad idea.
Other popular parks in Islamabad that could be considered as an alternative for a family picnic include Fatima Jinnah Park, Shakarparian Park, Japanese Children’s Park, and Rose and Jasmine Garden.
Location: Murree Road, Lake View Park, Islamabad.
Entry Ticket in PKR: 30/-
Days and Timings: Monday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Moreover, road trips are also an ever-popular way to spend time with your family in Islamabad. In fact, a great number of families in Islamabad prefer to hop on a car at weekends and visit nearby cities such as Rawalpindi, Muzzafarabad, Murree, and Nathiagali. Besides, a small road trip with your children can be a great bonding experience, and you can introduce your children to various places. So, if you’re planning your next road trip at the weekend with your children and are wondering where Islamabad will lead you to, check out our blog on 5 fun road trips in Pakistan. Subscribe to Zameen Blogs – Pakistan #1 lifestyle blog and tell us how do you spend your weekends in Islamabad at blogs@zameen.com.
