Hey Chennai Parents! The first full weekend of 2026 is here, and after all that New Year chaos, we need some grounded fun. Forget the generic mall trips—this weekend, we’re diving into local heritage with the Mylapore Festival prelude events and getting seriously inspired at the IIT Madras Open House. Grab the kids and let’s make some real weekend memories!
Quick Picks
Dayakattam Contest
Lady Sivaswamy Ayyar Girls School
A super traditional, zero-cost board game contest where you can play alongside your kids and grandparents.
Mylapore Quiz
Lady Sivaswamy Ayyar Girls School
Indoor heritage quizzing fun for older kids and teens if the weather turns sour.
Dayakattam Contest
Lady Sivaswamy Ayyar Girls School
A simple, fun, old-school game that toddlers and younger kids can learn easily.
Institute Open House 2026
IIT Madras opens its legendary campus to the public! Think cool tech demos, student innovations, and seeing the labs where the future is built. This is way better than a standard science museum trip—it’s the real deal.
Why we picked it: It’s a massive, inspiring, campus-wide showcase of real science and innovation, happening only this weekend.
Dayakattam Contest
Kick off the Mylapore Festival prelude with a classic board game contest! Kids and adults team up to play Dayakattam—it's like an ancient, more strategic version of Ludo. No sign-up needed, just show up and play.
Why we picked it: It’s a genuinely free, community-driven cultural activity focused on hands-on traditional play.
Food Walk
Skip the fancy restaurants and explore Mylapore’s best-kept secret snack spots on this guided walk. You only pay for the delicious street food you sample—a perfect low-stakes culinary adventure.
Why we picked it: A curated taste-tour of authentic Mylapore eats led by an expert guide.
IoT Automation using Raspberry Pi Workshop 2026
If your teen is into coding and making things work, this Raspberry Pi IoT workshop could be a fantastic hands-on start to the year. Check BookMyShow or KnowaFest for exact timings and fees.
Why we picked it: A specialized, future-focused tech workshop happening on Saturday.
'Nooks of Mylapore' Walk
An early morning heritage walk led by a local who shares stories of Mylapore from the 60s and 70s. It’s a wonderful, slow-paced way to soak up the neighbourhood's history.
Why we picked it: An authentic, free glimpse into Old Chennai narrated by a local elder.
Pallankuzhi Contest
Another chance to play a traditional game this weekend—Pallankuzhi is great for developing hand-eye coordination for little ones. Free to join in teams with adults, part of the festival prelude.
Why we picked it: A fantastic, free, indoor activity for younger kids to engage with heritage games.
Mylapore Quiz
Time to test your knowledge of all things Mylapore with this heritage quiz, suitable for older kids and teens in teams of two. It’s a written prelim followed by a final round.
Why we picked it: A competitive, indoor heritage quiz that challenges tweens and teens.
AI & LLM Workshop 2026
Dive into Artificial Intelligence and Large Language Models this Sunday with a dedicated workshop. Great for high-schoolers looking to explore cutting-edge tech fields.
Why we picked it: A deep dive into AI happening on Sunday for the tech-savvy teens.
ROAD SAFETY AWARENESS RUN 2026
Join a run for a good cause! They have a 1KM Fun Run for kids under 10, so it’s perfect for younger ones who want to participate in a family run event. T-shirt and medal included in the fee.
Why we picked it: A healthy, themed family run with specific distances for younger children.
KIDS & JUNIOR ATHLETIC MEET 2026
Heads up for next weekend! If your kid loves to run, jump, or throw, this athletic meet at Nehru Park has specific events for every grade. Entry fee applies and requires ID.
Why we picked it: While next week, it's a great heads-up for structured sports for school-age kids.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in Chennai this weekend?
This weekend (Jan 03-04), you have a couple of great, genuinely free options as part of the Mylapore Festival prelude! Check out the Dayakattam Contest on Saturday at 4 PM and the Pallankuzhi Contest on Sunday at 1:45 PM, both at Lady Sivaswamy Ayyar Girls School. Also, the massive IIT Madras Open House is free to enter!
Are there any inspiring tech/science activities for teens this weekend?
Yes! The IIT Madras Institute Open House 2026 runs both days and is an incredible opportunity to see real innovation on campus. For dedicated learners, there are also specialized tech workshops like the IoT Automation using Raspberry Pi Workshop on Saturday and the AI & LLM Workshop on Sunday.
What can we do in Mylapore that feels local and authentic?
Mylapore is the place to be! On Saturday afternoon, try the Food Walk to sample local snacks, or join the Dayakattam Contest. On Sunday morning, wake up early for the 'Nooks of Mylapore' Walk for history and stories.