NCC, Scouts & Guides

Swimming is the one activity every child should learn early, for safety as much as fitness. Kolkata has club pools, school pools and academy pools, and the Subhas Sarovar and Rabindra Sarovar complexes; look for a certified coach, a pool depth suited to beginners and a batch size under ten.

Tennis coaching in Kolkata runs at the Calcutta South Club, the Bengal Tennis Association courts at Salt Lake and club and academy courts across the city. Beginners start with mini-tennis; ask about the coach's AITA background and whether match play is included.

Badminton is one of the most popular indoor sports for Kolkata children, with academies in most localities. Look for wooden or synthetic courts, feeder coaches and a clear path from beginner to competitive batches.