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India loves kids of all ages. Its lively tumult, which can be overwhelming for adults, is manna to children. The sights, sounds and smells mean they’re never bored. And their actions, exclamations and even tantrums, which may raise eyebrows elsewhere, are easily absorbed by India’s accommodating culture.

While the country may throw up challenges for traveling families — the need for vaccinations, heavy traffic and not being able to drink tap water — parents will never struggle to find a restaurant or hotel that welcomes children. And you’ll always find something great to do with kids in every part of India.

Renting a taxi for a day of sightseeing is also a practical option – providing the flexibility to stop when cranky children need to stretch their legs or when you spot a clean washroom or an intriguing sight. Within India’s biggest cities, you can take the metro or hop into a three-wheeled autorickshaw for a fun family adventure.

Prepare your kids for two of the things that India will throw at them. The country has many more people than they’re probably used to and it’s easy for small travelers to get confused or lost in a crowd, so make sure the kids always have your hotel’s card with the address and phone number in their pockets. Secondly, pedestrians do not have right of way on India’s roads. Cars will not stop for pedestrians, so always cross at pedestrian crossings (ideally with crossing guards) or look out for pedestrian bridges.

Choosing what to see and where to go can be hard, so let the weather play a part in your travel plans. The dry months from September to March are pleasant in most of India; Goa’s beaches are fabulous at this time but avoid the Himalayas unless you’re prepared for the cold. Save exploring those mighty mountains and their stunning landscapes and welcoming communities for the pre-monsoon season from April to June, when it’s burning hot in the lowlands. The monsoon season, from July to August, is a challenging travel period and best avoided with children.