Mumbai's party zones are going through a Hyde and Jekyll phase: increasing numbers of pleasure-seeking temples of the night, are metamorphosing into family entertainment centres by Sunday brunch. So the sound of disco, hip-hop or rap is replaced with bachchon ki kilkariyan. It makes business sense, say the people who run these places. People who want to party with their friends and partners throughout the week, want to spend their Sunday, and specifically their Sunday brunch, with the entire family.

So most of them have started offering a bouquet of activities to keep kids busy while their parents are brunching. Sunday MiD DAY spoke to Grand Hyatt, Ramada Plaza Palm Grove, JW Marriott, VITS, Mainland China, Machaan and Zenzi – most actively encourage an adult clientele. But, by Sunday, activities like glass painting, hair braiding and clay modeling take over with clowns, tattoo artists, caricature artists, jugglers, and mascots employed in keeping children amused.

Vie Lounge and Deck is one of Juhu's designated party zones. But on Sundays, a buffet table for kids is the main attraction. The table is just a meter high so that the young ones can help themselves and don't have to be nannied around.

The menu for the kids is child friendly but with healthy foods like oven baked fries, macaroni and cheese and healthy fruit milkshakes. Says Basab Paul, Vie's owner, "Sunday is spent mostly with the family. Earlier, guests came in for hurried brunches or dropped by irregularly depending on perhaps the availability of a babysitter at home. But brunches are the time for long leisurely meals, possibly with family or a group of friends where one can discuss the week gone by. This is why we target families along with their children; the regular younger crowd continues to come in. The key is to keep children occupied while the parents enjoy their meal." Vie offers kids crayons and coloring books. Beach balls are available so the children can play amongst themselves or with their parents.

Grand Hyatt's M Grill and Bar, that operates only for dinner during the week, has a designated kids area, just for the Sunday brunch. Entertainment options for kids are colour tattoo artists, face painting, clay modeling, hair braiding and glass painting. The activities are spread throughout different Sundays across the month, so they can enjoy a different activity each week. Cartoon shows like Tom & Jerry, Popeye and more are put on to amuse the kids. Live-size mascots of cartoon characters sometimes invite the children into the restaurant too. The play area is filled with soft toys.

The cartoon characters make their way on to your kids' crockery and cutlery too so your kids can eat off Donald Duck, Tom & Jerry, Mickey Mouse, Scooby Doo, Batman and others. Additional to these the restaurant offers mini burgers, smiley french fries, milk shakes, small chocolate pancakes, Marshmallows, M&M's and chocolate straws to satisfy their taste buds.

If you're in Bandra, then Zenzi is usually the place to shake a leg. This is why they extend this activity to kids once a month. Parents can join in. Zenzi even has a dance teacher — Mirabelle Da Cruz — who helps kids overcome their shyness. They can dance with their partners or parents.

Lotus Café, at JW Marriott, must be one of Juhu's busiest Sunday brunch destinations. While during the week it's a place for business meetings, the brunch becomes the opposite of this quiet haven. F&B manager, Nasir Shaikh, says, "We convert Sunday into a destination, not just a venue at the Marriott. The whole set up on Sunday focuses on family and we have stressed on that since we opened up five years ago." There are magicians, caricature artists, workshops, mascots of cartoon characters and tattoo painters.

Poolside brunches are another big draw. Hotels convert their cafés into brunch addresses. VITS at Andheri East even has a one-day swimming lesson for the kids. And, there is a dance floor with DJ attached – for kids only. When it comes to food, Chef Chandrakant Shetty, vice president food production, VITS, says, "When kids come in with their parents, they don't want to go through a whole main course. They grab their hands on something that's quick and fast to eat, like fries and chaat and after that, want to jump into the pool."

Pushpahaz Patel, F&B manager, Ramada Palm Grove, which also offers a Sunday poolside brunch, says, "A compere organises activities that are popular with children. The friendly attachment creates a unique experience. A guard mans the pool, so the adults can relax when their kids get into the pool. We try to make every occasion enjoyable to give people value for money."

Renaissance even screens movies that kids can watch during brunch. Kids are watched over by two members of the staff to ensure their safety. This service is an integral part of their Sunday brunch.

Dio, Tardeo's favourite watering hole, has introduced a few innovative concepts to draw in families. They have a "Bake and take your own pizza" concept for kids and also a course of mini golf. Says Zuzer Lucknowala, managing director, Dio, "Changes likes these are essential because customers say they want to go to a place where their kids can have fun too. Our success ratio has gone up since these Sunday specials," he says.