Want to de-stress over the weekend? Here’s some fun options

Graphics: TBS

For as long as I can remember, my favourite way to unwind has been spending hours in a bookstore, a cup of tea or a 'lemon razz' from North End in hand, depending on whether I'm at Batighar or Bookworm.

Everyone has their way of relaxing after a long week. Some find solace in retail therapy while others binge-watch their favourite TV series. Many of us, however, head towards catching up with friends at a restaurant.

Engaging in the same de-stressing method can get monotonous so I became eager to explore more physical and creative hobbies.

Kolpokar

De-stressing through art has always seemed like a foreign concept but I decided to give it a go. Kolpokar, a small café near Gulshan 2 that offers light bites and hot beverages, caught my attention not just for its food but also for its creative facilities, including 3D drawing and virtual reality (VR) gaming.

I opted for their orientation package, which included a 30-minute session using a 3D pen, where you could create a design that they later transform into a keychain with their 3D printer. It also came with a 10-minute VR experience.

I was most excited about using the 3D pen, but after miserably failing several attempts, I was ready to give up. Fortunately, the friendly staff patiently guided me, reminding me that the key to success was staying calm and remembering that I control the pen not the other way around.

What truly took me by surprise, though, was the VR gaming. My time at Kolpokar was full of firsts, and this activity became my favourite. I got transported back into the world of Fruit Ninja, a game I used to play religiously 10 years ago. Slicing fruit in mid-air was unexpectedly fun and incredibly relaxing. It's now my go-to way to de-stress.

Kolpokar offers multiple games to choose from, and I even tried my hand at shooting aliens in a battle to save Earth. But the most interesting game was the one where they simulated walking on a plank high up in the sky. Despite standing on fake grass in a room, my mind was utterly convinced that I was about to fall off a plank. The staff encouraged me to 'fly' and I did with plenty of fear and, I found the experience thrilling.

"The idea behind this is to teach young people empathy, helping them understand how window cleaners feel when working at such great heights," said the owner of Kolpokar.

This unique café has been around for a few years. It's a spot where I can enjoy a good cup of coffee while letting my creativity flow freely.

Price: Tk1,000 (Kolpokar's orientation pack inclusive of all activities)

Clay Station

Clay Station at Chef's Table Courtside (100ft Madani Avenue) is one of Dhaka's trendier spots for relaxation, though I'm a bit late to join the club. Initially, I was hesitant about working with clay, fearing it might trigger my anxiety as I worried about making a mess. But to my surprise, the moment I touched the clay, it felt like an extension of me, making it easier to mould into the humble cup of a first-timer.

Their 'Pick and Paint' sessions are quite popular, and it's easy to see why. Painting your favourite colours onto pre-made pottery has a soothing effect, helping you focus and unwind.

Working with clay forces you to slow down and focus on one step at a time. And the final result? A sense of accomplishment. There's something deeply fulfilling about creating something with your own hands, and it's important to hold on to these moments of achievement.

Price: Starts from Tk500 (Pick and Paint session)

Go-Karting

If you're looking for an outdoor group activity that keeps your friends from turning into couch potatoes and doom-scrolling through your hangout, you've got to try Go-Karting. Not only does it get everyone moving, but it also gives your brain that dopamine boost we all need to survive the chaos of Dhaka.

Located at 100ft Madani Avenue, Go-Karting is a bit more of a challenge if, like me, you're not a regular driver. With their starting package, we got three laps to test our skills. And if you manage to finish with record time (which, let's just say, I was nowhere near), your name goes up on their Hall of Fame. It's the perfect setup for turning things into a friendly competition with your group.

But the real highlight for me was Zero Gravity, a mini amusement area where our group of four friends completely let loose on their trampolines. It felt like teleporting back to our childhood days, reminiscent of the bouncy castles at Wonderland. Only this time, as adults, we got to relive

the fun and squeeze in some 'easy cardio.'

Price: Starts from Tk500 (go-karting); Tk970 (zero gravity trampolines for 30 minutes)

Escape Room

If you're up for a real test of nerves, Bashundhara City Shopping Complex's Toggi World has the ultimate challenge at Escape Room. You can choose from two themes: puzzle or horror. Naturally, my friends and I, being the horror junkies we are, dove straight into the horror option—and it did not disappoint.

The 10-minute nightmare felt like being dropped into our favourite childhood game, 'House of the Dead,' where time and reality just stopped.

From the moment the doors slammed shut behind us, we were in a world of eerie sound effects, masked ghouls and heart-pounding jump scares. It's so intense you almost forget those masked figures aren't actual monsters but people being paid to haunt your dreams. The narrow, dark corridors and shattering glass have you frozen in terror, right before a ghost starts chasing you down the hall. By some miracle, each of us managed to stumble through the final door to escape.

This horror ride isn't for the faint of heart. If you'd prefer less nightmare-inducing thrills, you can always pick the puzzle room. The puzzle room evokes the feeling of being in an Indiana Jones movie where you must solve the various puzzles in front of you while a clock counts down to zero. The puzzles are challenging and require brainstorming and collaboration.

Whereas the horror-themed escape room appeals to the thrill-seeker in you, successfully solving the puzzle room and seeing the door finally open up fills you with intellectual pride and a sense of competence.

Price: Tk1,000

Laser Tag and Paint Ball

Cut from the same cloth, one game leaves you sore, the other leaves you breathless. But who doesn't love shooting their friends with make-believe weapons? Toggi World offers you Laser Tag and Paintball.

As a devoted fan of 'How I Met Your Mother', I get why Barney Stinson couldn't quit laser tag well into his 30s. After playing it myself, I have to admit the game is addictive. The 10-minute match is pure adrenaline as you dash around, zapping the enemy team. When you get hit, your battery drains, but it recharges quickly enough to keep the chaos going. The thrill of seeing your team name flash on the leaderboard (which, yes, I was lucky enough to witness) is unmatched.

Paintball, though, is a whole different beast. Those hits hurt. But somehow, the sting just fuels your hunger for revenge, making it that much more satisfying to nail your opponents. The 10 minutes feel like a battlefield sprint, and the pain adds a certain edge to your war fantasies.

Both game kits put you in full gear, making you feel like you've been drafted into a mini-army. Honestly, spending your weekend in a fake war with friends beats lazing around on a rooftop any day.

Price: Tk300 (Laser Tag); Tk400 (Paint Ball)