KidZania Manila Invasion: For First Timers

My children have been asking for a trip to KIDZANIA since it opened in Manila a few months back. 

We finally gave it a go and bought tickets online via TicketWorld.  The boys were just so thrilled.

MamaSpeaks, welcomes you  to KidZania!

What is KidZania?

KidZania is an indoor role play city where kids can be anybody they want to be. It is it's own nation, where kids actually rule! And my boys are ready for some action.

Our timing was perfect. There were fewer crowd than KidZania's normal full house.   Waiting time was under 10 minutes (well except for the blockbuster Fire Station) ~ Lucky us. 

My 7 year old finished 11 activities (excluding lunch break, bus tour, opening an account and getting a passport) in his 9am-4pm shift. Not bad at all!

First stop ~ the Bank

At entry, the kids were handed KidZanian checks worth 50 kidZos.  Kids (yes parents wait outside, as for all of the other activities) must cash-in their check in the bank. 

  They can then open a bank account, to get an ATM card.  It is real fast and easy.  

Next Stop ~ Immigration

Before role playing, the boys applied for KidZanian passport. Applying for a passport requires parental consent and costs P250. I pre-applied the kids on-line, so the Immigration officer needed simply to retrieve their application from the database.

A passport gives your children a citiZen  status.  CitiZens get special benefits such as discounts and higher pay.  

Naturalized CitiZens for instance gets:

• 5 kidZos discount on redemption items at the Department Store
• 5% discount on National Store and Photography and
• earns extra 2 kidZos per activity

A passport is a good investment, especially if you plan of coming back for more of KidZania.

Third Stop ~ City Tour Bus

A ride on board the tour bus cost 1 kidZo each. Taking the tour bus before doing any activity was a good call, as it gave us a good vista of the town for easier navigation afterwards.

 Parents wanting a break, would appreciate the Parents' Lounge located at the Mezzanine level. Here adults can charge their gadgets, or have coffee.

The boys had a blast playing make believe.  Here are pictures from from the activities they did.

As a radio talent at the DZMM/MOR Radio Station 

As a baker at the Goldilocks Bakeshop 

As construction workers

 Developing treats at the Oishi Creative Hub

 Flying a plane as a Pilot at the Cebu Pacific Hub

 As a patrol police officer at the KidZania Police Department (KZPD)

There are dozens of activities kids can try, a shift is not enough to finish them all. 

Here are the other activities we would come back for:

As a dentist  ~ just look at the make believe child seated on the dental chair. She looks life like.

As a fireman at the Fire Station ~ would definitely do this on our next visit.

As a court observer in the court house

Things to remember when visiting KidZania:

1. Activities may either earn your kids kidZos or cost them. Work activities earns, while activities that teaches cost kidZos.

 Use the map you receive upon entry as guide to check if the activity earns or costs kidZos.

2. Check the census plaques (like the one below), which are helpful guides to learning about the town's different activities. It contains information on age requirement, length of activity, number of visitors who may join the activity and whether the activity will earn or require spending of kidZos. 

Note: CitiZens pay 2 kidZos less or earns 2 kidZos more than published rates.

3. A visit to the KidZania website will  help you choose activities pre-hand.  Prioritize your child's personal interests, but try to encourage him on other activities outside these interests as well.

4. Get your tickets online to avoid disappointments.  You don't want to go there learning there are no more tickets left. When getting your tickets via TicketWorld you would notice that there is a ticket availability indicator (green means light crowd, while red means full house) ~ if you are not particular on the date, I suggest you delay your trip to a less crowded day.

5. Bring your camera and take lots of pictures.  Have fun and enjoy an educational bonding day with your kids.

6.  Most of the activities are for children ages 4-14 years old, however, I noticed that my older child (age 12) was not so keen on joining most of the activities. I think he has already outgrown role playing. It was however, perfect for my 7 year old, who was all over town.

Thumbs Up for KidZania Manila ~ Perfect place for Kids is a perfect place to dream and play!

We had a wonderful day at KidZania ~ we would surely be back for more.

 KidZania Manila is located  at the Park Triangle, North 11th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

Tel No: +632 711-KidZ

For inquiries check KidZania's media pages:

facebook: www.facebook.com/KidZaniaManilaKid

instagram: @KidZaniaManila

twitter: @KidZaniaManila

Shopping at Manila's First LEGO Store (My KIDDOS Heaven)

Where do you take two (2) lego fanatic boys, who keeps on saying "they have nothing to do"

~ GO to a LEGO STORE silly! 

I have read about the recently opened, first LEGO certified Store in the country, and can just imagined the thrill it would give my LEGO fan boys to have an unplanned (unannounced) trip to a Lego Store ~ Oh PRICELESS!

The first Lego Certified Store is located at Park Triangle, 11th Avenue cor Rizal Drive, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Park Triangle is a fairly new commercial complex building and is the same complex to house Kidzania Manila.

Look who welcomed us!

My son was so happy to see a life size Emmet, guarding the Lego Certified Store front. 

My kiddo loves Emmet, so I had to explain for a number of times that this one is not for sale :D

Other Lego Characters with Emmet are from Lego Chima ~ Laval and Cragger. 

So Cool and selfie worthy :P

This Lego Certified Store is quite small and carries limited Lego merchandise arranged by toys age appropriateness. 

Like all other Lego stores around the world, however, Lego Store Manila sells bricks by 100 grams in their Pick A Brick (PAB) area. 

And the Build A Mini (BAM), where kids and kids at heart can customize their own mini figures (headwear, head, torso, legs, including tools and accessories).

Boy and big boys will have fun, checking out these awesome toys and displays.

Happy threesome~ we will be back!

  

Are you a Lego fan?  You may also want to check our family trip to LEGOLAND Malaysia. Follow these links:

Legoland Hotel ~ Lego fanatics Dream Hotel!
Legoland Malaysia (A Dream come true for Lego Fans)
Legoland Water Park

  

Magnum Manila Review ~ Heaven Sent Dessert

What do you say to a Magnum Bar, with three (3) of your choice toppings, on a super hot afternoon? 

 

It was obviously a big YES (with a huge GRIN) for me and my boys. 

 

I have been wanting to try Magnum Manila's "make-your-own" ice cream bar, but the long queues is such a turn-off.  

 

We were back at SM Aura last week, and the queues were not as long ~ Yipee!

 

 

 A DIY Magnum Bar cost P100. 

 

 

 

After paying, a crew takes in your choices of three (3) toppings...

 

(Tip: There are so many toppings to choose from, if you are not certain, get the toppings labelled "best seller")

 

 

 

 You  would be asked, whether you want a vanilla or a chocolate bar; and preference of chocolate coating: dark chocolate, white chocolate or milk chocolate.  

 

 

The ice cream bar is dipped into the chocolate coating and the toppings are then sprinkled to the ice cream bar, and "tada", the bestEST Magnum Bar ever!!!

 

 

 

 My choice: vanilla ice cream, dipped in dark chocolate with almonds, marsh mallow and choco dots for toppings. 

 

 

My boy is so proud of his own ice cream creation. 

 

I guess we will be back again soon (hopefully without queues)!

 

 

 

Magnum Manila is located at the 5F Skypark, SM Aura

Check out their facebook page for details: Magnum Manila

 

 

NBA Cafe Review ~ Boys Day Out

If you have boys (and a husband :P) who are so into basketball,  you should consider dining at the NBA café at SM Aura, BGC Taguig. 

 

 

 

 

The huge NBA logo at the store front, was quite successful and attracting my kiddos' attention.  The crew invited us in and my kids were all eyes, on the NBA theming of the place ~ furnishing and decorations.

  

There are television monitors, everywhere you look, tuned to obviously the NBA channel.   

 

We came in at 11:30, with only a handful of people eating, but

I can imagine this place full of fans cheering their teams on at playoffs and finals. 

 

 

Just look at these NBA jerseys, such an eye-candy for my baseball stars wannabes.

 

 Do you see the main monitor at the background? It is humongous! 

 

And don't fear missing anything important as you excuse yourself to the bathroom, they have built in audio inside the restroom to make sure you are completely updated with the game.

 

 

We ordered cheese burgers, creamy macaroni and cheese and creamy spinach, white bean and artichoke dip. 

 

 

 The cheese burger plate ~ P 385. 

 

Topped with Gruyere cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and pickles  cheese burger is heavy, my husband and my eldest had their fill and felt full even after dinner time. They said they should have ordered just one for sharing.

 

 

The creamy macaroni and cheese ~ P375.

 

I shared a bowl of macaroni and cheese with my youngest.  The sauce thickens as the meal cools. 

 

Creamy spinach, white bean and artichoke for appetizer ~ P195.

 

The appetizer came with very few chips that we had to get more chips for an additional P60.

 

 

VERDICT

• NBA café is perfect for a day out with your boys.  It is wonderful concept for basketball fans.  
• Our orders were good, but not spectacular.  

 

Are we coming back?  

With boys who are so into basketball, I am guessing Yes! 

 

 

NBA Café Manila is located at the 5th floor, Skypark, SM Aura Premier Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Telephone Number: 63-2-556-1683.

 

 

Check out their website for more details: http://www.nba.com/nbacafe/about.html

 

 

 

 

10 Worthwhile Gift Ideas from The Mind Museum

Are you looking for one-of-a-kind gifts for people closest to your heart?  

Here are 10 well thought off and worthwhile gift suggestions from The Mind Museum to help you:

1. A Scientific Date: Have an exciting fun filled day with your loved ones with an All Day Pass or gift certificate to The Mind Museum! Fuel your children’s interest in science and love for knowledge.

I can honestly say that this is a gift your children (and even your husband) will treasure and remember by.  

Read here, how science literally came to life in our last Mind Museum trip. 

(The Mind Museum All day passes is sold for only Php750) 

2. Name Stars after Your Loved Ones: Your honey will surely be delighted in seeing his/her name imprinted on the virtual stars that make up a constellation; Little ones, meanwhile would definitely find it amusing to have a specific kind of dinosaur from a virtual era in history named after him/her.

What’s more heart-warming is that all proceeds for this program go to supporting the various projects of The Mind Museum, such as giving free museum visits to public school kids.

(Virtual exhibits’ price ranges from Php1,000 to Php5,000, depending on your choice of show. For more information, visit http://exhibits.themindmuseum.org.

3. Mind Museum’s Unlimited Science Pass: Just imagine a year-round, all-day admission to the country’s first world-class science museum. This gift is perfect for your aspiring young scientist.

The Mind Museum’s Unlimited Science Pass also gives free admission to over 300 worldwide science museums, discounts on travelling exhibition tickets, birthday packages, and purchases inside The Mind Museum Store. This unli-pass also directly supports free museum passes for underprivileged kids. 

(For a group of four or more, avail the Unlimited Science Pass for only Php2,250/pax. Visit https://www.themindmuseum.org/science-alive/63/membership-program for more information)

4. All for Science, All for Love: Celebrate the holidays in a meaningful way, by sponsoring a trip for public school kids. Ask your family or friends to join you in spearheading this project to further enrich the sense of wonder of these young ones. The Mind Museum’s doors are open to help you plan and accomplish this advocacy of embracing and sharing the true spirit of the season. 

(To inquire about this project, please send your email to inquiry@themindmuseum.org.)  

Inspire young minds, with the following gifts you can get from the Mind Museum Store:

 

5. Cool Statement Shirts: Let your friends “wear their wit” with design shirts that are exclusively available in The Mind Museum Store! These shirts come in different colors and are tastefully designed with vibrant graphics and statements that will truly make science a cool fashion statement of choice this holiday season. 

(Prices range from Php379.75 to Php499.75)

6. Puzzles, Papers, and Pencils: Instead of those tired old notebooks or planners, try giving the young ones (or even your family and friends) funky Human Anatomy Notebook and Science Alphabet Notebook, paired with Puzzle Color Pencils  

(Human Anatomy Notebook and Science Alphabet Notebook are sold for only Php379.75, while Puzzle Color Pencils set is sold for only Php649.75.)

7. Own the Universe: Seize the universe, literally, through the Star Planetarium! This contraption projects 3D stars, planets, and constellations. It includes 3D glasses for a more mesmerizing virtual representation of what’s above and beyond the world we’re living in. 

(The Star Planetarium set is sold for only Php2,579.75.)

8. Un-earthen Dinosaurs: Your little paleontologist would be transported back in time to the era of dinosaurs with this special edition of Dino Excavation Kit.  Dig for bones hidden in the gypsum block, assemble them and enjoy your very own miniature dinosaur skeleton replica.

(The entire Dino Excavation Kit is sold for Php2,699.75.)

9. Tricks and Treats: Put fun in learning through playing cards, such as “What’s GNU?” and “Hyperswipe!” (What’s GNU deck costs Php9,49.75 while the Hyperswipe set costs Php1,349.75.)

10. Build Your Own, Learn on Your Own: Teach your young ones the basics of gardening, without having to worry about landscaping your backyard, with innovative plant miniatures!

Learn about Sweet Leaf, which grows leaves used as a natural substitute for sugar; Mini-Melons that will actually produce sweet mini cantaloupes in less than 2 months; or get really out-of-this-world with the Curious George Outer Space Adventure Garden that will allow your young ones to experiment right in their own mini pots! 

(Sweet leaf and Mini-melons cost Pho829.75 each while the Curious George Outer Space Adventure Garden is sold for Php1,229.75.)

Make this holiday season more meaningful for your children, for inquiries visit The Mind Museum today.