Kids Day Out: Fun kiddie friendly places to bring your kids

Last week my son Santino had his first ever field trip. It was a wonderful bonding experience for him and I, and a great chance for me to interact with fellow parents and to see him interact with his teachers and classmates. This also got me thinking about fun and kiddie friendly places one can bring kids.

As a parent of 3 young kids, I know that one cannot just bring hyper kids just anywhere. Each outing should be well planned and kid-friendly. So, this has inspired me to compile a list of places to bring your kids where they will be sure to enjoy. Great ideas for the long weekends where you can make it an overnight trip or a day-trip on Sundays! I also know that price and expenses are a factor (especially for those with more than 2 kids and yayas tagging along), so will also include my own little pros and cons and whether it's worth spending on.

*Remember, all comments are strictly my own and not official whatsoever.  :)

1. Mind Museum (Fort Bonifacio)
PROs:
+ Lots of things to see, ride, touch. Their playground is very interactive.
+ Kids (especially gradeschool aged ones) will learn something.
+ Brand new so everything is well maintained and clean.
+ You can finish the whole place in half a day, just enough time to grab a bite with the family after or hang out in the Serendra.
CONs:
- Hefty entrance fee (P600 for adults, P450 for kids)

2. Philippine Aerospace Museum (Beside NAIA 3 and Resorts World)
PROs:
+ Cheap entrance fee (P50)
+ Actual planes and helicopters so kids will be in awe seeing it all up close.
+ Kids can ride in the cockpits
CONs:
- Small museum, you can finish it in 2 hours.
- Non airconditioned
- Dusty (unless you are a scheduled big group then I think they clean it, haha)
- Everything is Old (I guess ergo the museum, right?)

3. Fun Ranch (Beside Tiendesitas, Pasig)
PROs:
+ Lots of things to do and ride for the kids.
+ Many places to eat and so kids won't be bored while waiting since they can play.
+ No entrance fee, accessible to public
+ Free parking
CONs:
- All rides have a fee (P50 per ride)

4. Manila Ocean Park (Roxas Blvd, Manila)
PROs:
+ Lots of things to see and do, kids will enjoy
+ A lot of places to eat
+ Small tiangee area for a little shopping, toys for kids
+ Great view of ocean
+ Hotel H2O for those coming from out of town and looking for a place to stay (think Disney hotel in Disneyland)
CONs:
- Pricey entrance (but then you can get bundles for a certain number of attractions)
- During weekends there may be long lines and lots of people

5.  Luneta Park (Manila)
PROs:
+ Free!!
+ Great for outdoor activities: think picnic, sportsfest, kite flying, and anything else you can do outdoors!
+ You can visit nearby monuments 
CONs:
- Rain (If it does) and Heat 

6. Enchanted Kingdom (Sta. Rosa, Laguna)
PROs:
+ Fun for the whole family
+ Lots of rides, attractions and shows
+ Open until late at night with shows to watch
CONs:
- Price
- Far location: you will need a car or a private rented vehicle (think Gas and toll)
 - Could have long lines if there are a lot of people

7. Avilon Zoo (Montalban, Rizal)
 PROs:
+ Huge facility with a lot of animals
+ Some parts you can interact with animals and take photos
CONs:
- Far (think transpo, gas)

8. Nuvali Water Park (Sta. Rosa)
PROs:
+ Boat rides, shopping, bike riding
+ Lots of good places to eat
+ Out of town but not too far
CONs:
- Not much to do aside from the boat ride
- Need private car, toll and gas

 

9. Zoobic (Subic, Pampanga)
PROs:
+ Big facility, lots of things to do
+ Can spend the whole day there with the family
+ Lots of shows, attractions, animals
+ Reasonably priced for the place
CONs:
- Far, out of town trip (gas, toll)
- You might have to consider staying overnight somewhere so not so tiring for kids

10. Ocean Adventure (Subic, Pampanga)
PROs:
+ Big facility, lots of things to do
+ Can spend the whole day there with the family
+ Lots of shows, attractions, animals
+ Reasonably priced for the place

CONs:
- Far, out of town trip (gas, toll)
- You might have to consider staying overnight somewhere so not so tiring for kids

11. Active Fun (Fort Bonifacio)
PROs:
+ Affordable
+ Huge play area for kids to run and do whatever they like
+ Parents can stay at food area while waiting
+ Air conditioned
+ Accessible
+ Can make an outing out of it and head on to Serendra for some snacks or for kids to play some more in the park
CONs:
-  Kids are naturally drawn to toy store there and so you might end up buying them something, haha!

12. Gymboree
PROs:
+ Safe in terms of everything being padded
+ Good for even infants
+ Enroll kids in classes or just free play
+ Free trial sessions
+ Easily accessible
CONs:
- Pricey

13. Open park in the Fort
PROs:
+ Well maintained
+ Lots of areas to play
+ Free and open space
CONs:
- Could have a lot of kids there, may be a bit rough
- Hot (if during afternoons)

Well, these are just some of the places you can consider going to... but I am sure if you ask around from family and friends, you will discover new places and fun things to do. Share them here! Would love to discover these places too. Have a fun-filled family weekend! :)