New Detours for the Kids and Kids at Heart

KidZania has been entertaining and educating kids for almost a year now, giving hands-on experience for grown-up jobs. But early this year, they added more stations for the young ones to enjoy and navigate. They added a sports and fitness lab, an interactive cooking station, a TV studio, a fashion boutique, and a bottling plant that features how their favorite soft drink is made.

Operating Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Saturday to Sunday, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM – 8:00PM

With the vision of Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, Vitas Skate Park had a soft opening last May at Tondo, Manila to give the youth a creative and healthy outlet.

Vitas Skate Park is part of Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada’s vision for a family-friendly place where the youth can express themselves creatively. The project includes a skating obstacle, a wall climbing area, and a two-story building that will house a recording studio, a theater, and a dance studio to inspire the youth of Manila to invest their time in worthwhile activities rather than turning to drugs and other illegal vices. The facility is free to use and open to everyone. Just bring your skate board and your friends, and you’re good to go.

Originally from Singapore, Climb Central opened its doors to the Philippines just this April to send the message that everyone can climb. The indoor facility, located at The Portal at Greenfield District in Mandaluyong, is perfect for the entire family because the company focuses on beginners, offering easy to moderately difficult climbing routes and user-friendly equipment. Fee is PhP500 for kids and PhP600 for adults, good for an all-day pass and free use of equipment.

Operating Hours: Monday to Friday, 1:00 PM – 10:00 PM; Saturday to Sunday and public holidays, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Located in Pasig City, Jump Yard is the Philippines’ first indoor trampoline park and has been operating since January this year. The 2,000-square-meter arena houses features that are safe for kids and adults, such as the giant foam pit and dodgeball, as well as installations suitable for bigger kids and adults and for a more intense experience such as the Olympic-size trampolines and the dunk basketball arena. Take note that three-year-old kids and below are not allowed in the area.

Visiting Jump Yard is a good idea if you want to get fit while having fun. Just remember to bring some grip socks, or buy them at the venue, because they’re a requirement. Pack also a change of clothes since you’re going to sweat a lot. Rate is PhP250 for one hour from Monday to Thursday; PhP350 from Friday to Sunday and holidays.

Operating Hours: Monday to Thursday, 12:00 PM to 8:30 PM; Friday, 12:00 PM to 9:30 PM; Saturday to Sunday and holidays, 9:00 AM to 9:30 PM

A unique place to try with your family and friends is the Kodanda Archery Range. Located at SM Mall of Asia, this is not their first branch but it’s definitely their biggest. The team behind Kodanda aims to make archery a mainstream activity in the Philippines. The other branches are in Metrostar Mall, Parañaque City and in Makati Square, Makati City.

The range in MOA has 12 lanes for archers, complete gears, paper targets, and instructors. If you are a beginner and have never tried archery before, you don’t need to worry because they have well-trained teachers to guide you. And if you’re really serious about learning the sport, they offer lessons that’ll teach you techniques to help you level up. Fee is PhP580 for a one-hour session.

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Operating since March, Ball Pit Manila joins the bandwagon of adult indoor activities. If you want a kid-free spot, visit Ball Pit Manila because only people aged 16 years old and above are allowed to join in on the fun! (Sorry, kids.) The reason for this is that the owners aim for Ball Pit to be a playground for grown-ups to distress, unwind, drink coffee, and just be kids again.

Aside from swimming through 80,000 pieces of plastic balls, the grown-ups can also enjoy some drinks and play card games with friends. You have to be wearing socks to get in; bring your own or buy at the venue. Entrance fee is PhP349, which includes free coffee or iced tea and one hour on the pit. Advance booking is advisable.

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Tired of the slow-moving traffic at EDSA? Visit City Kart Racing in Circuit Makati to have some fun with speed. This 700-meter course boasts of professional and safety standards, with karts for both beginners and professionals. Proper attire and race license are provided in the area. All you need to do is wear the right shoes and pants to make the ride comfortable. Shoes should be flat and covers the ankles while pants should allow you to move freely and your legs wide apart. Rates are available upon request.

Operating Hours: Monday to Thursday, 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM; Friday to Sunday, 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM