Manila with Kids

I'll be editing this post as we go along but here's my list of things to do for my kids who are both below 5. I know it's sometimes difficult to think of what to do that doesn't involve just walking around the mall. My children seem to have outgrown their love of Gymboree so I have to scrap our playtime at Gymboree from the list already.

1. Fun Ranch or Active Fun - my kids love places like this. My friends also recommend Kidzville in Podium though I have never personally tried it. An hour is usually not enough for them but for the adults with them an hour is more than enough. They have a healthy appetite right after. I try to schedule going to places like this after their afternoon nap so it's dinner then an early bedtime. The little zoo near Fun Ranch at Tiendesitas is a big hit with the kids.

2. Mind Museum at the Fort - It's very organized. Ava enjoyed but I think Emilio may have been a bit too young for the exhibits. My daughter likes the more interactive exhibits at the ground floor. I couldn't tear her away from the paleontology exhibit.

3. Museo Pambata - Ava celebrated her first birthday here. It's a nice place though it could use a bit of an upgrading of the exhibits and areas as it's showing wear and tear already.

4. Fully Booked - I can't believe my little boy was asking for me to bring him to Fully Booked. He's just turning 2 (and could hardly pronounce Fully Booked)! In the absence of good libraries, the Fully Booked children's area is the closest we have. Since it's free for them to browse, I do feel compelled to buy a book or two though.

5. Manila Ocean Park

6. Catch a play with Repertory's children's theater.

7. Do some kids yoga at Urban Ashram at the Fort - the schedule now is at 3:30pm on Saturdays and it's not too expensive. Mom or Dad joins the children.

8. Early morning at the Centris Market (if you're near QC like us) or Legazpi Market (if you're near the Makati area or want to buy more arts-y stuff) We like going to Centris. The children and the yayas get their weekly taho fix while I buy our fruits and vegetables for the week. I also end up buying things we don't really need (oops!). There's also a stand where I sometimes find nice export overuns of children's sandos. The last time I went though, their supply was low. The kids also like looking at the puppies, birds and fish for sale.