Read First: What to do this Holy Week if you are in Manila (part 1)
Too Broke to Travel?
What to do for fun in Manila (continuation)
Working MOM Magazine April Issue
by Anton Diaz (blog version 🙂
(Get your magazine copy now 🙂
Hop from one Children’s Book Store to the next
One of the favorite pastimes of kids is reading books. With the resurgence of Filipino children’s stories, our children are now exposed to more relevant and nationalistic themes.
Instead of watching TV, reading books is a bonding and interactive experience that your kids would rave about throughout their childhood.
Our favorite bookstore-hopping itinerary is to go from Fully Booked’s Children’s section in Bonifacio High Street, then on to A Different Bookstore in Serendra, and finally buy second-hand books in Pick a Book in Market Market.
Along the way, your children can enjoy the different interactive art displays in Bonifacio High Street or the center fountains in Serendra and Market Market. Stopping by for a frozen yogurt in Hobbes and Landes or creating your own cupcake in Martha’s is a bonus you can give your kids.
You can ask your child what they want to explore with you during the long holidays in Manila.
If they want to know more about the sea, you can go to Manila Ocean Park at the back of Quirino Grandstand to watch the sharks and other fishes you can only see in the Philippines.
If they want to explore the sky, visit the Philippine Air Force Aerospace Museum near NAIA Terminal 3 to check out the helicopter and planes up close. After the museum visit, hang out in the Heritage Park in the Fort Bonifacio area during sunset to catch the landing of the planes.
If they want to learn more about our Filipino Heritage, drop by Museo Pambata to familiarize them with our heroes, our own musical instruments, the Filipino community, and to know what Manila was like before World War 2.
If they want to investigate how things work, head to the SM Discovery Center to enjoy and learn from their interactive science exhibits and high-tech displays.
If they want to interact with animals, bring them to the Kinder Zoo in Manila Zoo or the Avilon Zoo near Fun Ranch in Tiendesitas. Both places offer up-close interaction and loving appreciation of dogs, birds, horses, turtles, and even orangutans.
Appreciate Art in Manila
Exposing our children to art at an early age will develop their eye for beauty and self-expression. They will start to celebrate their own uniqueness and Filipino heritage. One way to encourage the appreciation of art is to visit art galleries. While there, ask your kids what they think about a particular painting or sculpture.
Another place to visit would be Pablo and other art galleries in Cubao Expo. Just by walking around the area, you’ll get a visual feast through the art of aspiring artists.
You can also go on a self-paced tour of the National Museum of the Filipino People and the National Gallery of Art. View the works of our National Artists and introduce your children to the original gigantic painting of the Spoliarium by Juan Luna.
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I always look forward to long weekends and holidays in Manila. It’s a great time to take that opportunity to foster love for this city and love for the Philippines in my children. I highly recommend that you don’t stay indoors for the holidays – or else you’ll miss a lot!
Live an Awesome Life,
Nice Suggestions. Robinsons Imus and Novaliches have their own Children’s Libraries. For those residing nearby, they might want to check the activities they regularly host like puppet shows and storytelling sessions. Here is a link to their site: http://www.childrenslibrary.net/
Hi Anton,
Just moved to Cavite from Ghana, West Africa. Found your website through google many months before coming here.
I visit OAP every day for suggestions and have found OAP very helpful since we have been here only 3 months and trying to know the place and adjusting.
Thanks
Your Welcome! Welcome to Manila 🙂
Aside from the National Library in Manila, are there any other public libraries around? I loved hanging out in my school’s library (elementary up to college), and miss doing so. Wandering in bookstores are great, but somehow, the experience isn’t the same (even though they’re better stocked!).
You can also check out cultural festivals or shows held during those days. I’m not too familiar with them though.
eh, how about doing religious activities? Since its really lent/easter… dont you like to expose the kids to doing something religious to commemorate the death and passion of Jesus Christ?
Good Point. I guess that goes without saying if you are a Catholic.
You can try the library of Union Church of Manila in Salkcedo Village. Open Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays 9am to 4pm, Wednesdays 10am to 7pm, and Sundays 10am to 12:30pm. Come, browse, and borrow.
Located at Cor. Rada & Legaspi Sts., Legaspi Village, Makati
thanks for the tips anton! 🙂 we’re staying in town this holy week 🙂 will try the pasig river ferry 🙂
thanks Anton. I’ll probably bring my son to the PAF Museum 🙂
thanks anton but your tips aint great
yeah i know right?
his tips are LAME!