Last Monday we took our boys to Kid’s Workshop at Greenhills Shopping Center. It is situated inside Shoppesville Arcade, beside Netopia. For holiday shoppers with kids, I recommend that you check out the play place and leave your kids there so you can do your shopping with ease.

The Playground
Kid’s Workshop Greenhills has more or less 5 key areas for learning and play. The main attraction, my 4 year old’s favorite, is the wooden play set with slides and ladders. They also have Little Tikes riding toys and furniture sets, ball pits, computers, and educational toys. Basically everything in there is kid-friendly.

We don’t have ample space at home to convert into a play area for the kids, so I see to it that they have at least one trip to public play places every one or two weeks. These play centers offer an ideal environment for kids to explore, have fun, and interact with other children.

The kitchen and dining area will be loved by foodies and chef-wannabes. The kitchen set is complete with refrigerator, dining table, cooking tools, and [fake] food. Pretend play is proven to improve a child’s cognitive development and foster imagination.

They also have a shelf that houses building blocks, wooden toys, and puzzles. My toddler spent most of his time sorting and piling up wooden discs.

A bookshelf is a genius addition to any play place. When your kid gets tired of running, sliding, and climbing, he or she can grab a book and read quietly in a corner. There is also a small area behind the bookshelf (adjacent to the kitchen) packed with learning toys and other manipulatives.

The zone atop the kitchen area has computers and consoles for gaming. It’s a sure hit for big kids who knows how to play video games.

The Activities
The whole place may seem a bit mediocre compared to other huge play places with gigantic slides and never-ending obstacle courses, but believe me, we spent 4 hours inside and there was never a boring moment. It’s because Kid’s Workshop is more than just a playground.

A staff member laid out a blue mat in the middle and started calling out names. Zaiel couldn’t figure out what the fuss was all about but he sat on the mat anyway. They played bingo and Z won his first bingo game ever.

They also played a simple Bring Me game, with a crawl-through tunnel twist. According to the staff, themes and activities are changed regularly so that children will have new things to do and discover.

The kids also had a dance session with Wii Just Dance. I thought that Zaiel won’t participate but then he was able to pull off a few dance moves. 🙂

Kid’s Workshop also encourages kids to create and make new things. They provided all the materials for the kids to make an embellished foam snake.

Some of their other art projects include making puppets, painting hats, doing origami, assembling handmade toys, and decorating frames and bags. Kids get to take home their projects. Isn’t that cool?

The Unlimited Play (PhP 410) is worth every penny. Your children aren’t there only to play but to learn something new and socialize as well. If you’re planning to visit the place, here are some of my reminders from our experience.

• Play Schedule: Sunday – Thursday (10 AM to 8PM); Friday & Saturday (10 AM to 9PM)
• Expect to be greeted by an accommodating and good-natured staff. The teachers/attendants are a friendly bunch!
• They have electronic lock doors for security purposes. You may leave your kids there but for extra precaution, let their yaya stay in there as well.
• Children below 4 years old need to be accompanied by a guardian inside the play area.
• You can purchase socks from them upon check-in, but I suggest that you bring your own to save a few bucks.
• You can save more bucks with Unlimited Play, especially if you’ll be gone for more than an hour.
• Upon checking [your kids] in, you will be asked if you’ll allow your kids to get snacks from their “Happy Treats for Hungry Kids” shelf. Whatever your kids grabbed from the shelf while you’re out will be added to your checkout fee. It’s a good thing because you don’t need to worry about your kids getting hungry. The staff will also ask for any food allergies so they’ll know what snacks to give to your child/children.
• Remind your kids to rest every now and then and to behave when necessary. 

Kid’s Workshop has a KidsFUNclub membership with awesome member-only perks.

• Membership fee is PhP 500 (1 year validity).
• Discount coupons for KidsPlay, KidsArt, KidsParties, KidsPlayDates, and renewal of membership. Some coupons are transferable.
• 1 FREE unlimited play to use any day during birth month.
• 15% off plus an additional 5% off from Play Party or Play + Art Party. Parties held from 10AM – 12:30 PM can be extended for 30 minutes for FREE.
• Early bird discounts and priority booking for KidsEvents.
• Annual KidsFUNclub Get2Gether at 75% off. Invited guests get 50% off.

Thanks a lot Kid’s Workshop for giving my kids’ unlimited play and free membership! 🙂

Kid’s Workshop
2/F Shoppesville Arcade, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan
www.kidsworkshopghills.com
facebook.com/pages/Kids-Workshop/205494306130684

Published: 2014-09-18 16:33:48