20 summer hotspots your kids will love

Summer is here!

While we all can't go to Boracay or Disneyland, there are a lot of great, kid-friendly spots near and in the metro that can bring the same joy to your kids.

We've put together a list of things you can do with your kids for summer 2015. Take a look!

Ace Water Spa

You don’t need to rent a pool house or go to the province to get your water fix this summer. At Ace Water Spa, the whole family can have a swim and get massaged by strong jets of water to ease aches and pains. The kids can enjoy more than the pool and even walk on fountains and lounge in short artificial rivers.

Address: 399 Del Monte Ave. near cor Banawe St., SFDM, Quezon City / United St. cor Brixton St. near Pioneer, Kapitolyo, Pasig City
Telephone: QC:367-8040 to 41 / PC:451-1111
Website: Ace Water Spa
Operating Hours: Sundays To Thurdays - 6AM To 10PM, Fridays To Saturdays - 6AM To 11PM
Entrance Fees: (Valid For 4 Hours) Adults - Php 550.00, Kids (4ft. And Below) - Php 250.00

Fun Ranch

Day trips during the summer are great because you can always go in the morning to avoid the late-risers. If you want a quick, cheap trip for the kids within the city, Fun Ranch has branches in Ortigas and Alabang.

The main attraction for kids here are the art centers and go-kart racing. Go in the morning, have lunch and leave in the afternoon before the crowds descend.

Ortigas:
Address: Frontera Verde, Ortigas Avenue cor. C5, Pasig City
Telephone:+(632)706-3019, +(632)706-2887, +(632)687-2870

Alabang
Address: Westgate, Filinvest Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Telephone:+(632)836-9387

Website: Fun Ranch
Price Range: Entrance is free

Kidzville

While waiting for Kidzania to open, Kidzville in The Podium can be a great place for you to help your kids learn about the profession they want to take up in the future. It has a mini-hospital, garage, fire station, bran, gas station, bakery, grocery and play area.

The prices aren’t that high since it’s just a small location. The best time is to go during the morning so your kid can have more time with the areas while it isn’t so crowded.

Address: 4TH LEVEL, THE PODIUM 18 ADB Avenue Pasig
Telephone: 0927 777 5439
Website: Kidzville
Operating Hours: 11:00am – 10:00pm
Price Range: Php120-Php480 (subject to change)

Art in Island

Take the kids to an art museum where they get to be part of the art works displayed! In Art in Island in Cubao, you can try surfing in your socks, touch sculptures and even take some photos with crazy 3D illusions.

Address: 175 15th Ave., Brgy. Socorro, Cubao, Quezon City, 1109 Metro Manila
Telephone:(02) 421 1356
Website: Art in Island
>Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9:30am to 9:30pm
Price Range: Php400-Php500

Sip and Gogh

If you don’t want to invest in a full month’s worth of art class for your child, why not take them for a test run at Sip and Gogh?

Your kids can sit down for a free-painting or guided session that comes with all the materials and equipment. You just have to take your little one there and enjoy how they discover art. Usually slated for weekends, kiddie art sessions include easel, paints, apron, instruction and beverages! Your child can have their favorite drink while they copy a work of art or make one of his own.

Check out their website for a complete schedule of events so you know when you and your children can go there for some artsy summer fun.

Address: 1 Capitol Hills Drive, 1119 Quezon City, Philippines
Phone Number: (+632) 961 - 1248 , (+63999) 887 - 6190
Website: Sip and Gogh
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 4pm - 11pm and Saturday to Sunday, 10am - 11pm
Price Range: Php 900 per child, including drinks and snacks

Manila Ocean Park

The Sea Lion Show, Penguin Feeding and jellyfish gallery are sure hits for the kids here at Manila Ocean Park. You don’t have to bring food as there are a lot of restaurants and food stalls after each attraction.

Go in the morning when the admission lines are short and you can leave before the afternoon crush of people get there. They offer different packages based on the attractions you want to see so you don’t really have to pay for everything.

Address: 666, Behind Quirino Grandstand, Luneta, Manila, Metro Manila 1000
Phone: (02) 567 7777
Website: Manila Ocean Park
Price Range: Php580 - Php3000+++
Operating Hours: 10:00am to 9:00pm Monday to Sunday

The Mind Museum

The Mind Museum offers a unique experience for the whole family, especially for the kids. Guests are encouraged to explore and discover the different parts of the museum, as there are no guided tours.

It’s best for kids who already read, though, as the whole experience depends on reading the information about the different exhibits. Get the single day passes and start from morning and leave in the afternoon. The three-hour time slots are not enough to fully appreciate the whole museum.

Address: JY Campos Park,3rd Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, 1634 Taguig
Telephone: +632 909-MIND (6463)
Website: The Mind Museum
Price Range: Php150 - Php750 for single day passes and Php2500 for year-round unlimited access
Operating Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 9:00am-12:00nn, 12:00nn-3:00pm, 3:00pm-6:00pm

Exploreum

If the Mind Museum is too far or too expensive for you, try going to the Exploreum at the SM Mall of Asia. Exhibits are changed quarterly and there are regular shows at the Dome Theater for families who want a short educational trip that isn’t too hard on the budget.

Address: SM Mall of Asia, G/F Southside Entertainment Mall SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City
Telephone: Tel No.: +63 (2) 863-2781
Website: Exploreum
Price Range: Php100-Php350
Operating Hours: 10:00am to 9:00pm (SM mall hours)

Hotel Kimberly Tagaytay

You can easily commute with your kids to this three-star hotel right outside the metro through a van at Starmall and a tricycle at the Tagaytay rotunda. Aside from the usual pool, buffet and great room amenities for a family stay, Hotel Kimberly has its very own petting zoo with cute farm animals and pets for kids.

A great playground and team building exercise course can round off a great overnight trip that isn’t your usual out-of-town weekend.

Address: Amadeo Road, Barangay Kaybagal North, Crisanto M. De Los Reyes Ave, Tagaytay, 4120 Cavite
Telephone: (02) 521 1888
Website: Hotel Kimberly Tagaytay
Check-in time: 2:00pm daily
Price Range: Php5500-Php7700 per night

Tagaytay Sky Ranch

A quick day trip to Tagaytay with your kids won’t be complete without the Sky Ranch. You can take a jeep to the attractions and have your kids enjoy various rides like the gigantic ferris wheel. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, there’s the modest zipline that even your kids will appreciate.

Address: Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway, Tagaytay, Cavite
Telephone: 862-7704 (Metro Manila) 857-0100 local 1450
Website: Sky Ranch
Operating Hours: 10:00am-10:00pm Monday to Sunday
Price Range: Php100 entrance fee

Enchanted Kingdom

Depending on the kind of adventure and the age of your kids, you can try the favorite Anchors Away, the bump cars and the Flying Condor at Enchanted Kingdom. Don’t forget to go to the Rialto and see what's currently playing for a full 4D experience.

Address: San Lorenzo Road,Santa Rosa City 4026,Laguna
Telephone: (02) 584 3535
Website: Enchanted Kingdom
Operating Hours: THURSDAY12:00pm – 7:00pm, FRIDAY12:00pm – 7:00pm, SATURDAY 11:00am – 9:00pm, SUNDAY 11:00am – 9:00pm
Price Range: Php250-Php600

La Mesa Eco Park

Short nature trips can be great for engaging the kids during summer. Good thing La Mesa Eco Park is right in the heart of Quezon City.

You can have short pony rides and get a glimpse of the dam that supplies the metro’s water. Have a picnic for free at the open spaces or just take a nature stroll with the kids on a sunny weekend. You may also want to go early to get a quick dip in the pool.

Address: Lamesa Dam Compound, Greater Lagro
Telephone: 0917 858 2949, +63 2 430-5207
Website: La Mesa Eco Park
Operating Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm daily
Price Range: Php50 entrance fee

Ark Avilon Zoo

With more than 3000 animals on display and over 500 species, your kids will surely have a fun and educational time at Avilon Zoo. It is the largest zoo in the country and children can interact with the animals and get free hugs from chimpanzees and other gentle animals.

Address: 9003 GP Sitio Gulod, San Isidro, 1860 Rodriguez, Rizal, Philippines
Telephone: +632) 948 3986, (+632) 948 9866
Website: Avilon Zoo
Operating Hours: 8:00am to 5:00pm
Price Range: Php400 to Php600 per person

Zoobic Safari

Found in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, you can enjoy a day trip with your kids to Zoobic, the "The First and Only Tiger Safari in the Philippines." While it’s generally a zoo, they let children and adults interact and feed many of the animals.

It’s a whole day trip so it’s best to go in the morning and leave in the early afternoon to avoid the rush back. Children below three feet get in for free.

Address: Group1 Ilanin Forest, Forest Adventure Park, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Philippines, 2200
Telephone: (047)2522272, (02)899-9595 loc 344, (02)899-9824, 09185033399
Operating Hours: Mon - Sun:8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Website: Zoobic
Price Range: Php545 entrance fee

Strawberry Picking in Baguio

While there isn’t just one strawberry farm for picking, they can all be found in La Trinidad Valley, around 30 minutes from Baguio. To make the most of picking your own strawberries, make sure you and the family read up on how to pick the fruits before you go there.

Address: Strawberry Farm in La Trinidad Valley, Benguet, Km. 5 Baguio-La Trinidad-Bontoc Rd | Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Luzon, Philippines
Telephone: none
Website: none
Operating Hours: go in the morning where there are less people
Price Range: Php350 per kilo of strawberries picked

Camp John Hay

While you don’t have to stay at the hotel to enjoy the facilities at Camp John Hay, a treat once every summer wouldn’t hurt anyone. Along with great hotel amenities, you get to have a picnic, take a horse ride, go through their butterfly farm and take a stroll along their eco trail.

Address: The Manor at Camp John Hay, Baguio City
Telephone: (+63)(74), 424-0931 to 43. (+63)(74), 424-0945 to 47
Website: Camp John Hay
Operating Hours: varies depending on hotel and attraction
Price Range: Php3,400-Php17,000 per night

La Luz Batangas

Quite accessible through bus and jeep, you can get to the stony, quiet beach of La Luz along the Laiya strip in San Juan. Kids will love to snorkel and see undersea creatures that may include the occasional pawikan. You can also take banana boat and jetski rides.

Did we mention that the buffet takes a load off your mind when you need to feed the family on the trip?

Address: Brgy. Hugom, San Juan, Batangas
Telephone: (02) 748 8196, (02) 726-6687, (02) 726-4977
Website: La Luz Beach Resort
Operating Hours: Check in at 1:00pm
Price range: roughly Php2000 per pax

Bahay Marikit

Bahay Maraykit is another great Batangas escape that doesn’t take so long to get to. It is run by two architects who have designed one of the most serene and beautiful resorts near the metro.

Take a relaxing, fun time at the pool or enjoy the terra cotta architecture. Why is it a great place for kids? They don’t allow a lot of guests so you can be sure the place is never overcrowded.

Address: National Highway, Barangay Maraykit San Juan Batangas, San Juan, Batangas
Telephone: (043) 575 4745
Website: Bahay Marikit
Operating Hours: Check in time at 2:00pm
Price Range: Php1550-Php5700 per night

Loreland

Taking your family to a spa is a great idea for the summer. Instead of the usual beach or pool, though, consider going to Loreland to see the Manila and Laguna skyline.

With Jacuzzis, infinity pools and fish spas, your children will surely enjoy something that isn’t too far away. The adventure course is a great way to tire out the kids and expend their summer energy. The best part is that it’s only in Antipolo City.

Address: Loreland Farm Resort, Brgy. San Roque, Antipolo City, Philippines 1870
Telephone: (02) 570 2532, (0917) 544 4432, or (0977) 162 6569
Operating Hours: Monday to Thursday from 12noon to 9pm, Friday to Saturday from 10am to 11pm, Sunday from 10am to 9pm
Price Range: Php 5250 per night. Php160 per head for day trip

8 Waves

The main attractions for kids in 8 Waves are the wave pool and slide. With five pools all in all, it’s actually a good place to take a swim because it can accommodate a huge number of people without being overly crowded.

The eight kinds of waves in this resort give guests a semi-beach feel. For kids, the best time is always to get there early to enjoy a few hours of sun or go in the early afternoon so the sunlight doesn’t hurt so much.

Address: DRT Hway, Ulingao, San Rafael, Bulacan
Telephone: (044) 766-5272 / 766-5936
Website: 8 Waves
Operating Hours: 9:00am to 11:00pm
Price Range: Php250 to Php14,000

Summer doesn't have to break the budget!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dana Santos

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