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My Kingdom Playground at The Parenthood

Every holiday, we try to explore new places and new jungle gyms. The Kingdom at The Parenthood in the newly revamped Sunway Putra Mall came to our attention recently, so here we are…

The Parenthood

The Parenthood is a one-stop, multi-purpose edutainment family store that incorporates:

1. Shopping for your family needs (think baby stuff, like diapers, clothes and prams, and children’s specialty stores with scooters, educational resources, and toys). They even have a costumes store for all those hard-to-find specialty outfits. Here are just some of the brands on offer: Combi, Toy DHA, Baby Love, Buds, Bebebees Toys, Hape, K’s Kids, Lamaze, Nuk, Avent, Pureen, Pigeon, Fisher Price, Grolier, and more…

2. Health and Fitness – Mums can keep fit and get back in shape with Power Plate.

3. Beauty Salons for hair, nails and facials (you can also get your children’s haircuts, too) – because just about every mother is a Yummy Mummy these days.

4. Enrichment classes – Currently, they offer Kick Boxing, Mandarin Class, Progressive Phonics and Speech & Drama Class.

5. Food – there is a cafe called Lillipilli. We didn’t really see what they had to offer but I thought they were just snacks. According to their website, they also offer meals.

6. Entertainment for the kids. There is a small Nerf Gun “combat field” and, of course, the reason that brought us here:

My Kingdom Playground

After being spoiled by some of the bigger jungle gyms we’ve visited, this place seems a bit small. The up side is that they have managed to fit quite a bit in the limited space that they have and the entry price is pretty decent – RM35 for weekdays and RM45 for weekends. Best of all, parents don’t need to pay to babysit their own kids!

So here’s what they have in the Kingdom Jungle Gym – a mini climbing wall…

A rope climbing structure and flying fox…

Slides…

Ball pit and tunnels…

And a trampoline.

There was also a video games corner which was thankfully turned off when we were there otherwise my screen-addicted kids would be glued to it rather than running around the gym. Perhaps the next time I should book myself for a pamper session while the boys play.

I like the concept of The Parenthood – it is well thought out, albeit on the small side for the grand idea that it is. It turns out, the store in Sunway Putra Mall is just the blueprint for the Megastore in Sunway Pyramid which was supposed to open April this year. A search through the internet revealed no new news on the Sunway Pyramid branch so it probably isn’t open yet. Well, we’ll be waiting…

Other Jungle Gyms:

Sights and Sounds: The Jungle Gym @ Atria Shopping Gallery

by Shen-Li Lee 1 Comment

With the haze blowing in and outdoor play being out of the question, I decided to take the boys to the jungle gym to help them unleash their restless energy in physical play rather than keep them cooped up at home where they would surely drive their mother insane.

We got word that the BIGGEST Jungle Gym in Malaysia had landed in Atria Shopping Gallery so we just had to check it out…

Affiliated with the Jungle Gym @ Bangsar Shopping Centre, the Jungle Gym @ Atria is the lastest addition to their setup. After paying them a visit, G1 concurs – it is the biggest Jungle Gym he has ever been to in Malaysia. I tried to take a panoramic shot but I’m afraid it fails to do justice to the place.

So here’s what they have…

Sand Play Area with kinetic sand (which is available at no extra charge):

They also offer Sand Art, Batik Painting and other art and craft in the corner next to the Sand Play Area. These are available at for an additional fee.

There is a baby and toddler friendly area:

There are balls galore – shoot hoops, ball pits, the foam ball air guns, ball “pop-corn” machine, and fit balls rolling around…

There are technical challenges for the older children:

There is a “pommel-go-round”:

There is a movie theatre:

There are slides of all kinds – big ones, windy ones, bumpy ones…

They also have rocking horses, a trampoline, climbing structures, and obstacles.

They have party rooms, a “kid’s kitchen”, a cafe and snack bar. There is also a toilet inside the playland which I think is a must-have for any Jungle Gym.

At RM58 per child on weekends and public holidays, it comes in at a pretty steep entry price. Accompanying adults must also fork out RM10 to enter (which also entitles you to a free drink). Nevertheless, it did not deter the throng that made their way there on the recent public holiday. The sheer volume of the play area does make up for it since the kids have plenty to do without getting bored too quickly. The last thing you want is to pay RM58 per entry only to have your child tell you he’s bored of the place after a few minutes. We spent 5 hours there (including our lunch break) and probably could have stayed longer if I didn’t have to take the boys home so I guess it was well worth it.

I thought we would at least enjoy a quiet hour if we made it there as soon as the doors open but I was wrong. A crowd formed a queue pretty quickly and I found myself at the end of the line because I was confused about the entry sign-up procedures.

Note to newbies: if you’re planning to visit, the first thing you should do is get the indemnity form and fill it out. The service staff will be too busy to attend to you otherwise.

Although the place was pretty busy when we went, due to the size of the Playland, it didn’t feel too stifling. Agoraphobic parents should be able to find a quiet corner to sit while the kids run amok.

Overall, a good place to take the kids if you want them active but can’t get outdoors… My boys are already planning a return visit.

Getting There

Atria Shopping Gallery
+6017-336 8433/ +603-7731 7193
jga@jasb.my
2nd Floor, Atria Shopping Gallery,
Atria Damansara, Jalan SS22/23, Damansara Jaya,
47400, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.

For more information, visit The Jungle Gym Website.

*Photo Credits – The Jungle Gym

School Holiday Fun – Jungle Gym Hopping

by Shen-Li Lee Leave a Comment

The school holidays are upon us and we’re stuck with the same old dilemma – how do we keep the kids busy and stay sane at the same time? Well, we got off to a good start with some healthy, wholesome fun with a visit to Roller Sports, the Jungle Gym, and a trip to Kizsports which we haven’t been back to in a really long time. Surprisingly, G2 still remembers the place. When he told me he wanted to visit the Jungle Gym on the top floor of Bangsar Village, I assumed he was confused and meant Bangsar Shopping Center. It seems I was the one who was confused because he gave me an almost exasperated, “Yes! This one!” when we finally made it to the gate of Kizsports. Whoops.

The penny finally dropped when I remembered that Kizsports has a longer series of tunnels – G2 has been insisting that he wanted to go tunneling at a “real place”…

It’s been a while since we did the whole Jungle Gym crawl (as opposed to a “pub crawl”) or Jungle Gym Hopping if you prefer another term for it. Whatever you want to call it you can’t deny the enormous benefits of this winning idea…

The kids are happy because they different a new jungle gym to explore each time. Variety is the spice of life after all.
The parents are happy because we get to catch up on a bit of personal time – a social chit chat with an old friend, checking updates on social media, perhaps even getting an hour or two of undisturbed work done since we’re all so mobile with our tablets and laptops now.
Jungle Gyms provides the perfect venue:
- they’re weather-proof – you will never get rained out
- child-friendly – they’re made for the children after all!
- kid-safe – you don’t have to worry about your kids wandering off into some danger zone because you took your eyes off them for a minute.
- they encourage children to get beneficial and much-needed physical activity during an era of too much sedentary iPad play.
- the children can take charge of their own play and make friends with the other children at the Jungle Gym.

What’s not to love, really?

Probably the most important part of Jungle Gyms is that they offer children an opportunity for free play – a vital and essential part of any child’s development.

About Kizsports Jungle Gym

It’s been a while since we’ve been here so let’s get a quick run down of this place… Although Bangsar Village has changed a lot since we were last there, Kizsports is still pretty much the same. If you’ve never been there, here’s what they have at their playland:

crawl tunnels
ball pit
slide
rope net climbing
“under 2” area

For a jungle gym, it is an average size, but evidently entertaining enough to keep the boys occupied for 4 hours (and longer if we didn’t have to go home).

Kizsports is a little more than a jungle gym since they also offer a variety of playschool programs and enrichment classes. Like all jungle gyms, you can also throw a party there – there was one going on the day we went to play.

It cost us RM38 per child and you have to BYO socks or buy a pair from them.

Website: www.kizsports.com.my

Where are they located?

Aside from the outlet in Bangsar Village II, Kizsports playland is now also available in Great Eastern Mall in Ampang, Main Place Mall in Subang, and the Waterfront in Desa Park City.

If you’re looking for more outlets for a spot of Jungle Gym Hopping, try these other venues:

The Jungle Gym at Bangsar Shopping Centre
The Jungle Gym at Atria Shopping Centre
J-Kids located in Tropicana City, Paradigm Mall and Publika
Young Explorer – 1 Mont Kiara
Space Joe Playland – 1 Mont Kiara
Megakidz in Midvalley Megamall
Starship Galactica in 1Utama – probably one of the less exciting Jungle Gyms according to the kids, but also one of the cheapest entrance fees around.
Kid’s E World in The Gardens and Ikano Power Center
Yu Kids 1 Utama
Kidz Paradise in The Mines (also located in Klang Parade, Leisure Mall and Quill City Mall)
Star Light Kids – Avenue K
The Parenthood: Sunway Putra Mall; Sunway Pyramid West
Little Kingdom at Maju Junction Mall
Dreamworld Playland – Starling Mall and IOI Resort City
Chatoys – Kid Zone in Melawati Mall

Jungle Gym @ Bangsar Shopping Centre – Review and Halloween Costume Party!

by Shen-Li Lee Leave a Comment

Movement is good for brain development and physical activity can enhance academic performance. When children engage in free play, they learn a whole lot of things we don’t even realise they are learning. What better way to entertain the children this holidays than with an opportunity to move and to play at a jungle gym?

As much as I love for the kids to get out to the parks and outdoor playgrounds, the combination of bad weather, mozzies (dengue), rubbish, and broken playgrounds have been kind of off-putting. From time to time, I enjoy relaxing with a coffee in an air-conditioned environment where I can keep half an eye on the kids while I have a real adult conversation with friends…

Jungle Gym

Jungle Gym in Bangsar has been around for a while but they have revamped the place and beefed up their offerings for parents and children alike. I was recently invited to review their “new” premises…

We’ve been to Jungle Gym quite a number of times and both G1 and G2 love it. Well, what’s not to love? Jungle Gym comes with the mandatory features that all kids demand and love:

ball pit
slides

crawling tunnels
climbing structures

trampoline – this is not a common feature in many jungle gyms
air guns that shoot foam balls
pop ball machine
baskets to collect the balls – this is seriously the most under-rated feature because it entertains the children for hours as they fill and empty their baskets. I honestly don’t know what it is about this activity that captivates the children so but it appears it is not only my kids that enjoy doing this.

activity boards

There is really not much else you could ask for. The place is simple enough for infants and toddlers but still interesting enough to hold the attention of the older children. It isn’t so small that the kids get bored of the activities quickly, and it isn’t so large that you have a hard time hunting your kids down when it’s time to go home. It’s a fine balance that I think they have managed pretty well.

Although the overall structure is still pretty much the same as it was before, they have added some new features, like the activity boards, a water slide and a spiral slide. I also like that they have made the place brighter.

One of the features of Jungle Gym that I have always liked is their adjoining bathroom contained within the jungle gym itself. There is peace of mind that the children can go to the toilet on their own without having to leave the premises.

Roller Sports

If you have older children that have “outgrown” the jungle gym, you can still entertain them at the roller-rink where they can rollerblade, or learn how to if they don’t already know how. Jungle Gym also offers lessons for beginners and confident rollerbladers alike, although these must be pre-booked in advance.

Jungle Gym Cafe

Jungle Gym have their own cafe serving food and drinks where Mums and Dads can chill and mingle with a coffee and some finger food while the children entertain themselves. They offer a range of “child-friendly” meals so the kids can also break for lunch or a snack if they get hungry in between all that play and fun.

Entry Fees

These are the current pricing at the time of writing this review.

Week Day

Toddler (below 2 years) – RM15
Jungle Gym Only – RM28
Roller Sports Only – RM28
Combo – RM48

Weekend/Public Holiday/School Holiday

Toddler (below 2 years) – RM20
Jungle Gym Only – RM35
Roller Sports Only – RM35
Combo – RM58

Yearly Visit Pass

RM880
50 entry passes to Jungle Gym OR Roller Sports
Transferable
Valid daily
Valid for 1 year from date of purchase

Multi-Entry Visit Pass

RM280
10 entry passes to Jungle Gym OR Roller Sports
Transferable
Valid daily
Valid for 3 months from date of purchase

Personalised Party Packages

If you are planning a birthday party, Jungle Gym makes it very easy with their customisable party packages. They will help you organise everything from the buffet line and themed decorations to the goodie bags and special activities. Choose from one of three party packages (these details are current at the time of writing this review):

Zebra Package

2 hours exclusive party area
unlimited play time at either Jungle Gym OR Roller Sports world
Birthday Invitation Card
3 types of food: chicken sausages, mini tarts, french fries
Drinks
1 free return entry pass for the Birthday child
RM48 per pax; mininum 15 pax

Lion Package

2 hours exclusive party area
unlimited play time at Jungle Gym AND Roller Sports world
Birthday Invitation Card
6 types of food: chicken sausages, mini tarts, french fries, pasta bolognese, spring rolls, konyaku jelly
Drinks
4 free return entry passes for the Birthday child
RM78 per pax; mininum 15 pax

Artsy Party

2 hours exclusive party area
unlimited play time at Jungle Gym AND Roller Sports world
Birthday Invitation Card
8 types of food: chicken nuggets, sandwiches, chicken sausages, mini tarts, french fries, spaghetti bolognese, chicken drummets, konyaku jelly
Drinks
1 complimentary activity of either water-based manicure, sand art, OR temporary tattoo
4 free return entry passes for the Birthday child
RM98 per pax; mininum 20 pax

Extras

A party planner is available to help organise the party theme and goodie bags. All party decorations, food, and goodie bags are handled by Jungle Gym’s passionate team of party planners. Jungle Gym stresses that their candy buffet contains quality items (e.g. Ferrero Rocher chocolates), and their cupcakes and cookies are baked with home-made goodness.

Check out some of the themed parties they have previously organised…

Frozen

Little Mermaid

Lego Star Wars

Halloween Costume Party

From time to time, Jungle Gym holds special events. This coming Wednesday, Jungle Gym will be having a Halloween Costume Partyf from 1pm to 4pm. For just the regular price of a Jungle Gym entry, your child will receive unlimited play time in the jungle gym, free face painting and games, food and drinks. They will also go into a lucky draw to win a prize, receive a free entry pass that they can use another day, and be entitled to participate in a “best costume” contest.

Don’t miss out – hurry and book your tickets! Contact details below…

Contact Details

Facebook: www.facebook.com/junglegymplayland
Address: 4th Floor, Bangsar Shopping Centre, No. 285 Jalan Maarof, Bukit Bandaraya, 59000 Kuala Lumpur.
Telephone: 012-391 1529; 03-22822643
Email: info@junglegym.my
Operating hours: Mon-Sun 10am to 9pm

Play Gyms and Adventure Mazes: Young Explorer in 1Mont’ Kiara

by Shen-Li Lee 2 Comments

A number of years back, when G1 was much younger, I took him to explore Young Explorer in 1Mont’ Kiara and he did the holiday program that they had on at the time. Over the years, we have been back a couple more times with G1 attending birthday parties held there, but G2 has never been.

After their trip to Legoland, the boys have been getting restless at home so I took them for a romp around at the Adventure Maze to burn off some of that energy…

Young Explorers has a playschool, play gym, and adventure maze. Their play gym and adventure maze are open to the general public as long as there are no events or classes in session.

The Adventure Maze

If you want to see what the Adventure Maze looks like – here are some photos provided by Young Explorer depicting the extent of it:

Requirements

Age: children must be between 3 to 12 years old
Attire: children require sports shoes to play in the maze
Time limit: entry to the maze entitles your child to 3 hours of free play

Highlights

G1 and G2 had a blast climbing the rope ladders, sliding down the fireman’s post, riding the flying fox, crawling through the tunnels, wading through the ball cave, and balancing on movable structures.

Getting There

Level 3-8 to 10, 1 Mont Kiara, 1 Jalan Kiara , Mont Kiara, 50480, Kuala Lumpur.

Kids Activities: New Jungle Gym in The Mines – Kidz Paradise

by Shen-Li Lee 1 Comment

Looking for a new place to take the kids this Christmas? There is a new jungle gym opening in The Mines:

No. L4-07 F/G(p)
Level 4 The Mines
Jalan Dulang
Mines Resort City
43300 Seri Kembangan

Phone: 012-650 9428

Email: info@kidzparadise.com.my

Website: www.kidzparadise.com.my

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Kidzparadisesdnbhd

Unfortunately, it’s a little too far out for us to check it out, but the facilities do sound good. Here’s what they have:

First Indoor Cassia Seed Pool in Malaysia
Specially Patterned Toys-in-Motion
State-of-the-Art Play Land
Art Works Area
Party Rooms
Victory Wall for Your Kid’s Achievements
Lockers for bags
Changing Rooms Or Baby Rooms
Sleeping Room for your kids
Café
Free Wi-Fi

I like that they even have a sleeping room for kids – that’s something new I’ve not heard about anywhere else. Most other jungle gyms we’ve been to don’t provide baby rooms either so this is a refreshing change. Now all they need are kids-sized toilets and they are all set – or do they already have them?

They are officially opened on 13 December 2012 and are offering free entry!

Just in case you can’t make it for the opening, they have a 20% off discount voucher online (for a limited time only so please check with them if it still applies before going):

Rates and Charges

Admission (Per Day)
Weekdays RM25
Weekend, School Holidays & Public Holidays RM38
RM150 Voucher – 8 Admissions On Any Day
RM250 Voucher-15 Admissions On Any Day
Kid’z Paradise VIP Member
RM380/Per Child
Unlimited access to Kid’z Paradise
Free Birthday Party Voucher RM50x2
Free 8 Admission Voucher
Invitation to all events organized by Kid’z Paradise
Valid for 1 year
Birthday Party Room
RM50 /Hour
RM150 Voucher – 4 x RM50 Voucher
Drop and Shop!
Weekdays RM40/hour
Weekend, School Holidays & Public Holidays RM60/hour
* 50% extra for children below 2 years old

It will be interesting to see more detail on this venue in future – although it will still be unlikely that we will travel that far for a romp in a jungle gym. If you live in the area and get a chance to try it out, leave us a comment below!