The kids are alright
Allowing your children to have fun, while also aiding their educational and social development can be a tricky task. And most of us would agree that leaving them alone for hours on end with a PC or iPad isn't the best way to go about this.
The Global Times has found a number of venues in the city where both parents and children can enjoy themselves and, at the same time, learn some of life's important lessons.
Toys r them
On the edge of a vibrant forest flows a cascading waterfall. While on a nearby bank sits a mysterious castle, where visitors can see a prince, princess and some clowns. Not far from the castle one can see cars and trains in a busy modern metropolis.
No, this isn't some surreal dream, but an indoor kingdom created by Omocha Toys Kingdom in Minhang district in 2011. The nearly 2,000-square-meter space targets children aged up to 8 and features all kinds of toys and diversions, 70 percent of which are exported from overseas, many of them leading toy brands according to organizers.
The space is divided into eight playing sections. Children can build railways and race cars in the transportation section, or build machines in the assembly section. In the Playmobil section (sponsored by the German toy brand of the same name), children can share stories with their parents with the aid of different scene settings.
Meanwhile in the performing area, youngsters are encouraged to show off their singing and dancing skills.
The forest area is an actual playground, complete with play balls and slides. And children also have the chance to "cook" an outdoor barbecue in this section, complete with replica vegetables and utensils.
"We encourage parents to accompany their children throughout the center, and this is a good opportunity for them to spend quality time together, time they might not normally have in their busy working lives," said Jeremy Chiu, chief operating officer at Omocha- China.
According to Chiu, many of the toys can help develop the sensory abilities of children, and he added that the items are checked and cleaned on a daily basis.
Opening hours: 10 am to 9:30 pm (admission ends at 8:30 pm)
Tickets: 50 yuan per hour on weekdays and 70 yuan per hour on weekends
Add: No.23, 2/F, Sky Mall, 5001 Dushi Road
都市路5001号仲盛世界商城2-23号
Tel: 5415-5455
On the job
Established in July, 2011, Kubeiland in Xuhui district is akin to a miniature version of a fully-functioning city. Doctors examine patients, teachers give lectures in classrooms, police officers check records, and fashion models get ready for the catwalk. And since it opened, Kubeiland has become one of the best-known experiential education bases in the city.
Occupying an area of 20,000 square meters, this park boasts some 65 themed venues providing more than 95 "occupations" for children aged between 3 and 15. So everyone can be a firefighter, journalist, photographer, super model, TV host, judge, or doctor by participating in the individual programs that last from 20 to 30 minutes each.
During these programs, children cooperate with their fellow participants in order to accomplish certain tasks. And in the more interactive venues such as the "supermodel college" or "record company," parents can also join in the fun with their children.
"Through these simulated working experiences, children can grasp basic knowledge of different professions and learn independence from their parents. Meanwhile, parents can actively encourage their children's interests and bring out their full potential," Zou Jiaying, an officer from the marketing department at Kubeiland told the Global Times.
The park has recently launched a 5-D circular screen theater, which will screen short films on various themes, such as the history of dinosaurs and deep sea explorations.
Opening hours: 9:30 am to 2:30 pm (Session A, available from Tuesday to Sunday), 3 pm to 8pm (Session B, available on weekends)
Tickets: 150 yuan for an adult and a child for one session
Add: 118 Longwu Road
龙吴路118号
Tel: 4009-216-216
Let the music play
Friedrich Nietzsche once said, "Without music, life would be a mistake." And for children who have an aptitude for music, the city's JZ Kids - supported by notable music institution JZ Club - ensures that Shanghai's youngsters can indulge their passion.
The school teaches jazz, pop, rock, Latin, blues and flamenco music, and employs both overseas and local professional music teachers.
JZ Kids caters for children up to the ago of 17, and covers a wide range of musical courses including baby ballet, children's choir, children's musical theater, jazz dance, hip hop dance, musical foundation and percussion classes. The instructors at JZ Kids are specially trained in tutoring and motivating very young children.
For children under 6 years old, music studies focus on foundation classes which help children to learn about music through interactive activities. And from the age of 6, children can choose an instrument to practice and join junior ensemble classes.
For this spring semester, JZ Kids has launched a number of 15-week courses, most of which start in early March and finish at the end of June. Students are welcome to join the courses at any time, and, if needed, the school can provide extra tuition to help students catch up.
Free open classes for keyboards, melody foundation, groove guitar, and musical enlightenment are still available before March 2.
Opening hours: 10 am to 7 pm
Course fees: 1,680 to 4,980 yuan
Add: No.12, Lane 280 Wukang Road
武康路280弄12号
Tel: 5403-6475