5 unique spots in Manila to bring the kids to

Admit it. As parents, the easiest thing for an outing or during weekends is to take the kids to your favorite mall. Malls are convenient, familiar, and have something to offer for everyone. But although they might be a modern family’s favorite haunt, surely there are places that might bring about a welcome change to your usual routine. Apart from museums, zoos, and theme parks, there are other places in Metro Manila that you can get to easily and spend a reasonable amount of family time in. Here are five favorites:

Ayala Triangle Gardens

Located right behind the old Makati Stock Exchange, the Ayala Triangle Gardens has been the go-to weekend spot for families for a few years now. Well-maintained, safe, and lush with greenery, the park is a favorite of joggers and pet owners, who often take their beloved pooches there for a walk.

The kids will benefit from the open space that is basically a green oasis in the midst of Makati’s hustle and bustle. The row of restaurants right at the park also mean you can go for a relaxed meal whenever you wish. And if you happen to visit around the holidays, don’t forget to catch the stunning light show—beautiful string lights draped on the garden’s large trees for an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Manila.

Terra 28th at the Fort

Bonifacio Global City is home to the open park known as Terra 28^th, which you can visit from 6am – 10pm everyday. Located beside Bonifacio High Street, the park features jogging trails where you might go for a run or a stroll with the kids while discussing the artful installations sometimes displayed around the track. There’s also a picnic ground and the ‘Larong Pinoy’, where you can play several traditional Filipino games such like holen, piko, luksong baka and patintero. Another play area in the park has a colorful collection of slides and monkey bars that should entertain the kids for a good amount of time. The best time to go might be early in the morning or towards the afternoon or early evening, when you won’t have to worry about the heat.

Manila American Cemetery

This sounds a bit gloomy, but the cemetery is actually a brilliant place to bring the kids for a quiet stroll. If you haven’t gone there yourself, now is the time. The cemetery, which is open daily to the public except on December 25 and January 1, contains over 17,000 graves, the largest number for U.S. personnel killed during World War II. It rests in a prominent site at the Fort, and you can see BGC’s buildings rise in the background. The place is beautiful, with its impeccably manicured grounds, and the thousands of white marble crosses of the graves creating a simple yet stunning memorial. It would be a great opportunity to talk to the kids, if they’re older, about war and peace, and even death. These are big topics clearly, but ones that are bound to come up in a place like this.

Intramuros

The historic Walled City is probably the farthest thing from a mall, but that’s exactly the point. Soak in some history and travel back in time in this storied place and take the kids along with you for a kalesa ride around the grounds. Or maybe a Segway is more their thing? White Knight tours (whiteknighttours.com) allows you to ride through Intramuros in groups of four. A bit pricey but worth it. Or you can visit the several restaurants in the area, a bookstore, or the quaint souvenir shop to pick up some cool souvenirs.

Salcedo Market

Weekend markets are a fun way to spend time with the family outdoors. And they’re especially great for teaching the kids a couple of things. Salcedo market is known for its fresh produce, organic goodies, and artisanal foods from local and foreign sellers. It’s a great way to teach the kids about sensible eating, about responsibility (have them carry what you buy in a market bag if it’s not too heavy), as well as social skills, as the vendors are usually happy to chat with customers of any age. The market is open every Saturday at 7am and closes around 2pm, so you can sit down to a nice lunch in one of the tables to enjoy a meal that would beat your regular mall fare any day.