Showing posts with label playgrounds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label playgrounds. Show all posts

Friday, June 23, 2017

Bub & Me: Amazonia Indoor Playground @ Great World City

I'm not a terribly big fan of indoor playgrounds, but if I had to bring Lil Pumpkin to one, Amazonia Family Entertainment Centre at Great World City would definitely be my top few choices.

Let me explain why I'm not usually inclined towards indoor playgrounds first. For one, I think it's quite silly to pay relatively exorbitant prices to play at a playground, when there are so many free and spacious playgrounds easily available in Singapore. Some of the indoor playground admission prices I've seen are even comparable to USS or Adventure Cove theme parks!

Secondly, space is a premium in Singapore and most of the indoor playgrounds are rather small and cramped. I advocate "free play", which yeah means being able to play for free, but also to play and run freely in open, spacious areas... one of the reasons why I prefer outdoor playgrounds to indoor ones.

Thirdly, for some reasons indoor playgrounds seem to be always crowded!! What fun is there in waiting long for slide rides or bumping into people at almost every turn?? Plus the noise... oh goodness, imagine one kid screaming excitedly... now multiply that by at least 20-30 in a confined area!!

So why do I think Amazonia is one of the better indoor playgrounds then?

Well, mainly because it is not just an indoor playground, but Singapore's first fully themed and integrated Family Entertainment Centre where children and families can play and dine together in a 9500 sq ft air-conditioned facility. It's like a mini indoor theme park!!

See my video above for our playtime there! If it isn't showing properly, watch it on my YouTube channel here.

They have the highest indoor Wave Slides {8m}, a 6-storey {!!!} high Adventure Climbing Maze, a Toddlers Play Area, a Glow-in-the-Dark Mini Golf course, a Glow-in-the-Dark Spaceball Shootout room, an outdoor Crazy Bounce giant trampoline, and their very own AMAZON Bistro which serves quality family meals.

About 2 weeks ago, I went down with Lil Pumpkin, my sis and Lil J for a play-date at Amazonia. It's unlimited playtime on weekdays during the June school holidays and even though there was 40+ preschool kids on an excursion there in the morning, not to mention other customers, it didn't seem that congested at all.

There was plenty of space for the kids {and adults!!} to play and rest #winning

Lil Pumpkin spent most of her time inside the Adventure Climbing Maze. I have no idea where she gets her energy from but thank goodness I train regularly so I could keep up with her. Kinda.. haha.

The Adventure Climbing Maze is fun central with the huuuuge wave slide, mini spiral slides, ball pit, mini trampoline, suspension bridges and tunnels. Recommended for kids aged 3-12 years old, but of course younger kids and those young-at-heart *cough cough* can enter too.

Yup, I really appreciated that adults could freely join the kids in their games and play too. I was half expecting the staff to tell me to get out of the ball pit or don't sit on the slides.. but no such thing hehe.

Even inside the Adventure Climbing Maze, the tunnels, holes, covered slides and walkways etc. were big enough for me to pass through rather comfortably.

Lil J is about 1.5 years old now and she's played inside the Adventure Climbing Maze at times, but mainly stayed around the dedicated Toddlers Play Area with interactive play panels, musical keyboard, ball pit and mini slide.

The Todders Play Area is only for kids 0-3 years old and their parents, and I saw staff ask older kids to leave the area at times for the safety of the young children. However, if the older kid is a family member and there are not many toddlers around, the staff don't mind them playing there too.

Nearer the entrance, there's a small area where kids can play with Lego, wall activity boards and toys for pretend play too.

It may not be as exciting as the games rooms and jungle gym, but is especially appealing to toddlers or for those kids that want to get away from the bustling main play area I reckon.

The Glow-in-the-Dark Mini Golf course, Glow-in-the-Dark Spaceball Shootout room, and Crazy Bounce cost extra for use. The prices stated below are correct as of June 2017.

The Glow-in-the-Dark Mini Golf course costs S$8.60/player for 1 round of 9-holes. Long and short golf clubs are provided and you pay at the Bistro's counter to get 1 golf ball. There's no time limit and I think we spent about 15 mins playing one round inside the glow-in-the-dark room. We've never played mini golf in the dark before so it was quite an interesting experience.

Watch Lil Pumpkin playing the mini golf game in the video above and if it isn't showing properly, watch it on my YouTube channel here.

The different golf holes is divided into areas with different motion props & themes like Underwater, Pirates, Dinosaur etc. Lil Pumpkin was a little afraid of the area with the Dinosaurs as there was a moving dino statue too haha.

The ball is "eaten" up at the last hole so I guess if you want to, you can just skip the last hole to go for another round haha.

I think Lil Pumpkin loved Glow-in-the-Dark Spaceball Shootout the most! At S$5.35/player for a game of only 5mins, it is most fun, but also the most expensive activity there.

Players try to out-shoot one another by hitting on electronic scoreboards shot from air cannons. The balls are kinda soft, but you definitely have to be careful not to get hit and I don't recommend babies or toddlers in the room.

It was just Lil Pumpkin and me playing this time round but I think it would be even more fun if we came in a bigger group to really compete with one another haha

For me, other than the long wave slide which I must have gone on at least 10 times.. I enjoyed the outdoor Crazy Bounce trampoline the most. Who doesn't like bouncing and jumping to your hearts' content??! It is just outside the Bistro and costs S$12.86 for 20 mins. There's a capacity limit of 6 pax for players to jump safely.

One thing I found a bit off though was that you're still supposed to wear your indoor socks out to the trampoline (o.O)" I asked the staff if I needed to take off our socks or wear shoes instead, but she said no, just wear our socks.

Hmmm.. This means that you actually walk outside on the ground, to the outside giant trampoline and happily bounce, then walk back inside to the indoor activity areas and continue your play there, if you want. Soooo.. your socks would actually be dirty with all the outside grime and germs, and you would be spreading it all over the indoor activity areas. Won't that defeat the purpose of wearing indoor socks for safety and hygiene when playing??

We didn't eat at the Bistro during lunch but headed out to eat at one of the other restaurants in Great World City. Good thing about being located in such an established mall is that they have lots of food choices available e.g. Kenny Rogers, Poulet, Imperial Treasure Steamboat Restaurant, Bangkok Jam, Kuriya, Mcdonald's etc.

And if you have unlimited play at Amazonia, you can go in and out multiple times. Just remember to get your re-entry chop.

The Bistro serves pastas, salads, sandwiches, cakes, smoothies etc. at reasonable prices though. Might try their food the next time we are there.

Tips:
  • Bring your own socks. I suggest at least ankle-high and non-slip! If you forget your socks, you can purchase them on-site.
  • Amazonia will list school excursion dates and number of school children visiting on their website. Check it in advance to plan your visit.
  • Look out for special deals before you visit. There are currently promotions for UOB Ladies, Standard Chartered, Passion, Citibank and Maybank card holders.
  • 2 party rooms with various themed party packages are available for booking.
  • No outside food is allowed inside Amazonia, except for milk formula and baby food. 
  • No toilets or nursing room inside Amazonia, so you have to exit and use the mall's facilities. The nearest toilet is on the same floor {Level 3} and baby care rooms are at Level 1 & B1

Amazonia Singapore
Great World City Mall
#03-08, 1 Kim Seng Promenade
Tel: 6235 4522
Mon - Thu: 10am - 9pm
Fri - Sun & PHs: 10am - 9.30pm
Admission: Adults - S$1 {for first 2 adults}, Kids - S$33 {complimentary Spaceball / Mini Golf, Mon-Fri only}, Toddlers - S$22 {complimentary Spaceball / Mini Golf, Mon-Fri only}
Playtime: Unlimited for Mon - Fri and 2hrs for Sat, Sun & PHs
Website: http://www.amazoniafun.com/

Check out the rest of our Bub & Me activities or list of kid-friendly places in Singapore :) Do also see my series on Playgrounds in Singapore! It includes information and details on both indoor, and outdoor playgrounds around our sunny island.. mostly FREE!!

*Disclosure: This is a review for Amazonia Singapore. All opinions are my own.



Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Wordless Wednesday {linky}: Singapore Playgrounds - Aljunied Road | Week 52

Where is this week's playground?
Block 102 Aljunied Road

FUN Factor?
7.5/10. A small and colourful public playground in a quiet
HDB neighbourhood.
There are giant activity boards,
climbing poles, spring rockers and plastic slides.
Suitable for kids of all ages.

Can't believe that I've completed my 52 Weeks of Singapore Playgrounds series~
It's taken longer than expected, but thank you so much for
sticking by and coming along to check out all the
 fun, nostalgic and even quirky playgrounds we went to the past year or so.

I hope I inspired you to make play an even bigger part of your kids' lives and
explore much more of our beautiful Singapore!
I'll continue to post on the playgrounds we visit every now and then, but
look out for a new Wordless Wednesday series next week!!

This photo is part of the 52 Weeks Singapore Playgrounds series.

*****

Sakura Haruka's wordless wednesday
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You are not able to just highlight and right click to copy any text on my blog.
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Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Wordless Wednesday {linky}: Singapore Playgrounds - Holland Village | Week 51

Where is this week's playground?
11 Holland Close {next to Holland Village}

FUN Factor?
8/10. The big public playground is part of an old housing estate,
but it is pretty well-maintained.
There are rock-climbing walls, monkey bars, giant activity boards,
FIVE plastic slides and a fitness corner nearby.
Suitable for kids of all ages. 

Just 10 minutes walk away from Holland Village,
a popular shopping and eating precinct in the West of Singapore. 
Pop by with the kids after a satisfying weekend brunch there!

Play is important for children to learn, grow and discover the world we live in.
As we visit as many fun, nostalgic and even quirky playgrounds as we can this year,
I hope to inspire you to make play an even bigger part of your kids' lives and
explore much more of our beautiful Singapore!

This photo is part of the 52 Weeks Singapore Playgrounds series.

*****

Sakura Haruka's wordless wednesday
Note: Highlight the code & press Ctrl + C buttons to copy. 
You are not able to just highlight and right click to copy any text on my blog.
  1. Grab my button & place it in your post or sidebar, or text link back to my party.
  2. Add me on Google Friend Connect or Facebook before you link up.
  3. Come back every Wednesday!! :)







P.S. Don't miss out on the Abbott Grow Hampers {worth S$50} Giveaway! Ends this Sunday! o(*^▽^*)o



Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Wordless Wednesday {linky}: Singapore Playgrounds - Joo Seng Green | Week 50

Where is this week's playground?
Joo Seng Green {bounded by Upper Aljunied Road & Joo Seng Road}

FUN Factor?
8.5/10. Very colourful and clean, it is part of a new housing estate.
There's the usual soft padded ground, plastic slides, metal climbing poles, spring rockers
and the highlight would be a tunnel of giant hard plastic hoops.
Not as easy as it looks! You'll need lots of arm strength and balance to climb through,
as I realised when I tried haha.

Just a short walk away from the playground at Upper Aljunied Lane
We went to both in one day, that's why we're in the 
same matchy-matchy family outfits from Glitter Glam for both posts \(^ω^\)

Play is important for children to learn, grow and discover the world we live in.
As we visit as many fun, nostalgic and even quirky playgrounds as we can this year,
I hope to inspire you to make play an even bigger part of your kids' lives and
explore much more of our beautiful Singapore!

This photo is part of the 52 Weeks Singapore Playgrounds series.

*****

Sakura Haruka's wordless wednesday
Note: Highlight the code & press Ctrl + C buttons to copy. 
You are not able to just highlight and right click to copy any text on my blog.
  1. Grab my button & place it in your post or sidebar, or text link back to my party.
  2. Add me on Google Friend Connect or Facebook before you link up.
  3. Come back every Wednesday!! :)









Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Wordless Wednesday {linky}: Singapore Playgrounds - Elite Terrace | Week 49

Where is this week's playground?
Elite Terrace Park {intersection of Elite Park Avenue & Elite Terrace}

FUN Factor?
8/10. Free and unsheltered,
it has a good variety of fun & interesting play structures
like polygonal climbing rocks, giant netted swing, long metal slide,
spring rockers, animal playboards for toddlers etc.
Suitable for kids of all ages.

It's also a short drive / walk away from the famous Springleaf Prata Place {53B Jalan Tua Kong},
home of the Ultimate Murtabak, Murtaburger & Blaster Plaster {prata with a poached egg!}..
so you can pop by to play and work off those extra prata calories hahaha.

Play is important for children to learn, grow and discover the world we live in.
As we visit as many fun, nostalgic and even quirky playgrounds as we can this year,
I hope to inspire you to make play an even bigger part of your kids' lives and
explore much more of our beautiful Singapore!

This photo is part of the 52 Weeks Singapore Playgrounds series.

*****

Sakura Haruka's wordless wednesday
Note: Highlight the code & press Ctrl + C buttons to copy. 
You are not able to just highlight and right click to copy any text on my blog.
  1. Grab my button & place it in your post or sidebar, or text link back to my party.
  2. Add me on Google Friend Connect or Facebook before you link up.
  3. Come back every Wednesday!! :)









Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Wordless Wednesday {linky}: Singapore Playgrounds - Upper Aljunied Lane | Week 48

Where is this week's playground?
Block 4, Upper Aljunied Lane

FUN Factor?
7/10. A small, typical HDB playground i.e. soft padded ground,
colourful, plastic slides, monkey bars, climbing poles etc.
but it's nestled in a quiet neighbourhood {so not crowded!} and pretty cool most of the time
thanks to the shade provided from the surrounding blocks and trees.

Vast, open space available for running & scooting around.
Suitable for kids of all ages.

Play is important for children to learn, grow and discover the world we live in.
As we visit as many fun, nostalgic and even quirky playgrounds as we can this year,
I hope to inspire you to make play an even bigger part of your kids' lives and
explore much more of our beautiful Singapore!

This photo is part of the 52 Weeks Singapore Playgrounds series.

*****

Sakura Haruka's wordless wednesday
Note: Highlight the code & press Ctrl + C buttons to copy. 
You are not able to just highlight and right click to copy any text on my blog.
  1. Grab my button & place it in your post or sidebar, or text link back to my party.
  2. Add me on Google Friend Connect or Facebook before you link up.
  3. Come back every Wednesday!! :)









Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Wordless Wednesday {linky}: Singapore Playgrounds - Punggol Waterway Point Wonderland | Week 47

Where is this week's playground?
Level 2, West Wing, Waterway Point, 83 Punggol Center

FUN Factor?
7.5/10. Themed after the children's classic "Alice in Wonderland",
this FREE indoors playground is still very clean and new since the shopping mall opened just 
2 weeks ago {18 Jan 2016}. There's no staff supervision and no capacity limit though,
so it can get very rowdy and crowded especially during the weekends,
so parents please be around to look after your own kids.

It's very bright and colourful. 
There's a wall of toddler interactive toy boards, a small treehouse slide,
but other than that it's just many hard rubber themed structures for the kids to sit & jump around on.
They are a tad slippery so I suggest not to wear socks. 

No footwear is allowed within the play area, and it's open daily 10.30am - 10pm.
Suitable for young kids.

At Level B2, East Wing there's also an interactive water fountain play area 
which kids will enjoy. Shower facilities available nearby. 

Play is important for children to learn, grow and discover the world we live in.
As we visit as many fun, nostalgic and even quirky playgrounds as we can this year,
I hope to inspire you to make play an even bigger part of your kids' lives and
explore much more of our beautiful Singapore!

This photo is part of the 52 Weeks Singapore Playgrounds series.

*****

Sakura Haruka's wordless wednesday
Note: Highlight the code & press Ctrl + C buttons to copy. 
You are not able to just highlight and right click to copy any text on my blog.
  1. Grab my button & place it in your post or sidebar, or text link back to my party.
  2. Add me on Google Friend Connect or Facebook before you link up.
  3. Come back every Wednesday!! :)









Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Wordless Wednesday {linky}: Singapore Playgrounds - Serangoon North Rocks | Week 46

Where is this week's playground?
Between Blocks 144 & 146, Serangoon North Avenue 1

FUN Factor?
7.5/10. So wide and spacious!
Hubby thinks it's kind of "wasted" that they didn't build more play structures/ equipment
given the space available, but I guess it just means more
 area for the kids to run / scoot / cycle about safely! :)

There are swings, rock-climbing polygonal rocks & a more challenging
slide for adventurous kids to rock-climb instead of stepping up,
a spinning tyre wheel and a play hut with smaller slides, metal bars etc.
for the younger kids.

The whole playground is suitable for kids of all ages. 
See other rock-climbing play structures at
Prince George's Park, Blk 133 Serangoon North & Telok Blangah

After visiting numerous playgrounds in the past year or so,
that are so clean, huge, FREE.. and not to mention easily accessible,
I feel Lil Pumpkin is really blessed to grow up here!

If you're in Singapore, do take the time to  
make play an even bigger part of your kids' lives and
explore much more of our beautiful country!
If you're not in Singapore, I hope you have the same fun facilities for your own kids :)

This photo is part of the 52 Weeks Singapore Playgrounds series.

*****

Sakura Haruka's wordless wednesday
Note: Highlight the code & press Ctrl + C buttons to copy. 
You are not able to just highlight and right click to copy any text on my blog.
  1. Grab my button & place it in your post or sidebar, or text link back to my party.
  2. Add me on Google Friend Connect or Facebook before you link up.
  3. Come back every Wednesday!! :)