Welcome to my blog that covers my personal reviews and views as a Penangite mum in Singapore. I am keeping it simple for busy working mums like myself.
Showing posts with label Published Articles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Published Articles. Show all posts
I have decided to give this blog a new look to celebrate the chickadee's promotion to toddler-hood. This blog is now colored pink or within the same color spectrum. Pink is the only color acceptable at this age. I kid you not. So Big News - We have migrated. We have gone down south to the Lion City.
Migrating is like a big breakup.You are saying goodbye to your world of familiarity and comfort. Your country has done just about enough for you to willingly let it go. You have stopped listening to the old and your ears have now leaned towards the whispers of a better life from the new. There are lots of articles covering migrating as a single person or an expat. Moving on an expat package is just cheating. It is similar to going on a tour where you do what you are told and everything is sorted out for you. Try backpacking. There is just not enough credit given to parents who move with their kids on a local package. It can be financially challenging when you are moving to one of the most expensive cities in the world and you have to do it on your own.
But with our "pros" outweighing the "cons", we lifted our roots, packed everything into boxes and made our big move.
Most of the children head straight to the Cassia seed pit
when they get to Kid’z Paradise
My daughter is almost two years old. I am still struggling
to keep up with her amazing level of energy and her dedicated attention to
playing.
It has been quite a task to keep her physically occupied.
Considering the gloomy weather we have been experiencing lately, I am grateful
for the existence of indoor playgrounds. Another good point to note is that
they are available in most major shopping malls.
Check out these three indoor playgrounds that I took my
daughter to for some play away from home:
Kid’z Paradise
Expanding from its three branches in China, this indoor
playground is now available at The Mines in Seri Kembangan, Selangor. It is
located on the 4th floor where most of the children-related shops are.
The first thing that caught my eye at the entrance of Kid’z
Paradise is the “sandpit” at the front. It may look like a sandpit but it's
not. The “sand” is actually cassia seeds from the Cassia Obtusifolia plant.
Some studies claim that these dried ripe seeds have medicinal properties. They
are popular in China but not as well known in Malaysia.
To me, these seeds look and feel a bit like brown rice. They
are smooth to the touch but not as fine as sand. It is great fun to play in and
Kid’z Paradise knows it.
In the Cassia seed pit, Kid’z Paradise has placed a number
of fun sand wheels and toys for kids to play with. The pit is definitely the
main attraction of this playground. If you are early, let your children play in
the pit first as it quickly fills up as the day progresses. Most kids make a beeline
to the Cassia seed pit as they come in.
It is easy to flick the seeds off once you are done with the
pit; you might still find a few seeds on your child's clothing though. Still,
the other areas are relatively seed-free as the employees are constantly
vacuuming.
The slide and ball pool in Kid’z Paradise.
Kid’z Paradise offers the usual slides and ball pool but
maintains its competitiveness with its special toys-in-motion feature and even
a trampoline. The mechanical toy structures are all well padded and move at a
fairly slow pace. Younger and older kids can play with them quite safely. There
are also mobile toy vehicles for children to ride on.
For a quick break from physical play, you can purchase
rubber art cards for your children for an arts and crafts session. These cards
come with a variety of cartoons and there are several colours available.
Apart from the playground itself, Kid’s Paradize also
provides shoe racks, lockers and a space right next to the entrance that allows
you to “park” your strollers.
There is even a baby room with sink, baby changing
compartment, two small beds for resting and free hot water. As with most big
indoor playgrounds around, Kid'z Paradise also provides free WiFi for
customers.
Kid’z Paradise has a big enough space to have a reserved
area to cater to birthday parties. It offers two packages – one for up to 10
kids and the other for up to 20 kids. Both packages include a day's admission
to the playground.
The admission fee to Kid’z Paradise is RM25 on weekdays and
RM38 on weekends, school holidays and public holidays. It has a drop-and-shop
service which is charged by the hour.
Pros: Cassia seed pit that is less messy than sand play.
Cons: Only one outlet; tends to get crowded during peak
periods.
KizSports & Gym
KizSports & Gym offers playlands, party packages, and
physical and music programmes. It has four outlets located in malls in Kuala
Lumpur and Subang.
All the playlands are impressive with the signature playland
located at the Empire Shopping Gallery. The playland structure boasts a big
multilevel maze filled with obstacle courses. There is a variety of slides,
scramble net, tunnels and a ball pool.
The structure is relatively safe as it is mainly padded and
netted all around. Children simply love the challenges posed in this playland.
There are different nooks and corners that keep it exciting. From my
observation, most parents seem to have a difficult time trying to coax their
kids out of the play structure. So be warned.
KizSports & Gym caters to the younger ones by providing
easier play equipment. These are in a separate area which they have filled with
plastic playhouses, slides and a ball pool.
One of the slides at the KizSports & Gym playland.
For outlets at Bangsar Village and Empire Shopping Gallery,
toilets are provided within KizSports. However, the toilets at Empire are
restricted to kids. Adults will need to use the public toilets outside.
The admission fee to KizSports & Gym is RM28 on weekdays
and RM38 on weekends, school holidays and public holidays.
You can also sign up for its membership for discounted entry
prices. It also provides the drop-and-shop service but only for kids above
three years old. WiFi is available here.
KizSports & Gym is not just an indoor playground as it
also offers various programmes for children from one to 13 years of age.
Depending on the age, you can enrol your kid for learning, physical or
enrichment classes. The enrichment programmes include ballet, speech and drama,
easy Mandarin, taekwondo and Kindermusik.
I am quite surprised that these children’s programmes are
accepting kids at a younger age now. The Little Crawlers (under the fitness
programme) accepts any child as long as they are already crawling. The
Kindermusik programme accepts newborns! All these programmes are, of course,
designed to help nurture and develop certain skills. The added bonus is that
they all look like fun as they are designed for kids.
KizSports & Gym also offers birthday packages which
include thematic parties. However, the minimum number of children for the
parties is 15.
Pros: Impressive indoor playground which also provides
specific children’s programmes.
Cons: Tends to get quite crowded on the weekends and parties
and classes can get a bit noisy.
Capcom Station Family Indoor Theme Park / Kid's Playland
If you have older kids to entertain, Capcom Station is the
place to go. It is located in malls situated in different states around
Malaysia. You can visit its Family Theme Park or Kid’s Playland.
I brought my daughter to the kid’s playland located on Level
2 of the Setia City Mall, Shah Alam. The place was filled with a variety of
kiddie rides you would normally find in a mall, plus more!
There is a jungle-themed playland area which is gated as it
only allows entry to children up to 12 years of age. Parents of kids aged four
and below are encouraged to monitor their kids from outside the playland.
There are the usual slides into a ball pool and an
inflatable structure for bouncing. The offerings in the playland seem a bit
limited. But, it is good enough if you have younger children and want them to
run around on padded flooring and a relatively child-safe play area.
The main attraction of Capcom Station is its rides and
arcade games.
The main attraction of Capcom Station is definitely its
rides and arcade games. It is similar to being in an indoor fun fair. There is
a machine which lets you grab as many sweets as possible. You can play drums or
even have a game of hoops.
Capcom Station works on a prepaid card. You just need to
purchase a card to tap for the rides, games and even the entry to playland.
Playland costs RM10 to enter. The games and rides vary in prices.
Pros: Caters to older children.
Cons: Adults cannot accompany the kids in the playland.
Conclusion
Indoor playgrounds or children’s playgyms are the perfect
places for kids to work out.
Most of these establishments offer VIP member cards. For
frequent visitors, I would recommend the card. Some memberships even allow free
entrance or cheaper fee into their other branches.
For new parents, bear in mind that the most important
apparel you must have at all times are socks. All indoor playgrounds require
both children and accompanying adults to wear them. Just pack them into the
baby bag. Fortunately, they are light. Socks aside, do try to dress your
children appropriately for climbing, jumping and sliding.
Remember to take that extra precaution to ensure your
children wash (or even sterilise) their hands after playing with the equipment.
With indoor playgrounds mushrooming everywhere and getting
competitive with each offering better play equipment, the kids usually have a
blast. But as a parent, I am sure not complaining.
Not only is Penang famous for its food and culture, it is slowly becoming a
shopping haven with plenty of new malls being built around the
island.
Apart from visiting family and satisfying food cravings, I
recently made time to visit some of the malls on the island with my little
daughter.
Gurney Plaza
Gurney Plaza is part of
the CapitaMalls group. This is the same group behind ION Orchard and Plaza
Singapura in Singapore. Gurney Plaza is definitely one of the more crowded
shopping complexes on the island.
This mall is located on the famous
Gurney Drive promenade. Across the road, you will find the Gurney walkway where
you can enjoy a stroll along the sea. However, as traffic tends to be quite
heavy around this area, be cautious while crossing the road and keep an eye out
for motorcyclists.
Apart from tenants such as Parkson, Cold Storage and
Golden Screen Cinemas, Gurney Plaza is also home to Daiso and numerous fashion
brands such as MNG, Guess and Dorothy Perkins. There is a variety of outlets
that cater to different age groups.
Gurney Plaza has baby changing
facilities on every floor, most of which are located next to the rest rooms.
There, you will find a clean private room equipped with a sink and a changing
table to change your little one. If you are unable to locate the room, there is
also the standard pull-out changing compartment that you can use in the disabled
people’s rest rooms.
Gurney Plaza is easy to manoeuvre a
stroller through as the walkways are
spacious.
Gurney Plaza is generally a convenient place for parents to manoeuvre a baby
stroller through. The walkways are spacious and there are quite a number of
elevators available. For children’s items, head up to the third floor for
stores specialising in toys, books and much more. There is Mothercare and Toys
“R” Us, to name just two. For the indoor playland, go up a level to the
fourth floor. This play area has rides in the form of miniature vehicles. Each
ride costs RM1. For the younger ones, there is a small plastic playhouse that
comes with a slide. Gurney Plaza also has an outdoor children’s play area
which holds a simple combination playground structure. This is located on the
ground floor next to the New Wing at the Kelawai Entrance. Apart from
great indoor dining and shopping, you can also dine al fresco to enjoy the
occasional island breeze. Pros: Baby changing facility
on every floor; lots of baby and children stores. Cons: Can
get quite crowded during peak hours; traffic outside can get
heavy. Prangin Mall Prangin Mall is located in
George Town, which is the city centre. This mall reminds me of Sungei Wang Plaza
in Kuala Lumpur. There is just so much to see. There is a whole range of local
shops selling affordable knick-knacks. Prangin Mall comprises of two
blocks of buildings. The main anchors are Parkson on one side and Lotus Five
Star (LFS), the cinema, on the other. The two buildings are separated by a road
on the ground level. When I visited the mall, there was a traffic officer who
was managing the flow of traffic and helping pedestrians cross the road. If you
want to avoid the busy road, just walk across on one of the upstairs floors (the
buildings are connected on the upper floors). The walkways in the mall
are narrow because some shops have their display shelves outside their shops.
They are also often crowded with people. It gets a bit harder with a baby
stroller but still manageable.
The nappy changing area in Prangin Mall is
limited. Go instead to the nappy change and breastfeeding room inside Parkson
(below).
For nappy changes, look for the Baby Care Room next to the rest rooms. Be
sure to have everything ready as the area is best described as a dent in the
wall with a hard top table. It does not provide for much privacy. There's also a nappy change and
breastfeeding room inside Parkson
.
The highlight of Prangin Mall must surely
be its indoor playground.
The highlight in Prangin Mall is its play area. Its indoor playground is
located at the Dessert and Ice Cream Garden area. This area is located on the
connecting floor (that bridges the two blocks) on the first level. It is free to
use for all Prangin Mall visitors. This play area holds a combination
playground structure that comes with not one, but four different slides. It is
similar to the playground set you find in most outdoor playgrounds. There are
also child-friendly paddings on the floor. Also worth noting is that the kids
have to leave their shoes outside before going in and it is only open to
children aged seven years and below. For parents with older children in
the family, you can spend time with them having a drink or dessert next to this
playground while keeping an eye out on the younger kids. There is also free WiFi
available. If you are an avid shopper and wish to explore more malls,
look for the connecting sky bridges that will bring you to Komtar and 1st
Avenue. Do note that the bridge closes at 10pm. Pros:
Great indoor children’s playground; Parkson nappy change and breastfeeding
room. Cons: Baby changing area lacks facilities; narrow
walkways. 1st Avenue 1st Avenue is more up-market
than its neighbouring malls. This mall is still fairly new in Penang. Its anchor
tenants are Carrefour, Parkson and TGV cinema. For parents with baby
strollers, 1st Avenue has nice wide walkways. You may need to walk a bit to the
elevators but there are usually no queues. If you are looking for an easy
shopping experience, this is an ideal mall. The baby changing rooms are
private rooms equipped with a sink and even toilet paper. The changing areas are
hard tops, so be prepared to bring your own changing mats.
The nappy changing room in 1st Avenue and
the children's rides (below).
There are not many shops which cater to children in this mall, but there are
children’s rides in a small area on the fourth floor. It is not hard to spot the
colourful rides while walking towards Carrefour. These rides work on tokens and
each one costs only RM1. 1st Avenue is the nearest mall from Trader’s
Hotel. Pros: Spacious walkways; baby changing rooms seem
quite well equipped. Cons: Limited shops for
children. Conclusion It is great exploring the
shopping malls in Penang. To get out of the infamous Penang heat, it is not
surprising that these malls are usually quite crowded. I do enjoy
visiting these malls whenever I am back in Penang, especially now with a baby
daughter to enjoy the play areas with. I am sure there will be more malls
to come in the future.
The KLCC Park is ideal for a morning or
evening walk with your kids.
I never knew how exhausting having a little
bundle of joy could be until I started scrambling around looking for activities
to keep the little one occupied. As staying indoors would not be enough
for my daughter, I started heading out to the parks with her when the weather
was good. Sure enough, this proved to be a great idea. Most parks now
have a section for a children’s playground which holds a combination playground
structure. This normally consists of slides, swings, climbers and
playhouses. The following are the parks I went to recently with my
daughter for some fun under the sun: KLCC Park The next
time you visit Suria KLCC for some retail therapy, it is worth stopping by the
outdoor esplanade area. You will see families, couples and tourists hanging out
at a man-made lake, named Lake Symphony. This lake showcases around 150
colourful light animations in the evening and night. Quite simply, it is a lake
with elements of water and light; both of which kids naturally adore. The
children’s playground is located near the lake. It is not visible from the
entrance of Suria KLCC. Just follow the pathway that goes under the 43m elevated
bridge (towards the left of Lake Symphony). A note to parents: This path is
stroller-friendly. The playground in KLCC Park is two acres in size and
filled with thousands of different tree species. These trees were pre-selected
to attract various local and migratory birds. This sizeable playground
has colourful child-safe play equipment. Children are spoilt for choice over
which ones to go for. Best of all, the equipment is kept in fairly good
condition. The highlight of this park has got to be the wading pool next
to the playground. This wading pool has a man-made waterfall which seems to be
quite a big hit with the children. Points to note: The wading pool is
closed on Mondays and children with diapers are not allowed in. There is
a free-of-charge restroom nearby; albeit with limited stalls. Changing rooms are
also available.
One of the water coolers at the KLCC
Park.
Another plus point for this park is its water coolers. I spotted two
during my visit; one outside the changing room and the other in the middle of
the park. Nothing beats readily available free water for hydration. Plan
your time well and it can be a whole day of fun from some shopping indulgence at
Suria KLCC to sun-loving activities outdoors. Pros: Water fountain
and wading pool. Cons: Tends to get crowded. Taman Tasik
Titiwangsa Taman Tasik Titiwangsa is a great family recreational
park. It offers vast green space, scenic views and attractions that cater to all
ages. The main components in this park are the Lake Titiwangsa,
Titiwangsa Golf Course and Stadium Titiwangsa. Restoren Nelayan Titiwangsa,
which used to be here, has since relocated to Gombak. The children’s
playground is located next to the building which used to house the restaurant.
It has parking spaces in front of the building. The public toilet is opposite
this restaurant. There is an entrance fee of 20 sen (toilet) and 50 sen (shower)
to use the facilities. There is a little bridge that connects to
the playground. There is, however, a blockade in front of it, probably to
prevent motorcycles from using it and to discourage stall owners from setting up
shop within the huge compound. For parents with baby strollers, be prepared to
collapse them to enter.
The combination playground structure at
Taman Tasik Titiwangsa is huge!
Taman Tasik Titiwangsa’s combination playground structure is huge. It has
a maze-like concept which will keep the little ones occupied for a long while.
The colourful equipment seems to cater to a younger age group as they are lower
to the ground and friendlier-looking. For the older kids, there is an
overhead suspension bridge which they can walk across for an
adventure. As for the adults, there are one- and two-storey huts, each
with roofs and benches, for resting. There is also an outdoor adult gym complete
with solid steel equipment (just next to the children’s playground). It is free
for all to use.
The huts at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa offer
shade and a place to rest.
Next to the playground, there is a stall that looks well-stocked with
toys, knick-knacks and snacks that children will go crazy for. You have been
forewarned. The whole place was in full swing the morning I was there.
The gym and children’s playground were already filled with people. There were
families and friends walking around the lake. The older family members were
resting at the huts. There were families waiting as the stall opened for
business. If you plan to head to Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, go early to
enjoy the morning hustle and bustle. Pros: Impressive children’s
playground with proper resting huts. Cons: Traffic-prone
location. Neighbourhood playground Whether you are living
in a housing estate or in apartments, there is a high chance of a children’s
playground located just around the corner. The best part about the
neighbourhood playground, apart from traffic elimination, is the chance to get
to know your neighbours. Take the opportunity to make friends and you’re on your
way to more play activities for your kid.
The neighbourhood park often has a swing,
slide and see-saw.
Having a playground near your home also means simply popping by when the
weather is great and getting home in time when it looks like it could
rain. The neighbourhood children’s playground is normally a basic version
of what is available in public parks. But there is always a swing, a slide and a
see-saw. The children may need to take turns but usually this isn't a
problem. Do check it out first though, as not all are
well-maintained. Pros: No traffic concern. Cons: Less
equipment in the playground. Conclusion Apart from the fact
that there are more advanced play structures available at parks these days, I
like the idea of letting my daughter experience the great outdoors and be one
with nature. Our local weather is generally perfect for running around outdoors,
if it's not too hot and not raining. I would recommend going to parks
early in the morning or later in the evening because otherwise, the equipment
tends to get hot from the heat of the sun.
Well-maintained slides at a neighbourhood
park - enough to keep your child happy for a
while.
Before you head out, apply sunscreen on yourself and your child. Add a
cap or bring an umbrella. You never know when it will come in handy. Water is
important to keep your child hydrated and for that extra precaution, spray on
some mosquito repellent. As much fun as it is with the various
distractions around, please do watch over your children while they are
playing. So go ahead and visit one of the parks nearby. Don’t just
confine your child indoors in an air-conditioned environment. Live a little and
head out to the park; it’s more fun than you think.
The writer and her daughter outside PappaRich. The restaurant
offers indoor and outdoor seating.
Getting ready to eat out takes on a whole different meaning once you have a
kid. Preparation time doubles and making sure you look good for eating out is a
thing of the past. It is no longer about going for the food you crave
for. It is about determining which is the best place to fully accommodate the
unpredictability of your child’s behaviour during his or her mealtime. Your
dining experience is now solely based on the mood swings of your child. I
am not a child expert, but I am getting better at sizing up a dining place as a
parent juggling a kid. Here are a few eateries I’ve been to which have
passed the test for me: PappaRich (Pork-free and
halal) Modern kopitiam-style restaurants have been mushrooming
nationwide. These local chains are now becoming fast favourites of Malaysians
for local food and coffee. PappaRich has a selection of local rice and
noodle dishes. Its menu also offers bread; toasted or steamed, and served with a
spread of your choice.
PappaRich has high chairs for
babies and offers a selection of meals that kids can
enjoy.
For children, apart from the bread selection which is available all day,
PappaRich has porridge for babies who are just starting on solids. Be warned
that the porridge is cooked with oysters, so be careful if your baby is not
ready for seafood yet. If you are looking to treat your child/children on
a hot day, you can choose from its wide selection of ais kacang
varieties. The portion is pretty generous, so be prepared to
share. PappaRich’s seating layout is quite decent. Its indoor dining area
holds round or rectangle tables that come with sofa seats against the walls.
PappaRich provides baby chairs for kids. You can even dine “al fresco” but still
be safely covered with a roof over your head. However, be aware of smokers
should you choose to sit outdoors. One of the best features of this
restaurant is that each table comes with its own supply of tissues. You never
know when you will need tissue when it comes to a kid. This beats hailing a
waiter down to request for more serviettes. Undeniably, you do pay a
premium for the usual nasi lemak and assam laksa, but it is the
next best place to an actual coffeeshop; especially if you are bringing a small
child along. Pros: Continuous supply of tissues. Cons:
Be prepared to pay a bit extra for local food. Chili’s Grill & Bar
Restaurant (Pork-free; serves alcohol) Chili’s is a good ol’
American joint which made its way to Malaysia 18 years ago. Currently, you can
find Chili’s in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Penang. As with all things
American, the servings are humongous. Both its starters and mains come in
enormous portions. Its fajitas are impressive and don’t get me started on the
bottomless beverages which are offered at a flat price!
The kids menu at Chili's will put
a smile on your face and your toddler's, too.
This place is heaven-sent for parents with young children. It has a kids menu
which is sure to put a smile on any parent’s face. Chili’s has a
kids-eat-free concept. As long as the adult orders a main course, the
accompanying child gets a free meal from the kids menu. It even throws in the
free bottomless beverage! This is an absolutely amazing deal for parents with
children under 12 years. Even though it is free, kids are still spoilt
for choice when it comes to meal selection. The brightly coloured cartoon menu
has pictures of a pizza, hot dog, sandwich, burger and pasta. It even has cheese
quesadilla and Chili’s trademark chicken crispers. Be warned that the portions
are just as sizeable.
Chili's has an activity 'booklet'
to keep your child busy.
The wonders of Chili’s do not end there. As soon as you are ushered to your
table with your son or daughter, the waiter will hand you an activity “booklet”
(which is actually a folded A4 size paper) and some crayons. This booklet
consists of a drawing for colouring-in and some puzzles. The activities in the
pages are entertaining enough to keep your little one glued to it for a while,
at least. Chili’s is like a social hangout place where children make
friends. Have a meal at Chili’s over the weekend and you will surely see it
swamped with kids of different ages. If you have a friendly daughter like mine,
you would be busy following her, waving, exchanging hellos and flying kisses
with other kids her age. As its namesake, Chili’s is also a pub. It
serves alcohol but the bar is normally hidden inside the restaurant for patrons
to unwind with a drink. Chili’s normally resides within a mall. As a
parent, it is quite a relief to be able to pop into Chili’s for a quick break
and a sumptuous meal while your kid is entertained. Pros: Kids
menu; activity booklet. Cons: You may need to wait for your table over
the weekends. Mamak stall (Pork-free and halal) Being a
Malaysian in Malaysia means having a cup of teh tarik, tearing a piece of
roti canai or devouring a plate of mamak mee goreng at least once
a month in a mamak stall. For that, this is my tribute to our very
Malaysian eating joint. Bringing a child to a mamak place can be
challenging. All mamak stalls are different but with a distinct
similarity. The menu (which does not come in a physical form) is usually
the same. It offers all forms of roti. This is sure to be a hit with
children. It’s like eating buttery flat bread with curry or sugar. You can also
order your childhood favourite - hot Milo - for your kids.
The mamak stall is a great place
to get your roti canai fix as you get your child accustomed to local food and
culture.
Pretty standard is the big hot plate, either inside or outside the kitchen.
This is where the cook does his magic by tossing, twirling and flipping the
roti. This is always an interesting spectacle for kids. Another
“event” not to be missed is the whole process of teh tarik making. What’s
not to like when you see tea flying across from one cup to the
other? With all their similarities, mamak stalls differ in the stall
itself. Not all mamak stalls provide baby chairs. As a result, your child may
possibly end up on your lap. Most mamak stalls do not come with
air-conditioning, so be sure to bring portable fans for your young
ones. Heat aside, a mamak stall is a great place to be for teaching our
next generation a bit of Malaysian culture. Pros: Experience local
food favourites at affordable prices. Cons: Tends to be a warm
environment; some don't have baby chairs. Conclusion All
the dining places I’ve been to are very accommodating to children. Where they
lack in facilities to cater to the needs of children, they make up for with
helpfulness and efficiency in finding solutions. A note to all parents:
Most dining places do not cater to kids when it comes to their washrooms. Apart
from that, it is not as big a hassle as I thought it would be when I eat out
with my baby daughter. Most establishments seem to understand the
challenges that come with eating out with a young child. Employees in the
restaurants are normally very supportive in helping you gain the best dining
experience from their restaurants. So once in a while, have fun and eat out.
It’s not as difficult as you may think!
This was featured in ParenThots which was later moved to The Star Online http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Family/Features/2012/09/24/Looking-for-babyfriendly-malls-in-KLPJ.aspx
All set to go? But
wait a minute and read this article to find out which malls our writer
recommends for baby and you.
Lugging a baby around malls is not an easy feat. There are so many things to
consider - how to get to the different levels of the building; is the mall
layout spacious enough for the stroller; will there be clean and hygienic
parents’ rooms; and where can I take baby to during time-out sessions.
In the last couple of months, I have done some research on different
malls and here are my top three baby-friendly malls in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling
Jaya: Suria KLCC Suria KLCC is undeniably a top attraction in
Kuala Lumpur. More of a tourist spot than anything else, I never would have
thought to shop there for my baby's needs. However, with the newly-added wing,
the second floor now boasts shops that cater to various children’s needs. There
is Motherclub, GapKids and Toys “R” Us, to name a few.
For the older
kids, there is the Aquaria and Petrosains. There is also the KLCC Park where
kids can enjoy the water fountain and run around outdoors.
For parents
with strollers, this mall is a fairly easy place to manoeuvre your baby’s
vehicle, but you will need to be patient at the lifts because of the large
number of visitors.
The blockade which
forces parents to collapse their strollers before stepping onto the
escalator.
Where other malls merely warn against using the escalators with babies in
strollers, Suria KLCC places a blockade to effectively prevent a stroller from
going on the escalator unless it is collapsed. This effectively forces parents
to use the lifts. There have been many moments when my heart stopped while
watching a parent try to carry their baby and struggle to make it past the
blockade with a collapsed stroller.
The parents' room
in Suria KLCC offers hot water - how handy.
The parents’ room is located on the concourse level near the connecting
tunnel to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and Aquaria. It is open to mums and
dads. It has diaper changing stations and also a small play area for kids. Hot
water is also available here, which is definitely useful.
On the same
floor, you can find some kiddie rides and also a big candy store!
Suria
KLCC is a great place to bring your kids. Just remember to wrap the little one
up as it tends to get a bit chilly there.
Pros: Babes
are entertained indoors and outdoors. Cons: Expect crowded
lifts.
Mid Valley Megamall Mid Valley Megamall is
definitely a crowd-pleaser. Not only does it host a variety of shops and
eateries, it is also a popular venue for entertainment events. These events are
not only confined to the Mid Valley Exhibition Centre; they are also held at the
concourse areas on the ground floor. The mall's efforts seem to double over the
weekend with all activities at full swing.
At its current Mickey Mouse
Through the Years exhibition (which ends Sept 30, 2012), there are various
life-size Mickey Mouse figurines placed around the ground floor. Occasionally,
balloons are also given out to kids.
Mid Valley is generally patronised
by an overwhelming number of parents with kids. You can see a majority of them
on the lower ground floor where the fast food restaurants and Carrefour
hypermart are located. I am a fan of the newly-renovated Carrefour. Apart from
new shopping trolleys which are a hit with kids, they also have a new floor
layout which is easy to navigate through with ample space to push your trolley
and/or stroller around.
The parents' room
in Mid Valley has cartoons painted on the ceiling to hopefully keep baby
entertained while you change his or her nappy.
The parents’ room for Mid Valley is located on the ground floor in the AEON
outlet. Just follow the “Baby Room” signs to get to it. This departmental store
tends to get a bit packed so you will need to find your way around the crowd to
the room. It is inside the female lavatory so fathers are unable to use the
facility. The room includes nappy changing compartments, lavatory for kids and
private nursing areas.
The room is definitely designed with babies in
mind as there are cartoons drawn on the ceiling above the diaper changing
stations.
For nursing mothers, there are rooms with curtains for
privacy. However, there are currently only three rooms available. This place
tends to get a bit busy with mums and kids of all ages, but it is kept
clean.
Mid Valley Megamall is absolutely worth visiting with your kids.
If you feel like kicking your shopping experience up a notch, just walk over to
The Gardens (next to Mid Valley) for a treat and indulge in its luxurious
offerings.
Pros: Bustling with activities that will
keep both baby and parents entertained. Cons: Be prepared
for crowds. Please note the parents' room is within the women's
toilet.
Citta Mall Citta Mall is a fairly new
mall located in Ara Damansara, Petaling Jaya. This horseshoe-shaped mall is
different with its open-air mall concept. Citta is big with its four-and-a half
floors of shops and its spacious sidewalks. Parking is available indoors and
outdoors.
The lovely painting
on the parents' room in Citta Mall. There is ample space in this parents'
room!
A big plus point is the parents' room which is huge!
This room has
diaper changing stations, a nursing area, parent-child lavatory and even a play
area (with toys) for young children.
In the vicinity of the parents’ room
are kids’ speciality shops and handicraft workshops for children. Even Julia
Gabriel Centre for Learning and Chiltern House (a popular learning centre for
children) has found residency in Citta.
You can take a stroll around the
flea market which is open every weekend or stock up on groceries at Presto’s
largest supermarket. Even though it has not reached its maximum occupancy, there
is a lot to see and it can be done at ease with the mall's generous space and
easily-accessible lifts.
This mall has immense potential and it will be
sure to create a buzz among Malaysians soon
enough.
Pros: Ease of space. Cons:
Limited shops available at the
moment.
Conclusion In all these three malls,
there is only one parents’ room. Be sure to plan ahead should you need to use
the facilities. You do not want to have to dash from one corner of the building
to the other, especially if you're going during the weekend when malls are at
their busiest.
Most of the eateries at these malls are baby-friendly.
Being a first time mum, I never knew how equipped restaurants are with baby
seats. The waiters and waitresses are also well-trained in baby situations as
they would immediately usher us to tables where strollers are easily tucked
away.
Some restaurants even give out balloons and crayons with activity
papers to keep your child occupied.
No wonder parents love malls over the
weekends. With malls getting friendlier for kids, taking baby out is now a
breeze.
