Geeking out at The Robot Zoo

We just had to be the first ones at the Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center's latest exhibit.  That's how geeky we are.
The Robot Zoo hails from Nickelodeon.  That's the come-on.  Well, that and the fact that... duh, robots are cool, man!

The Robo Melman welcoming committee.  This guy greets you at the door, then directs you to the gears and gyros table.

It's the ultimate collision of animal biology and mechanical technology.  We were floored by huge (and I mean, HUGE!) robot beasts teeming the entire second floor.  They all moved, made animal noises, spread information on animal anatomy and automated engineering.  And, of course, Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center --being an excellent champion of interactive science-- made sure the whole trip was educationally, impressively hands-on.

The Rhino Robot.  This section allows you to assemble the rhino's parts via a control pad.  Data podiums littered the place so you know how the machines actually approximate the real deal.  Oh and the trivia cards on the wall --pure brilliance!

Big platypus!  He's got lit-up intestines and internal organs that blinked and whirred.  This area comes with a Make-your-own-platypus-mutation table, too.

The Robot Squid, although beautiful, didn't move as much as we would've wanted.  But the games here were fun.  Try out the Jet Propelled Squid Race --you just gotta!

By far, the biggest fly we've ever seen since Jeff Goldblum!  This MechaFly was incredibly animated.  So were the activities that came with it.  Swat-a-Fly was a total crowd pleaser.

What my boys liked about this Grasshopper was that it hid its enormous self in grass and then poked its head out to greet you.  The smaller version shares info on real grasshopper living habits.

My favorite.  The ginormous bat hung upside down, turned its head and ears, opened its mouth to expose fangs, and then wiggled its wings.  Cute and creepy in one!  The games that let you see and do things like a bat were amazing.

Definitely the star of the show!  The giant MechanaChameleon has color-changing computer screens for a back.  It's bundled with loads of experiential goodies including control pads that put the kids in command of moving its body parts.  Pure wowza!

If you've got a thing for technology and animals and maybe control issues (LOL!), The Robot Zoo is for you.  The only downside is that you'd want more.  Miro suggested a Robot Tiger --to demonstrate the strength of actual tiger teeth when gnashing through flesh.  Kenji suggested a Robot Shark --to demonstrate the strength of actual shark teeth when gnashing through flesh.
*Sigh*  Boys.

Miro had one thought-provoking, heart-wrenching question when the tour was over though:
"Does this mean in the future, we won't have animals anymore and our zoos will just have robots?"

Fun at Snow Global Proportion

How do we celebrate the start of the year?  With even more snow!
This time at the Mall of Asia's Santa Snowville, an extended holiday exhibit at the mall's main atrium that runs until the 6th of January.

The area displays a pretty ginger bread house and a Santa factory which families milked for photo ops.  But the real big thing here ...is the giant snow globe.

Yup!  It's huge!  And people lined up for the very rare 5-minute experience of being the 'little people' in the popular shake-for-snow souvenir staple.

But the only shaking happening with this snow globe is you.  Inside the small space, the temperature drop is a shock!  You have to jump around to get the heat moving back through your body.  Quite a contrasting feel to the globe's cozy white picket fence design.

Overhead, a contraption dripped snow and ice.  You go under it to experience first hand a light snow drizzle... or the exact feeling of being sprayed on by shaved ice at Manang's halo-halo stand.

It may seem like a shallow gig for kicks, but I give MOA props for creativity.  While everyone's riding the snowy theme park attraction trend --with Manila Ocean Park and Star City both offering the vast winterland concept for theirs-- Santa Snowville gives you the compact snow globe.  A unique way of maximizing the small space they have to work with.  And it IS quite enjoyable.

Very important tip though:  Make sure you bring jackets for your kids and a fresh change in clothes.  With all that snowfall, your kids are guaranteed to come out of the globe happily soaking wet.

Play, at a Cosmic Level

Gawd!  Did I ever tell you about Cosmic Kidz?  Guess I forgot again.  We went there 4 months ago.  And it was a blast!
I mean, it's 4 storeys of jungle gym heaven --how can you not have immense fun with that?!

Cosmic Kids is the largest play area in the country today.  It makes perfect sense that it's located at the Mall of Asia, the largest mall in the country today.
Cosmic Kidz is where kids go to be kids again --running and jumping and screaming, minus technology.  This is the real PHYSICAL deal.  What kids were born to do and be!

No elevators here.  To go up every floor of the 'building', you have to climb up soft padded stairs.

To go down, you slide down ...many times.  Woohoo!

In between these, there's the abomination-reflecting Mirror Room.

It's just next to the brain-teasing Puzzle Room.

The Airball Room, filled to the brim with colorful balloons, is every child's favorite romp area.

The Orb Pool follows at a very close second.

The Energy Deck is quite addicting.  Kids run around it, pushing the hanging soft bags against each other for hours on end.  It's a kid-friendly Survivor challenge!

Now, time for the big guns.  Kenji got his shooting skills put to good use at the Cannon Station.

Down below, Miro dodges every cannonball raining on him at the ultra-spacey Float Fountain.

Winding down, my boys got their creative kicks at the soft building blocks suite.

And with some table games like this cool Sphere Catcher.

Oh, there's more.  But I'm not about to ruin the fun by spilling the whole bag of jelly beans.  I do come with a warning though.  If you plan to chase your kid all over the place (like what Jing and I did), prepare for massive body pains.

Let's wrap it up with some well-meaning ice cream right outside the door, shall we?

Cosmic Kidz. 
30-Minute Play - P180
One Hour Play - P250
Unlimited Play - P480
Unforgettable kiddie fun - Priceless