DreamPlay: Oh, to be a kid forever!

MANILA, Philippines — I love being a kid. Even though I am waaaaay past the age one is considered to be a “child,” it doesn’t stop me from finding ways to continue to be one. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be a kid forever? Carefree days of playing piko and touch-taya in the street, doing group projects in friends’ houses, summers spent swimming, traveling, taking cooking classes... the list goes on.

But nowadays, being a kid means something a little different. Yes, they still take classes and do sports camps, but playing isn’t just going to your neighbor’s house and asking if they want to hang out – it has actually become more exciting than that. Imagine games and activities that are created specifically for kids to have fun with, pique your curiosity, unleash your creativity and challenge you at every turn – it’s a dream come true!

Not far from the city center is a facility that does exactly that – it allows you to dream, and play…and more!

DreamWorks characters Shrek, Princess Fiona, Puss in Boots, Kung Fu Panda’s Po and Madagascar’s King Julienne and Alex the Lion welcome visitors to DreamPlay.
 

DreamPlay, created by DreamWorks (yes, that fantastic company that makes all those wonderful movies) offers a 5,000-square meter indoor playground where kids can “learn though play.” It is the world’s first interactive play space inspired by popular films (DreamWorks, remember?) that lets guests – kids and more than kids – engage in exciting and educational, technologically-rich activities.

Currently, there are 12 different attractions, each of which is inspired by a popular movie like Kung Fu Panda, Shrek, Madagascar, How to Train Your Dragon and more.

Kids can try their hand at making 3-D animated movies, building a dragon and racing it against other dragons, learning kung fu “Po style,” or sit and relax with a storytelling session.

For the active adventurer there is a whole slew of physical activities like a rope obstacle course, wall climbing, racing up tall pillars and jumping off a 20-foot high platform.

Here are some of what is in store for us kids of all ages.

Families take a snack break at Chez Gingy
 

Test your bravery and balance as you journey across a two-level rope course in Thread of Enlightenment, following in the footsteps of the great kung-fu masters.

Test your strength and agility in the Wall of Destiny, as you face a series of climbing challenges to meet your destiny at the top.Search through Hiccup’s collection of dragon parts to create your own unique dragon. Then climb to the top of Berk and fly it!

Join the Dinotrux at a construction site millions of years in the making to build and pilot your own Reptool. Ty and the other Dinotrux will help you create a world like no other.

The penguins of Madagascar need your help to build a sound seafaring vessel. Assemble your own boat and sail it down the river with Skipper, Private and Rico, but be careful – there may be hidden obstacles along the way.

Safety is a prime consideration, so there are height requirements for each attraction, safety harnesses for the climbing ones and staff supervising – and encouraging – participants every step of the way.

Looking around I see people of all shapes and sizes – small kids with their parents and grandparents, young professionals on a team building session – and everyone is learning and enjoying, each seeming to have their own favorite activities to share with the other. DreamPlay has taken the age requirement out of being a kid and has made kids out of all of us. A caveat though: Over-aged kids are not allowed in if not accompanied by a real kid.

DreamPlay is located at The Shops at the Boulevard of City of Dreams Manila in Parañaque. For inquiries, call 808-0909 or visit www.cityofdreamsmanila.com.