1. For kids with lots of energy to burn

Aqua Planet in Pampanga (an hour and a half from Manila) is a 10ha property that features a whopping 38 attractions and can accommodate up to 3,500 guests daily. Top thrills include the Funnel Slide, tube slides that go in loops; the Flow Ride, a surfing simulation experience; and the Aqua Loop, which starts with a 100m free fall and ends with a 360° loop. Entry fees are P750 for kids and P950 for adults. JP Rizal Ave, Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga; aquaplanet.ph

2. For youngsters who thrive centerstage

Trumpets Playshop offers yearly summer workshops in dancing, hosting, modeling, personality development, singing and theater acting for children and teens. Classes, running from one and a half to two hours, are held two to three times a week from the first week of May to early June. Fees range from P6,000 to P8,000 for 12 to 15 sessions. Each workshop culminates in a performance where you get to invite the whole clan to witness the fruits of your kids’ summer-long labors. Trumpets Playshop has branches in Alabang, Bonifacio Global City and Pasig City; fb.com/playshop

3. For the little ones with big dreams

MAD Travel Kids’ Junior Heroes Camp is designed to mold your kids into champions of the environment and social entrepreneurship from an early age. The six-day summer farm adventure, to be held at the Santa Elena Fun Farm in Laguna (May 21 to 27) is open to kids aged 6 to 12. Enrolment rates are P12,000 per student (for six days) and P400 for the accompanying adult (per day). A portion of the summer course’s profits will help feed underprivileged children through Kusina ng Kalinga. madtravel.org

. . .

Indoor playgrounds, anyone? Could be practical and fun

We’d all rather run around in the great outdoors, but there’s something practical about mall-based parks like KidZania and DreamPlay by DreamWorks; you get to run your errands while the kiddos have their fun.

The newest kid on the block is Okada Manila’s PLAY, a multi-function, inclusive learning arena for kids aged one all the way to 16. PLAY has eight sections to explore — Wizard’s Den, an interactive video game space; Mini Steps & Mini Me, a learning space for toddlers; Little Town, which allows children hands-on play in banking, postal, school, grocery and home settings; Little Park, a two-floor playground for toddlers; Sports Zone, an artificial grass court for sports games; the Stage, where little performers can practice their singing, dancing, acting and public speaking; and My Party Place, an events venue you can rent. Regular rates are P750 for five hours per child and P300 for each guardian (aged 18 and above). okadamanila.com

This article first appeared in the May 2018 issue of Smile magazine.