Kidzania KL With Cousins

thanks to atok, my boys khaleef and kahfi get to have a day of fun at kidzania KL last july with their cousins haiqal, haqeem, cuya, nuna and ica. there were 2 sessions, and the kiddos went for the afternoon session. there were lots of drama, excitement and few surprises too like with kahfi and modelling!

my sister syimot and I accompanied the kids at kidzania, while azi took care of kazim. thanks azot!

 

khaleef sporting a kidzania dubai t-shirt

 

the kids did many fun jobs and awesome activities; but these are just a couple of interesting things that happened hihi :

1) kahfi CRIED on the first job

the first *job* that they applied for at kidzania KL was a pilot for air asia. (in kidzania dubai it’s emirates airline). kahfi started crying first for no apparent reason other than he simply doesn’t want to line up with other kids away from mommy, to be a pilot. arghh! I was like a crazy mom, “go be a pilot! be a pilot! later you can be the fireman! GO BE A PILOT!” haha. it didn’t work. he cried harder and I had to take him out of line.

and then berjangkit. the youngest of them all ica pulak cried like mad.

in the middle of it all, I applaud my eldest nephew haiqal for being a very responsible abang – he went out of his long line just to comfort kahfi, and then ica. luckily the ‘air asia officer’ let haiqal go back to his line. well done, haiqal!

 

while kahfi & ica went out of the line, the others happily waited to be an ‘air asia pilot’!

 

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2) the kids SEPARATE into 2 groups : the boys, and the girls. plus kahfi. haha.

since the older boys can do a lot more jobs and have more patience waiting in long lines than the younger girls (and kahfi! haha) so we decided it was better that we separate and let the boys do the older-kids-jobs while the girls do kiddy stuff like making ice-cream or biscuits.

 

‘the girls team’ plus kahfi huhu. kahfi, cuya, ica & nuna at the ‘vitagen factory’. seronok betul dapat tengok vitagen klua dari machine tu!

 

so haiqal, haqeem and khaleef went their way, while we brought cuya, nuna & ica to jobs or activities that did not need a lot of waiting around. and since kahfi was also restless, haha so he followed the girls.

we advised haiqal to watch the time and meet us back at such and such place at a certain time. alhamdulillah everything worked well and everyone had a great time in their own pace.

 

the kids at the ‘ice-cream factory’

 

3) let the kids DO their job!

I wasn’t too keen on this particular activity (ice-cream factory) simply because the staff there did EVERYTHING for the kids. the only thing the kids did were to wear the apron and hats, stand still and watch, and then eat the ice-cream. that’s it.

the staff did all the mixing and stirring. it’s ok to help, of course – but no DO everything for them.

I thought kidzania is all about hands-on experiece; to let the kids be independent and get a taste of what happens in that particular profession by doing things themselves. ape guna kalau orang tu buat semua benda. baik pegi kat baskin robbins kat luar sana sama jugak.

we saw jars of yummy chocolate rice, jelly beans and colorful sprinkles on a cupboard in the ‘factory’ and we thought that they could probably choose their toppings and sprinkle it themselves. but NOPE. nothing. so we paid for that particular activity simply to take pictures of our kids in apron, and for them to enjoy a small cup of ice-cream.

harap pihak kidzania KL take note ye. terima kasih!

 

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prisoner botak escaped from kidzania prison!

 

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4) most ‘delicious’ job – jadi minah and abang burger! but ica cried again!

in kidzania dubai, khaleef was able to be a pizza guy making pizza and then eat it hot and fresh from the oven. but here in kidzania KL, there’s burger making at marrybrown (which is a famous msia brand in dubai!)

I could see that the kids enjoyed this the most because it’s easy (clear steps of what to do first and next) and of course afterwards the got to enjoy the yummy burger. kahfi was seen hopping and jumpin at his spot – so excited with his burger!

and while waiting for his turn he said, “this is for you mak!” referring to the chicken burger. aww sweet!

 

ica was not in the picture coz she cried even before they prepared the burger. so we took her out but the nice friendly staff said he would make the burger for ica since we had already paid for hers.

 

my adorable cheeky nieces nuna & cuya

 

after making burgers, the girls and kahfi tried modelling! and while they were practicing their catwalk, my sis syimot stayed with the girls while I looked for the boys. incidentally they were right next door – it was their turn to make burgers! so I stayed with them taking pictures.

they had to sit through a documentary about marrybrown before they get to make them – and the staff use this time to fry the burgers so that it’ll be hot and fresh by the time the kids wrap ‘em. the burgers were not fried beforehand.

 

the boys khaleef, haqeem & haiqal enjoying their time flipping burgers at marrybrown

 

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5) what nuna & cuya REALLY wanted to do : FASHION SHOW! and kahfi enjoyed it too!

throughout our time at kidzania, nuna had always wanted to do fashion show. and we finally went as our final activity for the day before calling it a day. sempat jugak!

the activity is simply to be a model, and the works – pick an outfit, practice catwalk on the small runway, and the big show at the end where the kids do actual catwalk on a big stage!

 

supermodel nuna strutting her stuff on the runway during practice

 

I’m not surprised how enjoyable this would be for the girls – dressing up, parading on a stage while looking cute and people around you clapping – but I didn’t expect kahfi to enjoy it very much too! it was too funny that this was the same boy who cried so hard because he didn’t want to be a pilot!

can you spot him in the picture below. yah he’s the only boy there…

 

 

and we’re glad that ica enjoyed it too. no more crying. no more restless. during the actual catwalk on the big stage, the kiddos showed all sorts of different *styles* :

• cuya followed the exact line while walking, but she was really robotic hihi
• nuna walked like a true gedik supermodel haha, but line ntah kemana 
• ica walked a little bit and then stopped not knowing what to do – the sweetest thing was the whole hall was cheering for her, just as we cheered for their sons and daughters. really nice atmosphere
• kahfi lagi la ke laut – he was not even walking; when the mc called his name, he was hopping plus jumping plus dancing weirdly – everyone in the hall was laughing. aiyo! anak sape la tu!

final note, I would really like to applaud the kidzania KL staff handling the poney fashion show that day (I wish I had gotten her name, but at least I got her picture kat atas tu hihi) who was really enthusiastic, keeping the kids hyped-up too. all kidzania staff should have that same energy because it’s a kids place – should be upbeat, energetic and exciting. kudos to you, young lady!

kalau muka macam baru gaduh dengan boipren budak-budak pun takde mood!

 

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6) oreo-making is for 8yr plus? how about the 4yr – 7yr old fans of oreos!

I was frustrated to see that there’s an age requirement to make oreos – that deliciously sinful choc biscuit with sweet white filling that every kid loves! kesian kahfi and the girls were not ‘qualified’ to make oreos. susah sangat ke…

 

 

anyways, the boys had a great time making those delicious biscuits as their final activity for the day. I absolutely LOVE their dark blue chef hats. comel sangat!

 

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and so it was the cousins’ eventful day of fun at kidzania KL, courtesy of atok! thanks so much atok! next year belanja lagi ye kih kih. and thanks mak su and uncle faiz for babysittin little kazim!

click here for khaleef’s experience at kidzania dubai for his birthday.

Little Scientists @ Petrosains

have you been to petrosains - the science discovery center in suria klcc? the one on the top floor? do you know that with RM12 entrance fee, you can go on a simulator ride, try out endless experiments, see a lot of interesting exhibits and learn many science stuff?

all at our very own petrosains! i didn't know there were SO MANY science stuff, so i was so impressed when i went there recently. i have been to its gift shop many, many times during my student days, but this was the first time i entered the actual center - with a husband and 3 kiddos!

first, we lined up to go on the 'dark ride', or 'perjalanan sekilas masa'. i was a bit confused with the different translation - shouldn't it be 'perjalanan gelap' or better - a 'journey through time'?

anyway, we went on this black color semi egg-shaped pod that can fit about 7 people. however, since we brought along the folded stroller along, we took all the space. so comfortable!

the black 'pod' would be secured, and off we went towards a dark tunnel. here we passed what seemed to represent 'nature', with a booming voice-over in the dark saying how lucky we are to have an abundance of natural resources in our midst.

when we first stopped at the first 'station', i wasn't expecting hundreds more interactive exhibits and experiments.

khaleef immediately made himself at home trying out all sorts of experiments. kahfi was all too glad to be free running around the spacious room.

i'm definitely not a science geek, and i would surprise myself if i remember anything i learnt in high school during science 101, but i really enjoyed the interactive exhibits. i also appreciate how easy they made it sound through the description and brief explanation at each exhibits and experiments.

each exhibit and experiment has a board with explanation that start with 'let's try', 'what to do?' - this is the interactive part. it concludes with 'what's happening' - this is when the science of the exhibit is explained.

khaleef trying out a little driving!

this is a cute interactive bit about how far can you drive with certain amount of fuel. there's a lever that acts as a gear, and a reading will appear, depending on how fast or slow you're driving. cool, eh?

this is a cute corner with clear white background and bright light, where kids can learn how to use their finger to form animal shadows!

here's khaleef trying to be bob the builder! sit on a replica of a an excavator that really moves with a touch of a button! coolness!

you can't see it in the pictures, but there were actually a lot of school kids on a field trip hogging that place. however, it was so nice that when they saw this younger boy khaleef, they quickly gave way and let him play first, eventhough they've been lining up and waiting for their turn.

i saw this happening many, many times throughout our time here. it's so touching to see that our younger generation haven't lost their manners and consideration for others!

there were so many sections, so many science stations - this particular one was on movies - how to make 3d movies, and holograms.

next, we walked through this 'time tunnel' - when dinosaurs roam the earth! here we saw how the earth was billion of years ago. the animals, the soil, the air and the rocks.

funny thing was, we were 'greeted' by this groovy t-rex at the entrance, and he was singing! yeap! he was singing a very catchy tune, introducing himself and his role in the olden earth!

this was one of the coolest stuffs we encountered - 'try some ancient air' - but i was actually reluctant to try it out because there's something creepy about being able to smell air from billions of years ago!

of course this was not some doraemon gadget - it's not REALLY ancient air, but just made to 'smell' like it. want to know how - go to petrosains and find out!

i'm sure to khaleef, this would be one cool stuff to - to be able to 'fly' a jet! there's a steering wheel, the jet moves, and there's even hard wind coming out. awesome!

mr. khairul was very involved. he tried most of the experiments and read with interests most of the exhibits. this particular activity amused him the most!

bagaimana anda menafsir maklumat yang salah? it was a funny one, and got both of us laughing while we try it out!

throw the small bean bag at the bull's eye. you will be able to hit the target. however, take a specially made spectacles and put it over your eyes, and your vision might be compromised. your brain interprets what your eyes see. try throwing the bean bag again, and you'll definitely miss!

ah, this was my favorite part of the science discovery center. a visit to the oil platform. to make it more interesting, we 'went' to the oil platform by a 'helicopter'.

khaleef with the helicopter

it was actually a helicopter flight simulation! i love this kind of rides!

simulator rides are a type of amusement park ride, where the audience is shown a clip while their seats move to correspond to the action on screen.

i remember at universal studios me and family went on the 'back to the future' ride when the time machine went through a volcano, and the 'car' bounced, bumped and moved left and ride exactly according to what's happening on screen!

inside the helicopter, a clip was shown, as if we're taking off to go to the oil platform. on the way there was a 'storm' and the helicopter experienced a slight 'turbulence'! there was also a voice-over - the 'pilot' asking, "semua okay?" after the helicopter passed the storm!

this, to me was a really cool part of petrosains that shows the discovery of petroleum, the roles of the crew working on board and many machineries for the kids to explore.

this section really looked like an oil platform (i've never been on one, anyway - but it sure looked like how it could have been!) with its bright yellow color, metal floors and high ceiling.

cool, cool stuff. of course, khaleef tried out a few machineries there. pressing this button and that. pulling this lever and that. he really enjoyed the experience.

there were so many more exhibits and experiments that we all saw, but my camera ran out battery! just when i thought that a section might be the last one, we stepped into a new section.

the exhibits and experiments were all about using your five senses in exploring science. see, hear, smell, touch and feel - certainly perfect for growing minds and young, inquisitive kids.

bring yours there next weekend!

Do You Play Doh?

masa kecik main plastisin je kan?

been awhile since i let the boys play with 'play doh'. oh, how the boys love the colorful, ooey gooey soft clay with the smell so inviting. imaginations run wild!

i don't mind the boys playing on their own because it's not messy - it's moist to the touch rather than sticky, and it's non toxic - not that i don't mind kahfi gobbling up huge chunks of play doh - but there's less risk, because play doh is said to be made super salty to discourage a 'second helping' from a curious kid!

here's some fun facts about play doh:

• play doh started as something use to clean wallpaper. you roll onto the wallpaper, and it catches dust or debris
• first sold in 1955, in big huge can. only later they came out with smaller individual tubs
• when first sold, it only comes in one color - off-white!
• if all the play doh ever made is rolled into one long 'snake', it could wrap the earth 300 times!

here's a 'step-by-step' by khaleef

1. choose a favorite color; orange, yellow, purple, blue or green (tapi yg ijau tu dah keras from the last time they played tak simpan elok-elok)
   
2. decide what to make
   
3. khaleef decided on 'purple' and 'elephant'
4. mould your favorite animal into shape - well, more or less
5. place in down to admire your masterpiece
6. make final adjustment
   

kahfi?


kahfi as usual made few (failed) attempt to eat play doh!

eh wait, khaleef - where's your elephant's eyes?


another khaleef's 'step-by-step' on how to make elephant's eyeballs.

1. again, choose your favorite color for the eyes
2. roll into a small ball
3. put onto elephant
4. make another one
5. tada - it's ready (ulp! apsal besa betui mata gajah khaleef?)
6. admire your masterpiece up close

after his constant attempt to eat the play doh was foiled, poor kahfi resorted in simply stacking the little tubs of play doh.

dapat ini pun jadi lah!

kahfi stacking up play doh tubs

after he's done with the somewhat mis-shapen elephant (hihi) khaleef tried making snake. roll, roll, roll. again, he put two extra-large yellow eyeballs on the snake.

what's with khaleef and yellow eyeballs anyway?


by that time, kahfi grew bored already and was playing with a toy car. play doh? if i can't eat it, no thanks! haha.

Kahfi, Khaleef, Thomas & Friends

yes, kahfi is one of the many, many million kids around the world who is charmed by the honest, down-to-earth and determined little train name thomas. and his friends.

for his first birthday, my wombat sisters gave him a thomas train set!


at first we let him take charge in opening his present. we tore up a little piece on the side, and let him try and tear the rest. kobek sana, kobek sini. finally he gave up and sat on the box!


well, well - who came to the rescue if not big bro khaleef! poor dude had been eye-ing the present ever since we came back from the mall! so khaleef ended up tearing the wrapping paper, while kahfi looked on, while occasionally made attempts to eat some pieces. eww, kahfi!

kahfi and his first birthday present - 'thomas & friends' train set!

...and then he saw him - thomas! he wasn't particularly excited - instead, he was more surprised, intrigued and curious while looking at the box. he kept pointing, making curious looks at the pictures to show he recognized the little train and his friends!


he was more intrigued and was rooted to the carpet, frozed up in amazement while watching me open the box to reveal thomas, james and percy! the first thing he did was put thomas in his mouth! aiyo!

he kept looking, and staring and admiring, and wondering. and he bite thomas again. hihi.

notice the final picture - kahfi already sitting in the middle of the train track!

finally, big bro khaleef took over to assemble the train tracks. his mak su and aunty da helped along the way - a little of this, a little of that. when the tracks are ready, even khaleef was super-excited to start playing. he obviously had a great time showing kahfi how to move the train on the tracks. at one point, even kahfi enjoyed the 'show' put up by big bro khaleef, sitting ever so quietly and attentively.

soon, the birthday boy grew tired of just watching the train moves. he was eye-ing thomas - like a giant waiting to grab a train to be devoured for his supper! at the end, the 'giant' ended up sitting in the middle of the train track - munching trains for his evening snack. nyum. nyum.

burp!

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thanks to syida (aunty da) and azi (mak su) for this cute birthday present! something that both the brothers can enjoy! miss you both so much!