Children love treats and surprises. They delight in going to the zoo, parks and playgrounds, but if you tell them you are taking them to a museum, they would think twice before screaming any hurrahs. The “Museo Pambata” (Museum for Children), however, is not your ordinary museum where visitors quietly stare at artifacts and are made sure not to touch anything on display.
Museo Pambata is an exciting interactive museum for children that will surely leave your child wanting for more.
There are so many reasons for your child to love going to this museum. Even the museum’s logo is sure to attract a child. The logo is a colorful picture of a “sorbetes” (street ice cream) pull-cart clanging its bell to signal to the kids that it’s ice cream time. The sorbetes pull-cart is the Philippine version of an ice cream truck. As children love ice cream, the idea for the logo is to visually show to children that learning is as sweet as eating their favorite cold snack.
Learning should neither be boring nor a one-way street from teacher to student. Museo Pambata is all about interactive learning. It provides an environment where children would use their eyes, ears, and hands to learn scientific concepts. For instance, instead of listening to a teacher talk about ants, it is better for children to use a magnifying glass to see how ants operate in a colony. Or, instead of hearing about the human body, children would rather touch and investigate a life-size replica. This hands-on museum provides learning experiences so that children would say, “So that’s why,” instead of, “What, Teacher?”
The museum’s regular programs that were especially designed for your children’s learning pleasure are:
“Anino sa Museo” (Shadow in the Museum) is a light and shadow puppet show featuring popular children’s stories, songs and rhymes. It takes place every first Saturday of the month at 10:00 AM.
The Museo Pambata Guides Corner is a free arts and crafts demonstration led by the museum guides. This happens every first and third Sundays of the month at 2:00 PM.
“Ang Bayanihan sa Museo” features dance performances and dance workshops conducted by the Philippine National Folk Dance Company every third Saturday of the month at 10:00 AM.
Storytelling Hours are conducted by volunteer storytellers every Saturday at 10:00 AM.
“Paglaki Ko Gusto Ko Maging…” (When I grow up, I want to be…) is a career orientation program conducted by volunteer professionals who have succeeded in their chosen careers and are worthy to be emulated.
“Sayaw Manila!” (Dance Manila!) features dance performances by talented groups of young dancers from Manila schools and communities.“Musikahan sa Museo” (Musical Numbers at the Museum) are music sessions where children are encouraged to sing along and show off their singing skills.
“It’s Right To Know Your Rights!” is a special activity where the international rights of the child are presented in games and fun activities.“Book on the Spot!” is a fun time with children’s book authors and illustrators.
These are fun and excellent reasons why children would surely enjoy their visit to the Museo Pambata. The museum is not difficult to find. Located at the corner of South Drive and Roxas Boulevard, it is very near popular landmarks such the United States Embassy, Quirino Grandstand and Rizal Park. It is open from Tuesdays to Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Sundays from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Museo Pambata welcomes teachers, street children, and Manila residents for free. General admission is Php100 for children and adults.
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