Shopping malls lure children with holiday events

Shopping malls lure children with holiday events

JAKARTA (JP): In such a big city as Jakarta, it is notoriously
difficult to find any green and open space where it would be
possible to have a family picnic or have children run around and
play safely. Therefore, it has become more practical for one to
take their children to the mall.

With the mushrooming of shopping malls in the capital, there
is certainly a wide choice as to where you may want to go.

For the upcoming school holidays, several shopping malls have
prepared some events and activities for children.

First, you can check out Mal Taman Anggrek in West Jakarta.

Since last Friday, the shopping mall has devoted its whole
ground floor to children's activities with the theme of the
latest Disney animated film Atlantis, The Lost Empire.

The movie will not be shown until Friday, coincidentally the
city's anniversary, but activities related to the film have
already begun.

The floor is decorated according to the film. There are games,
competitions and performances held every day such as face
painting contests, dance shows, body painting, fashion shows,
movie trailers and a photo corner.

Similar to Taman Anggrek, Mal Puri Indah, also in West Jakarta
presents Shrek, the latest animated film from DreamWorks
Pictures.

On June 29, July 1 to July 8, you can meet and greet Shrek
characters. Several other activities will also be held from
Friday June 22 to July 22, such as live music, a Snow White
operetta, costume contests and dance competitions.

Meanwhile, the nearby Mal Ciputra presents animation
characters to be brought in from Movie World on the Gold Coast in
Australia.

If your children's favorites are Batman, Robin, Catwoman and
Batgirl, then just drop by the mall to meet them from Wednesday
June 20 to July 1 starting 3 p.m.. Except for weekends, when it
starts at 1 p.m.

If it is Looney Tunes characters like Bugs Bunny and Tweety
that make your children laugh, they will be appearing from July 5
to July 15.

In between events at the mall, there will also be fashion
shows on July 21 and July 27, a character costume competition the
next day, drawing and coloring competition on July 29.

There is also a free children's library on the mall's lower
ground for children aged three to 12 years-old that is open every
day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Beside reading, kids can draw, paint and take part in many
other activities.

Meanwhile, two other shopping centers in Central Jakarta, that
is Plaza Indonesia and Plaza Senayan will not be having special
events for children.

"We only have events related to the city's 474th anniversary,
which falls on June 22," said the mall's representatives.

Meanwhile, in Mal Pondok Indah, the information center said
that the mall plans to hold events for children.

"We plan to have characters from Teletubbies (popular British
children show) appear at the mall, and also Barbie, but it hasn't
been arranged yet. We plan to hold it sometime next week if we
get the license. But there definitely will be some events for the
children's holidays," the operator said. (hdn)