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)