Bringing fun to kids’ exercise

Webster defines play as a recreational activity, especially, the spontaneous activity of children. But for Blair Agero, a registered occupational therapist, play is work for kids. It is a time when they develop their physical functions. Brain development not only involves reading and writing "mastering physical functions is also a prerequisite to the cognitive function development of children."

Play is the medium where children learn lessons in leadership and courtesy by interacting and talking with other children, it’s also a time when they can practice being independent, become responsible for themselves and learn to make their own decisions.

True enough, malls have amusement and play centers for kids but more often than not, their objective is just to have a mere drop-off center for children where they can play, so as to get the parents to go shopping, no more no less!

Fortunately, there are other options and one such establishment stands out as a haven for kids "it is the ActiveFun Play and Party Centre at the Hobbies Concept Mall on Diosdado Macapagal Avenue in Pasay City, which provides the very best in children’s play and party facilities designed to enhance their physical, social and emotional well-being."

ActiveFun recently marked its first anniversary, taking pride in an eventful year of bringing fun to kids’ exercise by operating a safe, secure and comfortable, play and party centre.

The first of its kind here in the Philippines, ActiveFun is a great place to go for the family, with its huge air-conditioned indoor playground and coffee shop where children can play to their heart’s content and moms and dads can accompany their little tots inside, or wait in the lounge where they can eat, read, chat or relax.

"Our concept of ActiveFun is unique. My wife Gina and I wanted an exciting play facility, but we also wanted a place that is comfortable for adults to watch and wait on their kids. We want ActiveFun not just to be a fun place but also a social hub "where moms can meet and chat, or dads can meet and enjoy a basketball game," says Tony Butler, ActiveFun CEO.

"We also believe that a strong brand like ActiveFun with an emphasis on quality, courtesy and great customer service would help us to develop customer loyalty," he maintained.

Why ActiveFun? Tony shared that his wife Gina and he looked at a number of options when they decided they wanted to open their own business in the Philippines. They wanted something different and were prepared to work at it to make it successful.

"We have young kids. We face the same challenges as every mom and dad in the Philippines in keeping our kids healthy and entertained. we know that exercise for kids and unstructured play are two areas where today’s hard-pressed parents have a tough time and that it’s so easy to just leave the kids glued in front of the TV or game console when in actual fact, a simple trip to ActiveFun twice a week would give them a big boost! We saw this as our opportunity and we went for it," he pointed out.

"The simple fact today is that many children do not have the time or opportunity to get sufficient exercise to develop their motor and coordination skills and ActiveFun sees to that! Here, every muscle of your child’s body will be stretched and exercised. Your child will use his imagination as he negotiates his way through the multi-level maze of suspension bridges and tunnels, walks the plank, swings from mobiles, drops down the spiral slide, or whizzes down the 12-meter slide from the height of five meters "but all the while under the expert supervision of our well-trained staff," Tony enthused.

He explained that their emphasis is on unstructured play, which is unorganized, free and undirected, where the child makes his own decisions and uses his imagination. Sigmund Freud believed that children exposed to this kind of play as children use their imagination more and turn out to be better problem solvers as adults.

Kids playing at ActiveFun are asked to think "spatially." They are more used to two-dimensional thinking in books or TV, and they tend not to look up or down or around! But ActiveFun’s play frame requires kids to work out routes through multiple levels and exercises, and that challenges their spatial thinking.

"I and my wife Gina really enjoy kids and the reaction of first time kids here as they enter is usually a loud "WOW!" "and that reaction tells us that we have what the kids want," Tony emphasized.

A key concern for parents is of course safety "and everything at ActiveFun is constructed according to European DIN safety standards, surfaces are cushioned and the floors are covered in foam tiles. The centre uses special wipe clean surfaces, which can be easily cleaned" and the center is cleaned everyday and deep-cleaned once a week. Indeed every one of the 30,000 balls in the ball pits are removed, wiped with disinfectant and replaced!

As a matter of policy, they only have full-time, well-trained employees "and hiring is based on the applicant’s ability to interact with and supervise their young customers. ActiveFun has a comprehensive operations manual, which is the basis for all training" all aspects of the business are covered by procedures and again this is to ensure quality and consistent service. The firm likewise uses the services of professional trainers from companies like Guthrie Jensen.

ActiveFun offers a wide range of great value parties, be it a walk-in party for four or five kids or their "ultimate" party where they close the center for up to 200 guests. There are also quality toys, puzzles and crafts on sale. All this and more guarantee "funtastic" indoor fun for kids!

Tony has a special message for all moms and dads: "We assure you that your child will enjoy our play centre "whether for play or for a special party. Bring your child to ActiveFun and watch his reactions. Let him play and then observe how well he sleeps that evening. Exercise can be fun and it’s good for everybody!"

For inquiries and reservations, call the ActiveFun Macapagal hotline at 551-3848 and 556-1233. You may also log on to www.activefun.ph for more information, games and maps etc. — Edith P. Lagarile