Looking for the best places and activities to entertain the little ones? Here are the top things to do for the cool city kids in Jakarta.
While raising children in the huge metropolis that is Jakarta may not be a walk in the park (literally), those willing to look beyond the skyscrapers will discover that the Big Durian offers a myriad of fun activities for the whole family. Whether you’re looking for afterschool or weekend quality time with the fam, here are the top things to do with kids in Jakarta that will put a smile on the faces of those youngsters (and those young at heart, too). Gadgets off, kiddies!
FUN THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS IN JAKARTA
1. Channel the little ones’ inner Elsa
Escape Jakarta’s sweltering heat to Sky Rink on the fifth floor of Mall Taman Anggrek. The rink – which is one of the largest in Southeast Asia – offers ice skating lessons for all ages, which means both the big and small can get involved. Don’t forget to bundle your family up in something warm.
2. Have a close encounter with cute fauna
Love animals? You can’t go wrong with taking the whole family to a wildlife park. Head over to the 350-acre Ragunan Zoo in South Jakarta – home to over 3,000 species of fauna, including the endangered Komodo dragons, orangutans and Sumatran elephants, as well as over 170 types of flora. Or if you fancy a bit more quality time, a weekend trip to Bogor’s Taman Safari is always a good idea! It’s 170 hectares of wildlife park, and home to over 2,500 animals. Driving through the park in your car will be a great surprise for your kids as some animals come to your window, so be sure to stock up on carrots and apples for feeding time.
3. Discover the underwater world
While the Jakarta Aquarium doesn’t have as many species as the bigger Seaworld in Ancol (below), this aquarium is located inside the Neo SOHO mall. It’s a great introductory aquarium for younger kids as bigger aquariums may seem a little overwhelming and has enough amazing displays of sea creatures to explore. See if you can point out the different types of marine life and say the names after you. If they ever get tired looking at all the fish, you can always head outside to go explore other activities the mall has to offer.
4. Brush up on LEGO-building skills
Bring out the young Einstein in your kids at Bricks 4 Kidz, an edu-tainment centre that focuses on developing children’s creativity and critical thinking. Children learn by building LEGO-themed models (from space ships to animals and superheroes). The centre is aimed at kids between two to 13 years old, and offers afterschool classes, workshops and a free play area, too.
5. Go all out in a theme park
Jakarta’s version of Disneyland, Dunia Fantasi AKA Dufan at Ancol, a vast entertainment complex along Jakarta’s waterfront. It’s divided into multiple areas each boasting a variety of themed rides. And while you’re at it, get close with the marine life at Seaworld, or have a chilled afternoon picnic in the ecopark. For something unique, take the kiddos to Kidzania, a theme park which offers role-playing experiences wrapped in a mini city.
6. Gadgets off – it’s time to get active!
Aimed at children between six months to 18 years old, RockStar Academy is designed to foster your little one’s fitness, agility and confidence. From dance, gymnastics and ballet to martial arts and swim, all the classes are heaps of fun, great for learning new things and perfect to tire them out!
7. A museum trip unlike anywhere else in the country
A little further afield, but definitely worth the effort, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (‘Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature Park’) is a cultural attraction like no other. Learn alongside your children as you investigate the intricacies of all of the Indonesian provinces through dance, music and architecture.
Happy family time, Honeys!
Wondering what else you can do with the kids in Jakarta? Here’s a full list of all of the awesome things to do in the city!