Mines Shopping Centre - Indoor Playground

Cassia Seed Pit as an alternative to a sand pit in an indoor playground at  Kids Paradise

A few months back, while browsing groupon.com.my (I think) I chanced upon a groupon for an indoor playground at Mines Shopping Centre with emphasis on them being the only indoor playground with a cassia seed pit. Intrigued, I made a mental note to check it out one day with my kids. 

Having fun at the "sand pit" at Kids Paradise

We finally had a chance to check it out early March since hubby was a bit reluctant to drive so far away to Mines especially since we don't particularly like the crowded shopping centre with limited parkings and nice restaurants  and teeming with teenagers. Not really our shopping centre of choice. But the kids couldn't wait to jump in the moment they saw the indoor playground. 

The ball pit at Kids Paradise @ Mines Shopping Centre

I agree that the main attraction of this indoor playground is the cassia seeds pit which is supposed to be an alternative to a sand pit since KL is so far a way from a beach. But some of the toys supplied (like the water wheel for instance) are not suitable for play with the cassia seeds since it can't flow properly through the water play toys and the kids can't build a sandcastle as cassia seeds can't be moulded. But all the kids sure had fun digging with shovels and transferring the seeds to a toy wagon or truck. Word of warning: the seeds will find its way into your kids clothings, and the fold of the pants and even diapers! Best to give them a shake first before going inside your house :)

Kids Paradise @ Mines Shopping Centre

Locker facilities are provided but all were taken when we were they, a few low tables with charging stations are also available. There is no dedicated changing station / feeding room for kids though. 

Indoor Playground at Mines Shopping Centre - Kids Paradise

The other area of Kids Paradise are the same standard offering at most kids' indoor playground in Kuala Lumpur such as JKids and Kids E-World.

The Birthday Room at Kids Paradise @ Mines

Kids Paradise at Mines Shopping Centre is located at:

L4-07F/G, The Mines, Mines Resort City, Seri Kembangan

Admission (Per Day):

RM25 (Weekday)

RM38 (Weekend/PH & School Holidays)

RM150 voucher for 8 admissions (any day)

RM250 voucher for 15 admissions (any day)

Drop & Shop:

RM40/hour (weekdays)

RM60/hour (weekends)

50% extra for kids under 2 years old.

The Pulai Desaru Beach Review

Last Chinese New Year Holiday (which by the way was still rainy season in Malaysia), the whole extended family from my husband's maternal side decided to gather (well, those that can make it anyways). Their chosen place? Pulai Spring Desaru. It wasn't really anything much but the chance to let the kids play with their second cousins and the parents to get a little bit closer rather than seeing each other only during Hari Raya visiting.

Our spacious room at Pulai Desaru Beach Resort

The TV is still not LCD though @ Pulai Desaru

It was fun for the kids, the hotel was furnished quite modern though you can see that the furniture are all "value for money" at least it didn't look dated and are still pleasing to the eyes. We have not much complains with regards to the accommodation except for maybe the toilet is a bit basic but still acceptable. 

The pantry and the closet area @ Pulai Desaru 

The toilet - basic but acceptably clean, there is another area for separate shower.

The facilities are also quite varied to entertain the kids, there's the kids room which is very cheerful, a playground (sadly it rained most of the time), volley ball by the beach ( beach is within walking distance from the hotel's pool) a few arcade games and snooker and the pool is big to accommodate both adults and kids. The fun fair by the beach at night was a bit boring though. Just a few stalls operating simple fun fair games like hit the bottle, some hoops and shooting games and what nots. 

The cheery kids room @ Pulai Desaru Resort

Kids room @ Pulai Desaru

Our main gripe with the place? Food sucks big time. And for foodie like us.. sigh... it was like fasting for two days :) 

Had it not rained most of the time or had it not been Chinese New Year holidays, I would have loved to bring the kids to the Desaru Ostrich Farm, the fruit farm and take the fireflies boat ride. Had we not been in a group that has arranged for full board with the hotel, we would have loved to explore the surroundings for some seafood as well. 

The swimming pool @ Pulai Desaru

Oh well, it was a fun family reunion anyways and the kids bonded very well with each other and for that we are grateful to the hardworking organizers :)
 

Marriott Putrajaya Kids Club

Hmm.. this is a continuation of my "Holiday in Putrajaya With Kids" string of posts last December, I actually wanted to put this in but couldn't find the pictures. Only saw this morning while I was going through my mobile gallery looking at pictures I took last weekend :) 

So here are the real shots of Marriott Putrajaya Kids Club not the "official" shot from the hotel. It was disappointing for me due to a number of reasons:

1- the lighting was quite dim, dampening the mood a bit.

2- the kitchen play area could have been interesting for the kids had there been sufficient toy cooking utensils and cutleries and food. All my kids could find were 1 tiny plate, 1 hot dog and 1 bun (i think)

3- the ball pit was only big enough for babies and there were so little balls that any 1 year old would be screaming to get out of it after 5 minutes. 

see the colorful barrier? That's the ball pit with a few balls strewn inside not enough to even cover the whole  ground

4-the slide is suitable for 3 years and below. 

sorry slide is on the other side, but about the length of this steps.

5- the library while spacious, smells musty and the book selection was uninteresting. 

the only books at the library @ Marriott Kids Club

So, if you are choosing to stay at Marriott because you have kids and think that they will enjoy the kids club, well don't count on it if your kids is aged 5 and above. It might entertain your 4 and under for 20-40 minutes depending on their level of imagination. If not they are better of enjoying the swimming pool.