Ever since I went back to work  a couple of months ago I try to make the most of my free time and spend as much quality time with the boys. The work-life balancing act has been tough but I feel like I’m finally getting on track and I try to savor every second I spend with Evan and Joshua. If I have learned something in these last few months is that time flies by and that in a glimpse of an eye things change, kids grow and relationships evolve. We have been so blessed to hit the two year mark in Jakarta and knowing that we will be leaving a year from now makes me try to make to most of our stay in Jakarta.

With that in mind and the fact that Jakarta’s weather has been hotter than ever, we planned a fun outing to the brand new Miniapolis Kelapa Gading. This new concept by Miniapolis has the best of both worlds with a huge water splash area and an indoor playground (still under construction). This new Miniapolis has a similar layout to the Miniapolis Beachwalk in Bali. The difference between the water play area in the new Miniapolis and Giggle the Fun Factory is that this water area is outdoors so it is nice and warm and a few seconds out of the waddling pool are enough to get completely dry. Although the Mniapolis in Plaza Indonesia is our favorite outing due to its proximity to our home, the new Miniapolis is not only awesome but it is a treat to visit since a change of scenery is always welcome.

This was our first time at the Kelapa Gading Mall and we were excited to find a wonderful setup with awesome restaurants and a huge variety of shops and boutiques. But we were not there for shopping, so we got to business right away headed straight for the playground. As we approached the playground two little monkeys started running towards it. A short chase and a couple of minutes at the ticket booth we were in this wonderful water wonderland. We swiftly changed the kids into their swim gear in the shaded area by the water park and let them roam free.

My oldest sea-monkey was literally like a fish in the water. He braved the big slides, swam around and interacted with the older kids who were at the park. Evan loved the thrill of going down the slide and had a fantastic time just getting soaked.

To be completely honest I wasn’t sure how Josh would react to the water park. Sure, he loves swimming, but there was so much going on in this place that I thought he would hesitate and stay close to me. Boy was I wrong. Joshua jumped right in behind his brother. Waddled in the waddling pool and even braved the slides. The great thing about this park is that they have amazing staff that includes a lifeguard on duty who made it his task to go down the slide with Josh and help him out if ever he got stuck.

The boys were having so much fun that I had to capture it on vine video. They were running, splashing, tumbling. I wasn’t concerned since everything was perfectly padded and very safe. The Miniapolis characters can be found all thru the park and brighten the park with a smiley face. They boys loved playing in the fountain area and I got soaked after stepping on the wrong spot. It was all fine since the boys were having a blast. After two hours splish-splashing the kids were ready for a snack and a nap.

The facilities at the park were super clean and kid-friendly. They have showers and lockers available for anyone to use. The shaded area is a great place to change the kids and after a sunny splashy day it provided a nice spot for a chill-out moment.

On the same site they have a wonderful area with a balloon ride and an electric car track. Unfortunately my boys were too small to use them but they looked like tons of fun.

We had such a great time at the new Miniapolis that we are already thinking on when to go visit it again.

Ninety-degree weather and school holidays are a good enough excuse to ditch summer camp and head to the newest outdoor concept by Miniapolis, right? Go to the new Miniapolis, you won’t regret it. Exhausted kids and a satisfying smile in their face will make your day!

Tips

1. The address is a bit deceiving, so just go to the Kelapa Gading Mall 3 and go out to Gading Walk on the ground level. You won’t miss it. It’s in front of the Kopitiam restaurant.
2. Bring a towel and a change of clothes for the little ones. Showers are available so go ahead and bring your shampoo and soap and get the kids smelling good before you leave the park.
3. If you forget a towel, don’t fret. They sell them at the ticket booth.
4. Be prepared to spend a good two hours at the park. Even though it is not huge, the fun keeps going and going. Put sunblock on the kiddos and let them giggle into exhaustion.
5. Bring shorts and clothes that dry fast for yourself. You will get wet as much as you try to avoid it!
6. Make a day out of it and try a new restaurant at the wonderful Gading Walk.

Miniapolis Kelapa Gading
Mall Kelapa Gading 5
Jl Bulevar Kelapa Gading Blok M
North Jakarta