We just had our very first field trip for the year last Sunday morning! I had been planning to bring the kids to this place but we didn’t have time in the past year or in the past months. Since one of my goals for our homeschool and family is to have at least one field trip per quarter, I asked my husband to help me finally make this happen. I’m so happy our planned field trip pushed through before the month of March ended!
Why did I choose this place for our field trip?
- The things that children (and adults) will learn from this place are relevant. In fact, I would call them life skills. I believe that children should be taught as early as possible to learn safety rules.
- It’s relatively near our place. It wouldn’t even take us an hour to get there.
- It’s open during weekends. Actually, it’s open daily except on Wednesdays. My husband can go with us without having to take a leave from work.
- I think that my kids would be interested in learning about this topic. If you’ve been a follower of this blog of mine, you already know that all my kids are boys. Being boys, they are naturally drawn to transportation toys. Vehicles and many other forms of transportation are among their favorite toys and topics. Thus, I thought that learning about road signs and road safety would be something interesting for them.
- Last but not least, it’s ABSOLUTELY FREE!
We went on a Sunday morning because traffic is usually light on these days. Also, we need to be back home by early afternoon so my eldest son can still prepare for his service as pianist for the Children’s Mass in our parish.
So, how did our field trip go?
My husband didn’t find a nearby parking space. We were not able to plan ahead for parking. If you are coming with your own vehicle, I suggest that you park at Manila Zoo’s parking lot. The zoo is just across the MMDA Children’s Road and Safety Park.
We saw traffic signs printed in tarpaulin as soon as we entered the park. We didn’t see a staff of the park right away. I heard from a fellow homeschooling mom that there are orientations being done by their staff. But since it was a Sunday, I didn’t expect that they’ll have one.
My husband discussed the meaning of the signs with our boys. We were about to go around the park already when a staff came and said that he can conduct an orientation for our kids. Yehey!
Mr. Nestor Pollente conducting an orientation for our family.
The boys were participative. Mr. Nestor Pollente, the MMDA staff who gave the orientation was impressed that the boys knew a lot. He gave a good and interactive orientation. It’s very informative. He even used the popular children’s song Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star to get the kids to move and tell him what the traffic lights mean.
The boys were eager to learn and answer questions.
My husband was the one taking pictures. So, he was was not usually part of it.
After explaining the traffic and road signs to us, he led the tour of the park.
It was already midmorning when we arrived at the park, which was later than our original plan. It was already hot. It was a good thing that there were plenty of trees in the park as well. There were still portions, though, where the sun was really hot. Sadly, because of our excitement, we forgot to put sunblock. So, I suggest that you go to this park early or in the afternoon, 4 PM. They open at 9 AM. They close at 5 PM. Or you can go at other times of the day but be ready with hats, umbrella, shades and sunblock, especially if you plan to visit the park during summer. Bring water and extra clothes or fans also. These are the things we didn’t forget to bring.
Mr. Pollente shows us the mini train track.
Mr. Pollente asked the boys where the no blowing of horns sign can be found. I’m glad that the boys knew well that they can find this near the church.
After the guided tour of the park, we stayed behind to take more pictures.
I liked how they made the park. There were road signs all around and they even made replicas of a church, hospital, a gas station, foot bridge, train track, roundabout and a pedestrian tunnel to help simulate real ones to the kids who will visit it.
Yanthy pretended to be the gas boy. Mateo and Geordan pretended to be vehicles.
Our family enjoyed our first field trip in this park. It was truly educational! It was also a lot of fun for the kids!
The boys pretending as buses while singing The Wheels of the Bus as they go round and round the roundabout.
I’m glad that the city of Manila made this park possible and that they continue to make it accessible to the public.
So, what are you waiting for? Plan your field trip to this park soon if you have not been there yet!
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