I took my 3 and 5 year old to the Pixar exhibit, I think it was a bit “over their heads”. I would have liked to read all the information, but with the crowds and the more complex introductions, they couldn’t stay at each place long enough for me.
I want to take them to the exhibit by the cartoonist Jimmy before it finishes on Oct 31st, it might be more fun for them.
Info should be on this page, it’s taking too long for me load the page up:
Yea, I’m sure it would be over the head of a 3 year-old and even a bit much for a 5 year-old. I think our almost-6–year-old did enjoy some of the really fantastic drawings, paintings and clay sculptures, and of course the giant artscape video and the cool carousel of pixar creatures that turns into animation when it starts spinning under a strobe light, but anything will be a serious challenge for a child after a 2 hour wait to get in and, once in, if the venue is packed with visitors so that one must continue waiting in line or have daddy pick one up to look over the heads of the crowds gathered around each display. As with the jam-packed Millet show we went to years ago in Taipei, we started fairly leisurely but in the second half she was on my shoulders and I escorted her briskly from item to item, skimming the last half before heading home for lunch and a nap.
BUT, it was a cool show. Better than I had expected. There was a good quote there from Mr. Lasseter, apparantly a top pixar guy, about how “computer animation isn’t about the technology any more than pencil animation is about the pencil; great animation is created by great artists,” or something like that. And it’s true, the scetches, paintings, clay, etc, were terrific. What a dream job to be so very talented and work with that bunch of people creating amazing works of modern film art.
I recommend the show, especially if one goes during the week.
[quote=“Mother Theresa”]
BUT, it was a cool show. Better than I had expected. There was a good quote there from Mr. Lasseter, apparantly a top pixar guy, about how “computer animation isn’t about the technology any more than pencil animation is about the pencil; great animation is created by great artists,” or something like that. And it’s true, the scetches, paintings, clay, etc, were terrific. What a dream job to be so very talented and work with that bunch of people creating amazing works of modern film art.
I recommend the show, especially if one goes during the week.[/quote]
We have a similar quote in the photography industry. People look at photos and often say “Nice photo. You must have a really good camera”, but they never read a book and say “Nice story. You must have a really good pen (or keyboard).”
[quote=“cfimages”]
We have a similar quote in the photography industry. People look at photos and often say “Nice photo. You must have a really good camera”, but they never read a book and say “Nice story. You must have a really good pen (or keyboard).”[/quote]
I’ll be using that quote! 
Took the kids to the museum of miniatures. I loved it and so did they. Really superb stuff. Even the souvenir shop is good. It’s a must do, if you have children of 5 and above.
Dunno if it’s been mentioned here already. In case it hasn’t been, then here it is.
[quote=“divea”]Took the kids to the museum of miniatures. I loved it and so did they. Really superb stuff. Even the souvenir shop is good. It’s a must do, if you have children of 5 and above.
Dunno if it’s been mentioned here already. In case it hasn’t been, then here it is.[/quote]
Is that the Window on China?
no no. this is an indoor exhibition of doll houses and recreations of real homes, palaces and of buildings in eras gone by. has some fairy tale elements too. It’s on Jianguo N. Rd. 180/pp and indoors. window on China is on the outskirts of Taipei.
[quote=“Mother Theresa”]If you’ve got children and a car, I highly recommend Wei Chuan Pushin Ranch, in Yangmei, about 40 minutes from Taipei. It’s a huge, beautiful property owned by a major dairy and offered to the public for entertainment, for an admission charge of NT$300/adult (children under 100 cm are free).
One can feed grass to cows, carrots to rabbits, milk bottles to pigs, cows or calves; milk a cow; ride a horse or a pony; pedal swan boats on the nice lake; rent bicycles; look at the exhibit of beautiful butterflies; see a magic show; climb on great outdoor play stuff; fly a kite on the large green lawns; barbecue at the many barbecue pits; even camp overnight. We had a blast. Next time we’ll save a little money by bringing our own picnic lunch (their cafe offers a decent set lunch for NT$220). Only other costs were NT$20 for a milk bottle for pigs/cows and NT$80 for the pony ride.
As you can see, we had a great time.
We lucked out on this visit, too, because it was extremely, surprisingly uncrowded. We’ll definitely return. In fact, I believe it would be perfect for a Forumosa family gathering (after CNY) if anyone else would be interested.[/quote]
We were here again yesterday. It was fabulous but then there have been a few changes. The pigs have been rmoved (which were a highlight on our first visit), coz of H1N1, and the whole plyground has been uprooted…which is a pity coz the kids really enjoy it. Another thing is the pony ride, kids >5 are not allowed anymore, which really was sad.
However, it’s a great and easy drive, and a good spot for a picnic with friends, boating, there’s cows and rabbits to feed, and older kids can do the pony thing…oh nd they have some rides, that we didn’t do but you know those inflated dinosaur cars and the like. If you go, it will be a good experience, just not THAT good. 
I am looking for a place to throw a birthday party for one year old. There will be some other kids in more or less the same age. Therefore, it would be great if kids can crawl around…
Any ideas?
*MacDonald and KFC are not in the area of my interests 
[quote=“horo36”]I am looking for a place to throw a birthday party for one year old. There will be some other kids in more or less the same age. Therefore, it would be great if kids can crawl around…
Any ideas?
*MacDonald and KFC are not in the area of my interests [/quote]
1yo is pretty young… the only place I can think of would be Playspace by Xinyi/Anhe, If it is still there!! I can’t get the webpage to load and not been there for a few yrs so could be closed already. playspace.com.tw
[quote=“horo36”]I am looking for a place to throw a birthday party for one year old. There will be some other kids in more or less the same age. Therefore, it would be great if kids can crawl around…
Any ideas?
*MacDonald and KFC are not in the area of my interests [/quote]
Yu kidsIsland is a fab choice!! They give you a room and a play area and make balloons as party favours…great fun 
http://www.bld.com.tw/
http://www.parentpages.net/tw/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2513
[quote=“nivek”][quote=“horo36”]I am looking for a place to throw a birthday party for one year old. There will be some other kids in more or less the same age. Therefore, it would be great if kids can crawl around…
Any ideas?
*MacDonald and KFC are not in the area of my interests [/quote]
1yo is pretty young… the only place I can think of would be Playspace by Xinyi/Anhe, If it is still there!! I can’t get the webpage to load and not been there for a few yrs so could be closed already. playspace.com.tw[/quote]
Playspace is still around But it is recently stormed by a group of kindergartens during the day.
[quote=“divea”][quote=“horo36”]I am looking for a place to throw a birthday party for one year old. There will be some other kids in more or less the same age. Therefore, it would be great if kids can crawl around…
Any ideas?
*MacDonald and KFC are not in the area of my interests [/quote]
Yu kidsIsland is a fab choice!! They give you a room and a play area and make balloons as party favours…great fun
http://www.bld.com.tw/
http://www.parentpages.net/tw/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2513[/quote]
This the only place for kids I haven’t been yet. I guess it is a time to give it a try! Thanks for the advice!
Kid’s Space is still open as of a month ago. You might also try Green House:
02-2705-2639
台北市信義路4段235號5樓之1 XinYi Sec4 No235 5th floor
If you are planning on offering snacks or having a larger group, Yu Kids Island is more suitable then Playspace. You can hire the Playspace area but it’s something like 10,000. If you just enter on the usual entry, you are not able to have a big lot of food in their little snack corner. We’ve had cakes there but our playgroup visits regularly, so they turn a bit of a blind eye. With Yu Kids Island, they provide a cake, a room for eating in, cleaning service afterwards, and balloons for the kids, as offering spaces for birthdays is part of their business.
If its cold out or really hot out, I suggest going to Global Mall in Banciao/Yonghe. The place is family friendly and its even got a changing place for kids. Take a look see.
I know the National Taiwan Science Education Center in Shihlin has been mentioned on this thread before, but I didn’t see a specific mention of the play space on the B1 level there. It’s called the Kids Learning and Discovery Playground (en.ntsec.gov.tw/User/Article.aspx?a=106). I took my 2 kids (ages 2 and 4) there today, and it is awesome. Huge and airy, with an area for being rambunctious (with a modular obstacle course, large rubber balls, and a climbing area that has a rock climbing wall, net ladder, and regular ladder),an area for building stuff with huge rubber legos, a baby/young toddler play area, and workstations for playing with puzzle-type toys. (There were also stations for playing educational games on computers, but we didn’t bother with those.) It cost a total of $200 for our family of 2 adults and 2 kids, for a half-day session. And despite it being a drizzly Saturday afternoon, it wasn’t overly crowded.
Hey all, which of the places mentioned are still open? The last post in here is from about a year ago… 
Any recommendations on where to go with a 1.5y old during bad weather?
[quote=“miso”]Hey all, which of the places mentioned are still open? The last post in here is from about a year ago…
Any recommendations on where to go with a 1.5y old during bad weather?[/quote]
Hi! Back for a visit?
I know Yu Kids Island is around at some malls. It’s at Shinkong Mitsukosh in Tianmu, but it was so tiny!
We checked out the Science Center on Sunday and found it to be lame for toddlers. The discovery area closes at 12.30 to 1.30, so we missed out on that. Food wise it’s Burger King (wtf? For kids?) and a couple of food stands. It struck me how many of the displays were moving/animated/freaking video games?! Talk about starting babes off with ADD at a science center. But maybe if you can get to the discovery area it’d be fun. I’m going to give the discovery area another shot, but the mister already said he wasn’t going back.
When my kids were that age, they seemed to enjoy Playspace, Y17, and the toddler swimming pools at the sports centers the most. Playspace and Y17 are still open. Have you been to Lollypop, the kids’ restaurant in Tianmu? People have given it good reviews and it has a little play area. The local libraries are good during the day, too. The Children’s Art Museum is in Tianmu and it’s fun for little ones to run through and explore, although they don’t get the benefit of the tour with one of the guides. The great thing about that place is, the kids can touch everything and not get in trouble.