kidzone-tw

The Museum of World Religion (Particularly Kid's Land)

2012-02-11T06:04:00.000-08:00

After years of trying to organise a trip to Yong He and the Museum of World Religions, we finally made it earlier this week. In retrospect, it's a good thing we waited. My kids are now old enough to appreciate the main section of the museum as well as the Kid's Land area. And wow, what a beautiful, inspiring place this museum is!

Now, I'm not a religious person but I do appreciate others' beliefs and spirituality in general. I found this museum the perfect place to introduce my children to the ideas of others, and to calmly contemplate life, death, and meditation. My children were enchanted by the models of the places of worship from around the world, and also by the wall where you can leave your handprint and wash your hands in water.

In the main area, you can watch a short video about religion, and at the end, you enter into a chamber that introduces the cycle of life and meditation in different religions and cultures. I absolutely loved this meditation room. You can watch a touching video of people of various religions going through their personal meditations. My children were really taken by this, and have been asking questions about the different people they saw in the presentation.

In addition to the main area, you can pay separately for entry into the Kid's Land area. When you first walk in, birds flutter above you and make a few noises that may scare little ones to begin with. The sweet scent of the forest drifts through the room, and animals pop up all around you. There are many little hidden treasures in the forest. Beyond the forest is a room with a big toy to climb on, little reading area, and kiddy bathrooms. We spent an hour playing in there, as the kids' imaginations took off after walking through the magic forest and watching the short video.

For me, the only frustrating thing about going into the museum was the lady who worked out the fee for us. She asked us where we were from, and as I said "Taiwan", we missed out on what I later realised would have been a 20% discount on tickets. Also, it took her a few minutes to work out exactly how much it cost us to enter. But, once we were in, wow, it was just fantastic.

The museum is right next to Sogo, so you can park your car in Sogo carpark for 30NT/hour, and eat lunch in their food court, too. That department store also has an ESLITE kids' bookstore.

Address：7th floor, No 236, Chungshan Road Section 1, Yungho District, New Taipei City,Taiwan

Animated Chinese Stories for Children

2012-02-01T16:47:00.000-08:00

This morning, I recommended some sites on my blog to adult learners as an addition to the traditional textbooks. I am pretty sure I missed this site, which is used by both of my children's teachers to help their students stay interested in reading and learning Chinese characters. The characters on each page light up as the reader tells the story. The books are quite popular and the kind that educators would choose for their children.

http://children.cca.gov.tw/garden/

2012 March: The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer

2012-01-24T00:57:00.000-08:00

As part of the Taiwan Internationa Festival of the Arts, Australian puppeteer Tim Watts is bringing his award-winning, one-man puppet show to Taipei and Kaohsiung.

Tickets are $600 each in Taipei and $400 each in Kaoshiung. The show will be in English with Chinese subtitles.

You can buy tickets online through this English page.

Taipei:
March 22-24 7:30pm; March 24&25 2:30pm; March 25 11am

Kaohsiung:
March 28-30 7:30pm

You can see some lovely clips of the show on the official website.

Has Anyone Been to the Zhishan Cultural and Ecological Park?

2012-01-23T23:45:00.000-08:00

I saw some information about this place in a magazine. It looks quite interesting and reasonably-priced, with quite a few activities going on. Activities this holiday include plant education and an introduction to fossils. Has anyone been there and want to share their experience?

http://www.zcegarden.org.tw/e21.php

2012 Jan 23-Feb 5: 2012 Chung Hwa Flower Festival

2012-01-23T21:18:00.000-08:00

Flower, performances, DIY activities, and the 99999 (長長久久 Chang Chang Jiu Jiu) flower giveaway... it's all happening in Chang Hwa County this holiday period!

Here is a link to the Chinese site. This is the map page. The main area is at Xi Jou Park (溪州公園), with other neighboring companies participating, too.

Performances run from 9:30am until 4:30pm.

The flower give away is happening at 10am-noon and again at 1pm-3pm.

2012 Now-Feb 12: Nantou Sand Sculpture Festival

2012-01-23T21:00:00.000-08:00

It might not seem like beach weather up North, but check the weather and then head down to Nantou's Sand Sculpture festival. Entrance is free, and there are snacks for sale.

Address: Under "Lu Mei Bridge" in Nantou. (綠美橋,南投市)

2012 Feb 28: Qishan Drum Up Music Day (Kaoshiung)

2012-01-23T20:52:00.000-08:00

This might be a nice way to end your Chinese New Year holiday. Nine groups will perform, farmers will be selling produce, and others will be serving up local food and drink along Qishan Districts's Chungshan Old Street (高雄市旗山區中山老街).

Time: 12 noon - 9pm
Entrance: Free

More information: Chinese site.

Taipei Zoo Education Center -Highly Recommend

2012-01-23T04:50:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure how long this has been open, but we visited the building within the zoo for the first time, last week. My children are aged seven and five, and I think they are almost the perfect age for this center. There are models of animals, and real stuffed ones, showing animals of China, Formosa, and Tibet, as well as a really cool dinosaur/prehistoric animal room. Learn about the history of the zoo (during the war, all the zoo animals were shot to prevent any risk of them running away after bombings), and about Lin Wang, the much-loved Asian elephant.

Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 9am-5pm
Entrance: TWD20 (children under 120cm accompanied by adult free, 65yrs and over TWD10)
Within the zoo, pretty much in front of you when you enter the zoo
Website: http://www.zoo.gov.tw

Get Fit and Fabulous with Colleen at Parentsplace (Family community center, Neihu)

2012-01-12T20:45:00.000-08:00

My dear, fit and fabulous friend Colleen is back in town and ready to help mums and mums-to-be stay fit and healthy in body and mind. Colleen is a really fun person to be around and I promise just being in the class will make you happy, even before you start moving! Here is the class description below. Please go to the website for me details and to register.

Moms Fit and Fabulous prenatal and "baby and me" exercise class registrations open now. Available to start after the new Chinese year, these classes are specifically tailored to suit your needs.

Moms to be that want to stay healthy both for themselves and their baby, can join other moms to be in either a first/second trimester class or a more gentle and muscle releasing third trimester class.

New mums have the chance to increase the beautiful bond with their baby and begin the process of reshaping that overworked body by incorporating moves that involve both mum and bub.

All this in English too so let's get started!

http://www.parentsplace.com.tw/

Please help share the clearance sale on my baby product site - leggings, diapers, and diaper bags

2012-01-12T19:53:00.000-08:00

The past few weeks, I have been busy preparing to clear out all the stock at my www.littlewonders.com.tw website. I now have all leggings on sale at TWD150/pr, and some organic and Mommystouch onesize diapers and bags going very cheaply, too.

Here are a few images of what is available:

Items can be shipped anywhere in Taiwan for TWD90/pkg, which includes handling of payment of delivery. These products are all top-quality, brand new. I am just trying to move on to new pastures so I need to move the stock on, first! Thanks for sharing this sale with people you know.

Ju Percussion Group Super Concert 2012 (Taipei Arena)

2012-01-10T17:18:00.000-08:00

Set for March 24th at the Taipei Arena, this should be an amazing concert. Tickets went on sale January 1st. You can get them through http://www.ticket.com.tw/dm.asp?P1=0000012685. Call (02)2891-9900 ext 888 for more information.

**A couple of important things.
1. The concert is 135 mins long.
2. Children under 110cm cannot use the 3rd floor seating area, which means you would have to buy the $2,800 and up tickets. So, I would class this show as one for older kids and adults, not a total family-friendly event.

2012 Nationwide Students' Picture Book Creation Award

2012-01-10T16:56:00.000-08:00

This year's picture book creation contest is open to children from Elementary School to University. Contestants need to create a picture book suitable for three to twelve year olds to read. Creators are free to choose any subject they wish.

The English version of the National Taiwan Arts Education Center is here. However, there is no English information about this contest. You can read a bit more (in Chinese) here. You need to download the entry forms here.

*Entries will be received between March 1st and April 15.

Our Family Trip to Kenting

2012-01-10T07:52:00.000-08:00

In an attempt to get out of the never-ending rain, we recently took three weekdays to travel to the Southern beach town of Kenting. This was a pretty quick trip, as two half-days were used traveling, but we still managed to spend a whole day swimming at the beach. I want to give a summary of our trip to help you plan your very own trip down South!

How to get there:
We drove down from Taipei. We should have traveled Highway 3 the whole way, really. You can also take Highway 1 to Jiayi and then switch. It had been many years since my husband had been down South, so he didn't realise Highway 3 now extends to Pingdong. It would have taken us about 4 1/2 hours had we driven the right way. We also had our dog with us, so we stopped at a few rest areas along the way, taking more time.

Some things along the way:

Rest areas have come a long way since I last visited. They are like shopping malls now!

View from rest area

Not much traffic on Highway 3.

When we got there:

It was already dark when we arrived. We had our rather large dog with us, so our accomodation options were limited by that, but we still had quite a few options. It is low season right now, and midweek you can get some fantastic deals on rooms. We got a room with three double-beds and a balcony for the dog for $1,600 overlooking the ocean.

The second day:
We found a place at Banana Bay that was just wonderful, for under $3,000. That included four full cooked breakfasts, and a beautiful suite with two double beds. Then, we went for a day at the beach.

"Sea View B&B" at Banana Bay (海景民宿)
(08)885-15600/0928-957-600 Ruby; facebook/海景民宿

Day Three:

On our third morning, we merely enjoyed our breakfast, and then headed back North around noon. We took Highway 3 back most of the way. There is less traffic and it is a more scenic drive.

This trip, my husband drove down. I had been hestitant because of the distance and highway traffic, but actually it is now really easy! And don't worry about accomodation during the low season. There are so many places to choose from!

If you can read some Chinese, you will find this site helpful in selecting accomodation before you go.

Winter Break 2012: See What's On Offer At Parent's Place

2012-01-10T06:36:00.000-08:00

If you are on Facebook, sign up to "Parent's Place" (in Neihu), and wait expectantly for announcements regarding activities coming up after the official Chinese New Year break. All going well, there will be the following workshops for school-age children:
*Magic
*Photography
*Animal Care
... and more.

These promise to be very affordable, and fun, too!

Website:

	http://www.parentsplace.com.tw

Jilong (Keelung) Story House

2011-12-11T03:25:00.000-08:00

Jilong Story House is situated at the back of the Jilong Cultural Center. From Jilong Train Station, follow the road around the harbor. You will see the giant, square Cultural Center in front of you on the the right. Jilong Story House is at the rear of the building. Open from 9am to 5pm, the Story House is small, but the space is well-utilised.

Entrance

Cannon

There are a few interactive items in the display area, including music from famous Taiwanese artists and a computerised map.

2011 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Yamingshan 6PM

2011-12-11T02:24:00.000-08:00

Many thanks to Anthony at Taiwanease for posting about this service.

The Taipei International Church will hold their annual service at 6pm. They will sing carols, light candles, and have a potluck dinner. The caroling lasts just over an hour.

Address: No. 20, Lane 2, Section 2 Yǎngdé Dà Dào (仰德大道二段二巷20號)

2011 Dec 18: A Golden Christmas

2011-12-11T01:59:00.000-08:00

There will be a Christmas performance by the Taipei Philharmonic Youth Choir on December 18th.

Spiritual songs include:
Lux Aurumque
Surrexit Christus
Christus est natus

Christmas songs include:
Go Tell It on the Mountain
White Christmas
Mary Had a Baby
The Sleigh

Venue: Chungshan Hall, Chung Jeng Theater
Time: Sunday, December 18, 2011, 7:30PM
Ticket Prices: 300/500/800*
Tickets: www.artsticket.com.tw
Contact: 02-277303691 www.tpf.org.tw

*From the Chungshan Hall English site:
Special Offers：
．10% off to Starbucks and Eslite card holders on all tickets, except for the minimum-priced.
．5% off to Philharmonic People (plz enter membership #)
．10% off on all tickets but the minimum-priced, to credit card holders of Taishin Bank, Mega Bank, and Cathay United Bank.
．10% off to Shin Kong Mitsukoshi credit card holders on all tickets, except for the minimum-priced.

Parentpages Now Part of Taiwanease, With Private Women's Forum

2011-12-04T16:58:00.000-08:00

Parentpages has for quite a few years been the only Taiwan-based, English-language parenting forum available. A couple of months ago, it merged with a new English-language information site and forum, Taiwanease. The goal of this new site is to reach a broader audience and provide a comprehensive information site for expats in Taiwan. There has been a lot of work going on in the background, developing directories and an online magazine. To see the total package, you can click here.

Now, some parents were a bit surprised to see Parentpages become part of a larger community. Change can be hard to take when you are in a foreign country and need some consistency in your life! I'm really happy to share a few things about Parentpages that might make regular users of the old forum a bit more comfortable. (Although, for me, the integration has opened up the parenting section to a more diverse set of parents, and made expats' parenting issues in Taiwan become more visible, which has to be a good thing! It also acknowledges that parents are also people with lives outside parenting.)

Direct link to the Parenting Forum here. There is a button "View New Posts in Parentpages", so you can opt to see only parenting-related posts.

Women's Only Forum: Women can register and then post in the Women's Only forum. Here, you can discuss women-specific issue you would rather not post on the main board.

So, please go and post anything you would like to share/ask/acknowledge on this new forum. This combined community is fairly new, and you are welcome to become part of it.

Enjoy the Winter With Free Audio Books through Taipei City Library

2011-12-01T06:49:00.000-08:00

If you have a Taipei City Library card (which you should, and can, no matter where on the island you are), you can take advantage of a pretty good selection of English and Chinese language books in their Audiobook library.

How to do so:
Go to this link. From here you can access encylopedias, dictionaries, journals and other material, but I want to introduce audio books, so...
Scroll down to the Audiobook section.
Choose "Tumble Talking Books".
Your username is the letter and number mix on the back of your library card, under the barcode. Your password is your month and date of birth (Dec 12th is 1212).
You will enter the Tumble Talking Books site, where you can browse and then listen to any books you like for free. I'm listening to one right now, as I type this. The quality is excellent.

Little Wonders Taiwan's Bilingual Natural Parenting Site Clearance Sale

2011-11-30T18:33:00.000-08:00

www.littlewonders.com.tw

100% organic cotton diapers from Imse Vimse, half price!

My website, www.littlewonders.com.tw, is about to change. First, I need to clear out some old stock, some things that have been sitting a while, and some things I will no longer act as distributor for. Items are now priced from low as TWD100, and include a range of items.

So, please help me out and share the information with people you know in Taiwan with babies and young children! I'm sure your friends will thank you.

2011 Christmas Shows I

2011-11-29T16:18:00.000-08:00

Now, I have to say, some of this information is a little incomplete at the moment, but as the shows sell out very quickly, I wanted to get them up so you could at least try to get tickets.

These shows' tickets can be bought through I-Bon at the 7-11. You need to show the 7-11 staff the name of the ticket company (for these shows, it's 兩聽院售票處 ), the Chinese name of the show, and the price (票價 of the ticket you want (if you need to choose)

Here is a translation for you to use at the 7-11 if you cannot speak enough Chinese to get by. Sometimes, you can choose the seat no. and row you want to sit, but for shows I have booked, I haven't been able to through I-Bon.

Please help me book the following tickets using IBON 請幫我在IBON訂購以下的票:
Co: 兩聽院售票處
Show: (cut and paste the names from the shows below)
Price: 票價:
No. tickets: 幾張:

Chiang Kai-Shek Cultural Center Happiness 100 – International Immigrants Day 2011

Described in the Cultural Center's monthly progam booklet as a “festival and fun fair, for the immigrant community, with popular Taiwanese host duet, Plungon, will ensure a wonderful time for everyone”, this event will feature song and dance by new inhabitants and international students from Vietnam, Thailand, the Phillipines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, and China. There will also be local Taiwanese performances.

Chinese Name: 辛福100.2011國際民日PARTY GO!

When Dec 10, 2pm-9pm (New Inhabitants from 2pm until 5:30pm; 100 Year Celebration Concert from 7pm until 9pm)
Cost: Free
Where: Chiang Kai Shek Cutlural Center's Main Plaza

2011 Dec 17: Hakka Children's Musical Hey! A-Digu

The established drama company Paper Windmill is putting on a free performance of Hey!A-Digu (嘿!阿弟牿). This is an adaptation of Hakkanese author 小野's “Polly Comes Back” The story highlights the Hakkanese harmonious relationship with nature.

A-Digu lives on a small island. Polly is a member of a Typhoon family, and the time has come to prove herself grown-up by thrusting herself upon the island. Polly is very nervous, and fails in her duty. Trying to help her, four typhoon set themselves upon the island, resulting in catastrophe. Polly works out a solution to the situation, and gentle rains fall upon the land.

Chinese Name: 嘿!阿弟牿

Venue: Chiang Kai Shek Cultural Center
Time: Saturday December 17 2011, 7-9pm
Cost: Free

2011 Dec 24: Family Christmas Concert

Let the cello tell the story. Accompanied by a soprano soloist and 管風琴, it will share tunes including “White Christmas” and “Silent Night” with you. This event is noted as a family event.

Chinese Name:

Venue: National Concert Hall
Time: Saturday Dec 24^th, 2011, 7:30pm
Cost: TWD500 (Under 12's TWD300)

2011 Dec 18: Y17's Christmas Party Under the Tree

This is a family musical event to celebrate Christmas. The introduction talks about Barbie, holding hands, gifts, and pinecones, but doesn't actually say what is going to happen. If anyone knows more, please let me know!

Chinese name:

Venue: Y17, 3^rd floor performance hall
Cost: TWD300 (10% discount for Eslite card holders, Yushan/Taishin/Cathay credit card holders)

2011 Dec 23-24 Who Is Father Christmas? By If Theater

It's the night before Christmas. It's not snowing. An old man is not enjoying his life. He thinks he has no friends, that his family members don't care about him. He gets to meet Father Christmas and regains faith in Christmas and his life, and realises that life itself is the best gift of all.

Venue: New Taipei City Cultural Center (新北市藝術文中心)

Cost: Tickets range from 300 to 1200 per person

*We went to see a show by IF Theater recently. My five-year-old didn't quite understand the whole story presented but enjoyed the colorful costumes and larger-than-life characters. My seven-year-old thought the whole thing was hilarious. The audience seemed to be mostly seven to twelve year olds. The show was in all in Chinese, and kids need to have a fairly good grasp of the language to understand the jokes. Their performance was very professional.

When We Get Together (當我們童在一起II - 兩聽院售票處 )

Presented by a Taichung Percussion Group, this show aims to share the happiness of childhood with children and adults alike.

Sunday Dec 4, 2:30pm: Hsinchu Cultural Center Theater

Sunday Dec 11, 3pm: Jiayi Cultural Center Theater
Cost: TWD300/400

Appeal from the Community Services Center - Telephone System Blow-out

2011-11-28T03:52:00.000-08:00

The Community Services Center in Taipei offers a wide range of necessary services to the expat community, including an emergency counselling service. The recent disaster with their telephone system has thrown them right out, and they are reaching out to the community they service for support. Please, spare a dollar or two to help them get over this hurdle.

The Center’s phone lines and switchboard burnt out in a power surge recently. We have to replace the whole system. As you can imagine this is a very unexpected and considerable expense for a non-profit and we really need your help.
Our phones are hanging on by a thread. We can still receive calls but we cannot, for instance, use any touch tone systems when dialing out. This means our counselors and staff are unable to call hospitals and other emergency referrals. Emergency referral is something we often need to do. I cannot overstate the difficulty of running the Center with an inoperable phone system.
So this December 18th The Center Running Team – who last year ran to support the now one-year-old Hsinchu Counseling office - will also be dedicating this year’s run to raising funds for a new phone system for Taipei office.
So if you support The Center and the efforts of the 16 people who will be running a total of over 330kms for the Center (that is like running from Taipei to Kaohsiung!) please help in any of three ways:
1)      Going to www.gofundme.com/TheCenterTaipei and giving a lot or a little; everything will help. You can use a paypal account or Credit Cards and donate online. 500, 1000, 10,000; every little bit will help.
2)      Dropping in at The Center and make a donation in person. Ask for Grace.
3)      Participating in our pool. This is for those who want to get more involved in the runners and the times they might finish their runs. Choose the right time a runner will finish and win prizes including bottles of wine, cool coffee mugs and a host of other items. Come in to the Center to sign up.
Our phone system is a lifeline for the whole international community. We need that lifeline to be working properly and reliably. And that is why I am turning to you, the community, for help at this time.
This one is urgent…please help.
Steve

No. 25, Lane 290 Zhong Shan North Rd., Sec. 6
Taipei 11161
Taiwan

http://www.communitycenter.org.tw/index.php?q=civicrm/mailing/optout&reset=1&jid=457&qid=63911&h=2d8d2741b41da500

Christmas 2011: Improv Children's Christmas Show, Taichung

2011-11-24T01:55:00.000-08:00

I am going to take liberty and cut and paste from the Improv Theater's website. For more information about Improv, the show, and the people, please go to their website. Please note, they keep a guest list, and if you are on the list, you get first priority for seating. So, if you are sure you want to go, drop them an email at TaichungImprov@gmail.com.
ng Improv and Stock 20 present:

Taichung Improv's Annual Christmas Kickoff for Kids
Date: November 26/ Time: 2:30 - 4:00 PM
Location: Stock 20 (Click to see our page about them).

Santa comes early this year as Taichung Improv kicks off the Christmas Season with a show sure to delight both children and adults. Using suggestions from the audience, Taichung Improv creates short plays that are spontaneous, funny, and definitely entertaining.

Want to see us pretend to be Sponge Bob Squarepants wrestling a gorilla? No problem.
Want to see us pretend to be a man stuck on the moon? No problem.
Want to see us pretend to be ants in a chocolate box? No problem.
Come with your own ideas and shout them out when we ask. We will try to pick the best ones.

The show is ideal for kids of all ages. The show will be in English, with descriptions of what is happening before each play in Chinese. The show is very high energy and fun, which means it can be understood by kids that know no English, a little English, or a lot of English.

We request a small donation of $100 pp for the show. For more information, visit our website at www.TaichungImprov.net or email TaichungImprov@gmail.com. Also look for us on facebook.

Drinks and refreshments supplied by Happy Marion, Taiping Branch. A special thanks goes out to them for their support.

Taichung Improv 年度耶誕秀
活動時間：11.26（六）14:30 - 16：00

Cycling in Taiwan With Children - Taiwanxifu

2011-11-08T16:42:00.000-08:00

One way I like to take a break from my work online with my business www.littlewonders.com.tw is to browse some of the forums based in Taiwan. Recently, people have been discussing the article published by the Lonely Planet online, ranking Taiwan as the 9th-best country visit in 2012, because of cycling.

I remember my first proper cycling experience in Taiwan. My teammates and I were preparing for a triathalon, and we cycled from Taipei to Wulai, had a barbecue and a swim, and cycled back to the city. At that time, there were really no cycling paths that let you travel a decent distance on the bike, so you just had to grit your teeth and take on the traffic. I would not have recommended family cycling trips at that time! There has been much work put into developing Taiwan's cycling trails over the past few years, and there are now plenty of places to go cycling by yourself or with your family.

As a follow-up to the Lonely Planet article, another Taiwan-based blogger, Taiwanxifu, has taken time to introduce 10 spots ideal for cycling with your family.

You don't need to buy a bike to enjoy the trails. You can rent bicycles from the starting points of most trails. However, Taiwan is "famous" for it's bicycle manufacturing industry, and you pick up some nice bikes at reasonable prices around the island. One thing that is a little harder to find is a decent child-seat for the bike, and if you are moving to Taiwan and have one already, I would suggest packing that up and bringing it over. Other expats are sure to want to buy it off you when you finish with it. (You can sell it at the Forumosa, or Taiwaneasia forums' Sale sections.)

English-language Breastfeeding Support Group in Neihu (Right by MRT Station)

2011-11-06T16:11:00.000-08:00

An English breastfeeding support group is up and running. It is one Monday a month and open to all nursing moms free of charge. The leader of the group, Berta, will choose a topic for discussion each month and then this will be followed by an open discussion about any concerns, questions or advice. There is also a private, online group for discussions between group meetings.

The next meeting will be November 14th at my friend's new family activity center Parents' Place. You can find the registration form and map at www.parentsplace.com.tw

**Parentsplace is right by two MRT stations and bus stops, so it's easy for people all over the city to get to. Its also near the exit of Highway 1, and lots of car parks nearby. So, even if you live "far" from Neihu, it's not hard or too long to get to the support you need.