Museo Pambata: A Museum for Children of All Ages

On a normal day, most Manilenyos would spend their time walking around the mall, watching movies, or just watching TV at home. Only few would think of heading to the nearest museum, since they would usually find it boring, and would consider it waste of time.

But a trip to Museo Pambata, located along Roxas Boulevard, proves that museums don’t need to be “dull” and “boring” after all.

According to their website, the Museo Pambata which was opened in 2004, is a “children’s interactive museum where children can use their total senses and learn various concepts at their own pace. It excites the minds of the young, inspires them to learn more, and most importantly revitalizes what child learning should be – fun and exciting!” (www.museopambata.org.)

The name “Museo Pambata” actually explains it all. It is a museum whose target audience are children – and kids of all ages. Unlike your usual museum which is filled with signs that says “Do Not Touch,” all five senses will be put into use at Museo.

As a kid, my dad often brought me to Museo Pambata. I never even thought that it was considered as a place for learning – all I knew was that I was having fun, and it was definitely better than your ordinary playground.

So I decided to re-visit the place, thinking of all the good memories I had in the museum. On my way to Museo, I was also bothered with a few thoughts: What if I’d just get bored? What if the museum wasn’t fit for my age anymore? I was afraid that the museum wouldn’t catch my interest as it used to.

Upon entering the museum, all questions were forgotten. I suddenly felt like a kid again. All hesitations and signs of maturity were left at the doorsteps. I just wanted to run inside and play with the items, and learn at the same time.

Museo Pambata features seven theme rooms. First stop: Maynila Noon.

This part of the museum gives the audience a chance to take a peek at old Manila. Board a Spanish galleon, ride the first ever train, walk inside a cathedral, and step into a Spanish house. Listen to the stories of different heroes from the heroes themselves! Manila Noon gives you a feel of history without boring you with the facts. I was actually running around this part of the museum, and jumping up and down the train!

Next stop: Kalikasan. Get a feel of nature in their “simulated rainforest and seabed.” Not only did I appreciate nature, but I even learned a few lessons on how to value nature as well.

Third theme room: Bata sa Mundo. This theme room offers a glimpse of children around the world! I enjoyed playing with different instruments and was really in awe of the dolls in different costumes! Bata sa Mundo also features a display which explains the rights of the children.

The fourth theme room, Katawan ko, is my favorite theme room. We had to enter a huge girl’s mouth, and crawl in its esophagus. Uber fun! I really enjoyed re-learning the functions of the different parts of the body, something which I thought was not possible. How I wish our biology professor would just teach us in this manner! I would have listened instead of spending my time daydreaming during biology class!

Next stop: Pamilihang bayan! I enjoyed running around, pretending that I was a fish vendor, a “panadero,” a pharmacist, an owner of a carinderia, a fire fighter, and a whole lot more. It gave me a chance to re-live the dreams that I had as a child!

Sixth theme room: Paglaki ko. This theme room gives the kids a chance to take a peek at their dream careers. They are featuring the life of an athlete during my visit. I wanted to try rock climbing, but it was just too low for me!

And lastly, Tuklas! which is the science room. Get a feel at how things work, enter a space craft, create a mini tornado, make balls fly, know how illusions work, and open the door to infinity! Any kid who enters this room would definitely love science… Well, even for a while.

Museo Pambata also has a mini library for kids, a mini playground, a gift shop, and a real helicopter!

It was an incredible day for a teenager. I have never wanted to return to childhood, as much as I did the day I visited Museo. This I say, is definitely, a fun, learning experience!