Berry Make Burgers at McDonald's Kidzania

Technically, Berry is a McDo veteran, with a Kiddie Crew stint under her belt.

But there's nothing like re-learning how to make a McDonald's cheeseburger inside Kidzania, only the coolest place for Berry and her friends these days.

Pay 15 Kidzos to learn how to make a McDonald's cheeseburger, but the kids get to bring their burger home, or eat it right in Kidzania

McDonald's in Kidzania may look like a typical McDonald’s counter, small by regular standards even, but right by the side is a kid-sized kitchen where kids 4 to 14 years old get to learn how to assemble their own McDonald’s Cheeseburger.

McDonald’s President and CEO Kenneth Yang, Alonzo Muhlach, Play Innovations Industry Partner Director Cecille Mariño, and Play Innovations President and CEO Maricel Pangilinan-Arenas formally open McDonald’s Burger Shop with a ribbon-cutting ceremony

All the kids who enter the McDonald's Burger Shop are taught the same procedure that real crew members use in preparing their iconic Cheeseburger every day in over 460 McDonald’s restaurants nationwide.

Berry and friends, putting five dots of mustard on one face of the burger bun

The "training" begins with the burger shop staff requiring the kids to put on a hairnet and an apron, and then briefing them on what they will learn inside.

Before they handle food, they are asked to wash their hands, a lesson in cleanliness and hygiene!

Then the beef of the activity begins - assembling the pure beef patty, a slice of American cheese, tangy pickles, minced onions, 5 dots each of ketchup and mustard, between two toasted buns - kids will find it a lot of fun!

“Making a McDonald’s Cheeseburger is an exciting activity in itself, but the real treat for kids and their parents is the experience and values learned while doing the activity. Together with KidZania, our hope is for kids to learn and appreciate the importance of hard work and responsibility, at the same time building their social skills and self-confidence,” said McDonald’s Philippines President and CEO Kenneth S. Yang.

“KidZania Manila is a place where kids can do big things and let their creativity run free,” said Maricel Pangilinan Arenas, State Governor for KidZania Philippines. “Here, they get to experience how a community operates, discover different careers, and learn while having fun by working closely with real-world brands that they know and love, like McDonald’s.” 

I might as well let you know too that there's a real McDonald's restaurant right at Park Triangle, on the ground floor close to the Kidzania entrance, and right across the LEGO store. Just in case you're jonesing for a full on meal after following the kids as they navigate the fun maze that is Kidzania.

KidZania Manila is located at Park Triangle, Bonifacio Global City. Open from 9AM-4PM on Mondays to Thursdays, and 9AM-2PM and 3PM-8PM on Fridays to Sundays. For more information, visit http://manila.kidzania.com. 

While at Kidzania, drop by McDonald’s Burger Shop and share your photos at McDonald’s official Facebook page, https://facebook.com/mcdo.ph. KidZanians may also tag @McDo_PH on Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #McDoatKidZania. 

McDonald’s takes the fun outside their shops too, providing an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of kids in need through the Ronald McDonald House Charities or RMHC. For every purchase of a McDonald’s Happy Meal, 50 centavos is donated to RMHC in support of its flagship programs, Ronald McDonald Read To Learn and Ronald McDonald Bahay Bulilit. 

Play for Real with Johnson's Baby

With my friends Cai, Jackie, Didi and Pam at the Johnson's Play for Real event

Can you tell which of the moms above are guilty of iPad parenting? Ok fine, it may just be me. Ahihihi. 

But sometimes, it's just too easy. I make them sit down, tinker about with an educational app, watch a toy review on YouTube, or play a game, and they're so quiet right away. How can I not? Especially when there's a ton of things I have to do, handing over my phone or iPad always seems like a good idea. Yes, even if I know it's not the best thing keep them preoccupied. Woe is me.

I do let them play for real of course. I have noticed in fact that they don't need expensive toys and gadgets to keep them happy. Hand over some empty bottles and boxes, and they'll figure out creative ways to play with them. Xavi gets a box and turns it into a house. Berry converts my discarded eye serum bottle with a dropper into a doll's feeding bottle.

Berry and Xavi found this box at S&R and pretended it was their house 

And this is the sort of "playing" that Johnson's Baby advocates. 

My UP Econ schoolmate Trina Tanlapco, who is now the Associate Marketing Director for Johnson's Baby, spearheaded the Play for Real campaign, because they want to remind parents that playtime is a time for learning, and that what seems like an ordinary activity, can actually mean so much more for our kids.

discarded bottles can turn into squirt guns, rocket ships, a coin bank, and more, with just a little bit of imagination

And when Johnson's Baby says, "Play!", we're talking the full sensory experience - because children learn more when their sense of sight, touch, smell, hearing and taste are activated and enhanced. 

Apparently, when the different senses get stimulated in activities during play, the neurons and brain connections are formed better, making kids more receptive to learning. They develop their fine motor, language, cognitive and social skills. It fosters creativity, while learning different concepts and preparing them for bigger challenges. There's a lot going on, in what may seem like regular playing.

Sight: When was the last time your kid played with leaves and twigs? I remember playing with leaves and twigs as a kid, mixing it with water in an toy clay pot my Lola bought for me.

Taste: How do unpopped corn kernels taste like? I wouldn't be surprised if at least one curious kid popped a kernel in his mouth, heehee

Smell: Coffee grounds! Like soil, but smells so much better!

Feel: slipper, bubbly, soapy ducks!

Hearing: Can you hear the sound of dripping water? Gushing water? Water coming from 6 different faucets?

Just take a look at the pleased look on Xavi's face when he managed to unearth a coin using a magnet...

Priceless! I've never seen him do that while playing on the iPad!

In fact, the entire time our kids were immersed in sensory play, I've never had them come up to me asking for my phone, or complaining that they were bored!

They had a grand time scooping corn kernels.

Getting wet with a garden hose.

Filling up empty plastic bottles of Johnson's Baby top to toe wash and gleefully splashing it onto their friends.

Making colorful artwork using not just paint brushes, but also sponges, and even their bare hands and feet.

In fact, just as we were about to leave, Berry made one last request to go inside a giant bubble.

I've forgotten how playing the old-fashioned way can be so much fun! It was amazing how my kids and their friends spent a good 3 hours outdoors, tirelessly playing under the sun, without any complaints. I really should give them more time outside, getting sweaty and dirty, playing with sticks, stones, leaves and mud, running through the garden hose, and scribbling with chalk on the driveway, like the kids of my generation used to.  

For more on Johnson's Baby and the Play for Real campaign,  visit the Johnson's Baby Facebook page. Now watch what real play can do for our kids: