Did you know that a chameleon can move its eyes in different directions at the same time? Do you know how a fly is able to stick to walls(and how Spiderman is able to do the same thing :D)? Have you ever wondered how bats catch their prey in the dark of the night?

These are among the many questions we were able to answer during our visit to The Robot Zoo in the Science Discovery Center at the SM Mall of Asia last Saturday, July 7.  The entire brood were all excited to see the larger-than-life animated animal robots simulate their real-life counterparts and show us their many spectacular feats. See the picture below,  we couldn’t get a decent shot of the kids lining up for the tour because our little boy was so excited to see the robot animals he couldn’t even stand still.

Raring to go inside The Robot Zoo

A giraffe (Jakei insisted it was an orange Zebra though) greeted us at the entrance and seemed to motion to us with its 9-ft long neck to go and start our adventure inside the zoo.  A rhino, a platypus, a grasshopper(It’s Hopper!), a giant squid, a bat, and a chameleon were among the animals featured in the zoo.

Each robot animal exhibit came with an extensive description of the parts and behaviour of each animal.  My preschoolers though are not the type who’d listen to long explanations of the marvels of nature and would rather be off and running or touching one thing or another.  Good thing there were interactive multi-sensory activity stations that let them experience the scientific marvels first hand.

Jakei became a turtle for a few minutes.  With a gray shell on his back, he tried to walk like a cute little turtle on all fours.  He found the shell uncomfortable though and took it off before the turtle race began.  I think he had more fun throwing the suction balls at the picture of the giant squid.:D

Our little boy also tried Hang Time where his strong arms kept him hanging for a full 18 seconds! How’s that for a three-year-old?!  He didn’t hang upside down like a bat though. I’d have too much of a fright to see him hanging head down.

Our little princess also had a marvelous time.  I think she tried each and every single interactive exhibit there.  She went back to the fly wall the most though.  Hmmm…probably because she wants to climb walls like a fly, too.  She also enjoyed playing the games on the computers and making the chameleon’s tongue stick out. 😀

Tickets to The Robot Zoo costs only Php 200 per person which is a fairly good price for the learning experience to be had inside the walk-in gallery.  An orientation of all the animals in the zoo can be finished in just 15 minutes or so but I suggest you stay longer and let the little ones fully enjoy the interactive exhibits.

We definitely had loads of fun at The Robot Zoo learning about the magic of nature together as a family.  Much thanks to The Robot Zoo, the NIDO Fortified Science Discovery Center, Nickelodeon, Big Chill, Buy-The-Bucket, Yellow Cab and Krispy Kreme for a truly fun family bonding activity last Saturday.

******

The Robot Zoo is located at the 2nd floor of the Science Discovery Center Exhibit Hall.  For more information, you may visit The Science Discovery website and the NFSDC Facebook Page, or you may call +632-556-0331 or +632-556-2193.