Entertainment for little ones: Kids Lounge promises casual space for children to read, paint, have fun
You can drop your children at the lounge in Bukhari Commercial for only Rs200 a day.
Sarah Haris (top) has set up Kids Lounge, a casual place for children to hang out, practice glass painting (middle) or grab a book to read from its collection (bottom). PHOTO: AYESHA MIR/EXPRESS
KARACHI:
For parents looking for ways to give their children a break from their iPads, the Kids Lounge in Bukhari Commercial is offering just the solution.
This small but neat lounge is promising a casual location for children to read, paint and spend time with other children their age. Brainchild of young Sarah Haris, the lounge offers a reading area with educational activities, arts and craft, movies and indoor activities.
Haris used to work for a book distribution company and had attended several book-reading sessions, but she felt the dearth of a casual place for kids. "We see a lot of boutiques and restaurants opening up but no place for kids," she pointed out. "I wanted to develop an area where a child would be free to do what he wants to."
Haris, a graduate of International Relations, felt other countries have several small centres where working women can drop their children and go to work, or even run errands. Feeling the absence of such centres here, she decided to open a lounge for children between the ages of six and 12 years.
And the children are loving it too. "This is really fun. I have never done this before," exclaimed eight-year-old Manaal Junaid as she drew orange tulips on her glass. Sitting beside her, other children smiled in agreement as they carried on with their glass painting. The Kids Lounge, which opened recently, has already had a book reading session on the 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid.' In the coming days, a meet-the-author session and theatre workshops have also been lined up.
The introductory rates are Rs200 per visit and the lounge remains open throughout the week. "We have tried to keep an open and casual environment, much like The Second Floor cafe," explained Haris, referring to a similar cafe and space for literary and art activities in DHA Phase II. "A child can bring his homework here and feel relaxed."
The mothers are also appreciating the concept. Najia bint Mehmood, who was present with her three daughters, loved how the lounge let her kids away from iPads and other gadgets. "They get time to socialise, as well as, learn new things," she said. As she helped her little girl complete a puzzle, Mehmood said that these places provide a secure environment for kids.
In the future, Haris wants to have a bigger space with more facilities. Right now, the basement of the lounge is for watching movies and play games while the upper portion is for art activities and reading materials with shelves lined with English classics.
The walls of the lounge are beautifully illustrated with flowers, bees and butterflies, attracting the attention of the children, and also that of arts and craft artist Sobia Syed. "It's good to teach the kids new things and get an overwhelming response," she said, smiling.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 14th, 2013.
For parents looking for ways to give their children a break from their iPads, the Kids Lounge in Bukhari Commercial is offering just the solution.
This small but neat lounge is promising a casual location for children to read, paint and spend time with other children their age. Brainchild of young Sarah Haris, the lounge offers a reading area with educational activities, arts and craft, movies and indoor activities.
Sarah Haris (top) has set up Kids Lounge, a casual place for children to hang out, practice glass painting (middle) or grab a book to read from its collection (bottom). PHOTO: AYESHA MIR/EXPRESS
Haris used to work for a book distribution company and had attended several book-reading sessions, but she felt the dearth of a casual place for kids. "We see a lot of boutiques and restaurants opening up but no place for kids," she pointed out. "I wanted to develop an area where a child would be free to do what he wants to."
Haris, a graduate of International Relations, felt other countries have several small centres where working women can drop their children and go to work, or even run errands. Feeling the absence of such centres here, she decided to open a lounge for children between the ages of six and 12 years.
And the children are loving it too. "This is really fun. I have never done this before," exclaimed eight-year-old Manaal Junaid as she drew orange tulips on her glass. Sitting beside her, other children smiled in agreement as they carried on with their glass painting. The Kids Lounge, which opened recently, has already had a book reading session on the 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid.' In the coming days, a meet-the-author session and theatre workshops have also been lined up.
Sarah Haris (top) has set up Kids Lounge, a casual place for children to hang out, practice glass painting (middle) or grab a book to read from its collection (bottom). PHOTO: AYESHA MIR/EXPRESS
The introductory rates are Rs200 per visit and the lounge remains open throughout the week. "We have tried to keep an open and casual environment, much like The Second Floor cafe," explained Haris, referring to a similar cafe and space for literary and art activities in DHA Phase II. "A child can bring his homework here and feel relaxed."
The mothers are also appreciating the concept. Najia bint Mehmood, who was present with her three daughters, loved how the lounge let her kids away from iPads and other gadgets. "They get time to socialise, as well as, learn new things," she said. As she helped her little girl complete a puzzle, Mehmood said that these places provide a secure environment for kids.
In the future, Haris wants to have a bigger space with more facilities. Right now, the basement of the lounge is for watching movies and play games while the upper portion is for art activities and reading materials with shelves lined with English classics.
The walls of the lounge are beautifully illustrated with flowers, bees and butterflies, attracting the attention of the children, and also that of arts and craft artist Sobia Syed. "It's good to teach the kids new things and get an overwhelming response," she said, smiling.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 14th, 2013.