"It's always felt like an additional burden when the year-end holiday is nearing. The children will always nag for a holiday, saying they'll be bored spending it at home, while I can't take leave so often," said 35-year-old customer service manager Prili Ambarita, mother of a toddler and a 3rd grader.

Sounds like your own annual problem? And so far you've been resorting to malls, PlayStations and your cable TV to help your children kill time thinking that outdoor holidays are an expensive privilege?

Play with nature: Having seen animals only in pictures or in a zoo, children brought up in the city can experience interacting with Javanese deer at Depok’s Kampung 99 Pepohonan. JP/Anissa S. Febrina

Well, healthier holidays are there for the taking if we care to look for them. And they don't involve driving for hours to Bogor, Bandung or Puncak.

Err, perhaps just less than a couple of hours to the southern suburb of Jakarta. It'll be worth the drive as children can have fun in nature, the way their parents perhaps had fun during their childhood.

Some 5-hectare plot of land in Meruyung is one of the alternatives.

This place, not so far away from the fast-paced urban life, offers a rural experience.

Children learn how to plant trees, feed and milk goats, bathe buffalos and prepare their own lunch. Prepare as in harvest spinach from the garden, catch fish from the river and cook them using wood stoves.

Initiated as one family's alternative style of living, Kampung 99 Pepohonan opened to the public in 2007, venue manager Umi Santi said.

"It's a place where children can have fun and also learn about nature. One thing they don't get to do so often living in Jakarta," she said, adding that one can enter the area for free, but should set aside around Rp 100,000 *US$10* for a choice of four children activities offered on the venue's list.

It might sound like a clich* promotional line at first, but watching what children can actually do in the vast naturally laid out greenery will dispel any skepticism. Children learn by doing, they say. And here, they have the outdoor classroom with Mother Nature as their teacher.

Just how often do you get to milk a goat?

If getting all muddy in nature is not so much the outdoor thing your children have in mind, probably less "green" but otherwise just as healthy and educational is the Arthayasa Riding and Country Club.

"It's fun and exciting. I get to do exercise while also having fun when I start riding fast," said 13-year-old Sely Park, a student from the Jakarta International School who has just finished a weeklong program at Arthayasa.

Around 60 trained horses and ponies in the facility located in Depok's Cinere - some 15-minute drive from Kampung 99 Pepohonan - will not only provide fun for your children, but also some character-building lessons, Arthayasa director Alla Poloumieva said.

"Horse-back riding can teach children to be more responsible and help them build a sense of confidence," Alla highlighted. "They might usually be catered to by their parents or nannies, but on the back of a horse, they're alone and have to take the lead."

Sounds educative, but just how early can a child be introduced to their equine friends?

"For accompanied riding, it's basically at any age when a child can already sit straight. It'll be purely for fun," Alla explained, adding that a 45-minute horse riding sessions is also available for older children.

Meanwhile, for those old enough to start learning some responsibilities, the camp sessions ranging between a half-day and four days probably sound more interesting.

"Here, we teach kids not only how to ride a horse, but to get to know, take care and feed it. They get to brush the horse and feed it with carrots," Alla said.

Open for children between the ages of 8 and 15, the camp also includes activities such as swimming and horse-related games. At Arthayasa, getting your children acquainted with horses and ponies means that you'll have to set aside between Rp 50,000 for a 20-minute accompanied pony ride to around Rp 400,000 for a half-day camp session.

Are the two outdoor activities offered above still not your child's cup of tea?

Try a lighter one: outdoor playgrounds.

Going to the parks in Central Jakarta's Menteng and Situ Lembang might be quite interesting. But, if you're thinking of a more colorful and varied playground, try several places in South Jakarta's Kemang.

On a Tuesday morning, the colorful slides, tree house, swings and trampolines laid out on a 200-square-meter outdoor area at Prefere 72 Playground are still devoid of children.

But, wait until around 11 a.m., one by one, toddlers with their nannies and older boys and girls with their parents are ready to hop from one spot to another.

As soon as more than five people were in the area, the fountains in the Wet Water Play area were turned on, given children a chance to enjoy a "splish-splash" moment.

When it rains, there's always the smaller indoor playground to cheer your children up.

Not far from there, The Playground offers more or less the same experience. Both places charges between Rp 50,000 and Rp 80,000 for a play-until-you-get-tired session.

Enough said, make your choice and let your children out and play!

- Photos by Anissa S. Febrina

Arthayasa Riding and Country Club

Blok Tengki, Desa Grogol
Limo, Depok
021 7547024
www.arthayasa.com

Kampung 99 Pepohonan
Jl. KH Muhasan II
Meruyung, Depok
021 93490586, 021 999 55610
www.kampung99.multiply.com

Prefere 72 Playground
Jl. Kemang Timur 72, South Jakarta
021 98270825
www.prefere72.com

The Playground
Jl. Kemang Dalam IIIB/B6
021 7196962

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