A Cure for a Dreary Sunday

We have been back in Kyiv now for 4 days, just enough time for me to start missing the bright, sunny days of DC (well, except for that ONE storm...). I have seen nothing but dreary, dark skies since we returned. It is cold, Paolo went away overnight to go caving (my idea of hell) and this place is pitch dark by 4:30.  All ingredients for some serious late fall depression.  So...I decided to go find some artificial color and brightness in the form of Wunderland/Wonderland, a previously unexplored indoor entertainment complex.  I finally roused Gio at 11AM (I want to say this is due to jet lag, but perhaps it is early adolescence kicking in) and off we went on the metro.  6 stops (Gio always wants to know how many stops each of our trips will be) and we emerged in the Obolon district.  Quite a bit of wandering about to discover the place is only about a minute's walk from the metro exit.  Good to know for the REALLY dreary, cold days ahead.  Yes, I am being dragged into my 3rd Ukrainian winter with quite a bit of grumpiness.

So here's the place.  If only someone had just told me it has giant camels on the roof. Might have prevented all of the wandering about. 

Once we entered I had the usual feeling of living in an alien world.  No English, no clue how things work.  So more wandering. Luckily, Gio is always game for a new adventure and quickly became entranced with the dinosaurs around and followed them up to the second level where we discovered the play area and arcades.  With some pointing and hand gestures I figured out how to pay and once I dragged Gio away from the lure of the arcade games, we entered the play space for little kids.  Once we stuffed our coats, hats and shoes into a locker, we were off....

We see many versions of these indoor playgrounds here in Ukraine. It is a LOOOONG winter, after all. This is one of the best I have seen.  3 levels, very clean and plenty to do.  Gio was sweaty and begging for water after only half an hour.  

A place to kick and throw giant pillows.  Sort of like our own living room. 

Making friends.  I love how a 3-year-old can make a friend without a common language.

There was also this big section with women offering art activities, a block area and plenty of places for the parents to sit. I had no such luck getting to relax as Gio wanted me to follow him everywhere today- rare for him. 

This car track held his attention for about 2 minutes... 

...and then back to the climbing and sliding.

 These mats were a big hit with Gio- stepping stones with all sorts of textures.

As with everywhere we go, there are always long lists of rules posted everywhere. I have learned to ignore them since I cannot read them anyway!  Sort of a fun way to live....

I told Gio that this part is sort of like what Pappa is doing today!

Trampoline time

I was only able to get Gio to leave the play area by promising him he could do a few arcade games. He loved the air hockey table.  It was tricky to get him to leave this part, too.  Quite a bit of negotiating and bribing happened.

So this was a fun outing- easy to get there and the price was very reasonable, as long as you limit the amount of money you spend in the arcade area.  For my fellow Kyiv friends, if you have a 2-6 year old, I recommend this place for a winter activity.  There seemed to be plenty for older children to do as well, but since we did not see those areas, I cannot promise your older kids will be thrilled.  There is a "4-D" theater (what that means, I do not know) and some sort of dinosaur exhibit meant for ages 6 and up (we will definitely have to sneak in there next visit, though!).  And, of course, the arcade games will appeal to all ages.  The play space is 70 UAH for the entire day, very reasonable considering Mega Market's similar area is 70 UAH for ONE HOUR on weekends! So our outing today cost a grand total of 104 UAH (about $12)- 70 for the play area, 30 on the arcades & 4 for my metro ride (Gio is free there).  For those of you interested, here is the website: http://dyvosvit.ua/  There is no English option, but Google Chrome will translate it for you just fine.  Do not trust the address written on the website, though.  I typed it into my iphone and got led completely off track.  Just go to the Obolon metro stop and look for the camels!
 Here's hoping your Sunday was filled with some fun!
xo.  Clara