15 alternative weekend ideas for the whole family

MANILA, Philippines – Do you realize that 2015 actually has 104 weekends? On days when you don’t need to sleep in, that’s more than enough Saturdays and Sundays to spend with the family, your barkada, or your significant other.

Of course, regardless of plans, spending actual time together is what counts. But we wouldn’t blame you if after a while going to the mall or visiting the food market starts to become customary and all too familiar.

For the rest of 2015, why don’t you challenge yourself to make weekends more memorable? If you’re looking to shake things up a bit (without spending too much), check out this short compilation of quick, unique getaways that you can pencil in as your next gala adventure. Click on each link to get more details like schedules and ticket prices.

Visit a museum

Get rid of the notion that these hallowed halls are all about high art, dioramas, and relics. Museums can actually be fun, interactive places where kids and even adults can learn a thing or two.

• The Mind Museum is a mind-blowing (pun intended) place that will enlighten you on the benefits of science to everyday life. Aside from the experiential exhibits that make you curious about everything from the stars to how things work, they also have daily experiment demos by resident scientists, quiz nights, summer programs, and other special events all year long.
• Visit the Ayala Museum if you want to spend a meaningful, thought-provoking afternoon. You’ll be floored with how rich and beautiful our pre-colonial heritage is (case in point: a must-visit is the 5^th floor exhibit on the gold of our ancestors). They also hold regular workshops, especially for younger guests.

  

Learn to cook

If you’re hungry for a new skill, why not enroll in a one-day cooking class? The upside of this classroom-like experience is that you get to feast on the lesson afterwards.

• The Maya Kitchen offers Saturday courses for baking, coffee preparation, and bartending this summer (reserve a slot here).
• The Cookery Place has regular weekend courses tailor-made for couples, kiddie chefs, or even you and your mini-me.

Volunteer

Spend your free time doing something good – the high you’ll get afterwards is better than any form of retail therapy.

• If you’re an animal lover, shelters like The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) hold regular orientations for volunteers to assist in their facilities or events.
• iVolunteer has an updated database for a wider array of programs.
• Are you artistic? Sporty? Depending on your interest, Hands On Manila will always need a helping hand or two (pun intended). Give what you can, when you can.
• You can also call up your local public school or government office, and ask if they need extra hands for any upcoming activities for the community. 

Have a board game night

If you’re still keen on eating out, up things a notch and visit a board game cafe instead! 2-in-1 places make sure you stay on budget without scrimping on the fun factor.

• If you haven’t been to Ludo cafe, you need to go now – this QC spot has a vast collection of games to entice even the most reluctant gamer.
• The Burger Company offers mouth-watering burgers to go with your UNO or Cards Against Humanity session.

Make something new

Creative tasks are surprisingly relaxing and therapeutic. Even if you’ve never considered yourself the artsy type, you should give these spots a go.

• At Sip and Gogh, you can enjoy a fine glass of Cabernet while painting your own rendition of Starry Night, or creating your own original masterpiece.

At Craft MNL, you can get a head start on your Christmas gift list by enrolling in any of their year-round workshops for a multitude of pretty things. 

Get moving

We’re always told to get a little more exercise, but if you’re the type who finds treadmills and tracks too tedious, there’s no shortage of sightseeing options that can help you work up a sweat.

• Bonifacio Global City has public parks that look good – and make you feel good too. At Track-30^th, there’s a jogging lane, exercise lawn, and a meditative garden. The art installations at Terra-28^th also serve as a colorful playground. Best part? It’s all free!
• Take a tour of Intramuros on a Bambike. You may discover things about the Walled City that you never knew before.
• You can also bring the gang to a day hike on nearby trails, like Mt. Manalmon. This Bulacan peak is popular for beginners because it’s very near Metro Manila, and the trail itself can be covered in an hour. The trail recently opened for tourists again (hikers will just need to get a permit from the Barangay first). The Bratpacker has an itinerary that you can check out.

Do you have other alternative weekend ideas? We’d love to hear about them too! – Rappler.com