Nyambura Muhia used to wonder what her two young kids would do during the holiday, knowing that children stuck at home for weeks on end can become restless. Having seen her own kids and those of her friends, she knew that holidays usually meant the children watching television, or playing noisily on their computer games, fighting with their siblings over toys and gifts, or making themselves the centre of attention while needing to be nursed like babies, leaving most parents sick and exhausted, or wishing that their own kids had visited a distant aunt or uncle and left them in peace.
From these problems the idea for Children's World was born and the holiday and even weekend chaos for distracted parents was halted.
The centre, located in the Adams Arcade, was set up in 2002 to be a kids' haven. It began life simply as a play centre, where all activities were held on site and kids would visit before returning to their homes, but it now also organises trips and holiday camps around the city.
The centre itself has rope bridges, slides, tunnels and ball ponds for kids to use and various games and activities to hold a child's attention for hours on end. The centre can accommodate nearly 200 children at the same time and has a large enclosed play unit on two levels to encourage imaginative play.
"Our greatest concern was the amount of TV and video our kids indulge in during holidays," said Muhia, who is the centre's director, "We wanted these kids to be away from TV and the internet and still learn something that will help build their whole lives."
Now it its tenth year, the centre which started by serving just a small number of kids is growing to serve the whole city and its environs. Muhia says she is expecting this year to be particularly well-subscribed after seeing so many parents turn up for registration for the just-concluded Christmas camp. At only Sh1000 a day, professional trainers help kids recognise and develop their talents through extra-curricular activities.
The centre also allows the children to socialise and learn from different cultures, building their self-esteem and gaining confidence. They also learn problem-solving, etiquette and first aid, but the priority is letting the kids express themselves in a play environment.
This year's holiday activity, themed "I'm Gifted", was hosted by Sandra Kim, a Harvard trained children's expert in conjunction with Tell-ATale International, a theatre, music and arts organisation focused on developing young talent.
The one-week event was focused on educating and stimulating children through the arts. It exposed children to various hobbies and activities to help broaden their knowledge and identify their talents. Several studies show that when children receive positive feedback for their skills, abilities and accomplishments they are less likely to turn to social ills, such as drugs and alcohol, for comfort or reassurance. Events like these also nurture hobbies which end up as lifelong interests or even careers.
For Muhia, it is a joy to see kids jumping in the air with shrieks of delight and celebrating their and their friend's successes at the various competitions."I did not want to have just another kid's play centre, I had their development in mind. I am a mother you know," she said.
Children's World is staffed with experts who keep a close eye on the children and are there to offer help.
Kids can play on their own or in groups and can select what activities they want to take part in. Creativity is at the heart of the centre's philosophy. Kids are immersed into acting, cooking, baking, arts and crafts, storytelling, photography and animal care.
Other creative pastimes like bead work, dance, music lessons and public speaking are also incorporated. The centre is also revamping calligraphy, scrap book creation and games like Tug of War, Shadowplay and Hit and Run.
Its creative room allows kids to sit quietly and draw, paint, play board games and read their favourite books. Toddlers can play with dolls and other toys.
The centre also has a mini-theatre, which shows selected movies and also hosts song and dance competitions to help develop the children's interest in the performing arts.
Though there are computer games for the more mature children – the centre owns a PlayStation 2 machine console and other electronic equipment is available - use is limited.
A cafeteria serves healthy snacks and mineral water, with a flexible menu so parents can choose what their child eats. Trips away are a part of the expanding programme offered by the centre.
From ice skating at the Panari Sky Centre, and a music extravaganza in Lavington where kids made their own music and photo DVD, to a trip to Athi River where they exchanged gifts with Santa Claus and then visited needy children, the centre offers an expansion to everyday life and a chance to make friends and develop in a different environment. Another visit was to the Kwa Kyelu sanctuary in Athi River where the "Big Five" roam freely.
The one week camps cost Sh8,000 and another major one will be held in the forthcoming April holidays. Muhia is clearly passionate about what she does, saying that both kids and adults feel the benefits of the centre. "I am always with kids here and it is a joy to see them happy, learning from their friends and developing their talents instead of sitting home," she said. "The amazing thing is to let them just be kids, and I envy them."

By KenyaKidz