Latest news with #FunCity
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum in Bengaluru turns 60, revamps gallery to Fun City
Bengaluru: As it marks its diamond jubilee, Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum (VITM) in the city remains a vital centre for science learning, with eight galleries and over 350 exhibits across 4,000 sqm in Cubbon Park. To commemorate 60 years, the museum is set to unveil a revamped version of its popular Fun Science Gallery, now rebranded as Fun City, this Sunday. The gallery will open to public at the museum building. New look for a long-standing gallery The Fun Science gallery, a fixture at VITM for years, has undergone a complete overhaul. The redesigned space features 40 exhibits, digital interfaces, and an updated layout, covering topics such as illusion art, fluid dynamics, pendulums, multi-colour shadows, classical mechanisms, and more. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru "Nearly 50% of the exhibits are new," said Sajoo Bhaskaran, director, VITM. "The idea was to refresh the entire gallery. People want novelty. Fun City includes hands-on setups — from optical illusions and kinetic puzzles to experiments with sound, light and force — to make science more accessible. Science is not only for BSc or MSc students; anyone can enjoy it," Bhaskaran added. Space & attention are challenges Despite its popularity, the museum is constrained by limited space. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 3 & 4 BHK Starts ₹1.65 Cr in Kukatpally Honer Signatis Book Now Undo "We have eight galleries and 350 exhibits, but no room to add new crowd-pullers like the Chandrayaan-3 model," said Cyril Babu, curator, VITM. "On busy days, we see 5,000 to 10,000 visitors. The galleries are already full. We've raised the issue with the govt, but there's been no resolution yet." Cubbon Park's zoning restrictions and fire safety norms rule out vertical expansion as well. Another challenge is the diminishing attention span of visitors. "We provide detailed labels and videos, but most visitors skip them. Even 3-4 minute clips are often found to be too long," Bhaskaran said. Footfall recovers, but costs rise After a sharp dip during the pandemic, visitor numbers are slowly returning to pre-Covid levels. "We used to receive around 10 lakh visitors annually. That dropped to about 3 lakh during the pandemic. Last year, we climbed back to 9 lakh," Bhaskaran said. To manage rising operational costs, VITM will marginally increase ticket prices from Rs 95 to Rs 100 from Aug 1. "We're required to revise prices for maintenance. We have a small team of 80 handling administration and upkeep, despite heavy footfall," Bhaskaran added. Looking ahead Plans are already in place to renovate the electro-technical gallery next year. "The goal is to ignite curiosity. We want every visitor, especially children, to realise that science is not out of reach. Science is evolving constantly, and while we are doing our best to keep up, we need more space to grow," Babu said. Box VITM's journey ■ Established on July 14, 1962 by National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) ■ Dedicated to Sir M Visvesvaraya ■ Official birthday on July 27, 1965, the day the first gallery was inaugurated ■ Idea by journalist and nationalist, BN Gupta ■ Inaugurated by Jawaharlal Nehru ■ First exhibition on electricity on July 27, 1965 — Source: VITM
What's On
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
School holidays are around the corner: time to plan the family fun
The school bell is ringing soon, and the countdown to fun is officially on. The heat is rising, so it's time to take the fun indoors. From icy adventures and imaginative role plays to neon obstacle courses and sky high trampolines, here's your go to list of family friendly indoor activities in Dubai this school holiday. Dubai Ice Rink Swap the desert heat for a cool blast of winter air at Dubai Ice Rink in The Dubai Mall. Open to all ages and skill levels, you can skate the day away with public sessions or even level up with a private lesson – because why not. Price: From Dhs90 Location: Dubai Mall Operating hours: daily, 10am to 12am Contact: 800 38224 6255, Fun City Endless play for the little ones. Need to keep the young ones busy and happy. Fun City is packed with soft play zones, ball pits, arcade games, and mini rides designed to keep children entertained for hours, because parents also need a little time to relax and recharge while the kids have a blast. Price: Package prices vary Location: Arabian Centre (multiple locations) Operating hours: Mon toThurs 10am to 10pm, Fri to Sun 10am to 12am Contact: (0)54 581 3428, Hello Park Interactive family fun. Located in Dubai Festival City Mall, Hello Park offers immersive, themed adventures like space travel with Rocky the Fox and dinosaur fossil digs. It's a mix of tech, play, and storytelling that's fun for all ages. Price: From Dhs89 Location: Dubai Festival City Mall Operating hours: Mon–Thurs 10am–11pm, Fri–Sun 10am–12am Contact: (0)4 218 9222, KidZania Learn while you play. At KidZania in Dubai Mall, kids (ages 4–16) can role-play real-world careers from doctors to pilots in a mini-city built just for them. It's fun and educational, perfect for curious minds this school holiday. Price: From Dhs195 Location: Dubai Mall Operating hours: Sun–Thurs 10am–10pm, Fri–Sat 10am–11pm Contact: 800 3822 46255, Play DXB Virtual reality with real thrills. Escape the heat and reality with Play DXB, an immersive VR theme park in Dubai Mall. Whether dune bashing, flying over Dubai, or braving haunted houses, there's a thrilling experience for every age. Price: From Dhs250 Location: Dubai Mall Operating hours: Daily from 10am Contact: (0)56 682 4804, Ski Dubai Snowy school break vibes. Skiing, snowboarding, penguin meet-and-greets—yes, it's all real and it's all indoors. Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates is a school holiday must-visit for chilly family fun. Price: Varies by activity Location: Mall of the Emirates Operating hours: Sat–Sun 9am–12am, Mon–Thurs 10am–11pm, Fri 10am–12am Contact: (0)4 409 4000 | skidubaipage Sky Zone Burn Off the Holiday Energy. Located in Ibn Battuta Mall, Sky Zone is 35,000 square feet of active fun—complete with trampolines, ninja warrior courses, climbing walls, and zip lines. Great for older kids and tweens who need to move! Price: From Dhs149 Location: Ibn Battuta Mall, Persian Court Operating hours: Mon–Thurs from 12pm, Fri–Sun from 10am Contact: 800 7599663, The Smash Room Break time, literally. Perfect for parents (or older teens), The Smash Room is exactly what it sounds like—a safe place to release stress by smashing TVs, furniture, or even your own old junk. Let off steam while the kids play elsewhere! Price: From Dhs69 Location: Al Quoz & Mirdif Operating hours: Al Quoz: Daily from 12pm, Mirdif: Daily from 10am Contact: (0)4 339 7810, Images: Archive and Unsplash
Hi Dubai
17-03-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Spread Joy This Ramadan – Donate Preloved Toys with Landmark Leisure's ‘Share a Toy'!
Landmark Group's entertainment division, Landmark Leisure, and its flagship brand, Fun City, in collaboration with Emirates Red Crescent and the Islamic Affairs & Charitable Activities Department (IACAD), announce the 2025 edition of their annual 'Share a Toy' initiative. Following an overwhelming response in previous years, this Ramadan, Landmark Leisure once again invites residents to embrace the spirit of giving by donating toys to children in need. This heartwarming initiative encourages families to come together and make a meaningful difference in the lives of underprivileged children across the UAE. This heartfelt initiative is aimed at promoting the spirit of giving and instilling the values of kindness and generosity in children. Through the simple act of donating toys, families have the opportunity to bring joy to those in need. This gesture not only uplifts the morale of the recipients but also shapes young minds, teaching children the importance of empathy, compassion, and selflessness. Beyond benefiting the recipients, the initiative helps instill a sense of social responsibility by participating. The young donors discover that even small acts of kindness can ripple into a positive impact. This initiative plants seeds of moral awareness and a deep sense of responsibility, proving that together, we have the power to create brighter, more connected communities. Over the years, this initiative has grown into a beacon of hope, with donations soaring from 20,000+ toys in the last 3 years. The awareness campaign was introduced by Landmark Leisure across its brand portfolio: Fun City, Fun Block, Fun Ville, Fun Works, and Tridom. Silvio Liedtke, Chief Executive Officer of Landmark Leisure, GCC & India, said: Now more than ever, it is vital to cultivate kindness and empathy in the hearts of our future leaders – our children. At Landmark Leisure, we believe that every child deserves the joy of play, as it is essential for their overall development and well-being. The initiative has been running for close to half a decade, and it continues to inspire us as we see incredible participation year after year. We are extremely proud to carry this initiative forward this Ramadan as well, calling on everyone join us in making a difference and supporting this cause. Families can participate in the program by dropping off the pre-loved toys of their children that are in good condition at dedicated collection boxes at participating stores across the Emirates. All donated toys will be distributed to children in need through Emirates Red Crescent. At Landmark Leisure, the children are encouraged to play as it is every child's necessity and after the donation, they can enjoy a reward of the fun-filled day exploring a range of attractions, including Big Rides, kid-friendly rides, and video games at the mall's play area. Landmark Leisure invites all patrons to come and support this worthwhile charitable cause and make a meaningful difference in a child's life. Landmark Leisure, a leading player in the Family Entertainment Centre industry, operates 40 stores in the Gulf Cooperation Council and 36 stores in India. News Source: Yardstick Marketing
