Taipei City Government

To celebrate the tenth anniversary of Taipei’s parent-child centers and the tenth birthday of the institution’s mascot Lai-lai, the Department of Social Affairs (DSA) organized the “Joyful Playground” event at city hall on October 16. 

Commissioner Chou Yu-hsiu of DSA presided over the birthday celebration and joined friends both young and old in singing the happy birthday song. The event also unveiled the “Birthday Card for Lai-lai” massive floor painting canvas, which was presented to the mascot in celebration of its birthday. The organizer moved the fun-filled tenth anniversary activities to the first-floor lobby of city hall to let kids play and exercise their creativity in the wide and open indoor space.

At the start of the event, Lai-lai joined his friend Bravo the Bear on the event stage to entertain the audience. Their appearance was followed by a magic show and a short performance by a children’s theater group. 

According to the commissioner, parents and family members are the most important play companions for children during the process of growing-up. The parent-child centers seek to provide the entire family with a quality indoor play venue that is free, safe, and fun for both parents and kids. In addition to establishing parent-child centers with unique individual characteristics across all 12 of the city’s district, the city government also founded the Parenting-friendly Care Center and the Exchange Center for Baby and Toddler Supplies to make access to related resources more convenient for the public. 

For a look at the birthday “card” in its completed form, updates on the child-friendly environment, and more information on the city’s parent-child centers, please visit the Chinese Facebook fan page of the institution (https://www.facebook.com/taipei.parent.child/).