THIS SUMMER, kids take center stage. With classes out and no homework to think about, they can enjoy the sun and the sea. But there are many options for kids to spend the holidays, whether to pick up a sport, work on a craft or learn how to cook.

As I have kids of various ages, I have been planning their different summer activities, all programmed to start after our Holy Week vacation in Amorita Resort in Bohol. So this week, I?m featuring all kids? choices for the summer.

The fun starts at Rustan?s Makati, which recently held a little kiddie fashion show featuring adorable and bright outfits from participating brands, such as Ralph Lauren Kids, Gingersnaps, Barbie, Superga and others.

Many brand owners even joined in the fun, including Mandy Santos for Tarte Tatin, Hindy Weber-Tantoco for Kiddos, Katrina and Bong Gonzales for Spin, Franco Limjuco for Crocs, King and Michelle Mantecon for Platypus, and Allan and Eliza Hao Chin for Periwinkle.

I had so much fun hosting the energetic event, with the children displaying their excitement as they modeled on the runway. Even more enthusiastic were the proud parents who came to root for their kids, including my husband Dennis and I, as we cheered on our little Athena. She?s quite different from her mommy, as she walked down the ramp covering her face!

The different collections featured the season?s must-have pieces?cool and breezy shorts, printed tees, bright colored skirts and charming dresses. Swimwear, on the other hand, included board shorts and adorable bikinis.

Completing the day?s celebration were food booths filled with kiddie favorites like Krispy Kreme, Chuckie Chocolate Drink and assorted snack stations from Hungry Tykes. They all deserved the sugar overload since all of them gamely modeled all afternoon.

On April 19, another adorable fashion show will be held in Rustan?s Shangri-La Mall at 5 p.m. Catch the latest summer collections so your fashionable little one will look great on the beach.

Growee

Another recent kid event was the media launch of Growee Tangkad-Tibay multivitamins for kids. Held at the Fun Ranch in Tiendesitas, the fun-filled affair was quite educational, especially for me, as I had so many questions about the growth, strength and overall health of my kids.

Like all mothers, I want my children to grow tall, strong and healthy. The newest growth multivitamin brand for babies and children up to 11 years old, Growee is packed with Chlorella Growth Factor with Vitamin D and other essential factors to help promote strength and boost height.

The younger stars from the hit kiddie gag show ?Goin? Bulilit,? performed, after which renowned pediatrician of PGH and Asian Hospital, Dr. Benjamin Sablan, discussed the advantages of Chlorella and Vitamin D, both found in these new multivitamins from Unilab.

Sherwin Arceo, the brand manager of Growee, told me that Athena should easily eclipse Dennis? and my height, now that she is on Growee. I could see this as I watched her during her graduation rites at Integrow, a preschool and a full-service, child-rearing center.

Integrow Children?s Activity Center is a progressive school equipped with a curriculum designed to prepare the children for their move to the ?big school.? For Athena, that will be Assumption College, the fourth generation of my family to enter. With the Integrow base training that is adjusted to the individual child?s age and readiness to learn, I?m sure Athena will also eclipse my own scholastic record.

For the summer, Integrow has a line-up of activities for kids and teens. There is Summer Station, composed of arts and crafts, singing and dancing, and playtime; Li?l Chef, which teaches the basics of food preparation; Li?l Maestro, an art workshop with Yanni Rumbaoa; Li?l Steps, a dance class; and Kiddie Chefs-in-Training, a basic culinary course at the Del Monte Test Kitchen.

For more information, call Integrow at 8562281 or visit them at 2/F, Bldg 2, Bonifacio High Street, Taguig City.

Enchanted Kingdom

What would summer be without a visit to Enchanted Kingdom? The country?s first and only world-class theme park located in Santa Rosa, Laguna, has a well-rounded series of events infused with their own brand of magic all summer long.

EK?s president, Mario Mamon, invited me for a storytelling session to 40 less fortunate kids as part of the outreach programs. It will be so joyful to watch these kids enjoy all of EK?s park rides and attractions, as well as their theater shows, musicals and summer bazaar.

Enchanted is synonymous with summer! All weekends will have live bands and celebrity storytelling. At their 4D Discovery Theater, an action-packed movie adventure, ?Journey to the Center of the Earth,? is showing. It is based on the Jules Verne classic and will leave viewers on the edge of their seats. And on May 16, temperatures turn sizzling when Junjun Cambe, Manila?s Prince of Avant Garde, presents his fashion collection.

EK is open Monday to Friday, 2-9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with fireworks displays at 8 p.m. until June 7. For more information, visitwww.enchantedkingdom.com.ph or call 8302111.

Goody

As I end this summer kiddie-centric article, I would also like to thank the people from Goody, the hairbrush company. I recently found out that they?ve been around since 1907, over a century ago! No wonder I can remember brushing my hair with a Goody brush since I was Athena?s age!

Goody is launching a brand new look, and Goody Philippines president and GM, James Sy, told me that they are adding a charity angle to their products. We all had a great dinner at Aubergine Restaurant at the Fort. I might digress at this point and just note that one of the chefs in this great restaurant is Noelle Cruz, daughter of my Assumption classmate Carmella Puyat Cruz. Anyway, the reason (as if any were needed) for our Goody dinner was their donation to our Assumption HS ?81 Batch Foundation and their appointing me the Total Goody Woman for 2009.

So now, whenever I?m having a good time, I have to say, ?Oh, Goody!?

E-mail seaprincess@inquirer.com.ph.