Need ideas for family fun during the year-end break? LYNN WEE shows you what to do, eat, play, read and more.
Need ideas for family fun during the year-end break? LYNN WEE shows you what to do, eat, play, read and more.
Do
Your child will feel like a bowling pro at Orchid Bowl. At its sixth and newest outlet at Safra Punggol, all 24 lanes are fitted with bumpers, which can be set to spring up when it’s his turn to play.
That means he can enjoy the thrill of knocking down the pins without landing his ball in the gutter. The glow-in-the-dark environment (pictured) and dance music add to the fun and excitement. Rates at this outlet start from $16 per hour. FIND OUT MORE www.orchidbowl.com.sg.
Do
Nurture your little one’s imagination with holiday workshops by Act 3 Drama Academy. Kids aged seven months to two years old will enjoy a fun session of singing, movement and learning new vocabulary through classics like Puss in Boots and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Three- to 12-year-olds will be exposed to a range of essential life skills, ranging from creativity and confidence, to working as a team. The children will take part in a performance at the end of selected workshops as a finale to the learning journey. Prices start at $50 per child; the workshops will take place from Nov 21 to Dec 17. FIND OUT MORE www.act3international.com.sg.
Watch
Dora the Explorer, Paw Patrol’s Chase and Marshall, and Bubble Guppies’ Gil and Molly are ready for an adventure – they want to deliver a Christmas present for Santa in the North Pole.
See the popular Nick Jr. stars in the A Present For Santa live show at City Square Mall, and get a chance to take a photo with them, too. The mall’s City Green outdoor park will also host a play land, featuring an array of fun games and activities. FIND OUT MORE https://citysquaremall.com.sg.
Watch
Pantomimes are kid-friendly musical-comedy stage productions, which are usually based on fairy tales – but local theatre company Wild Rice’s one features the beloved Chinese fantasy classic, Monkey Goes West, instead.
Expect loads of songs and humour with familiar characters like Wukong, Pigsy and Sandy. Catch the production at the Drama Centre Theatre from Nov 18 to Dec 17. Tickets start at $45 from www.sistic.com.sg. FIND OUT MORE www.tinyurl.com/MonkeyGoesWest.
Watch
Meet Disney’s first Polynesian princess, Moana. On a daring mission to save her people, this spunky teenager meets the once-mighty demigod Maui, who guides her in her quest of becoming a master wayfinder.
The animated movie features the voice talents of action star and dad, Dwayne Johnson, as well as Hawaiian actress Auli’I Cravalho, but will it be the next Frozen? Moana opens in cinemas on Nov 24. FIND OUT MORE http://movies.disney.sg/moana.
Read
A Book of Feelings By Amanda McCardie, illustrated by Salvatore Rubbino (Walker Books, $27.95, from major bookstores)
Follow Sam and Kate as they try to understand different feelings. How does Sam feel when Mum and Dad give all their attention to little Kate? Do you cry only when you are unhappy?
This book is a great way to introduce the subtle exploration of feelings, as well as helping Junior learn to manage difficult emotions, like embarrassment and jealousy. Best for ages three to five.
Do
Get the kids off their iPads and back to nature. Kranji Farms – formerly known as the Kranji Countryside – is now an official tourist attraction. There are 18 farms that are open to the public; 16 of them offer tours lasting between 20 minutes and four hours.
Your little ones will enjoy a myriad of activities, including watching goats being milked and frogs being fed. Tour prices start from $6. FIND OUT MORE www.kranjicountryside.com.
Do
Resilience, empathy, perseverance. These are life skills every 21st-century child needs, and what The Therapy Room hopes to instil through its winter edition of Camp Global 2016.
The two-day camp uses funfilled activities to teach kids essential skills such as setting goals, managing stress and motivating themselves. The camp for primary-schoolers takes place from Dec 5 to 7, and costs $480 per child. Advance booking is necessary. FIND OUT MORE www.thetherapyroom.com.sg.
Do
At the Overnight Adventure organised by the Singapore Philatelic Museum, your little ones will enjoy the thrill of camping among the philatelic exhibits and learning more about stamps through fun activities. Choose either Nov 24 to 25, or Dec 1 to 2. It costs $90 per child, for ages seven to 12. Registration closes on Nov 17. FIND OUT MORE Call Lily at 6513-7347, or e-mail lily_sammuel@nhb.gov.sg.
Do
If your family loves Mount Faber and Sentosa, check out the Faber Licence Membership. The family package costs $135 a year and gives you unlimited rides, as well as free admission into Sentosa via the boardwalk, Sentosa Express, and Sentosa gantry. You’ll also enjoy discounts at food outlets, attractions and hotels. FIND OUT MORE www.faberpeaksingapore.com.
Watch
The cast of Hi-5 returns to Singapore with a live show and fun twists on children’s favourite fairy tales. Laugh along as the brave Prince of Knights and Sir Bucket Head try to awaken the beautiful but cheeky Princess Sleepyhead. Catch Hi-5 Fairytale live at the Mastercard theatres at Marina Bay Sands from Dec 2 to 4. Tickets start from $45. Get them from Marina Bay Sands or www.sistic.com.sg. FIND OUT MORE www.tinyurl.com/Hi5MBS.
Read
Ranger Anne and the Smiling Slow Loris By Anita Sebastian, illustrated by Eliz Ong (Little Knights, $7.90, from major bookstores)
A poor slow loris is abandoned. Luckily, she’s rescued, and it’s up to Ranger Anne to gain her trust and nurse her back to health. Part of the Ranger Anne series of readers, this lively tale includes fun facts about the animal and teaches your little ones about compassion and being respectful to other living creatures. Best for ages four to six.
Do
The malls owned by Capitaland have lined up a host of fun activities for the kids. Get up close to prehistoric sea creatures in the Singapore Science Centre’s Giants of the Seas exhibition (pictured) at Junction 8 (Nov 24 to Dec 4), and Sembawang Shopping Centre (Dec 8 to 18).
If you’re a fan of Plaza Singapura, take home a piece of it – it’s organising wood-sculpting workshops for adults, while kids can decorate coasters and spin tops, using recycled materials from the mall’s renovation. FIND OUT MORE www.capitalandmallasia.com.sg.
Watch
Wilbur the pig faces the slaughterhouse. Thankfully, his good friend, Charlotte the spider, has a plan to save him. Friendship is the heart of Charlotte’s Web, the classic children’s book by E.B.
White, which your little ones can catch in a stage production by the Singapore Repertory Theatre. Watch it at the KC Arts Centre until December. Tickets start from $25 and are available from www.sistic.com.sg. FIND OUT MORE www.tinyurl.com/SRTCharlotte.
Watch
You’ll have to wait until December next year for Star Wars: Episode VIII, but the Force is still strong – this year-end sees the beginning of its spin-off movie series. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story has none of the new characters you met from Episode VII; instead, it fills the gap between Episodes III and IV, where the Rebel Alliance tries to steal the plans to the original Death Star. Watch it in cinemas from Dec 15. FIND OUT MORE www.starwars.com/films/rogue-one.
Read
Lily the Elf: The Midnight Owl By Anna Branford, illustrated by Lisa Coutts (Walker Books, $8.35, from major bookstores)
It is midnight, and Lily the Elf starts to hear a hooting sound; it is much too spooky for her. Granny comforts her by telling her that the hooting sound comes from a friendly old owl. She suggests visiting the owl, but will Lily be brave enough to go on an adventure with her? Kids who like fairy tales will enjoy Lily’s escapade. It is also a great way to introduce the distinctive calls of an owl, as well as traits like bravery, to your young one. Best for ages five to six.
Do
M.C. Escher may not be a household name, but you’ll instantly recognise his “impossible” staircase drawings. At the M.C. Escher’s World of Wonder exhibition, the whole family will be dazzled by his amazing art works, which were often inspired by maths.
The exhibition is very child-friendly, with lots of hands-on fun for the little ones and learning projects that might help primary-schoolers understand maths and science concepts better. It’s on at the Artscience Museum until the first quarter of 2017. Tickets are priced from $14 per adult, and $7 per child aged two to 12. Family packages are available. FIND OUT MORE www.marinabaysands.com/ArtScienceMuseum.
Do
Pandan chiffon cake with ice cream, pizza Margherita and creamy colourful pasta – these are among the 10 yummy dishes that your kid will learn to prepare from scratch over three days at Culinaryon’s Fun Cooking Camp. She need not be intimidated by the set-up and process, though. This is one masterclass session where she’s allowed to throw flour in the executive chef’s face and dance to lively music as she kneads the dough.
A sous chef, an event master and a photographer round up the friendly team. Parents are welcome to join in the course, which costs $300 and is recommended for kids from the age of four. Choose from two sessions: Nov 28 to 30, or Dec 19 to 21. FIND OUT MORE www.culinaryon.sg.
Do
Looking for unique gifts this festive season? The semi-annual Boutique Fairs Singapore is always worth a visit, and its “Gifting Edition” theme this month promises exclusive products and new collections for adults and kids.
Browse through 150 vendors, including children’s labels such as Minimal (pictured), Sea Apple and The Children’s Showcase. If you’re feeling peckish, enjoy local snacks by Violet Oon Singapore and artisan coffee makers. It’ll be held from Nov 4 to 5 at the F1 Pit Building, and admission is free. FIND OUT MORE www.boutiquefairs.com.sg.
Read
Playing From The Heart By Peter H. Reynolds (Walker Books, $23.27, from major bookstores)
Impressed by Raj’s natural musical talent, his father hires a piano teacher, but the boy tires of practising and stops playing completely. What will make him play the piano again? This moving story about pursuing your passion with your heart is beautifully written and illustrated, and transcends age groups. Best for ages three and up.
Do
Did you know that satay, fish head curry and masala tea have appeared on Singapore stamps? Find out what makes them so special by joining the Singapore Philatelic Museum’s discovery trail to Fort Canning Park’s spice garden.
Your little ones will use their senses to learn about the different herbs and spices used in local dishes, and they’ll even get to pot some herbs from the museum to take home. The Yummy Spices! trail takes place on Nov 30 and Dec 7, and costs $28 per child, for ages seven to 12. Registration closes on Nov 23. FIND OUT MORE Call Lily at 6513-7347, or e-mail lily_sammuel@nhb.gov.sg.
3 places where kids eat free
FROTH
WHAT’S GOOD Bravo to this restaurant at Ascott Raffles Place hotel, which has three well-balanced kids’ menu options, including the too-cute-to-eat Noodle Nest (pictured). The buckwheat soba noodles, lightly tossed in a yuzu-based sauce, are served with hard-boiled eggs and broccoli. There’s also Volcano Mash, which comes with mashed potatoes, smoked chicken bratwurst, carrot wedges and broccoli.
He will also like assembling his own Burger Builder and fries set. Order them for $8.90++ each. On weekends, children under age 10 eat free when you buy a main course from the regular menu. Have a baby in tow? Ask for a free serving of pumpkin or sweet potato puree. FIND OUT MORE www.froth.sg
OCEANS OF SEAFOOD
WHAT’S GOOD This seafood market-cum-restaurant at Pasarbella has a new menu. Among the highlights: three chirashi variations with seafood ingredients like tuna, salmon and mekajiki (swordfish); prices start from $22++. There’s also Seiro Mushi – seafood and vegetables are steamed in bamboo baskets atop a boiling pot of miso-flavoured soup base. Kids aged six and below enjoy a free kid’s set meal (choose either fish and chips, or the sushi set) worth $12, when you order any two a la carte mains (from $22++). FIND OUT MORE www.oceansofseafood.com.sg.
AQUAMARINE
WHAT’S GOOD Mediterranean food is the focus of this halalcertified buffet restaurant throughout November. Try the slow-cooked wagyu beef shortribs with feta cheese, which is cooked for 16 hours, or the free-range chicken and mushroom risotto that’s served in a giant Parmesan wheel. Kids aged 12 and below dine free (worth $30++) with every paying adult for lunch ($60++). FIND OUT MORE www.marinamandarin.com.sg/dining.
