Activities for Kids (Feb-Mar 2012)

We are getting closer to the March school holidays and we can't wait! So if you are like us, hopefully these few activities will make the wait much more bearable from now til then. :)

1. 1-for1 Offer at Singapore Zoo, Jurong Bird Park & Night Safari

From 1-29 Feb 2012 (Weekdays only), Wildlife Reserves Singapore is having buy-one-get-one free promotion! Simply click and print out the coupon below and you can purchase one admission ticket to the Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari or Singapore Zoo and get another free!

2. Singapore Airshow 2012


Singapore Airshow is one of the world’s top three airshows and Asia’s largest aerospace and defence exhibition. Young and old, aviation enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys a day of adrenaline-pumping revelry under the sun will make it a must-watch. From masterful aerobatic flying displays to the excitement of fun fairground attractions, food, and collectables, the Singapore Airshow has the makings of a new calendar highlight that will give families and friends a weekend of fun.




Venue: Changi Exhibition Centre
Date: 18 & 19 Feb 2012 (Public Visitors)
Time: 9.30am - 5pm
Charges: Standard - $20, Child - $8
For more information, please visit here: http://www.singaporeairshow.com.sg/


3. Straits Family Sunday: Two of a Kind - Workshop

Delight your family and friends this Valentine's Day with handmade presents. Have fun creating a paper replica of a bakul siah (lacquered basket) and make a card for your loved ones. Go on a special tour of the galleries to learn about objects that come in pairs (geared to children aged 6 to 8). Dress up as a Baba or Nyonya, examine the objects in our handling collection, or relax with a good book in our reading corner.

Venue: Ixora Room, Peranakan Museum
Date: 12 Feb 2012
Time: 1pm - 5pm
Charges: Complimentary with paid admission
For more information, please visit here: http://www.peranakanmuseum.sg/exhibitions/eventdetail.asp?eventid=278


4. Dinosaurs - Live! Exhibition

If you haven't been to see it, hurry because it's ending soon!

See almost 50 dinosaurs come to life in a prehistoric adventure that will no doubt thrill dinosaurs-crazy kids to bits! Be sure to download the Dinos Live! app if you have an iPhone. You can view augmented reality 3D dinosaurs come alive on your phone when you come across certain posters in the exhibition.

Venue: Annexe, Science Centre
Dates:  Now to 26 Feb 2012
Time: 10am - 6pm daily
Admission Charges: Click here
For more information: http://www.science.edu.sg/exhibitions/Pages/dinolive.aspx


5. The World's Most Expensive Sunflowers

In this new Artist Series starting from February 2012, participants will learn about the extraordinary minds behind ten masterpieces and get to be an artist for the day! This month, go wild with your creativity and ‘meet’ Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh! Led by art instructors from Lewin Education Centre, participants will also get to create an enchanting 3-D paper fold art inspired by the two great artists.

Each programme is limited to 30 children aged 7 – 10. Registration is required.

Venue: Sengkang Public Library Programme Zone (Compass Point Shopping Centre)
Date: 17 Feb 2012
Time: 2pm - 3pm
Charges: FREE


6. Play - Hello Elly!

Go on a trip through the forest and learn ABCs with Elly and Tree. Elly and Tree are best friends who share stories about streams, flowers and hills! Sing and dance with them as they grow up in a changing world. Come play with Elly and Tree and learn how to take care of Mother Earth.

*Recommended for children aged 2 to 4 years old.

Venue: Esplanade Recital Studio
Date: 22 - 26 Feb 2012
Time: 22 - 24 Feb - 9.30am, 11am & 4pm; 25 & 26 Feb: 11am, 2pm & 4pm
Charges: $15 per ricket, or $50 for 4 tickets.
Click HERE to purchase tickets.


7. Play - Hansel and Gretel

It’s easier to feed two mouths than four and the poor woodsman’s empty stomach goes to his head – he gives in to his bony wife and Hansel and Gretel have to be left in the forest, not just once but twice and the second time there won’t be any moonstones to follow back home. Instead they follow their noses to the sugary heart of darkness… Hansel and Gretel’s journey takes them from a house with empty cupboards and a mother who doesn’t like children to a house made of sweets and someone who just loves children – on toast!

Lyngo Theatre serves up a musical theatre treat with their own special recipe of multi-roled performances, captivating songs and haunting imagery.


Venue: Genexis Theatre, Fusionopolis
Date: 28 Feb - 4 Mar 2012
Time: Tue - Fri, 10am; Tue, Thu & Fri, 3pm; Sat - Sun, 10.30am, 2.30pm & 4.30pm
Charges: Weekday - S$25, S$20 (Side View); Weekend - S$28, S$22(Side View)
Click HERE to purchase tickets.


8. Play - The Three Little Pigs

The time has come for the three little pigs to seek their fortunes. What will happen to them when the Big Bad Wolf gets in their way?Embark on an adventure with the three little pigs as they battle the Big Bad Wolf with their charming and witty ways!

An original adaptation of the classic fairy tale, The Three Little Pig teaches little ones how success can be achieved though hard work and perseverance.

Filled with humour, this endearing tale will leave you squealing with glee and howling with laughter!



Venue: DBS Arts Centre
Date: 1 Mar - 14 Apr 2012
Time: Mon, Tues & Thurs - 10am; Wed & Fri - 10am & 2pm; Sat & Sun/Public Holiday - 11am & 2pm
Charges: $20 (Weekdays); $28 (Weekends & Public Holiday)
Click HERE to purchase tickets.


9. FUTURE PERFECT: A Bioethics Theatre Play by the Necessary Stage

3 stories are intertwined in this brand new play about human enhancement. Light-hearted, dramatic and sometimes poignant, FUTURE PERFECT is the perfect educational play to highlight issues of biomedical ethics and to leave the audience wanting more.

Please reserve your seats with Susan Lim at 6425 2516 or rsvp@science.edu.sg

Venue: Dalton Hall, Science Centre Singapore
Date: 5 - 9 Mar 2012
Time: 2.30pm – 3.30pm (Registration begins at 2pm)
Charges: FREE


10. Musical - Sing to the Dawn

In a small village in the heart of Southeast Asia, Dawan competes with her brother Kwai for the coveted single scholarship for the City High School. Kwai just wants to further his own ambitions, but Dawan has bigger dreams in mind. When Dawan wins, she becomes the object of her father’s anger and frustration, and her brother’s bitter enemy. Confronted with an impossible decision, Dawan must find the strength and determination to do the right thing, sometimes against the advice of her elders and peers.

Kampung life, drama and song meet in this classic and timeless story of a girl and her fight for justice, against the odds.

Venue: Drama Centre Theatre, National Library Board
Date: 5 - 19 Mar 2012
Time: Monday to Thursday: 10am & 2.30pm ; Friday: 2.30pm & 7.30pm ; Saturday: 10.30am, 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Charges: S$32 (Cat 1), S$28 (Cat 2)
Click HERE to purchase tickets.


11. Play - Egg & Spoon

Welcome to the magic circle where we celebrate the wonders of nature. Sit down and relax on our comfy cushions as two characters, Percy and April, guide you through the four seasons. Make some friends while you play peek-a-boo in our puddles or dance at the butterfly party. You’ll see how everyone likes to sleep on the moon cushion or cover themselves with snow from their first year to their fortieth, from spring to autumn and back again.

This is a highly interactive production for very young children where you can simply rock and roll around the clock to our lullaby or crawl into the middle and be a star! *Recommended for children aged 1 to 4 years old.



Venue: ACT 3 Theatre, ONE-TWO-SIX Cairnhill Arts Centre
Date: 6 - 11 Mar 2012
Time: 7 - 9 March: 9.30am ; 6 - 9 March: 11am ; 10.00 & 11.00 March: 10.30am, 2.30pm & 4.30pm
Charges: Weekday: $25 ; Weekend: $28
Click HERE to purchase tickets.


12. Straits Family Sunday: Jazz it Up! - Workshop

Do your homework in style with personalised stationery. Create a pencil topper and a notepad, all with a Peranakan twist. Go on a special tour of the galleries to learn about objects that Peranakans personalised, such as nyonyaware and sarongs (geared to children aged 6 to 8).

Venue: Ixora Room, Peranakan Museum
Date: 11 Mar 2012
Time: 1pm - 5pm
Charges: Complimentary with paid admission
For more information, please visit here: http://www.peranakanmuseum.sg/exhibitions/eventdetail.asp?eventid=279


13. Barney's Musical Castle - Live on Stage

Barney returns to Singapore with one of his most loved live-action stage shows, featuring the medieval-themed, musical-fantasy adventure with kings and knights, an enchanted forest, a live marching band, lots of dancing, a costume parade and 20 favourite kid-pleasing tunes including “Mr Knickerbocker”, “The Green Grass Grows All Around” and “If You’re Happy”.

Barney, Baby Bop and BJ have found a lost crown in the Enchanted Forest and must return it to the King. Joined by children and animal friends, the dinos make their way to the King’s castle – a memorable visit and lots of fun!

Venue: Singapore Expo Hall 9
Date: 15 - 18 Mar 2012
Time: Thurs, 7.15pm; Fri - Sun, 2.30pm; Sat & Sun, 11.00am , 2.30pm , 5.30pm
Charges: S$88, S$68, S$48, S$28

Click HERE to purchase tickets.


14. Disney On Ice Presents Let's Celebrate!

It’s one colossal party on ice, with all your favorite Disney friends! Join Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse as they celebrate a Very Merry Unbirthday Party with Alice and the Mad Hatter; Mardi Gras with Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen; a Royal Valentine’s Day Ball with the Disney Princesses; a Hawaiian luau with Lilo & Stitch; a winter wonderland with Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear; a Halloween haunt with the Disney Villains and more in a magical medley of holidays, celebrations and festivals from around the globe.

Venue: Singapore Indoor Stadium
Date: 15 - 18 Mar 2012
Time: Thu & Fri - 3.30pm & 7pm ; Sat & Sun - 10am, 2pm & 6pm
Charges: $88.50, $58.50, $38.50, $18.50.
Click HERE to purchase tickets.
For more information, please visit here: http://www.disneyonice-asia.com/D30/


15. Concerts for Children: Peter and the Wolf (SSO)

Since its appearance in 1936, Prokofiev’s immortal symphonic fairytale Peter and the Wolf has enthralled audiences of all ages. Indisputably the most popular of classical works written for children, this delightful piece recounts how young Peter sets off into the woods against his grandfather’s advice, encounters a run in with a wolf, and eventually emerges victorious – with a little help from his friends. Hear how each character in the story is depicted by a different musical instrument. Make this an unforgettable family musical outing!

*Recommended for children aged 4 to 14 years old.

Venue: The Republic Cultural Centre (Theatre), Republic Polytechnic
Date: 17 Mar 2012
Time: 11am & 1pm
Charges: Standard - S$30, S$25
Click HERE to purchase tickets.

The Petite Park (Indoor Playground)

There's a new shopping mall in the east, and it's Changi City Point which is just behind the Singapore Expo. Among the many new shops within the mall, there is a new place for us kids to hang out and chill while the adults go about their shopping errands. 

Located on the second floor, the Petite Park is an indoor playground designed to provide children (that's us!) under 7 years old (or less than 130cm in height) "an imaginative, challenging, and fun yet safe environment to play and explore".

Well, at least that was what its website claimed.

And with the owners of The Petite Park having invited us down one weekend ago,  di-di, mei-mei & I shall attempt to verify that for ourselves. Hee.

At first glance, the colourful play structures really caught our eyes. Mei-mei, for one, couldn't wait to get into the playground!

Compared to the likes of Amazonia, Polliwogs or Fidgets, the structures are much less intimidating and less challenging. So Daddy reckons it is best suited for kids aged 1 to 5 years old. 

And if parents just want to observe their young-lings from a distance, they can do so by getting a rest on the bar stools right outside the playground while sipping a kopi or reading a mag.

Since it was the Chinese New Year, the playground had organised a free craft workshop as part of the festive celebrations. Naturally, di-di & I jumped at the chance to make our very own angpow dragon!

We did our craft work at the Party Room area, where di-di harboured grand plans to hold his Birthday party there. Hahaha... I just told him to quit daydreaming and complete his craft quickly so that we can hit the playground soonest!

Because look who had already started without us!

Mei-mei was definitely only too eager to get her playtime underway, and one of her favourite play structure was this mini-slide.

She, too enjoyed crawling through this bubble tunnel.

Erm... that was until I came and plonked myself right inside it. :P

That's right. With our angpow dragons completed, it was time for some serious play!

And what better way to announce our arrival than to create a splash with all those colourful balls in the ball pit.

I think mei-mei found it to be a great idea too huh.

One can never go wrong with ball pits I say. Well, unless if there are bigger balls around for us to play... like these giant bouncing balloons!

I think di-di enjoyed this enclosed area lots, because he was squealing with delight as he tried in vain to wrap his arms around a giant balloon - and accidentally bursting one in the process. Oops.

As for my personal favourite, it was the spinning carousel with dangling balls for me to hop onto.

But if crazy dizzying fun isn't your cup of tea, you can go slow with the Ship which rocks gently from side to side.

And if you really force us to pick our most-est fave of the lot, we would go for this.

Bouncy Slide!

Obviously it was bouncy enough for us to literally bounce our way down.

And amid our crazy shrieks and laughter, mei-mei chose to have her own quiet moment at the Pretend Play area.

The area is very well-equipped with lots of play toys for toddlers; from train sets & tables, kitchen toys, make-believe food stalls, to music instruments and educational puzzle toys.

Definitely a welcome change from the perspiration-inducing play structures. Which di-di & me were still at it. Right until Daddy & Mummy said it was time to leave.

Judging from the perspiration dripping from our heads, I think you would know whether we had enjoyed ourselves.

The indoor playground is well-padded and the play structures & toys are clean and sanitized - so Daddy feels it is the perfect place to dump toddlers while the adults go shopping.

ESPECIALLY if there is an I.T. fair or Warehouse sale at the Singapore Expo next door!

Riiiight.

Actually, not that we would mind lah.


And right now, from 1 to 23 Feb, The Petite Park is having a one-for-one promotion! Details and terms below.

Oh, remember to bring your socks there too!


Useful Information:

Address: Changi City Point, 5 Changi Business Park Central 1, #02-15/16, S(486038)

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10.30 am to 8 pm; Sat - Sun  & PH: 10.30 am to 9 pm

Rates:
Weekday rate: $16 for unlimited playtime per visit.
Weekend / Public Holiday rate: $18 for 2 hours of playtime per visit. $6 for each hour thereafter.
Petite Value Pass: $84 for 6 visits (unlimited hours per visit).

Website: http://www.petitepark.com.sg/index.html or Facebook page

Happy Birthday, Everyone!

Today's the seventh day of the Chinese New Year and it is traditionally known as 人日 (Rénrì) where it is the Birthday of EVERYONE. Woohoo!

And since the first two days of the Chinese New Year weren't exactly enough for the adults to feast to their satisfaction, the first weekend of the Dragon Year would see di-di, mei-mei & me tagging along with Daddy & Mummy to their friends' homes.

Luckily for us, one of the homes was that of Benji's & Sarah's. 

And together with Clara, when you put us all in proximity, you are ensured of ear-popping shrieks and laughter from the 5 of us!

Erm well... only 4 for now, because Sarah was busy treating mei-mei like her beloved doll.

Not that mei-mei minded of course.

In fact, I think she loved being fussed over by her Sarah jie-jie. Hee.

That was until Sarah had TWO dolls to fuss over!

And while we kids were busy playing, the adults decided to play too - with food (again!).

But they had (wisely) left us kids out of this food-tossing event.

I wonder why?

龙众 huat arh!

No matter, we kids got our share of share later when it was time to cut the Birthday cake!

No, it wasn't because of 人日. Though I wished it was because that would mean ALL of us would get a present!

Rather, it was to celebrate both the birthdays of Benji & Sarah as their special days also fall in the month of January.

I know what Benji wished for - more trips to Disneyland!

Hahaha...

Happy Birthday everyone! May all your wishes come true in the Year of the Dragon!

Chingay 2012: Sprinkle Splash Splosh

(Daddy previews)

Chingay.

Just one word to conjure up colourful images of festivity & conviviality. 

When I was a little boy, my parents used to bring me and my sister to brave the crowds along Orchard Road to catch a glimpse of those magnificent floats and performances. How I vividly remember those times, especially as I remained perched on my dad's shoulders. Until I ballooned in size during my later years that is.

Being Chingay's 40th anniversary this year, Chingay 2012 celebrates love in all its guises, flowing with passion, romance, harmony and community spirit, with the theme of "Love, Care and Kindness Everywhere".

I was kindly invited to its media conference and full dress rehearsal about 2 weeks back, and it was really an eye-opener to see how everything is put together.

Since this year is the Year of the Water Dragon, it is fitting that the whole Chingay parade takes place ON water. Yup, a 360-metres waterway has been specially constructed behind the F1 Pit Building where performers will literally make a splash with their performances.

As everyone waited for nightfall, the whole area was gradually transformed into an illuminating and magical platform right before my eyes.

And that was the perfect cue for the parade to get underway!

The grand opening segment features a whole array of - what else - dragons; from a LED Hip Hop dragon dance, straw dragons, water dragons, a human dragon from Zhangjiang, a dazzling dragon float to two magnificent dragon and phoenix from Xi'an, Shaanxi of China with 36m-long bodies and 16m-wing!

Coupled with the enthusiastic participation of the performers, it was truly a spectacle of colours, lights and sounds.

International cultures were also displayed in their fullest vibrancy, with various performances and floats from China, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia and even Egypt!

One particular segment was the showcase of Chinese Culture featuring "踏歌" (Ta Ge)  - a Chinese Classical Dance of Han Dynasty accompanied by a towering float.

The grandeur of the floats were replicated in the other culture segments too, with each being a performance in its own right.

2 float representatives from the NUS Rag Day (an annual float competition) even took part in the parade, with one coming from the Kent Ridge Hall & Sheares Hall while the other was a joint effort from Eusoff & Temasek Halls.

To me, these floats are the highlights as I used to have a hand in constructing this kind of floats every year during my NUS days. The floats are entirely made up of recycled materials, like newspapers, tetra paks, drink cans, etc, so it is a really Herculean task to construct one of these.

The next half of the show shifts its focus to the Community, featuring a multitude of dance forms from line dancing, folk dancing, Samba dancing to a synchronized symphony of 600 'dikir barat' singers and dancers and a tai chi fan dance, and even spectacular bicycle stunts on water.

Oh, and a point to note - be prepared to get REALLY WET if you are seated among the first few rows. The performers really know how to make full use of the water!

Barring the inevitable hiccups (since it was only a rehearsal), Chingay 2012 looks set to be a truly splashing good time for all! And I think Andy (of sengkangbabies) will attest to that too.

There are 2 parade shows on 3 and 4 Feb, but tickets are already sold out for the 4 Feb show. Limited tickets are still available for the 3 Feb one, so do hurry if you want to catch the the parade! You can purchase the tickets via Sistic HERE.


Venue: F1 Pit Building
Dates: 3 & 4 Feb 2012 (4 Feb SOLD OUT)
Time: 8.30pm
For prices & location, please click here: http://www.chingay.org.sg/2012/ticketing.asp
For more information on Chingay 2012, visit here: http://www.chingay.org.sg/