School’s out and kids in Singapore are gearing up to enjoy their upcoming month-long holiday season in June.
Children might have plenty of ideas when it comes to playtime. But here’s an opportunity for parents to show off their fun side by taking the young ones to events such as meeting Sanrio characters at Changi Airport (and possibly watch planes take off) or even visiting a Harry Potter exhibition.
We’ve rounded up a list of activities – including some free ones – to keep your children occupied over the holidays. There are also some options for parents who would like their children to pick up a new skill set or learn something different outside of school.
Now put away your child’s fidget spinner and choose from one of these unique activities to do this June:
1. Reptopia at Singapore Zoo and River Safari
Turn your ‘ewws’ into ‘awws’ at Singapore Zoo this June, with the all-new reptile exhibit, RepTopia. Taking place over the weekends of May 27 to June 26, the park will host a diverse range of activities including animal enrichment sessions, reptile-inspired craft activities and costumed charm-eleon meet and greet sessions.
Zoolympix will also return for the 13th year with this year’s edition ‘Zoolympix 2017: Reptile Revolution’.
Imagine sleeping under the stars to the gentle roar of the lion. If that’s something you think your kid might like, perhaps try out the inaugural Camp Fest 2017 that will be held over the weekend of May 27 to 28 at Night Safari, River Safari or Singapore Zoo as one of three camping options.
For more information on all activities, visit: www.reptopia.sg
2. Zuper Dad at KidZania Singapore
The title says it all. This is specially for dads who are keen to showcase their superpowers and strength at KidZania Singapore, which celebrates the multi-skilled father in June. Thanks to this, daddies will get to enjoy free entry to KidZania Singapore from June 1 to 25 with every two child tickets ($116 each) purchased at KidZania Singapore’s ticketing counters.
For more information, visit: www.kidzania.com.sg
3. Nordic Adventures with Sanrio Characters at Changi Airport
Take your kids to Changi Airport to witness something different this June. Say ‘konnichiwa’ to their favourite Sanrio characters who will come to live on May 26 – complete with a song and dance. If you’re lucky enough, you might even get a chance to take a photo with Hello Kitty, Pompompurin, Cinnamoroll, My Melody, Gudetama or Little Twin Stars
Fret not if you can’t make it this weekend because there will be a meet-and-greet session every weekend starting this Friday all the way till June 26.
There’s also the Nordic Exhibition to check out, which is where you can spot My Melody in a Swedish traditional dress as well as Pompompurin dressed in a Danish Viking suit aboard a Viking ship. Too adorable to miss!
For more information, visit: http://www.changiairport.com/en/plan-your-holiday/nordic-adventures.html
4. Collecting magic: From stamps to wands at the Singapore Philatelic Museum
Definitely not to be missed for all Potterheads in Singapore. Cast a spell at this exhibition at the Singapore Philatelic Museum and be enchanted by all the collectible stamps from around the world that will be on display. Photo ops are aplenty despite the small size of the exhibition. Pretend you’re on the Hogwarts Express and snap a picture for keepsake.
For more information, visit: http://spm.org.sg/exhibitions/data/collecting-magic-from-stamps-to-wands
5. High Touch High Tech Junior Science Camp
If your child is a fan of science, or excels at the subject, why not sign him or her up for a junior science camp? They will get to go through interactive science modules as well as hands-on experiments. At the end of the six hours (yes, it’s not that long a camp), participants will be able to take home their very own science kits.
For more information, email: evelyn@sciencemadefunsg.net.
6. Learn how to be a YouTuber
These days, even toddlers are capable of using YouTube without the help of their parents. They say if you can’t beat them, join them. Rather than try to stop your child from exploring the world wide web, perhaps channel their interest in a different way by learning how to be a professional YouTuber.
Through a five-day digital media production experience, kids will get to discover the skills of storyboarding, filming and editing so even if they don’t want to be a YouTube star in the making – they could dream bigger and go on to be the next Steven Spielberg.
For more information, visit: http://www.lornawhiston.com/post/ee-june-holiday.
7. Creative code camp for kids
Bring out the inner Mark Zuckerberg in your child by helping him or her learn the fundamentals at a coding camp.
Designed for kids aged between 10 and 13, this Scratch Foundation course will even teach them the basics of programming. They will learn how to programme a simple game as well as an animation. Your child will be coding like a pro in no time. Best part about this course? No experience is needed.
For more information, email: hello@saturdaykids.com.
8. Guitar lessons at Yamaha Music School
Enough of that Musical.ly craze – it’s time to actually create real music. Music cleanses the soul so send your child for a crash course on how to play the guitar at Yamaha Music School.
The school’s Ang Mo Kio branch is holding a special June holiday course where kids can choose to learn how to play the acoustic steel guitar or classical guitar.
For more information, visit: https://sg.yamaha.com/en/news_events/2017/amk_june2017.html
9. “Reading With Nature” Series: The Bear with the Sword
Enjoy a storytelling session as Junior Reading Ambassadors narrate the story of a bear that wants to chop down all the trees in the forest. This free activity will be held in the realms of nature at Ridley Hall at the Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Kids will also be brought on a guided tour around the Gardens and get to soak in the greenery. This activity is suitable for children in K1 to P6.
For more information, visit: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/activities/events-and-workshops/2017/6/reading-with-nature-series-the-bear-with-the-sword.
10. NParks Concert Series in the Park: Rockestra® enlivens Fort Canning Park with a nostalgic evening of Retro hits
Finally, something that both parents and children can enjoy together.
Pack a picnic basket and relax in the evening breeze at Fort Canning Park while tuning in to a live concert series. Sure, the songs might be unrecognisable to your kids but this is a perfect opportunity to bond with them and reminisce about the good ol’ days.
For more information, visit: www.nparks.gov.sg/concertseries.
ssandrea@sph.com.sg
