Keep ‘Em Busy
10+1 things to keep the kids occupied this August
Friday, 3 Aug 2012
Even super mums need help sometimes, so if the kids are driving you wild with their cheekiness, busy their little fingers with invention festivals, free arts activities, or get them learning with plays even you’ll enjoy.
Don’t forget: there’s also the Olympics and National Day to celebrate this month, so expect lots of themed activities for the littlies!
Massimo Dutti Boys & Girls is turning one and we are all invited to the party. Enjoy 15% off little boys and girls’ purchases at their Liat Towers boutique on Sat, 4 Aug 2012. And to keep the kids happy, from 12-5pm there are fashionably fun-filled activities in store like face painting, arts and crafts and balloon sculptures on offer. Win-win!
2. Mini Makers
For Dads, DIY-afficionardos, and kids alike! This inaugural two-day festival of invention, creativity and resourcefulness will have you making your own paper plane launcher, dabbling in chemistry and constructing a treasure-hunting robot.
Billed as the world’s largest show (and tell) festival, the Mini Maker Faire is a place where people demonstrate what they are making, and share what they are learning.
3. Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream ChunkFest
Singapore’s first beach ice cream festival promises fun, ice cream and a fair-tribute to the community! Savour 20 different Ben & Jerry’s flavours, with 15 specially flown in for the festival. Fans will also have a chance to get a sneak preview taste of a new flavour that will be launched come September in Singapore. Swing by the Fairness Village to participate in the day’s activities organized by FairnessPartners to support Fair causes.
Take a ride on Harry Potter’s flying broom, and race across the night skies to Hogwarts Academy, reliving the intrigue, magic and wonder of the first six Harry Potter stories… all on the wings of music. Enjoy the magical compositions of John Williams and Nicholas Hooper as they create a world filled with witches, wizards, warlocks and muggles. Each concert lasts one hour and is suitable for ages 4 to 14.
Flanked by twin mishief-makers, Thing 1 and Thing 2, The Cat in the Hat is here in Singapore to tickle kids and adults alike! Based on everyone’s favourite book by Dr. Seuss, SRT’s The Little Company will be reproducing The Cat in the Hat, an ingeniously witty play developed by Britain’s National Theatre.
This one makes us wish we were kids again! Let the littlies get in on the Olympics action at Playful Elves, a 3000 sq. ft. indoor playground at West Coast Plaza. Archery, soccer, and Golf will be offered at no extra cost. If you haven’t already been, there’s a slew of inflatables, ride-ons, and an interactive playscape for the kiddoes.
How’s this for a birthday invite? Wildlife Reserves Singapore invite everyone born in August to free entry at Jurong Bird Park and Singapore Zoo in celebration of National Day this month. Singaporeans and Permanent Residents with a birthday in the same month as Singapore simply need to flash their identification card at the respective ticketing counters.
For a fun way to learn vocabulary, take your little one to The Magic Ocean. They’ll get to swim with the fish, big and small, walk sideways with the friendly crab and starfish, hide in a large clam shell, glide peacefully through the sea and ride up and down on the rolling waves with the turtles – watch out ‘cos they might even have to flee from the fearsome shark!
9. Art Attack
Get art and crafty at the Istana Art Event 2012, an annual outreach event. Kids aged 3-12 can take part in the On-the-Spot Art Competition – the first 1000 participants who submit their artworks will receive an Istana Art Event goodie bag. There will also be activities at the Arts & Heritage village from 9am-5pm.
10. Rising Star
Get musical at the thriving Tiong Bahru – in a studio converted from the iconic Econ-minimart, no less! Your talented littlie will train with Aaron Goh, a professional pianist, keyboard coach, and vocal coach. Expose the young ones to individualized piano and theory lessons, or consider signing the older ones up for the latest course at D-flat. The course will teach them how to play and sing songs from hit musicals like Lion King, Miss Saigon, and Grease.
11. Hermes – The Gift of Time Exhibition
Not just one for the adults! Celebrating 175 years of brand heritage with colour and humour, this exhibition is a collection of seven rooms, all feeling decidedly Alice In Wonderland-esque. Fascinate the kids with art, then cool them off with nosh from the pop-up stores around.
