Hang in there parents, the school holidays are almost over! In the meantime, with your children having more time on their hands than any other time of the year, taking some time off to spend it with them can’t do any harm.
If you’re looking for things to do with the whole family, you’ve come to the right place. Ahead, we’ve collated a list of family-friendly activities that will be fun for both the little ones and adults.
Whether you want to create Christmas-themed Ikebana with the kids or you want to take them to be surrounded by live turtles, keep reading to find out more.
Amusement parks are a big part of many people’s lives growing up, and this programme by the National Museum of Singapore allows you and the kids to relive fond memories and learn interesting facts about the ones in Singapore.
Head down to the museum and complete the digital quests to learn more about the artefacts in the museum. You and the little ones will have to locate the campaign standees located throughout the museum in order to begin each quest – sounds like a treasure hunt for the whole family! After you have completed five galleries, you will be able to redeem a free game ticket for the carnival.
Speaking of the carnival, the re-created mini amusement park includes classic rides and games. Spend 30 minutes playing and having fun with the family while learning about how amusement parks were like in Singapore from the 1920s to 2000.
From now to 9 January, 2022. Admission into the gallery for the digital quests and the amusement park is free. Tokens for rides and games have to be purchased separately. Pre-booking is required for the amusement park. Located at 93 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178897. Find out more and book your slots here.
For those that don’t know, Singapore is home to the Guinness World Record of the largest collection of live turtles and turtle artefacts from around the world. So, why not take a trip to see them with the family?
Bring the kids down to the museum, where they will be surrounded by free-roaming turtles and terrapins of all sizes. You can even feed and pet the many species of turtles and tortoises that live under one roof while being able to see the powerful Alligator Turtle.
Don’t forget to take a look at the artefacts they have for viewing before leaving.
Open throughout the week except for Tuesdays. Tickets are priced at $10 for those above six years old, and $6 for children three to six years old. Located at 81 Lor Chencharu, #01-16, ORTO 769198. Find out more and book your tickets here.
Go on a self-guided tour around Jurong and take in various artworks exploring the rich history of the area. Go back in time with your kids and learn how Jurong was like as a former fishing village before it become the IT and manufacturing hub we all know it as. For children born in this generation, an estate filled with crops and dragon kilns may seem too far into the past. However, this trail reminds them that it really wasn’t that long ago.
History-loving children will have a blast learning about the lesser-known tales through eight vibrant murals and installations, and photography-enthusiasts will have no shortage of things to shoot.
Happening from now to 31 December 2021. Locations throughout Jurong. Find out more and plan your trip here.
Celebrate ocean and marine life with two special exhibitions at the Artsciene Museum. AR.T Showcase features five innovative artworks by local talents to raise awareness on sustainability. Bring your kids along to teach them about plastic pollution, decreasing biodiversity, and climate change through each artwork.
Make sure you have the Artivive App on your phones before going so that you can scan each piece and watch them come to life through augmented reality on your phone.
Blind Diving Audio Adventures is an audio series that transports you to the ocean and lets you experience what it feels like to dive deep under the surface. You and the little ones will be able to visit top wreck diving sites in Southeast Asia and visit a Manta Ray cleaning station in Komodo National Park. If you all can’t go diving, you can get a taste of it through this exhibition.
Both exhibitions are available throughout the week, with Blind Diving Audio Adventures playing at 5:45pm on weekdays and 12:45pm on weekends. Admission is free. Located at 6 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018974, with the AR.T Showcase at Curiosity Gallery, L4 and the Blind Diving Audio Adventures at Expression Gallery, L4. Find out more here.
A few weeks back, you would have seen news of the Skyhelix, the highest open-air panoramic ride in Singapore. Good news for everyone: it’s opening on 15 December! Bring your little ones to enjoy an open-air experience at 79 metres above sea level while you enjoy the 360 degrees view. Included in a package is one non-alcoholic drink or a souvenir.
You’ll be able to see the whole is Sentosa and the Southern Islands, which will make for a memorable experience for any child. The best part? You will spend about 10 minutes at the peak, so you have all the time to soak the sights in.
Note: all guests must be 1.05 metres tall to ride the Skyhelix.
From 15 December 2021 onwards. Tickets are priced at $15 per pax for children aged 12 and below and $18 per pax for adults. Click here to book your slot.
If there is a time of year to jam to Christmas songs, it is now. For families who love everything music, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra is holding a concert where they will play Christmas tunes to fill the hall with joy. Expect songs from The Nutcracker, Christmas Concerto, We Three Kings, and two new commissioned works.
Happening on 16 and 17 December 2021. Prices start at $78 per pax. Located at Esplanade Dr. Find out more and book your tickets here.
For families that want a little downtime and relaxation, this workshop is great for both you and the kids to mindfully create an arrangement together. You will be working with fresh and dried flowers, as well as Christmas decorations such as baubles and cinnamon sticks. Let both you and your children’s creativity flow and mix as you design something that best represents the both of you.
Happening on 17 December 2021 from 2pm to 4pm. Tickets are priced at $80 for a parent-child pair, with materials included. Located at Gardens by the Bay at the Ficus Room, Active Garden. Find out more and sign up here.
At 10am on 18 December, tune in to Asian Civilisation Museum’s Facebook or Youtube page with the family to enjoy a storytelling session about Asian folklores featuring animals. Afterwards, stick around to take part in craft activities from the comfort of your own home!
This is a great opportunity for your kids to learn more about Asian culture through engaging acting, and possibly music and dancing. Let loose together and enjoy the session that any child who loves mythological creatures will enjoy the performance.
Happening on 18 December 2021. Access is free. Visit their Facebook page or Youtube page for more.
Visit the Indian Heritage Centre to make some Christmas ornaments with the kids in their Design Your Own Christmas Ornaments Workshop activity. Make use of flowers and vines to make your creativity come to life.
When you’re done, don’t forget to bring back some of their Take-home Craft Activities to do with the little ones at home. Here are some that you can collect:
The Lentils Craft activity allows you to make a lion-shaped sensory craft using lentils or any other things you have at home. Pick up the template and make sure to take a look at the artefact in the permanent gallery that features the ferocious feline.
The Sock Monkey Puppet activity allows your kids to bring animals (in this case, a monkey) to life. Collect the instruction sheets for how to make it when you’re at the centre.
Design Your Own Christmas Ornaments Workshop is held on 18 December 2o21 from 11am – 12pm. Tickets are priced at $10 per pax. Limited slots are available. Find out more and register here. The craft activities are available from now to 2 January 2022.
It’s time to indulge in more festive cheer with an ornament painting workshop. For two hours, you will be able to paint two wooden circles each. As a family-friendly activity, the types of techniques taught during the workshop are tailored to different age groups, so you don’t have to worry about your children being too young to understand what is going on.
No prior experience is needed, and all materials are included. Afterwards, bring home your hard work and hang them up to usher in Christmas with personalised decorations.
Happening on 18 and 19 December 2021. Tickets are priced at $61.82 per pax. Located at 34 Upper Weld Road, #02-01, Singapore 207391. Find out more and book your tickets here.
