Phase 2 is finally here, and public facilities, attractions and cinemas are reopening. With the one-week term break coming up from July 18 to 26, we’ve rounded up a whole bunch of things to do in Singapore for you and your family. From gardening (fun!) to mommy-and-me workout classes, here’s are some ways you can keep the kids busy and occupied.
Cinemas are reopening from July 13, with added safety precautions. You can sit with a group of up to five, comprising of your family or friends, but safe distancing rules apply to different groups of cinema-goers. Each hall will have a limit of 50 patrons.
You’d also have to wear a mask at all times, except for when you’re eating or drinking.
There’ll be some re-releases of movies, including Johnny English Strikes Again, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, and Pacific Rim Uprising.
From July 8 to July 12, eCapitaMall is retailing surprise boxes dubbed the STAR Surprise. Each STAR Surprise holds more than $100 worth of surprise products and thematic experiences from brands like Muji, Golden Village, Sephora, Spotlight, and more. 12 shoppers will also walk away with a special STAR Surprise, which contains up to $500 worth of products from brands like Dyson, Samsung, and Nespresso.
When: 8 July – 12 July 2020
Where: www.eCapitaMall.com
How much: $20
UPDATE (July 9, 11:40am): The STAR Surprise boxes are sold out. However, there’s still the Triple Bonus Deal, where you can stand to receive a voucher worth up to $30 if you spend $50 in a single receipt on 3 different days a month. CapitaStar members will also earn STAR$® for every transaction and can accumulate them to redeem eCapitaVouchers. Membership is free and you can sign up at eCapitaMall.com.
Upgrading ourselves through this economic slump doesn’t apply only to adults, but to kids too. Take advantage of increased home time with this Creative Coding Online camp to enrich your child’s life outside of the curriculum. This could spark an interest for tech in your little one, or even give a good head start for those who already have a curiosity for code – yourself included.
When: 15 June – 28 August 2020
Where: All classes will be held on Zoom and capped at 6 kids per class.
How much: $530 for 8-day camps, $280 for 4-day camps, $165 for 5-day preschooler camps. Sign up here.
Teach plant life, diversity and sustainable living by sowing these seeds with your kids. As a measure to level up Singapore’s food resilience during this time, NParks is giving out seed packets to all households in the hopes of encouraging Singaporeans to grow their own produce at home. Each packet contains one leafy and one fruited vegetables species, and a concise guide on how to care for the veggies. The kids would be thrilled to watch them grow!
When: Registration starts 18 June and will end once 400,000 submissions have been received.
How much: Free! Register here.
Just because phase 2 has come around doesn’t mean you have to ditch the convenience of eBooks. Downloading NLB’s mobile app opens you up to an extensive collection of books (just like its physical libraries!), which certainly comes in handy if you’re hoping to get a read or two without going out. Relive the classics like The Very Hungry Caterpillar with your toddlers, or get them an immersive read like Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on lazy weekends in.
How much: Free! Download NLB’s mobile app here.
The Artground has always been a treasure trove for curious children, and their online space is no different for those who’d like some excitement. Their board full of ideas on #HomewithTAG are contributed by artists, and do not lack in choices as they span from art, storytelling and even to music and movement activities. If you’re looking to pick up a mini-project, you can even try making a sensory board to develop your young one’s fine motor skills. Two birds with one stone.
How much: Free! Check out #HomewithTAG here.
The annual festival that celebrates storytelling will be taking it online this year to showcase magical tales from all over the world. In a series of videos, children can experience an intimate storytelling session in Story Picnic by Peter Rabbit, Little Red Hen and the Teddy Bears; while parents can pay attention at presentations on folklore, storytelling tips as well as mandalas and nature art. There are also captivating dance performances you can enjoy as a family that’ll take you from the luscious jungles of the Indonesian peninsula, mystical lakes of Vietnam to the scorching deserts of Persia!
When: 17 – 27 July 2020
How much: Free! Get more information and updates here.
Durian season typically peaks in June, but it’s not yet too late to have a taste of your favourite Mao Shan Wang and D24. Seize the final month or two of indulging in the king of fruit without stepping out of the house with these 9 durian delivery services. It might be about time the prices start coming down, so definitely keep your eyes peeled.
When: Until August 2020
How much: $12 onwards. Check out our list here.
National Museum of Singapore has a slew of activities planned out to engage the kids, so you don’t have to sweat brainstorming for innovative ideas to keep them busy. Find a range of craft activities from toy and puppet making to paper quilling, and when little hands are tired go for something more relaxed in their abundance of colouring templates, a classic nursery rhyme or a virtual tour of their previous exhibition An Old New World.
Parents can also take a look at the Early Learning Resources kits available for download which usually retail at $8 per set, along with the Get Curious: My Family’s Stories kit which can bring about some bonding with not only mum and dad, but also grandma and grandpa.
When: Until 16 July 2020
How much: Free! Get #MuseumFromHome materials here.
You can’t have a tour of the Istana Grounds during its open house yet, but you can still have a look of the architectural marvel through its 360-degree tour on its website. You and your kids might enjoy unobstructed views of the grand Reception Hall, State Room and Banquet Hall.
How much: Free! Take the tour here.
National Gallery Singapore is bringing abstract art to kids in a fun and easily understandable virtual environment in its second edition of Small Big Dreamers. Most of these activities are highly interactive and come in a game-based format so they keep the interest of your kids piqued while remaining educational. Try creating your own wood carving, minimalistic art and experimenting with colour combinations and blocks. That’s one way to get your creativity flowing without getting dirty!
When: Until 28 March 2021
How much: Free! Check out #SmallBigDreamersAtHome here.
The circuit breaker had us all working out at home, and if you’re looking for more variety besides Chloe Ting, you could get your whole family moving with ActiveSG’s compilation of workouts for both parents and kids. We like the no-equipment full-body workouts that’ll help build stronger muscles and the family cardio workout that’ll be a blast to try. Alternatively, you can look for other workout videos on YouTube, such as this one by The Body Coach TV and Emi Wong.
How much: Free! Check out ActiveSG’s recommendations here.
Travelling is out of the question for now, but your child can still have a fun-filled and holistic break with Little Day Out’s 5-day virtual camp. The event in partnership with organisations like Gardens by the Bay, STABILO, The Music Circle and so on is designed around discovering and understanding other countries, as well as their food and culture. One activity even gets your kids to bake up a Calzone with Bella Pizza’s Calzone Napoletana Kit (worth $22), and another by First Responders LLP also teaches practical first-aid knowledge that’ll never be a waste to learn.
When: 20 – 24 July 2020
Where: The Little Day Out Around the World in 5 Days Virtual Camp will be held on Zoom.
How much: Half-day camp at $120 for 5 sessions (choose between morning or afternoon); full-day camp at $190 for 10 sessions (morning and afternoon). Check out the full camp programme here. To register, click here.
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Text: Cherrie Lim
