7 Family-Friendly Things To Do From 10-16 August
Performances, celebrations and handicrafts – check out these seven activities for your family time this week.
By Ashley Ang -
National Day may have just ended, but we’re down to celebrate it all week! And if you’re not feeling the red-and-white vibes anymore, there are still lots of events to attend. For starters, celebrate Le Le’s 2nd birthday at River Wonders, or attend the SSO National Day Concert to end the week on a festive note. Visit GIFFEST to remind your children (and yourself) that it's okay to not be perfect. Get their hands and minds working at the Madame Tussauds Wax Dipping experience or the Lighted Floating Blooms Activity at Flower Dome. There's definitely something for you and your family to visit this week.
After Singapore has turned 58, it’s time to celebrate Lele’s second birthday! You’re invited on 14 August to wish Lele Happy Birthday yourself, and watch as he receives a specially prepared bamboo birthday cake and tries to unbox his presents. Spend a weekend at the range of panda-themed activities from now until 10 September: take a walk down the Panda-stic Trail to learn more about Lele’s material preferences, and visit the Be A Panda Keeper activity booth to learn from professionals on how they take care of pandas. Make your own panda hat and panda puppet before snapping a group picture with the panda mascots.
If you want to go all in for the occasion (or if your family just really loves pandas), shop the Bossini x River Wonders Le Le Apparel Collection. With two unisex adult designs and four kids' designs to choose from, these 100% cotton shirts are conceptualised to reflect Le Le’s cute personality. Spend a minimum of $80 at the River Wonders retail stores or selected Bossini stores to redeem a free Le Le reusable drawstring tote bag. The apparel is available on Mandai Wildlife Group’s Lazada e-store and Bossini’s Shopee e-store as well.
Panda-themed activities are happening at various timings from 10am-5pm on every weekend and on 9-10 August, 2,3,9,10 September, at River Wonders, 80 Mandai Lake Rd, Singapore 729826. Visit their website for the full list of activities.
In Singapore’s strict and fast-paced city life, most of us were raised to strive for and maintain perfection in all aspects of life. Inevitably, our children are not spared from this phenomenon.
GIFFEST III by EYEYAH! aims to deepen our perspectives on the impact of perfectionism on individuals and society. With over 80 local and international creatives’ animated artworks (GIFs), GIFFEST deconstructs crucial social topics and presents the value of imperfections in an engaging manner, especially to kids. GIFFEST 2023 theme of ‘Imperfect’ hopes to relieve at least some of the societal pressure of being perfect, and to go forth as unique, imperfect individuals.
Admission is free.
Happening 9am – 9pm daily, until 26 August, at National Design Centre, 111 Middle Road, Singapore 188969.
Visit their website for more information.
Breeze, nature and performing arts on a Saturday morning for you? Head to Gardens By The Bay this Saturday for a 3-hour showcase by the En Community Services Society. Admire the cultural dance performances, or get up on your feet and join in on the fun. Relax as the seniors show off their harmony with their ukulele ensemble. Scattered around are their artistic displays as well for you to peruse at leisure. Admission is free.
Happening 9am-12pm on 12 August, at Waterfront Plaza at Active Garden, Gardens By The Bay. Visit their website for more information.
If you can’t make it for the performances on Saturday, there’s still the 40-minute Indonesian Cultural Performance on Sunday at Flower Dome! Get a glimpse into Indonesia’s diverse culture from the mix of traditional and contemporary dance performances. The dance styles are a wide variety from Sumatra, West Java, South Sulawesi and Bali. While you’re there, take a walk to admire all the floral displays in Flower Dome.
Admission charge to Flower Dome applies.
Happening 2-2.40pm on 13 August, at The Baobabs in Flower Dome, 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953. Visit the website for more information.
The Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) National Day Concert is back for its sixth year to celebrate Singapore’s 58th birthday. With a programme list of pieces from pioneer composers and new music by Singaporean composers, this concert showcases the outstanding talents of our little red dot. This is a great way to introduce and immerse yourself in Singapore’s orchestral scene.
Tickets are priced from $15 to $48, but there's 30% off for students, senior citizens (55 years old & above), NSFs & PWDs. Do note that children below five years old are not to attend the concert, even with a ticket.
If you’re unable to attend the concert, you can still watch the livestream on the Singapore Symphony YouTube Channel.
Happening 4pm on 13 August, for approximately 2h with a 20-min intermission, at the Esplanade Concert Hall, 1 Esplanade Dr, Singapore 038981. Visit the website for more information.
Unwind @ Raffles Place is back for its second edition next weekend from day to night, with the theme “Feel at Home at Raffles Place”. Browse the Artisan Market filled with food, fashion and wellness while enjoying the music by live DJs. Play badminton with your kids at the Lawn Games, or do some arts and kids activities organised by Play! End the day with the outdoor screening of Soul, a Disney animated movie, against the backdrop of the sunset.
Admission is free. Register here to secure yourselves a seat for the outdoor movie screening.
Happening 1-8pm on 18-19 August, at Raffles Place Park, Raffles Place. Visit their website for more information.
Ever wondered how the wax figures of famous figures are made? Start small at the Wax Dipping experience at the Madame Tussauds Singapore, where you will create a wax souvenir and keep it as a souvenir of your efforts. Guided by experts, you’ll be in safe hands and deal with the hot wax carefully.
Tickets are priced at $45 for adults, and $35 for children.
Happening on weekends until 31 August, and daily from 1 September 2023 to 1 January 2024, at the Madame Tussauds Singapore, 40 Imbiah Rd, Sentosa, Singapore 099700. Visit the website for more information.
If you’re mesmerised by the beautiful display of flora at Flower Dome, why not bring a piece of it home in the form of a handmade ornament? Make your own lighted floating bloom in a 15-minute session before you leave Flower Dome! Choose from a range of real dried flowers and artificial moth orchid fabric florals, and piece it together with professional help. Hang it by your window in the day and turn it on as a bedroom lamp at night.
The activity fee is priced at $15, inclusive of all materials. Admission tickets to Flower Dome still apply.
Happening 10am-6pm on 12-13 August, at Australian Garden in Flower Dome, 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953. Visit their website for more information.