8 Family-friendly Activities To Do This August & National Day
Gear up for a month of fun-filled activities this August
By Michelle Lee SM -
Especially with the nation's birthday happening just next week, you can betcha there'll be plenty of activities that the entire family can enjoy.
Be it virtual and physical tours, online musical and magic performances, or hands-on projects for the kids, here's where to have fun with the kids this August.
Gear up for three days of National Day celebrations over at the Singapore Discovery Centre (SDC) from Aug 7 to 9, 2021.
Marvel at the floating light installations by the Discovery Lake, go on the themed Through the Lens of Time guided tour of the Permanent Exhibits Gallery, check out eco-sustainability installations, or enjoy screenings of the Singapore Stories Films at the iWERKS Theatre.
Kiddos can also get hands-on and create their own sticker crafts.
Visit Singapore Discovery Centre's website for more information.
This seven-day online extravaganza is centred around none other than our love for good.
Hosted on Facebook Live, each virtual tour will bring you around the island, with Singapore-based hosts taking you on a journey to uncover hidden F&B gems including cafes, bakeries and hawkers. Not only do you get to support local businesses, but you'll also nab yourself some delicious food deals online and be able to take part in lucky draws, too.
Visit its website for more information and to register for the free live streams.
Up for a bit of magic?
Also presented by The Esplanade, this one-hour virtual magic show stars best friends and award-winning illusionists Darren Tien and Jerryl Tan. From the comfort of your couch, watch as they embark on an intimate online journey of magic, misdirection, mystery, and humour that also weaves in personal stories to leave both you and the kids mesmerised.
Tickets are priced at $30 and admission is for ages 6 and above. It will be live-streamed via Sistic. Visit Esplanade's website for more information.
National Day light-up & a Singapore-themed exhibition at National Museum, from Aug 1
From now till Aug 31, be dazzled by the spectacular lights that will be projected on the National Museum's facade with the theme 'Together Our Singapore Spirit' (safe distancing measures apply).
And just for the young ones, they can tune in to an interactive storytelling session by the museum based on the popular children’s book Timmy & Tammy: What is Singapore?. They'll learn about its four interesting characters who have each chosen an object to represent Singapore, and get to participate in fun activities, too. This will be live-streamed for free via the National Museum Facebook page.
At the same time, don't miss the ongoing exhibition, "Home, Truly: Growing Up with Singapore, 1950s to the Present". A tie-up with The Straits Times, it's held at the museum's basement level and touches on the meaning of home and its meaning to Singaporeans. It is open to the public for free until Oct 3, 2021.
Visit National Museum's website for more information.
Guided tours and online performances at the Asian Civilisations Museum, from Aug 6
Asian Civilisations Museum has a host of activities that'll let you uncover and learn more about our nation's history and heritage.
On National Day (Aug 9) itself, join an online trail to discover interesting objects connected to Singapore’s history. Or sing along to a medley of well-loved National Day tunes by performed by Kenchana Jazz that'll be streamed on ACM's Facebook page and website. ACM also encourages you to share a photo of your pet plant or a favourite plant or flower found in Singapore, or download a recipe card for whipping up kaya at home.
Those with a love for fashion can hop on an online Student Curator Guided Tour to check out #SGFASHIONNOW, the museum’s first-ever contemporary exhibition dedicated to Singapore fashion, happening from Aug 6 till Oct 8, 2021.
You can also join other virtual tours, including those of the Fashion and Textiles, and Jewellery galleries.
Visit Asian Civilisations Museum's website for more information.
If you haven't yet made a trip down to the Rainforest Lumina now on at the Singapore Zoo, you'll want to because the event is on its last run this year.
Traipse through its popular interactive play zones, meet the Creature Crew members of of eight virtual animals, and delight in the interactive light, multimedia projections, and sound installations that emulates the luminous setting of the rainforest at night.
According to the Rainforest Lumina’s website, the trail will take about 45 minutes to an hour to complete.
Tickets are at $18 (Adult/Youth) and $14 (Child/Senior). Singapore Zoo is located at 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826. Visit www.rainforestlumina.sg for tickets and more information.
Xiaomi's Pop Run has reached our shores - virtually.
From now till Aug 24, 2021, those who own Xiaomi fitness trackers with a Mi Account can register here to participate in its annual virtual run. Steps accumulated via Xiaomi fitness trackers are tallied by Aug 24, 11.59 PM, and reflected on its leaderboard.
And to commemorate the occasion, you'll get to enjoy exclusive deals on its wearables on Lazada, offline authorised Xiaomi stores and retailers.
The Mi Band 6 will be going for $56 (UP: $65), the Mi Watch Lite at $69 (UP: $85), and the Mi Watch at $149 (UP $169).
Participants who successfully clocked in 200,000 steps* using their Xiaomi fitness trackers can also head down to Mi Store Suntec City to redeem a limited edition Finisher Pack with a Xiaomi POP Run face mask, a Mi Composition Scale 2, a Finisher medal, as well as a $10 voucher (with minimum spending of $50), while stocks last. For more information on Xiaomi POP Run 2021, visit here.
Catch the performances of local musicians live with Red Dot August, a free virtual musical fiesta hosted by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay.
Be enraptured by Margin for Error, a collaboration between poet Karisa Poedjirahardjo and folk-pop musician Vivien Yap, poetry and dance by Diverse Abilities Dance Collective, and Dinner Table, which presents music from the heart Singapore-based guitarist and percussionist Ridz Razali and his band.
Visit Esplanade's website for the schedule and more information, and to watch the streams.