Young minds are like sponges — they absorb everything and anything they come in contact with. And parents are always on the lookout for new places to take their minis to: be it hands-on, interactive exhibitions, or outdoors for a breath of fresh air and adrenalin high, parents usually have as much fun learning alongside their children.
Here’s our pick of the top 5 activities this weekend in Singapore you can enjoy with the kids.
1. FUTURE WORLD: Where Art Meets Science
The ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands has been known to have it’s fair share of fun, educational kid-friendly exhibitions – Dreamworks, the Titanic, and The Deep. To celebrate its fifth anniversary, they have launched a brand new interactive and immersive digital art experience — FUTURE WORLD: Where Art Meets Science.
Featuring 15 different technologically advanced installations that not only encourage, but require audience participation such as the ‘Sketch Aquarium’ installation where two-dimensional sea creatures drawn on paper come to life in a virtual ocean. ‘Story of the Time when Gods were Everywhere’ is another one that kids would enjoy as it allows them the ability create their own unique story by choosing Japanese and Chinese characters, which would then transform into elements of nature. Future World’s newest installation Graffiti Nature showcases an ecosystem of animals, flowers and butterflies that move freely and reflects the vision of nature and humanity co-existing harmoniously in the world. Parents of toddlers will also be glad to know that there are activities such as the Light Ball Orchestra — essentially two huge ball pits (one just for toddler) where kids can push, bounce and roll balls that continuously change colours — that caters to the younger kids as well.
Tickets can be purchased from all Marina Bay Sands box offices and from the website, and they have a family package for two kids and two adults at $35 (Singaporeans) and $44 (standard).
More information can be found here.
2. From the Stacks
If your children are full-fledged bibliophiles, this is the exhibition for them! Suitable for children of all ages, From the Stacks: Highlights of the National Library provides a unique look back into Singapore’s younger years awaits. This bountiful exhibition boasts over 100 highlights of the National Library’s curated collection of early Singapore manuscripts, photographs, and more.
From the Stacks is a child-friendly interactive hands-on exhibitions such as a series of dictionaries offering translations from the dialects of our forefathers to the languages we use today, as well as humongous books published eons ago that served the purpose of helping foreigners learn the local tongue.
Mummyfique’s Head of Operations Jessica brought her two sons — David, six, and Ethan, three, to the exhibition, and they had a ball of a time. Read her review of From the Stacks here.
The exhibition is currently running till the 29th of August 2016, and is located on Level 10 of the National Library Building, at the National Library Gallery.
3. Imaginarium
In this sixth edition of Singapore Art Museum’s child-focused annual exhibition young ones are encouraged to see the sea from a different perspective — through the eyes of contemporary artists.
Touching on subjects such as the consumption of shark fin and pollution of the ocean, kids and adults alike will walk away with a greater understanding of just how much humans impact the natural world, and the consequences of which will happen if we do not take care of the Earth.
Admission is free for Singaporeans, permanent residents and children under six, while standard ticket prices go for $10 per adult and $5 for students and senior citizens.
You can check out the brochure here, or visit the website for more information.
4. Playeum
In this digital age where everything can be found online, Playeum’s latest exhibition: Hideaways — Creating with Nature aims to encourage children to interact and immerse themselves in hands-on activities at various nature-centric exhibits and installations by artists.
One installation aptly named ‘Knock, Knock! Who Lives There?’ allows older children the unique opportunity of viewing insects and other creepy crawlies in their natural habitats, while another, ‘ Creature Cave’, caters more to the younger toddlers and infants. Featuring sound pads and various textures synonymous with different animals, this multi-sensory world would definitely intrigue and amaze them.
Though there is a $20 entry fee per child, and the fact that it is located a little ways off the beaten track at Gillman Barracks, this is definitely a place that would keep the little ones’ eyes off their screens for a while, and expose them to a whole new dimension of play. Hideaways — Creating with Nature only runs till the 26th of October, be sure to catch it!
Check out our review of Playeum here, or visit their website for more information.
5. Car Free Sunday SG
To promote environmental sustainability in Singapore, the Car Free Sunday SG initiative was started. Held on the last Sunday of every month, it is a day for the whole family to get off the couch and get active! The roads around the Central Business District and the Civic District will be closed from 7.30am onwards to facilitate this, so ensure you plan your routes to and from the area.
Grab this chance to teach your kids about going green and being environmentally sustainable in a fun, non-regimental way. In this arty edition, you could start your day with food from vendors such as Tiong Bahru Bakery, Kombi Rocks and The Lokal, just to name a few, who will be on hand to fill those tummies with wholesome goodies. After which, take your pick of activities ranging from yoga, going on a Singapore Heritage Trail, or just listening to The Philharmonic Winds and enjoying the day, there will be something for everyone.
Check out their website or Facebook page for more information.
