Kiddy capers
These activities will ensure children do not get bored during the school holidays. -ST
Tue, Nov 17, 2009
The Straits Times
By Tan Yi Hui
Going to the movies used to be a horror show for mother of three Natasha Lim.
Her older children, Isaac, eight, and Isabelle, five, like most kids, get restless, chatter and end up annoying other moviegoers.
The 36-year-old housewife says: 'Kids can get noisy and they cry. Movie-goers get irritated with us and shush us.'
Now, her children go for exclusive movie screenings. No, it is not because their mother has connections in the film industry or that the family has a private home theatre.
Mrs Lim is just a regular customer of lifestyle company Berri Werks, which organises movie screenings just for families with children.
The mum chuckles: 'At such events, the adults are more tolerant. My second child is a chatterbox and she can talk all she wants and doesn't get scolded.'
With the school holidays around the corner, it is not just exclusive movie screenings the little ones can enjoy. From belly dancing and chocolate-eating excursions to overnight camps at the zoo, your children will probably be busier than you.
The People's Association (PA) is offering 57 activities this year for parents and children under its PA Kiddies Holiday Courses. Examples range from family camps at the Singapore Zoo to magic workshops and etiquette courses.
The association says all courses still have vacancies.
One of its most popular events is an overnight camp at Underwater World Singapore on Sentosa, which more than 130 people have already signed up for.
There is even a belly dancing course for kids that the association is holding for the first time.
Full-time instructor Veni Krishna, who is in her late 30s, says the course was started because 'a lot of mothers take their kids for classes when I teach adults, and parents are inquiring about a children's course'.
Still not inspired? There are other sources of holiday fun around.
Take the website singapore forkids.com (SFK), which was set up in 2004 by two mothers of teen children, Ms Anita Thomas and Ms Asha Ramakrishnan, to cater to families who stay home for the holidays and need information on what to do.
SFK lists kids activities island-wide, and receives up to 45,000 hits daily.
Also, some parents are getting more hands-on. Dads like Mr Eddie Tan go for activities 'where the whole family can be involved'.
The 32-year-old, who works in human resources, has signed up for a seaside sand-castle building event organised by the PA, and intends to take along his year-old daughter, wife and in-laws.
SFK's Ms Thomas sums it up: 'As parents, we would like to ensure our kids are more engaged with the world away from their computer screens.'
Where to go:
 » FAMILY CAMPING FUN  » NATURE AND THE OUTDOORS  » MOVIES AND PERFORMANCES  » SKILLS AND WORKSHOPS»Community Centre phone numbers |
OVERNIGHT FAMILY SAFARI CAMP
Recommended for: Ages six to 12
What: Go behind the scenes at the zoo, tour the Night Safari and Animal Hospital and watch elephants bathe and feed.
Where: Singapore Zoo
When: Dec 5 & 6
Cost: $130 to $155
Info: Call Rivervale CC or go to http://one.pa.gov.sg
JURONG BIRD PARK'S OVERNIGHT CAMPS
Recommended for: Ages three to 12
What: The two-day children-only Bird Quest Camp teaches kids about the incubation of eggs and raising of endangered bird species. Participants will learn to feed and train birds to fly.
In the overnight Sleep With The Penguins Family Camp, come face to face with the birds, dine at the scenic Songbird Terrace overlooking the Flamingo Lake, take the World Of Darkness tour and attend a campfire outing.
Where: Jurong Bird Park
When: Dec 3 & 4 (Bird Quest Camp for children aged seven to 12), Dec 12 &13 (Penguins Family Camp for children aged three to 12)
Cost: Bird Quest Camp: $120 and Penguins Family Camp: $90 for child, $110 for adult
Info: Call 6661-7809/819, or e-mail education@birdpark.com.sg
LIVING IN THE OCEAN! SLEEPOVER FAMILY CAMP
Recommended for: Ages six to 12
What: A two-day, one-night experience with sharks, dugongs, giant groupers and stingrays. The highlight: a session at Dolphin Lagoon.
Where: Underwater World Singapore, Sentosa
When: Dec 5 to 30
Cost: $60 to $75
Info: Call these CCs: Pek Kio, Kallang, Ci Yuan and Bukit Batok. Or go to http://one.pa.gov.sg
LET'S LEAF TOGETHER
Recommended for: Ages four to 10
What: Learn to make simple nature displays from leaves of various shapes and sizes in this workshop.
Where: Pasir Ris Park
When: Nov 25 (9 to 10.30am); Nov 29 & Dec 5 (11am to 12.30pm)
Cost: $10
Info: E-mail lin_lili@nparks.gov.sg
SUN, SAND & SEA FOR THE FAMILY
Recommended for: Ages one and up
What: Have some family-bonding time at the seaside and learn sandcastle-building techniques. Equipment will be provided.
Where: East Coast Beach
When: Dec 5 (4 to 7pm)
Cost: $30 to 60 (PAssion card members) and $40 to $75 (non-members)
Info: Call these CCs: Geylang Serai, Nanyang, Nee Soon East, Punggol, Rivervale and Yio Chu Kang. Or go to http://one.pa.gov.sg
MICRO-PLANT DETECTIVE
Recommended for: Ages nine to 12
What: Peer into the world of tiny things. Participants at this investigative, planting, and art and craft workshop play scientist using microscopes and create their own mini-dish gardens.
Where: Jacob Ballas Children's Garden
When: Nov 24 (8.30am to 1pm)
Cost: $50
Info: Call 6471-9961 or e-mail nparks_sbg_edu@nparks.gov.sg. Register online at www.sbg.org.sg (under 'Education')
SUNGEI BULOH WETLAND RESERVE - GUIDED WALK
Recommended for: Ages five and up
What: Learn about the inhabitants of the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in a one-hour walk.
When: Every Saturday from now to Dec 26 (9.30am & 3.30pm)
Cost: Admission fees of $1 (adult), 50 cents (senior citizen, child and student)
Info: Call 6794-1401, or go to www.sbwr.org.sg
BERRI WERKS MOVIE EVENT: DISNEY'S THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG
Recommended for: Children of all ages
What: Exclusive movie screening for parents and kids. Includes pre-movie events such as music and craft activities and a lucky draw.
Where: Eng Wah cinemas, Suntec City Tower 4
When: Dec 13 (10am to noon for pre-movie activities, show starts at 1pm)
Cost: $14 (free for kids under 0.9m)
Info: E-mail pamela@berriwerks.com or go to www.berriwerks.com/
BARNEY'S WORLD OF IMAGINATION LIVE MUSICAL SHOW/MEET & GREET
Recommended for: All ages
What: The kids' favourite purple dinosaur with no eyebrows returns this Christmas season for a show.
Where: United Square Shopping Mall
When: Dec 2 to 14 (Mondays to Fridays: 2 and 7pm, Saturdays and Sundays: 2, 5 and 7pm. No shows on Tuesdays)
Cost: Free. Spend $30 in a single receipt at the mall to take a photo with Barney and friends after the show. Bring your own camera. Photo sessions limited to 50 families each show
Info: Call 6251-5885, or go to www.unitedsquare.com.sg
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Recommended for: Ages three and up
What: A 21/4-hour Wild Rice musical pantomime directed by comedian Hossan Leong with stunning costumes to thrill parents and their children.
Where: Drama Centre Theatre
When: Nov 25 to Dec 19
Cost: $29 to $59
Info: Go to www.wildrice.com.sg. For tickets, call Sistic on 6348-5555 or go to www.sistic.com.sg
THE JUNGLE BOOK
Recommended for: Ages four and up
What: Singapore Repertory Theatre's The Little Company adapts Rudyard Kipling's classic The Jungle Book into a 11/2-hour musical drama.
Where: DBS Arts Centre
When: Now till Dec 13
Cost: From $25 (family packages available)
Info: Go to www.srt.com.sg. For tickets, call Sistic on 6348-5555, or go to www.sistic.com.sg
DUCK AND DIVE!
Recommended for: Ages four and up
What: The characters of two classic fairy tales, The Ugly Duckling and The Frog Prince, star in this two-hour musical by I Theatre.
Where: Drama Centre Theatre
When: Now till Nov 21
Cost: $38 to $52 (family packages available)
Info: Go to www.itheatre.org. For tickets, call Sistic on 6348-5555, or go to www.sistic.com.sg
BELLY DANCE FOR CHILDREN
Recommended for: Ages five to 13
What: Learn body coordination, rhythm awareness and basic dance skills the fun way at eight 45-minute sessions.
Where: Nee Soon South, Punggol 21 and Ci Yuan CCs
When: Nov 25 to Dec 30 (every Wednesday), Dec 5 to Jan 23 (every Saturday), Dec 29 to Dec 31 (Tuesday to Thursday)
Cost: $70 to $75 (PAssion card members), $80-$85 (non-members)
Info: Call the CCs or go to http://one.pa.gov.sg
KID'S DINING ETIQUETTE
Recommended for: Ages six to 14
What: A three-hour session where table manners are taught through hands-on fun with snacks, drinks and games.
Where: Chong Pang, Katong, Tampines North, Yew Tee and Ulu Pandan CCs
When: Dec 9 to 28
Cost: $35 (PAssion card members), $38 to $45 (non-members)
Info: Call the CCs, or go to http://one.pa.gov.sg
BUILDING CONFIDENCE WITH STREET MAGIC
Recommended for: Ages seven to 12
What: A three-hour workshop for aspiring David Blaines to learn tricks such as making objects float.
Where: Ulu Pandan, Chong Pang, Kallang, Punggol Park, Marsiling and Buona Vista CCs
When: Dec 5 to 30
Cost: $27 (PAssion card members), $32 (non-members)
Info: Call the CCs, or go to http://one.pa.gov.sg
THE STEADFAST TIN SOLDIER
Recommended for: Ages three to 10
What: Theatre workshops by Act 3 International where children will learn story-telling skills through performing.
Where: Act 3 Drama Academy
When: Nov 23 to Dec 11
Cost: $220 (children aged three to seven), $270 (eight to 10)
Info: Call 6735-9986 or go to www.act3international.com.sg
THE LITTLE EXPLORER'S TRAVELS
What: An open house at the museum, with activities and games in various play zones, such as retracing the footsteps of Marco Polo's adventures.
When: Nov 22, noon to 5pm
Where: Asian Civilisations Museum
Cost: Free
Info: Call 6332-7798, e-mail nhb_acm_vs@nhb.gov.sg or go to www.acm.org.sg
SWEETS AND SUCH CHOCOLATE-MAKING LITTLE CHEF
Recommended for: Ages seven to 12
What: Learn chocolate-making and handling techniques. In this two-hour workshop, children will get to work on anything from chocolate flakes to fancy chocolate cups.
Where: Yew Tee, Marine Parade, Braddell Heights, Pasir Ris East and Toa Payoh East CCs
When: Dec 1 to 26
Cost: $12 to $15 (PAssion card members), $15 to $23 (non-members)
Info: Call the CCs, or go to http://one.pa.gov.sg
ICE CREAM TOUR WITH BEN & JERRY'S
Recommended for: Ages five to 12
What: Two hours of ice cream tasting and a tour of a Ben & Jerry's shop.
Where: United Square Ben & Jerry's
When: Dec 4
Cost: $30 (PAssion card members), $35 (non-members), plus ingredient fee of $10
Info: Call Ace The Place CC or go to http://one.pa.gov.sg.
Ace The Place: 6891-3430
Braddell Heights: 6288-1258, 6288-1235
Buona Vista: 6778-5163, 6777-4169
Chong Pang: 6758-8258, 6754-1788
Geylang Serai: 6747-2919
Kallang: 6298-4582, 6298-9038
Marsiling: 6368-8737, 6269-6768
Marine Parade: 6346-7703
Nanyang: 6791-0395
Nee Soon East: 6257-0446
Pasir Ris East: 6581-1861
Punggol: 6387-1833
Punggol Park: 6387-3036, 6387-3038
Rivervale: 6312-0508
Toa Payoh East: 6256-7601
Ulu Pandan: 6469-3154, 6463-7333
Yio Chu Kang: 6457-0414, 6456-1324
Yew Tee: 6769-3672
This article was first published in The Straits Times.