10 best places to hang out with the kids this March holidays
PUBLISHED ONFebruary 28, 2017 10:10 AM
SINGAPORE - The March school holidays are swinging by real soon, and if you don't plan to head overseas with junior, here are some neat events in Singapore to tick off the list.
1. Art-Zoo at i Light Marina Bay
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When: March 3 to 26
Admission: $15 for Art-Zoo. i Light Marina Bay is free
This year's i Light Marina Bay event includes Art-Zoo, an inflatable zoological park where kids can bounce around in while mum and pop take a break. The colourful inflatable playground includes installations of both alphabets and animals in a fantasy landscape.
After all that bopping around, families can wander along the bay area to see the stunning light up of the art installations for free.
Whether you're a photography buff or are just planning to soak up the city skyline after a night out with the family, i Light Marina Bay is one event you should check out.
The annual festival will feature 20 sustainable light art installations from local and international artists. Stunning to look at no doubt, but it also serves as a great way to teach the young about sustainable living.
2. Tsum-sational adventure carnival at Capitaland Malls
When: March 3 to April 2
Admission: Free
Missed the bouncy Tsum Tsum parade from Bugis Junction to Plaza Singapura on March 3? Not to worry, there's still plenty of Tsum-sational fun for your kids to explore during holiday week.
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A Tsum Tsum-themed carnival being held across 14 CapitaLand malls will fulfill the dreams of all Tsum Tsum fans. Admission to the Tsum Tsum booths is free for all, but those who manage to hit a minimum spend at Capitaland's malls will be entitled to take part in various workshops, games and activities. Some of the highlights include a Tsum Tsum photobooth at The Star Vista, a Ninja Castle obstacle challenge at Junction 8 and Sembawang Shopping Centre, and a Tomica Disney Tsum Tsum stacking contest at Tampines Mall. Some of the prizes up for grabs include Tsum Tsum EZ-Link cards and a Tsum Tsum gold bar worth $269.
Members of Capitaland Malls' CapitaStar programme can also redeem Tsum Tsum huggables when they hit the $180 minimum daily expenditure. Members who collect all six pairs of plush toys could also win a five-night trip to Japan for four.
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When: March 11 to 19
Admission: Free for all except Magners Singapore International Comedy Festival ($50)
Here's one mega week-long event for the entire family. Come March 11, Clarke Quay will be transformed from reveller's party-pit to a family-friendly playground.
March 11-12, 2pm onwards: Kicking off the week is Nickelodeon Fiesta, where junior can go on a scavenger hunt, challenge other kids to a giant board game and attend a meet-and-greet with Nickelodeon characters like SpongeBob Square Pants and Ninja Turtles.
March 14-19: Adults can join in on the fun with a line-up of acrobatic acts at StreetFest. This includes shows from magician Ryan Shadow, unicycle champion Jamey Mossengren and bizarre one-man-act Bruce Airhead.
March 14-19, 8pm onwards: There's nothing like laughter to ease up the day's worries. Magners Singapore International Comedy Festival will be bringing in a hilarious line-up of comedians from the US, Canada, UK, New Zealand, India and Malaysia. Single tickets are from $20-$30, while a four-day access to all shows costs $98.
4. Chestnut Nature Park
Admission: Free
Nature lovers rejoice! The newly opened Chestnut Nature Park (North) has added double the dosage of hiking and biking trails for outdoor enthusiasts.
It is currently the only park to have separate trails for bikers and hikers. The park also includes kiosks for visitors to rent and wash mountain bikes.
For those who prefer exploring on foot, the trails stretch up to 5.6km and even links to Zhenghua Nature Park and Dairy Farm Nature Park.
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When: March 3 to 12
Admission: Exhibitions are mostly free, but workshops are ticketed.
Get crafty with the kids at a DIY Vintage Sign workshop or learn to create your very own herb garden in a glass bottle.
These workshops are part of the annual Singapore Design Week where artists, designers, architects and industrial players come together to showcase their works.
When: March 15 to 19
Admission: $25-$120
Hang out with Mickey Mouse, Elsa, Woody and a host of other classic Disney characters as they twirl around on ice this March.
The show will surely be a treat for the kids as they watch their favourite cartoon characters come alive on the skating rink.
Admission: Workshop fees apply
Instead of enrichment classes and tuition, why not learn how to bake freshly-made bread or a mousse cake with your child?
Who knows? Your child may turn out to be the next Junior Masterchef!
When: March 17 to 19
Admission: Free
Here's another nifty way to get your kid excited about learning something new.
Held at Singapore Expo Hall 6, SmartKids Asia partners The Straits Times and National Library Board to bring reading and art alive.
Kids will get to watch theatrical plays, scribble away in a colouring contest or pull out their acting and singing chops in a talent time competition.
When: March 3 to 24
Admission: $20 for adult, $12 for child
Gardens by the Bay is bringing back the cherry blossoms in time for the sakura season.
The floral display will include last year favourites such as the pale pink Prunus Accolade on top of new undisclosed varieties at the Flower Dome.
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When: March 10 to April 2
Admission: Free, charges for rides apply
If the family isn't quite into flowers, why not visit the dinosaurs? Gardens by the Bay will also be hosting a dinosaur-themed festival for children in March at the Supertree Grove.
View large outdoor installations of dinosaur structures or go on a dino egg hunt around the park and stand a chance to win prizes. There will also be an interactive storytelling session, carnival rides and craft workshops throughout the month. Charges apply for each event.
debwong@sph.com.sg