Cool markets, Santa under the sea, a traditional panto and some sugar plum fairies... it's all on this weekend!
We’ve got another 10 things to do with the kids in Singapore this weekend, and plenty more fabulously festive activities to keep the whole family busy with. Xmas blockbuster movies, some Christmas craft and more merry markets are on our check list…
1. Go to a cool Yule market
If you’re into independent local design and handmade goodies this is one of the best markets for picking up unique gifts from fashion to homewares and cool stuff for kids. Think terrariums, concrete planters and marble trays, fashion by local designers, unique stationery, handmade ceramics and jewellery. Public Garden hosts several markets throughout the year, but the Xmas event, which draws independent brands from around Asia, is particularly good. You WILL end up shopping for yourself!
When: 9 – 10 December, 1pm-7pm daily
Where: Level 4, Suntec Convention Hall 403, Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039593
Cost: Free admission
www.facebook.com/events/1923309994584436
2. Bring the kids to a Xmas party: with Santa!
If you haven’t caught the HoneyKids and Tanglin Mall Christmas party collaboration yet, then you need to jingle your bells over to the Tanglin Mall Santa Workshop, stat! Games, prizes, craft, storytelling with Santa and the chance to meet and greet the jolly fella himself (and get a print of your Santa pic!) are on the festive menu.
When: Weekends from 2-23 December
Where: Tanglin Mall, 163 Tanglin Rd, Singapore 247933
Cost: Free
www.honeykidsasia.com
3. Take Christmas underwater at S.E.A. Aquarium
Santa in a scuba suit? This Christmas, the magic of the festive season meets the wonders of the ocean at S.E.A. Aquarium. Hang out with Mrs Santa to learn about ocean conservation and hit the Enchanted Sea Trail.
When: Now until 1 January 2018
Where: S.E.A. Aquarium, 8 Sentosa Gateway, Sentosa Island 098269
Cost: From $18 per kid (age 4-12 years) and from $30 per adult
www.rwsentosa.com
4. Teach your kids some essential safety tips
It’s never too early to give our kids an awareness of safety issues, so we think the EP Ready Kids programme is pretty darn cool. Aimed at little ones aged four to eight years, the session will teach safety and emergency tips through interactive role playing.
When: 9 December, 11.30am to 12.30pm
Where: Ang Mo Kio Public Library Programme Zone, 4300 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6, Singapore 569842
Cost: Free but registration required
www.nlb.gov.sg/golibrary2/e/ep-ready-kids-24506333
5. Start your Sunday off with a gentle family stretch
Yes, the kids will probably put your flexibility to shame with their knack for bending (while you may well creak), but we think starting off your Sunday with a free family yoga session is sure to release enough inner peace to get you happily through the day. Bring a change of clothes for little ones who will love cooling off in the water playground after the session.
When: 10 December, 8-9am
Where: Bishan Park-Ang Mo Kio Park, Tecoma Green
Cost: Free
www.nparks.gov.sg/activities
6. Take the kids to a merry Christmas show
Snow is coming to Singapore (kind of) in a fun-filled family show full of chaos, hilarity and heroic escapades. If your kids have always wanted to see a British style traditional pantomime, Snow Worries is it!
When: 9-10 December, various times
Where: Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands
Cost: From $40 per person
www.sistic.com.sg/events/snow1217
7. Spend an evening kidulting
Always felt a little jealous of the kids as they get to try out cool roles and have a ton of fun at KidZania Singapore, while you can only watch? Well, now it’s our turn too! For one night only KidZania is introducing a Family Role-Play event where kids and parents can learn and play together in the City. Hurrah!
When: 9 December, 6-10pm
Where: KidZania Singapore
Cost: 1 adult, 1 child bundle $88
www.kidzania.com.sg
8. Dance over to Esplanade for a traditional Xmas ballet
The ultimate Christmas story is dancing onto stage thanks to the Singapore Dance Theatre, and we can’t wait to catch The Nutcracker, a beautiful tale full of enchantment, battle, a Mouse King and the Sugar Plum Fairy. Magical ballet at its very finest. Expect demands for dancing lessons the moment the curtains fall.
When: 6-10 December, various times
Where: Esplanade Theatre
Cost: From $35 per person
www.singaporedancetheatre.com/performance/the-nutcracker-2017
9. Catch a feel good festive flick
For a bear-y cute feel good film for the Xmas season, it doesn’t get much more adorable than Paddington 2. Now playing happy families with the Brown family, Paddington has been busy with a series of odd jobs to pay for the perfect prezzie for Aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday. But when it’s stolen, it’s up to Paddington to track down the thief which, of course, involves plenty of mayhem, joy and marmalade.
When: From 7 December
Where: Cinemas all over Singapore
www.imdb.com/title
10. Get busy with some Christmas craft
We’re all about the seasonal craft during December, and the cute Kids Craft: My Festive Sparklers sessions at PIP’s PLAYbox are perfect for some free, creative fun. Kids can make their own sparklers to take home in preparation for Xmas and New Year.
When: Now until 2 January, daily from 11am-6pm (closed 2-3pm for cleaning)
Where: PIP’s PLAYbox, Esplanade
Cost: Free. No registration required.
www.esplanade.com
Like this story? Here’s more we think you’ll enjoy:
Make an Xmas wreath with the kids
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The TV shows we’re binge watching right now
It’s not too late to book a Christmas ho ho holiday
Where to buy winter gear in Singapore