Free and low-cost holiday entertainment
It may feel like Christmas was only yesterday – not to mention Chinese New Year – but sure as eggs the Easter holidays are just around the corner. Even if you are still in miniature mandarin orange tree-mode though, don’t panic – we’ve hunted down the best activities for your little bunnies to hop along to this year. Here is a list of cheap Easter ideas for 2015. Or just have some fun at home with these 10 Easter DIY Crafts.
Little Pixie Box Easter
A giant egg hunt is an easter must-do and the Botanic Gardens is a great location for it. Amongst nature children aged 3-8 can indulge in some Easter egg-tivities. The morning will start off with a mini craft-making workshop which sees the kiddos customizing their own bunny ears, tie bows and goody bags. Then, it’s time to dive the egg hunt. There’ll also be snacks and photobooth fun. There are limited space to this fun event, so do register your interest at [email protected].
Cost: $30
Where: Singapore Botanic Gardens. 1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569
When: Sat Mar 28, Sun Mar 29 at 930am-1130am and Wed Apr 01, 2015, 4pm-6pm
For the love of books
Get along to one of the many public libraries for a storytelling sesh that’ll keep the kids enthralled for hours. Well, for 30 minutes anyway – and they can always browse the shelves afterwards. Dates, topics and times vary but keep an eye out for the Fabulous Egypt Story Time Special on March 14, and the Mommy, Daddy and Me meet up featuring the oldie but goodie, Jack and the Bean Plants (March 17).
Cost: Mostly free
Where: Various dates, locations and times – see website for details.
A Grand Easter
Turf City is turning it on these school holidays. When you spend $50 in a single receipt at any of the stores with The Grandstand, your child can participate in a Wooden Keychain workshop or an Easter Egg Painting workshop at no additional cost.
Cost: Free with a $50 minimum spend. Limited to 2 receipts per day
Where: The Grandstand, Turf City
When: 16-20 March for Keychain Workshop at 12pm to 6pm, 21 to 22 March for Easter Egg painting Workshop at 1,2 and 3pm
Escape from the shopping mall
Action movie addicts can enact their own version of James Bourne’s adventures by solving problems to escape burning mansions, bombed subway stations and a moon base under attack by aliens (also known as YewTee Point, Northpoint and Causeway Point malls). Qualifying rounds start March 14 with the final showdown on March 22, so make ongoing space in your holiday schedule if your child has what it takes to be an action movie hero.
Cost: Free with minimum $20 spend at the mall
Where: Northpoint and YewTee Point, Causeway Point
When: March 13-22 (Northpoint and YewTee Point), March 16-22 (Causeway Point), 12pm – 6pm.
Tanderra time
Step into the fresh paint of the newly-opened Tanderra and experience the gorgeously green surroundings of Dempsey in a whole new way. Classes include art, fine motor skills, cooking, massage and yoga (which comes with coffee and cake, naturally), pilates, Zumba, and pop dancing… and that’s not even.
Cost: Classes from $20, play atelier $15 per hour (four hours max)
Where: Block 73, Loewen Road, #01-21, Singapore, 248843, p. 6509 3468.
When: See website for timetable
Tuning in: Brain and Body
Wake up the synapses and get those neurons firing at the Science Centre’s Brain and Body exhibition. After about an hour spent touring your kids will more than have reached neuroscientist status but there’s always the regular exhibits to make the journey to Jurong worth the road miles. Check out KidsSTOP for galleries guaranteed to make learning about science school-holiday-worthy special.
Cost: Science Centre $12 (adults) $8 (kids); KidsSTOP $18 (adults) $28 (kids)
Where: Hall F, Science Centre, 15 Science Centre Road, Singapore, 609081, p. 6425 2500.
When: Science Centre 10am-6pm; KidsSTOP 9.30am – 1.30pm and 2pm – 6pm
Easter Craft at Botanic Gardens
NParks have planned an Easter Day Special for the littlies that will see them making their own Planters. Combining arts and crafts with nature, this planting workshop will have little hands busy in festive style. Cool off at the water sprinklers afterwards at Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden
Cost: $10 per child
Where: Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden
When: 28 march 10am-11am
The Great Egg-Venture
For the egg hunt to out-size all egg hunts, take your oversized binoculars along on The Great Egg-Venture at Sentosa Harbourfront. Search for the giant, beautifully-decorated eggs scattered throughout the precinct for the chance to win prizes. Prizes, we said – think Think cash and jewellery – Easter themed, no less.
Cost: Free
Where: Sentosa Harbourfront precinct
When: March 14 – April 5, all-day
Peppa Pig! In the flesh!
Yes the rumours are true – Peppa Pig and her brother George are coming to Singapore and will be meeting and greeting the peeps at United Square shopping mall. If the chance to see the real, live Peppa isn’t enough, go for the activities – sand art, family phototaking, designing a Peppa House, or card making.
Where: United Square
Cost: Free with $50 in maximum two same-day mall receipts.
When: March 17-25, 11am (Saturday and Sunday) or 12pm (Monday to Friday) to 8pm.
Imaginarium
Back for its’ seventh year, the art event for litties will feature a line-up of seven stellar local artists including Vincent Twardzik’s Green II: Interstellar Overdrive. With interactive and immersive artworks and hands-on activities at every turn, Imaginarium offers creative space where inspiration can bloom freely,and joyfully.
Cost: Free
Where: SAM at 8Q, 8 Queen Street, Singapore 188535
When: March 14 – July 19, 12p – 6pm
March Monster Mash
Get your monster on at Gardens by the Bay where craft workshops, face painting, balloon sculpting, a bouncy castle and (non-scary) monster movie screenings are all part of the March madness. Oodles of free events are on offer from March 13 to help you entertain the young uns before the festival finishes with a flourish on March 22, with an outdoor performance by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.
Cost: free
Where: Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore, 018953, p. 6420 6848
When: Various dates and locations – see website for details.
These ones are probably not what you’d consider inexpensive but if you feel like reaching into your pocket a little deeper for a special day out then Resorts World Sentosa has some action packed activities going on…
Breakfast with the bunnies
Universal Studios is offering a range of activities for those wanting a bit of theme park action on the side this Easter weekend. Book now for the weekend breakfast package which includes, of course, the all-important egg hunt. The stage show has also taken on an Easter theme and a mysterious Egg Quest is on offer for kids after an Easter adventure.
Cost: Adults $99, kids $83 (includes day pass)
Where: Universal Studios
When: April 3-5, 8am – 10.30am
Ocean Dreams Easter Edition
If sleepovers are allowed at your house, sign the kids up for the Easter edition of the S.E.A. Aquarium’s Ocean Dreams night out. The overnight adventure includes Easter-themed activities, complete with egg hunt, as well as a 90-minute aquarium tour. If you happen to be there on a regular daytime visit, keep an eye out for the underwater Easter bunny – who knew he could swim? – on the off-chance your visit coincides with his appearance at the Shipwreck and Open Ocean habitats.
Cost: Adults $193, kids $173, family (2 adults, 2 kids) $688
Where: S.E.A. Aquarium
When: 5pm April 4 – 10am April 5
And if a sleepover won’t provide enough respite, check out our
Easter School Holiday Camps ideas.
Top image courtesy of The House That Lars Built and Oh Happy Day