What to do with kids this August
Stars of the month: little tykes, whether they’re in the terrible twos or speeding towards teenage years. With all these events lined up to help them use some of their energy (including a spanking new day disco), they’ll be sticking to bedtime for sure!
ZOUKIDISCO
While Flea & Easy takes place next door, a party for the tiny tots will be in session at Velvet Underground. ZOUKIDISCO is bringing a day-time party to you AND your little tot. Adults have to be accompanied by kids, where kids aged 1-9 get to dance in step with their parents and friends! Groove to the beats (with baby in tow) by a local DJ spinning in the decks.
ZOUKIDISCO, 11 August, 3pm-6pm. $8 per pax (includes one non-alcoholic drink). Only kids aged 1 to 9 years and their friends and family are allowed entry. For more information, see website. Zouk, Velvet Underground – Dance, 17 Jiak Kim Street, Singapore 169420.
Little Animators
Let your little tyke be the next big animator – Playing Platypus has lined up Little Animators workshops for kids to learn the basics of animation! Included in this claymation adventure: how cartoons and stop motion animation work, background design, story layout, scene-by-scene detail, actual animation! This workshop has two levels to cover both basic and advanced topics. Start easy with simple stop motion and go on an adventure with cute characters Morsey and Mop. Advance to Level 2 where kids can create new characters and friends for Morsey and Mop!
Little Animators. $180 per child (Level 1) or $280 per child (Level 2). Recommended for 5 to 10 year olds. Conducted at LA SELLE College of the Arts over two to three days. For more information and to register, see website. Playing Platypus, Forum (Office Tower), #11-01, 583 Orchard Road, Singapore 238884.
Hey Little Mousedeer!
Kids should always have a go at understanding heritage and environmental issues. We say, do it the fun and musical way! In this folktale, go on a journey with clever Sang Kancil (an adorable mouse deer), klutzy Harimau the ‘King of the Forest’ (a tiger), slow Cicak (a lizard), and all of their friends and foes. The mischievous Kancil always gets into trouble – will he ever learn his lesson? Kids and adults alike will be enchanted by the masks, puppetry, and elaborate costumes.
Hey Little Mousedeer!, 18 July to 7 August, various times. Suitable for ages 3 and up. For more information and to purchase tickets, see website.Performed by iTheatre, at Alliance Francais Theatres, 1 Sarkies Road, Singapore 258130.
Science Street Festival
Here’s your chance to catch the last of the Kids’ Science Festival – the Science Street Festival will be on from for only three days this August! See the fun behind science – there’ll be more than 120 stalls set up by over 30 participating schools. With eight zones of scientific fun, you might need more than a day here. Want some instructions? Take part in workshops and activities with your kids!
Science Street Fair, 2-4 August. For more information, see website.
Singapore Science Centre, 15 Science Centre Road, Singapore 609081.
MegaBugs Return!
Imagine becoming smaller than a bee and flying through a huge maze of towering grass. Enter the world of insect – learn all about biomimicry, survival techniques, food gathering, and reproduction! There will also be showcases featuring live insects and rare specimens. Kids will love this one. For something crafty, look out for insect origami, etching, colouring, and many more!
MegaBugs Return! 20 April to 18 August. $20 per adult, $15 per child. Prices include Science Centre admission fees. Please note that this exhibition will be closed on 12 August. For more information, see website. Singapore Science Centre, 15 Science Centre Road, Singapore 609081.
Little Architects
How are buildings designed and constructed? You can leave the math and science to the guys at Little Architect – with conceptual drawings and real life model constructions, kids can learn all about math and architecture! You might have the next top architect in your midst! With a teacher-student ratio of 1:6, Little Architects will get all the attention they need.
Little Architects, 14-16 August, 9am-1230pm or 2pm-5pm. $280 per child. Recommended for 4 to 7 year olds. For more information, see website. Playing Platypus, Forum (Office Tower), #11-01, 583 Orchard Road, Singapore 238884.
The “Nose” Apprentice
Here’s a fun and smell-good way to spend time with your little tot this August! ARTHause Singapore has lined up The “Nose” Apprentice to help kids learn all about the sense of smell. In the course material: what the sense of smell is about, vocabulary to describe odours, and games about scents. Kids can also get busy here by making their own soaps, fragrances, and candles!
The “Nose” Apprentice will be conducted on 15, 19, 22, and 26 August, 2pm-5pm. $75 per participant. Family packages are available. Recommended for six to thirteen year olds. For more information, see website.
Hello Ling
Can’t figure out an easy way to explain why rainbows form and how plants grow? Say goodbye to that worry and say hello to Ling and her garden of light! You can stop scratching your heads, now – your little tykes’ questions now have answers.
Hello Ling, 10-18 August, various times. Recommended for children aged two to four. Please note that audience will be seated on the floor. For more information and to purchase tickets, see website. Esplanade Theatre, 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981.
The Tale of the Frog Prince
Never judge a book by its cover. Here’s Prince Phillip – the fairytale transformer – and his story of respect and kindness! A wicked witch cast a bad spell on him turned him into a frog and the Prince has been hiding himself on a farm since. Will his looks scare her away? Will Princess Rosalie be his one true love? Will she help him to return to his original form? We’ll be trying not to croak – follow the Prince and Princess and sing along to their catchy tunes!
The Tale of the Frog Prince, 29 August to 29 September at various times. Recommended for children aged two to six. For more information and to purchase tickets, see website. DBS Arts Centre, Home of The Singapore Repertory Theatre, 20 Merbau Road, Singapore 239035.
Free Stargazing Sessions
This August, Venus and Saturn will be in view! At the Observatory, peer through the powerful lenses of the telescopes and look out for constellations in the northern and southern celestial hemispheres. Don’t understand what you’re seeing? There’ll be talks to fill you in. Stars are usually hard to see in Singapore so you shouldn’t miss this one – perfect for families! It’s okay to go past bedtime once in a while.
Free Stargazing Sessions, every Friday from now till December 2013, 750pm-10pm. Admission is free. Please note that The Observatory will be closed on 9 August for National Day celebrations. For more information, see website. The Science Centre Singapore, Observatory (Omni-Theatre Building), 15 Science Centre Road, Singapore 609081.
Selamat Hari Raya
Here’s another reason to visit Gardens by the Bay with your family this month – take junior along with you to find out all about Hari Raya Puasa about and how our Malay friends celebrate it. At the Malay Garden (Kampong Hut), see how festive goodies for Hari Raya are prepared or weave ketupat cases. Participants can also dress up in traditional Malay ethnic costumes for some memorable photos!
Selamat Hari Raya, 3-4 August, 2pm-430pm. Admission is free. For more information, see website. Gardens by the Bay, Malay Garden, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953.
Little MovieStars
Here’s a chance for your littlie to be a celebrity – at Little MovieStars by Playing Platypus, kids can be the masters of movie clips! They have it all: script writing, preparation of props, filming, acting, scene editing, and hosting a movie screening.
Little MovieStars, 31 July to 2 August, 9am-1230pm or 2pm-530pm. $280 per child. Recommended for 4 to 7 year olds. For more information, see website. Playing Platypus, Forum (Office Tower), #11-01, 583 Orchard Road, Singapore 238884.
The “Nose” Apprentice
Here’s a fun and smell-good way to spend time with your little tot this August! ARTHause Singapore has lined up The “Nose” Apprentice to help kids learn all about the sense of smell. Kids can also get busy here by making their own soaps, fragrances, and candles! The cost per participant is $75 (includes course material and an afternoon snack). Family packages are available. See here for more information.
Image: ACT 3 International