It's almost summer break! See what there is to do with the children during this school holiday break.
After weeks of being in the circuit breaker, we’re finally into Phase 1 of Reopening – huzzah! Though much hasn’t changed, we’re glad that the kiddos are heading back to school. No more wondering what to do with the kids today! And though we’re gonna miss parts of lockdown life, we’re glad things are slowly going back to normal! While we’re still expected to stay at home, here are some fun school holiday activities the kids can do once term ends. Yep, parents of Singapore. We bring you our round-up of what to do during school holidays…
Events and school holiday activities
1. Listen to a brand new story from J.K. Rowling
If your kids are a fan of the Harry Potter series, they’ll be happy to know J.K. Rowling is releasing a new fairytale for kids called The Ickabog. The best part? You don’t have to wait to read the book – you can just hop onto the website to read chapters of the book for free, which are released every week for seven weeks. Plus, illustrate the characters in the fairy tale by submitting your drawings in the official competition, and it might just get picked when the book goes to print in the future!
2. Participate in an online theatre program
Faust International Youth Theatre has a new online theatre program just for kids! The older kids can join its storytelling classes and learn how to use your voice to lift words off a page. And the little ones can use their imagination to go on a fun adventure at home. You’ll want to reserve your spot if you’re interested, as there are limited spots per program.
Alternatively, for school holiday activities, get the kids a puppet craft kit from The Little Players! This puppet-making craft kit specially designed for parent-child bonding. Psst, you can also buy two kits and share one with a beneficiary under AMKFSC Community Services Ltd, or support local bookstore Woods in the Books by adding on a curated book package together with their craft kits. Psst: Sign up early to enjoy a $20 early bird special!
3. Visit an online festival just for kids
Missing your museum exhibitions? Join the folks from the National Gallery of Singapore at Small Big Dreamers at Home! As the first online festival just for kids, it has plenty of content for the little ones to explore. Several artists and curators have curated new experiences for families to enjoy. Engage in art programs at home by creating your own art, download activities to do and much more.
Plus, the online festival will include refreshed content throughout the year, so you can always look forward to new activities to do. Perfect for the kids during the school holidays. Don’t miss it!
4. Attend an orchestral performance or play
Listen to some music from the comfort of your own home with Singapore Symphony Orchestra’s Play On. It’s the perfect opportunity for you to inspire your little thespian to get into the performing arts. Parents can enjoy classical performances while the little ones can join Musical Soundbites, a series of episodes hosted by Australian-born conductor Jessica Gethin where the kids can learn more about Saint-Saëns’s much-loved masterpiece Carnival of the Animals. Fun!
Plus, SSO has also launched a set of colouring sheets for school holiday activities and the latest issue of Rhapsody, a magazine for children. These colouring sheets are inspired by the SSO’s home, the Victoria Concert Hall, and created by an in-house designer. A great craft activity on a rainy day!
5. Learn how to tell stories with data
Teach the kids how to interpret data with Tableau. It has fun activities that allow the young ‘uns to learn about data through visualisations, guides and more. The best part? It’s free, and it’ll teach the little ones a new skill or two, too.
6. Participate in these online festivities
The annual Wan Qing Dumpling Festival is right around the corner, and we could not be more excited! Though we can’t enjoy the festival line-up in person this year, there is a slew of online activities to keep the kids entertained. Learn how to make a traditional bak zhang at home, learn to fold your own origami dragon boat or play a fun game and stand a chance to win exclusive museum merchandise.
7. Get your virtual culture fix
Hmm, what to do these school holidays when we can’t jet off. Though we can’t get our fix of culture from travelling at the moment, it doesn’t mean you still can’t visit museums around the world virtually! If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about the Indigenous people of Australia, check out Bunyi Culture Tours – you’ll get to learn about the oldest people of the known universe, see native Australian animals and walk in the virtual ancient footsteps of the Wiradjuri people.
Or, you could even explore the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ newest exhibition, Together in Art. These bite-sized experiences are great things to do with the kids these school holidays. We like the sound of watching painter Ben Quilty and his daughter Livvy as they teach you how to draw a face.
8. Pop on some TV
It’s good to give the kids a break once in a while! Let the kids have a pick between animation, documentaries or more with StarHub’s post-circuit breaker free preview for all StarHub TV customers. The family can watch titles on-demand, but personally we’re excited to follow explorer Steve Backshall as he comes face to face with lethal beauties and killer beasts on BBC Earth. The little ones, however, will most probably enjoy watching animated series on CBeebies like Dog Loves Books, based on books written by author Louis Gates, or series 3 of Hey Duggee, as they join Duggee and the Squirrel Club on comedic adventures. Psst, you know it’s good – it’s immensely popular in the United Kingdom, and has won six BAFTA awards.
Looking for more things to do at home? Check out our ideas for what to do today!
