Looking for family-friendly things to do in Singapore this weekend? We have a heap of cool picks including some green-fingered fun, hanging out with Shakespeare and a chance for your kid to tread the boards…
1. Green-fingered family fun at HortPark
Head over to HortPark for the fun-packed event Gardeners’ Day Out, which promises an entire day of gardening, lifestyle and family-friendly activities. Highlights include a Gardeners’ Market, food bazaar plus storytelling and craft activities for the kiddos. Join a free Garden Tour (running at 11am and 3.30pm) which is perfect for the whole family to explore the themed gardens of HortPark with a guide to point out the cool green stuff. We also fancy the hands-on freebie workshop Weaving With Palm Leaves (9 – 11am) which is pitched as being perfect for the small and large green fingers in the family.
Where: Gardeners’ Day Out, HortPark, 33 Hyderabad Road, Singapore 119578
When: 14 May, 9am – 5pm
2. Eye of newt, toe of frog… The Witches are coming to town!
Roald Dahl and his mad-cap, hilarious children’s classic tales are an essential for any bookshelf, so we here at HoneyKids’ HQ are super excited to hear that one of our faves, The Witches, is getting the page-to-stage treatment right here in Singapore from 14 May. The Grand Witch is gathering her terrifying cronies and heading (via broomstick of course) to The Players Theatre for a show guaranteed to thrill the whole family. Make sure you magic yourself a ticket (via SISTIC rather than a cauldron is probably best) before this one disappears in a puff of smoke at the end of May.
Where: The Players Theatre, 487A Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427688
When: 14 – 29 May (various timings)
Cost: From $27
Exciting news flash! SRT’s The Young Company is holding auditions this weekend to look for new talent to join its training programme. Wannabe thespians should email The Young Company at [email protected] to register for a slot, and then go along to the audition for a chance to train with Singapore’s best. For the audition your kiddos will need to be prepared to get on stage with two one-minute monologues (memorised) and then be happy to warble a song of their choice from a musical (bring along the accompanying music on a CD or MP3 player). Pop a photo and a resume (if applicable) in their bag too. This is an amazing chance for any kid with a love for all things stage, theatre and acting to join a fabulous training programme that really could lead to future red carpet moments!
When: 14 May, 10am – 4pm (email to book your slot)
Where: Studio 3, Level 2, 25 Tai Seng Avenue, Singapore 534104
4. Tiptoe through the tulips…
Spring is nearly over and so before we head to the outdoor activity summer months, make sure you tiptoe over to the Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay where Tulipmania is back and in full bloom to wow you and the kiddos with its dazzling colours until the end of May. Make sure you also catch one of the free ‘Ask Me’ tours run by the Dome’s botanical know-all’s, the Display Interpreters. The 15-minute tour will start at the ‘Ask Me’ poster near the flower field once there are five people who fancy knowing all there is to know about the florals.
Where: Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953
When: Now until 22 May, 9am – 9pm
Cost: From $8
After a weekend of fun around Singapore, sometimes the kiddos just fancy a wind-down with a family-friendly film. And what better way to enjoy some silver screen time than by gathering up a bunch of friends and catching a good movie for free? Head over to Queenstown Public Library this Sunday evening where your little minions can catch family fave Despicable Me. No registration required; just turn up with your popcorn and enjoy.
Where: Queenstown Public Library, 53 Margaret Drive, Singapore 149297
When: 15 May, 4 – 6pm
6. Take your little treasures to see some ancient treasures
This weekend is the last round of family-themed tours being run over at the unmissable Treasures of the World from the British Museum exhibition over at The National Museum of Singapore. Join the museum’s storytelling guides for an hour-long fascinating journey around the world discovering artefacts and hearing some cool (and sometimes a little scary!) ancient tales. The session is recommended for small people age six upwards with tix being on a first-come, first-served basis for up to 15 families.
Where: National Museum of Singapore, 93 Stamford Road, Singapore 178897
When: 14 May, 10.30am
Cost: FREE (but admission prices to the exhibition apply)
7. Head over the ocean and under the sea: without getting wet!
Hurrah! There is a new exhibition crashing its way to shore this weekend over at the Singapore Art Museum! Imaginarium: Over the Ocean, Under the Sea is the exciting sixth edition of SAM’s children-focused annual exhibition and invites adventurers of all ages into the underwater world through interactive displays, tactile exploration and learning through play. The aim is to encourage our young folk to think about the impact we all have on the natural world and how we can all help to preserve the ocean’s wonders.
Where: Singapore Art Museum, 71 Bras Basah Rd, Singapore 189555
When: 14 May (from 3pm) – 28 August
Cost: From $5 (Free for kids under six)
Whilst the kids might not instantly relish the idea of going to a stamp museum, you really need to convince them that this stamp collection is not just cool, but REALLY cool. Plus they get a free history lesson thrown in too. Shaking it With Shakespeare opens this weekend at the Singapore Philatelic Museum where kids can explore the life and times of Shakespeare through this colourful, interactive exhibition. We can’t wait to check out the cabinet of curiosities (filled with an array of fascinating objects from the Bard’s crazy era), learn a magic spell or two from one of his plays, and find out exactly why going to a doctor these days is a LOT safer than it was back in Tudor times… As well as some super old stamps and books on display to check out, there is also the chance to dress up as a Shakespearean character and join in with some Tudor-themed activities, partake in a spot of craft and listen in on a storytelling session.
Where: Singapore Philatelic Museum, 23B Coleman Street, Singapore 179807
When: 14 May 2016 – 31 Jan 2017
Cost: Free for Singapore citizens and PRs; from $4 for everyone else.
9. The smartest giant is in town! With a monkey, a tiddler and a little old lady…
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler are rhyming storybook heroes to both the young and old alike (one is never too old for the Gruffalo!) and this new show brings together all of our faves into one top tapping, giggle-filled stage production. Expect a host of colourful characters from Tiddler, Monkey Puzzle, The Smartest Giant in Town and A Squash and a Squeeze which will delight audiences from age three upwards for one weekend only.
Where: SOTA Drama Theatre, 1 Zubir Said Drive, 227968
When: 13 – 15 May (various timings)
Cost: Tickets available through SISTIC from $34.20
10. Head back to Kampong Days of old: via a bumboat
If you fancy getting outdoors this weekend and are also keen to see what Singapore was like before the skyscrapers arrived, then head over to Pulau Ubin for a guided Kampong Tour suitable for all ages. The 2.2km trail will take around two hours to complete and will guide you around the Jelutong campsite, Butterfly Hill and the Old Bin Kiang School site, amongst other fascinating stop-offs, where you will get the history and heritage low-down on this gorgeously green island. Sign up fast as spaces are limited. Where: Pulau Ubin Assembly Area (Meeting Point 1)
When: 9.30 – 11.30am
Cost: $4 per person ($60 per group of 15 people). Maximum four groups. Wait list available once spaces are filled.