SingaporeMotherhood | Family Fun

November 2017

31 Year-End School Holiday Activities (2017) to keep Your Kids Engaged this November and December

It’s the year-end holiday in a week. What will your kids be doing? Here’s a list of activities that will keep them entertained, engaged, and even impart knowledge to their young minds as they play.

The year-end holiday season is the absolute best time for play. School terms are over and there’s nothing to study for since everything will be new the next year, right? As my child says, it’s the season of play! Not sure where to begin? These 31 activities (with more within) will help kickstart the year-end fun. Enjoy!

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1. Embrace Nature at the SBG Children’s Festival

Image: National Parks Board

Get going to the Singapore Botanic Gardens for its Children’s Festival this November. It’s full of activities suitable for the whole family, from culinary art and plant craft to storytelling, performances, guided tours, nature play, movie screenings, and even a pop-up library in the Gardens. Check the event website for details on timings. If you have little ones who love watching Cbeebies, bring them to the Visitor Services @ Bukit Timah Gate on 25 and 26 November to meet the crew and learn through play. There’ll be free CBeebies’ goodie bags up for grabs!

Where Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden and Eco-Garden
When Till 26 November, 2pm – 7.30/8.30pm
Cost Free
Web Click here

2. Create 3D Art Installations

The Affordable Art Fair (AAF) isn’t just a place to find wall décor for your apartment. It’s also a place where the kids can absorb great art and find their inner Picasso. This edition of the AAF will have a new Children’s Art Studio by Art Wonderland, featuring a ‘Garden of Tomorrow’, a thought-provoking installation that explores environmental protection and the importance of green spaces in our city. There’ll also be a creative workshop – Explorers At Work – for children aged 4 to 12 years. During this 75-minute workshop, kids will go on a tour around the fair to learn about unconventional mixed media artworks, then create their own whimsical 3D artworks inspired by the tour.

When 16 to 19 November, various timings
Where F1 Pit Building, Singapore 038975
Cost $15 per child. (Two adults get free entry to the fair with every child who signs up)
Web Click here

3. Make Your Own Paper

It’s never too early to be an eco-warrior. Let the kids learn all about recycling, then get hands-on with paper making activities at this workshop by the People’s Association. Best for children 4 years and above. Do note that there will be material fee of $5 payable directly to the trainer.

When 19 November, 10 to 11.30 am
Where PAssion WaVe@Marina Bay, 11 Rhu Cross, Singapore 437440
Cost $20 for members, $25 for public.
Web Register online at one.pa.gov.sg. Search “C26498148” under Activity. Call 6545 1140 (Tuesday to Sunday, 9.30 am to 6 pm) or e-mail [email protected] if you have queries.

4. Learn 21st-Century STEM-ed Skills

Trehaus is a family-friendly co-working space that welcomes children to play at its Kids Atelier space while their parents work. This holiday season, Trehaus has curated a series of tech-inspired holiday camps and programmes to engage imaginations, spark curiousity, and instil creativity. Kids from 3 to 6 years of age can learn about electricity, find out what it means to be an urban planner (for kids 4-6 years) or an engineer (for kids 7-9 years), explore sharks and trains, blast off to outer space, or simply have Christmas fun – all through STEM activities!

Where Claymore Connect, 442 Orchard Road, # 03-01, Singapore 238879
When Various dates between 20 November and 22 December
Cost From $160
Web Click here

5. Be a Zookeeper for a Day

Your child may aspire to work with animals, but does he know what that entails? This day camp brings your child behind the scenes to experience first-hand how to responsibly look after our friends in the Singapore Zoo. The Camp, is suitable for children 11 to 14 years old. Lunch and a tea break are included. Sign up quick, as slots are limited.

When 24 November or 1 December, 8.45am – 5.45pm
Where Singapore Zoo
Cost $267.50
Web Click here

6. Get Dramatic

Is the kid is a drama mama? Maybe the Singapore Repertory Theatre’s week-long Stage Camp could fulfil her thespian dreams. There are different camps for different age groups: a Chicken Little camp (for 4 – 6 year olds), an “Adventure” camp (for 7 – 12 year olds), and a creative monologue camp for teens (13 – 16 year olds). All participants will be involved in every aspect of the theatre industry – from writing to performance – while having fun and making friends.

When 20 to 24 November or 4 to 8 December, 10am – 12.30pm. Teens camp on 20 to 24 November, 1.30pm – 4pm.
Where 25 Tai Seng Avenue, 2nd floor, KOP Building, Singapore 534104. Preschoolers camp at The Loft, Havelock II, 2 Havelock Road, 04-03, Singapore 059763
Cost $350 (Stage Camp), or $388 (for preschoolers, including ticket to Chicken Little).
Web hereClick

7. Code with Loshberry

STEAM-ed is big now as kids gear up to learn 21st-century skills. Your kid can join in the fun at Loshberry Code Studio, where children aged 7 to 12 years old can learn basic programming concepts, create Ozobots, build Scratch projects, and explore smart gadget design. Choose from one-day or multiple-day camps. Each has between three and six students per class, to ensure that every child gets enough attention.

When Various dates from 20 November to 22 December
Where 587 Bukit Timah Road, Coronation Plaza, Singapore 269707
Cost $379 (Junior), $569 (Tween)
Web Click here

8. Express Yourself through Photography

Your little shutterbug at home will have no objections to the photography fundamentals workshops at Objectifs. Kids aged 8 to 16 years can attend one or multiple sessions (one daily) to pick up photography skills (Workshop A: Introduction to Photography), delve further in to the use of photography as a medium for expression (Workshop B: Storytelling with Your Toys), explore light (Workshop C: Pinhole Photography and Workshop D: Light Painting), and craft (Workshop E: From Photographs to Photo Crafts). All materials will be provided, but participants can bring their own camera if they wish to.

When 20 to 24 November, 10am – 1pm, except Workshop D on 23 November is 10am – 12pm.
Where 155 Middle Road, Singapore 188977
Cost $70 each (Workshops A & B), $90 each (Workshops C & E), $50 (Workshop D). Get 15% off when you sign-up for 3 or more workshops.
Web Click here

9. Help Create a Better World for All

In this two-day holiday camp by Blossom World, children aged 5 to 10 years old are brought on a
“process-oriented” journey to discover more about themselves and the world that they are living in. Through drama, kids will explore relationships, real world situations, and brainstorm for ideas to tackle problems such as climate change and the refugee situation. On day two, parents can join in to create their image of a better world through art.

When 25 and 26 November, 9am – 5pm
Where Kallang Community Club (Boon Keng MRT), 45 Boon Keng Road, Singapore 339771
Cost $180 including t-shirt, lunches, snacks, goodie bag and learning materials.
Web Click here

10. Happy Days (and Nights) at the Parks

No fixed holiday plans? Go for a wander in one of our four Wildlife Reserves Singapore parks, all of which have special year-end activities. Indulge in all things blue at the Jurong Bird Park’s Bluezillian Carnival as it welcomes the rarest blue macaws. At the Night Safari’s Twilight Encounters, you can trek on glow-in-the-dark walking trails, pose with vibrant geometric animal sculptures, and take a picture in a special black light photobooth! Finally, learn about their creatures at the River Safari and the Singapore Zoo’s Land Of Giants.

When Until 31 December
Where Respective parks
Cost Usual admission rates apply
Web Click here

11. Get Up Close & Personal with Water

“Drink Up! Paddle Up!” is a collaboration between the People’s Association and the Science Centre Singapore where parents and children (7 years and above) can explore science and learn about Singapore’s four National Taps and water pollution through a kayaking trip around the Marina Channel and Kallang Basin. Sounds exciting, doesn’t it?

When 24 or 28 November, 9.45am – 2.30pm
Where Passion WaVe@Marina Bay, 11 Rhu Cross, Singapore 437440, Caribbean Sea Lounge, 2nd floor
Cost $40 per pair for members, $44 per pair for public, including lunch
Web Register at one.pa.gov.sg. Search “Drink Up! Paddles Up!” under Activity

12. Go on Flights of Fancy in a Tinkering Studio

TinkerFest is back! This tinkering studio at the Science Centre, set up in collaboration with Imagin8ors, offers kids aged 3 to 12 years a safe space where they can explore and experiment and pick up STEM concepts through hands-on activities such as aerodynamics, motorisation, and gravity while playing. Based on the theme Flights of Fancy, kids will get to learn the science behind flight, aerodynamics, gravity, and more. There are parent-child workshops (fees apply) that you can sign up for too. Check the website for details.

Where Singapore Science Centre, Tinkering Studio (Hall E), 15 Science Centre Road, Singapore 609081
When 27 November to 3 December
Cost SCS admission fees apply (waived if you sign up for a workshop)
Web Click here

13. Become Music Makers at KidsSTOP

Have a little music lover at home? Let him or her learn about the science of music with KidsSTOP. Your child will learn how sound is produced, how to craft songs using numeracy, and even make their own instruments. The workshop wraps up with a jamming session, how fun! Not a music fan? Other workshops (Junior Jolly Scientists – creating LED ornaments and building a transportation system to help Santa deliver presents and Green Arcademia – learning about recycling and creating an arcade) for children aged 4 to 5 and 6 to 8 years old are also available.

When 22 November and 6 December (6-8 years old), 29 November (4-5 years old), 10.30am – 1pm
Where Science Centre Singapore, 21 Jurong Town Hall Road, Singapore 609433
Cost $50, excluding GST and administrative charges.
Web Click here

14. Be Pirates at ACT3

Ahoy there matey! Toddlers (18 to 36 months old) can experience life on the high seas this December with ACT3 Drama Academy! Based on the Sue Fliess book How To Be A Pirate, this one-off parent-child workshop will see“jolly teacher captains” will guiding their crew in singing, dancing and rhyming activities. Aye aye, Captain! Have older ones? Kids up to 15 years of age can join in the fun in ACT3 Drama Academy’s other holiday workshops based on Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, Aladdin and The Wonderful Lamp, and Sinbad. Check the website for more details.

When 23, 25, & 30 November, 2, 7, 9, 14, & 16 December, 10.30am – 11.30am or 4pm – 5pm
Where 126 Cairnhill Road, ONE-TWO-SIX Cairnhill Arts Centre, Singapore 229707
Cost $50 per child (with parent)
Web Click here

15. Explore Art Forms at Artgrain

Artgrain has so many holiday workshops, there’s bound to be one to fulfil every child’s artistic interest. It’s not limited to paints and canvas; kids can explore sculpture with pixel clay, clay food art, glow in the dark painting, digital robot drawing, build a mixed media 3D sculpture, create a miniature installation in a bottle, design and construct a wind chime, and even go on an art trip to the River Safari! Workshops are for two or three days, for children from age 4 (depending on workshop).

When Various dates between 20 Nov and 29 Dec, 10am – 1pm or 2.15pm – 5.15pm
Where 5 Thomson Ridge, Bukit Timah Plaza, or Parkway Centre
Cost $230
Web Click here

16. Monkey Around like a Chimpanzee

Chimp Champs are the newest thing for kids to get out of the books and into the woods. Kind of. At these day camps by Gorilla Climbing Gym children are taught the basics of climbing as well as outdoor skills such as basic orienteering, knots and lashes, and outdoor cooking. This camp is suitable for children 6 to 14 years old. If the kids get hooked on climbing after, they can join the Gym’s regular climbing classes for children from 4 to 18 years of age.

When 21, 23 November, 6, 21 December, 10am – 6pm
Where 750B Chai Chee Road Viva Business Park, #01-02, Singapore 469002
Cost $120, including lunch, tea and use of all necessary gear and equipment
Web Click here

17. Learn Life-Skills at a Multi-activity Camp

This five-day Discover Me Multi-Activity Holiday Camp is where children from 5 to 12 years of age can pick up useful new life skills. Kids will learn to code, create a race car, cook dumplings and pandan cake, create an art masterpiece, understand money matters and budgeting, learn a hip hop dance routine, score some hoops and more! Participants will be grouped by age so kids learn together with their peers: children aged 5 to 7 years old are ‘The Discoverers’, while children 8 to 12 years old are ‘The Explorers’.

When 4 to 8 December, 9 am to 4 pm
Where SMU, 81 Victoria Street
Cost $635 for 5 days, including lunch, snacks and a camp T-shirt
Web Click here

18. Get Wheelie Good on a Unicycle

Two wheels good, one wheel even better? If your child has already mastered riding a two-wheeler and is ready for a wheelie challenge, sign him or her up for Basic Wheelies 101 workshop. This workshop by the People’s Association is suitable for children aged 7 years and above. Remember to bring your own protective gear (helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads).

When 10 December, 2pm – 5pm
Where Changi Water Venture, 285 Nicoll Drive, Changi Point, Singapore 498988
Cost $80 for members, $90 for public
Web Register online at one.pa.gov.sg. Search “C26429533” under Course.

19. Create your own Cartoon or Manga Superhero

The Superhero Artcamp by iNKFusion is a day-camp where children who like cartoons, manga, and art can combine all three loves into one. Children aged 5 to 7 years old will learn how to design and draw cartoons, while those aged 8 and above try their hands at creating fusion manga.

When 6 December, 10.30am – 4.30pm
Where The Little Arts Academy, PoMo, 1 Selegie Road, # 05-01/02, Singapore 188306
Cost $158 for readers, plus $20 for materials and lunch
Web Click here

20. Have a TOTally Science Party

For the first time ever, KidsSTOP is hosting a toddler science programme with plenty of opportunities for these little ones to learn through play. They’ll get their hands messy doing experiments, making festive Christmas crafts, and decorating their own Christmas trees. This is best for children aged 2 to 3 years, accompanied by a parent or a caregiver.

When 9 December, 10am – 11.30am
Where The Party Room, KidsSTOP, Science Centre Singapore, 21 Jurong Town Hall Road, Singapore 609433
Cost $50 per parent-child pair, excluding GST and administration charges.
Web Click here

21. Strum Christmas Carols on a Ukulele

Even department store TANGS is hosting workshops for kids these holidays! Children aged 6 and above can learn to strum Christmas carols such as ‘Jungle Bells’ and ‘We Wish You A Merry Christmas’ on a ukulele to impress relatives and friends at festive parties. TANGS has other workshops at its Orchard and VivoCity stores, including one on Coding with BBC Micro:bit and LEGO, and art and craft classes.

When 16 December, 2.30pm – 3.30pm or 4pm – 5pm
Where TANGS at Tang Plaza, Level 2
Cost $30
Web Click here

22. Go Back in Time on Grandparents’ Day

Grandparents’ Day falls on Sunday 26 November this year. Bring the grands to the National Museum and celebrate them with Families For Life. There’ll be lots of activities for everyone in the family to enjoy, from art competitions to DIY craft, to a movie screening (The Kid From The Big Apple) and complimentary snacks and drinks. Don’t miss the special guided tour of Witness to War: Remembering 1942, where you can learn about the events that led to the fall of Singapore, and hear first-hand accounts from ordinary men and women whose lives were forever changed by the outbreak of war in Singapore in 1942.

When 25 November, 1pm – 7pm
Where National Museum of Singapore
Cost Free, with registration
Web Click here

23. Nurture a Book Lover

Give the kids a gentle nudge into the world of books. The Learning Lab’s Book Lovers’ programme introduces the best books and the greatest authors of all time to kids through age-appropriate choices such as Roald Dahl (for P1s and P2s) and mystery authors like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (who created Sherlock Holmes) for P3s and P4s.

When 27 to 28 November, 10am – 12pm (P1-P2), 14 to 15 December, 12.30pm – 2.30pm (P3-P4)
Where United Square 101 Thomson Road, #03-03 Singapore 307591
Cost $269, excluding GST
Web Click here

24. Become an Impressive Interviewee

With the increased emphasis on speech and presentation, it’s never too early to equip your child with critical thinking skills and the ability to converse confidently. This two-day workshop (activity #13) by CDAC is designed for children P4 to S5 and will impart them with the necessary skills to ace any interview. The CDAC also has a whole lot of other interesting programmes for children, from cooking and baking, stop-motion animation, and calligraphy, to wheel throwing pottery, Hokkien language, and even a Junior BMT (Basic Military Training) session! Check this link for more.

When Various dates and times
Where CDAC Centres in Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Bukit Panjang, Jurong, Punggol, Redhill, Sengkang, Tampines, Tanjong Katong, Toa Payoh, Woodlands and Yew Tee
Cost $52 for P4 to P6, $57 for S1 to S5
Web Click here

25. Get Christmassy & Crafty with Art Wonderland

‘Tis the season to be jolly! Kids can get into the mood for Christmas at the Art Wonderland studio as they paint their very own winter scene, build a shadow puppet theatre set, and create their own snow globe from scratch! At the Lights Out! Shadow puppet theatre camp children 4 to 12 years old learn about puppetry and make their very own shadow puppets. In the Winter Night Scene Canvas Painting w/ LED workshop they learn brush painting techniques and make art come to life with LED lights.

SingaporeMotherhood.com readers get a discount when they sign up online at least seven days before the workshop. Use these codes:
• Lights Out – ‘LIGHTSOUT2017’
• Winter Scene – ‘AWDEC2017’
• Snow Globe – ‘AWDEC2017’
Do note that the promo code will expire 7 days before the date of the workshop, and that a minimum number of three students is required to begin each class.

When 29 November, 9.30 am – 3.30 pm
Where 420 North Bridge Road, # 02-26 North Bridge Centre, Singapore 188727
Cost $98 (promo price with codes, u.p. $150), including lunch and materials.
Web Click here

26. Craft the Cutest Clay Art Animals

Making cute animal figurines with clay looks deceivingly easy. In this workshop by YWCA, children 7 to 9 years old will learn how to sculpt a garden animal, a sea creature and a jungle animal. Older children between 10 and 12 years can learn techniques to illustrate animal art in the foundational drawing skills workshop.

When 20 December, 2 to 3 pm (clay), 21 December, 3pm – 4pm (drawing)
Where YWCA National Office, Kids Function Room, 254 Outram Road, Singapore 169051
Cost $30
Web Click here

27. Build a Cardboard City at Playeum

At this unique one-day camp, children will build their dream city using recycled materials. But first, they’ll take a nature walk to get design inspiration. They’ll also get to use electronics to liven up their creations. Best for kids aged 5 to 12 years old. The fee includes full-day admission for one adult and one child into the Children’s Centre for Creativity.

When 24 November, 10am – 4pm
Where 47 Malan Road, Gillman Barracks, # 01-23, Singapore 109444
Cost $80
Web Click here

28. Learn English through the Arts

This collaboration between Art Wonderland and Curious Thoughts Academy will have your child learning English through ice cream, robots and comic strip making! Kids will be brushing up on their language skills while designing, inventing, brainstorming, and troubleshooting. They won’t even realise it because they’ll be having too much fun! This three-day workshop is suitable for children from 5 to 12 years old. There are two other fun with English workshops to choose from as well: Acrylic Painting with Metaphors and Similes, and Creative Writing: Mysteries Edition.

When 29 November to 1 December, 9 am to 12 pm
Where Curious Thoughts Academy, 51 Waterloo Street, # 03-06, Singapore 187969
Cost $350
Web Click here

29. Build a House for the Gingerbread Man

Parents and child can build your own Gingerbread House with Chantilly Culinary Studio.  Learn how to make dough sturdy enough to stand, how to cut, make, assemble and decorate the house with icing and candies. Another parent-and-child workshop making chocolate log cake is available at a later date. Both are suitable for children of any age who are patient enough to work for a length of time.

When 9 or 14 December, 10am – 1pm
Where 21 Simon Road, Singapore 545907 (Kovan MRT Station)
Cost $80 per pair. $15 for additional parent or child joining.
Web Click here

30. Bake a Delicious Logcake for Christmas!

Did you know that baking is a scientific activity? In this workshop, parents and children can uncover the secrets of making moist cakes and how simple ingredients like sugar, butter and flour can be transformed into something delicious! Suitable for children 7 years old and above.

When 16 December, 10.30am – 12pm
Where The Tinkering Studio Hall E, Science Centre Singapore
Cost $37.50 for members, $50 for public (1 parent + 1 child), $56.25 for members, $75 for public (1 parent + 2 children)
Web Click here

31. Ace Public Speaking with a World Champion

This course, developed by Manoj Vasudevan, the World Champion of Public Speaking, teaches children how to confidently express their viewpoints in formal speech settings as well as in social settings. Each participant will deliver a speech during the graduation ceremony to showcase the skills that they have learnt. Best for children aged 10 to 17 years old.

When 18 to 22 December, 1.30 – 4.30 pm (Day 1 to 4), 1 – 6 pm (Day 5)
Where 51 Cuppage Road, StarHub Centre, Singapore 229469
Cost $640
Web Click here

Note: Prices may be subject to GST

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31 Year-End School Holiday Activities (2017) to keep Your Kids Engaged this November and December