SingaporeMotherhood | Family Fun
November 2023
November 2023: Eat, Play, Shop & More for Families in Singapore this month
To Little Women author Louisa May Alcott, November is the most disagreeable month in the whole year. That’s what she had Margaret (“Meg”) say, as the oldest March sister was peering out at her frostbitten garden. Obviously having a frostbitten garden is highly unlikely to happen anywhere in Singapore in November 2023. What we do have is the start of the year-end school holidays — yay! If you’ve already made plans for that family trip, remember to pack an airplane bed or seat extender to make those long haul flights more comfortable for your little ones.
Staying on in the +65? Join us as we update you on everything fun to see, do, and feast upon right here on our little red dot, from the newest playgrounds and pop-ups to world-class productions and family-friendly eats, and all the good deals and best buys for families in Singapore.
Not forgetting, here’s wishing a happy and peaceful Deepavali to all who celebrate this festival of lights, from all of us at SingaporeMotherhood 🪔
(See also: 7 AWESOME ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS AT SINGAPORE WRITERS FESTIVAL (SWF) 2023)
GET MOVING!
Be Ranger Buddies at KidzWorld
A whole new KidzWorld at the Singapore Zoo is now open, with a brand new Ranger Buddies edutainment programme! Here kids can take on the Ranger Buddies Quest, where they set out from Base Camp with smart binoculars and a companion app to fulfil physical missions by venturing to different outposts. At these locations, they can visit the 250 animal residents (from 30 species), while learning more about animal health, animal care and animal nutrition. Missions complete? Cool down with playtime at the water maze!
KidzWorld admission is included in your Singapore Zoo ticket. From now till 30 December 2023, local residents get 40% off the 2-Park Wildlife Wonders Bundle (for Singapore Zoo & River Wonders) on same day visits to both parks. Get more information about KidzWorld here.
(See also: Our video of KidzWorld at Singapore Zoo)
Visit The Purple Parade
Eat, play, and shop at The Purple Parade and you will be doing your part to encourage inclusion, support, and celebrate the abilities of Persons with Disabilities. Apart from carnival games and stalls, there’ll be electrifying concert performances, and a creative contingent march-past to look forward to. Nothing purple to wear? No problem! You can get merchandise and coupons for the carnival at the Purple Parade Shop.
4 November, 3pm – 7pm, Suntec City. More details here.
(See also: 5 WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR CHILD FROM ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE (AMR))
Have a fun day out at the NCIS Celebrates Life Family Carnival
Join First Lady Ms Jane Ittogi at this family-friendly event that celebrates the 15th anniversary of the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS). Play carnival games, enjoy delicious treats and fragrant cuppas from Bakery Brera, Hipster Bakes, Nespresso and more, and be serenaded by Singaporean songbird Joanna Dong, who will be performing live on the first day of the carnival. This also marks the launch of a new “NCIS Fights Cancer” interactive mobile game, with some really cool prizes from Razer to be won. You can contribute to cancer research and help needy cancer patients through in-game purchases as well.
4 & 5 November, 10am – 6pm, Suntec City Atrium (Towers 3 & 4). More details here.
Learn and Play at the Digital for Life Festival 2023
Our children are growing up in a digital age. But it’s not just enough to just go digital; we have to be digitally inclusive too. Pick up essential digital skills for daily living, learn how to guide your young ones online, and find out what it’s like to be a Digital Citizen in a smart neighbourhood. Families can also explore an interactive playground of emerging technologies, and experience Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and even Mixed Reality. There are free workshops as well: from cyber safety for parents and children, to mobile photography, and how to engage your young gamer at home.
4 & 5 November (Heartbeat @ Bedok), 11 & 12 November (Toa Payoh Hub), 9.30am – 6.30pm. More details here.
Enjoy Rangoli & Rhythm at Singapore Sports Hub
Embark on a multi-sensory feast of activities to celebrate Deepavali at the Singapore Sports Hub. Put your creative touch on the intricate patterns of a giant rangoli, watch an exhilarating Bollywood dance-off, don a sari, paint a clay lamp (Diya) and bring home your masterpiece. There are also performances to catch, from peacock dances to the Karagam Dance, which showcases the intricate footwork of performers as they balance pots on their heads, and even a snake charmer! Come nightfall, hop on an open-top bus for a dazzling, 360° view of the Deepavali light up in Little India. Tickets ($8) for the bus ride are available here.
10 & 11 November, Singapore Sports Hub. More details here.
Go to the Everyday Play, Everyday Creativity Festival
Champion creativity and the power of children together with Playeum at its inaugural festival collaboration with the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), where everyone in the family can enjoy a series of hands-on activities, artist installations, and interactive workshops for all ages. Registration is full but walk-ins are welcome!
11 November, 9am – 6pm, at One Punggol. More details here.
Listen out at Brahms190 Concerts for Children
Led by animateur and children’s theatre artist E-van Yeung, these interactive performances for young audiences fuse hands-on activities with story-telling and live music. Through Dvořák’s Piano Quintet, Schumann’s Ghost Variations, Brahms’ Clarinet Trio and more, children are brought on a journey through The Kaleidoscope of Life and all the emotions that we feel. Do note that there are two concert timings: 10am for ages 0–6 years, and 12pm for ages 6–12 years. Each session lasts 40 minutes.
12 November, Esplanade Recital Studio. Tickets at $32 are available here.
Get into the Fun of Science at Chaos Lab
Following hugely successful runs in Sydney and Melbourne, this wacky lab-themed experience is coming to Singapore. Kids are ‘interns’ to the Lab’s very own mad scientist Dr Splat, who takes them through 11 interactive activity stations revolving around Science themes. They’ll channel their inner Einstein at the Gravity Wall, dig around in illuminated AR sand, make slime, and romp in a Bubbling Ball Pit, and more. New in the Singapore edition are Dr Splat’s Chaos Lab with a symphony of vibrant light reflective murals, and Pneumatic Pressure Pipes where interns are challenged to catch balls that are blasted out from above. Each session takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes to complete, and sounds like it’ll be complete fun!
From 11 November 2023, Changi Airport Terminal 2, Viewing Mall North, Level 3. Tickets: $30 (aged 4–12 years), $9 (13 and above), free entry for 0–3 years, from the Chaos Lab website.
Imagine and Create a Garden with AR at Deep Field
In Deep Field, you don’t need a green thumb to see your plants bloom. This hour-long augmented reality and sonic art experience, developed by Australian artists and creative technologists Tin Nguyen and Edward Cutting, comes to Singapore after stints at the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney and the Getty Center in Los Angeles.
In it, participants (best for ages 8 and up, but younger ones can do it too, with guidance) follow prompts provided — like “draw a plant that can swim” — and use iPad Pros and Apple Pencils to create digital flora and fauna. Once submitted, these join a digital database of fantastical plants previously created by others. Move around with the iPad, and watch them all come to life onscreen, accompanied by a soundscape by audio naturalist Martyn Stewart.
16 to 26 November 2023, at the ArtScience Museum. Free with registration here. Find out more about Deep Field here.
Lift-off to Mars: The Red Mirror
Does the Red Planet fascinate you? You’re not alone. Journey to Mars at the ArtScience Museum’s final exhibition of 2023 — Mars: The Red Mirror. Making its Asian premiere, this blockbuster exhibition is a comprehensive showcase on the Red Planet, synthesising 12,000 years of Mars through art, history, and science, from ancient times to the present day. See depictions of Mars across cultures from ancient Greece to Asia, as well as over 300 objects, including rare scientific manuscripts, sculptures, historical artefacts, films, contemporary artworks, and even an authentic Martian meteorite.
25 November 2023 to 7 April 2024. Tickets available at all Marina Bay Sands box offices and online.
(See also: 10 FAMILY-FRIENDLY HOTELS IN VIETNAM FOR YOUR NEXT ASIAN GETAWAY WITH THE KIDS)
EAT
Guilt-free Chocolate Chip Cookies and Brownies
Healthy, Halal-certified brownies and chocolate chip cookies that are safe even for people with diabetes? Local companies Melvados and Nutriient have just launched these and the best part? They taste really good! The Low-GI Brownie tantalises with dark couverture chocolate, walnuts, and ground almonds, while the Low Sugar Chocolate Chip Cookie boasts rich cocoa and chocolate chips. P/S: they’re 20% off this month — in case you’re thinking of stocking up for the year-end festivities.
From $15.50 (4 low-GI Brownies), and $2.90 per pack (Low Sugar Chocolate Chip Cookies), online and at Melvados stores.
Kuriya Ready-To-Eat Meal Packs
Craving for something Japanese but don’t want to go out? Now you can feast on top-notch Japanese cuisine in the comfort of home, with Ready-To-Cook Meals by Kuriya. We tried these out over the weekend and can confirm that they are easy to cook, and delicious! Choose from Pork Belly with Ginger Sauce, Chicken Steak with Black Pepper Wafu Sauce, or Salmon with Creamy Yuzu Sauce packs. Each pack serves two, and comes with pre-cut vegetables and rich sauces. These new packs also complement Kuriya’s other Ready-To-Eat Items, including the Salmon Chawanmushi and Chicken Chawanmushi, making for meals that are fast, tasty, nutritious and oh-so-easy to prepare!
From $12, at selected Kuriya Japanese Market outlets (not available at Chinatown Point, AMK Hub, and Paragon).
Cowhead Quick-cook Noodles
You know Cowhead for its milk and cheese, but noodles? Yes, Cowhead now has four quick-cook noodles that make meal prep a breeze. They’re Halal, and available in four flavours (two Asian, two western) to suit every palate. Think Creamy Carbonara, Creamy Aglio Olio, Creamy Tom Yum, and Creamy Curry. Just add your favourite meats and vegetables to make it a full meal. Pro-tip: add in Cowhead UHT Milk to give your choice of noodles extra creaminess!
From $6.40 (pack of four) at FairPrice, Sheng Shiong, PrimeSupermarket, Ang Mo Supermarket, Song Fish, Redmart, Benmart, Qoo10-Benmart, and Shopee
SHOP
Nintendo Pop-up Store
The first-ever Nintendo pop-up store in Southeast Asia opens in Singapore this month! With merchandise from games such as Super Mario, Animal Crossing, The Legend of Zelda, Splatoon and Pikmin that were previously only available at Nintendo Tokyo, Nintendo Osaka, and Nintendo Kyoto stores, this is one pop-up that you (and the kids) won’t want to miss. Get one of six exclusively designed limited-edition postcards for Singapore when you spend S$80 or more in a single transaction at the store, while stocks last. What’s more, players who check in to their Nintendo Account at the venue
can collect special stickers too!
17 November 2023 to 1 January 2024, Level 04-220 & 221, Jewel Changi Airport. More details here.
Cloversoft 4-in-1 plant-based laundry pods
When it comes to our children, we’re always looking out for the safest, cleanest, products that will not harm their delicate skins. And if they are incredibly easy to use, safe for our fur-kids and the environment as well, even better! That’s why we’re currently crushing on Cloversoft’s 4-in-1 laundry pods. Made with 100% natural ingredients and devoid of harsh chemicals, these plant-based pods offer a cleaner, safer, skin-friendly laundry experience. Bonus: essential oils such as eucalyptus, rose, and cedarwood make everything smell so good!
From $8.55 per pack online and at selected supermarkets islandwide
Boutique Fairs: The Gifting Edition
It’s one place to buy them all, if you’re looking for unique presents to place under the Christmas tree. Browse selections from over 300 design-forward brands, from women’s and men’s fashion and accessories, to home décor and lifestyle products including children’s toys, decor and fashion, and food and beverages. There’s no need to rush, as you can enjoy three-day unlimited entry on a $5 admission ticket. Furthermore, children under 12 enter for free so bring the kids; there are play areas to keep them entertained while you shop.
17 to 19 November, 10am – 8pm (6pm on the last day), at the F1 Pit Building. More details here.
GET TICKETS FOR
SSO Concerts for Children: Sleepover at the Museum
Imagine spending your birthday at a museum! Follow Mason and his friends with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra on a musical and scientific scavenger hunt through the exhibits. Based on the book by composer and author Karen LeFrak, this concert is a great introduction to classical music. Suitable for ages 7 and above. No admission for infants-in-arms. No admission without a ticket.
16 March 2024, 11am and 2pm, at the Esplanade Concert Hall. Tickets from $25 available here.
Hamilton
Heads up! This critically-acclaimed Broadway musical is playing at Sands Theatre for a strictly limited season only! Book your tickets now and get ready to sing and rap to all the songs you (probably) already know and love. New to it? Hamilton is a biographical musical based on the 2004 biography Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow. Brought to life on stage by the inimitable Lin-Manuel Miranda who describes it as about “America then, as told by America now”, it spans seven years in the life of the American founding father, and makes history anything but boring!
From 19 April 2024 at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands. Tickets go on sale on 14 November through Marina Bay Sands ticketing and SISTIC.
STAY & PLAY
Celebrate Friendship at LEGOLAND® Malaysia
School’s out soon but friendship will always be in at LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort, which has just unveiled new LEGO® Friends-Themed Rooms at LEGOLAND Hotel. Celebrate friendship and the spirit of creativity, diversity and inclusivity with LEGO Friends from Heartlake City in these family-friendly rooms, which come with two distinct sleeping areas. The main room has a king-sized bed, while the separate annex comes with a bunk bed, pull-out trundle bed, and a dedicated television. Just like its Pirate, Kingdom, Adventure, and Ninjago® themed rooms, each Friends-themed room comes with a hidden treasure chest. Kids can find clues within the room and crack the code for LEGO treasures within. How fun!
Book your stay here.
(See also: 12 ESSENTIAL TIPS TO BUY THE RIGHT TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR YOUR FAMILY)
Featured image: Mandai Wildlife Group
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