SingaporeMotherhood | Family Fun
May 2011
One week of FREE fun
Who says you have to spend a bomb to have fun in Singapore?
Monday
Marina Barrage
Take a hike up to the green roof of the Barrage and enjoy the feel of the wind whipping through your hair as you admire the city view across Singapore’s 15th reservoir. Little ones relish having all that open space to run around in, older ones can fly kites or kick a ball around. Cool down at the children’s water play area or, if you’d rather stay dry, in the Sustainable Singapore Gallery (closed on Tuesdays) which showcases Singapore’s efforts towards environmental sustainability. 8 Marina Gardens Drive, information counter hotline 6514 5959 (9am to 9pm).
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Tuesday
Air Force Museum
The theme is “Men, Machine and Method”, and walking through the main entrance to the concourse area will take any airbourne enthusiast on an immediate high. View actual models of the RSAF’s glorious past: the Cessna 172K, BAC 167 Strikemaster and T-33 Shooting Star trainers, early aircraft like Hawker Hunter and SF-260 SIAI Marchetti, and more recent acquisitions like the UH-1B Helicopter and A4-S Skyhawk. You will also get to feast your eyes on aircraft armament and air defence artillery including the Bloodhound Missile, support equipment like practise targets, and even aircraft engines like the Rolls Royce Bristol Viper. RSAF Museum
400 Airport Road. Opening Hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, 8.30am to 5pm. (Closed on Mondays and Public Holidays).
Wednesday
The Southern Ridges
Begin from Harbourfront MRT station exit D near Marang Road or, for an easier start, just get a taxi to Mount Faber Park and set off from there. The Southern Ridges walk takes you though lush, green spaces, a welcome respite from the concrete jungle that surrounds us o a daily basis. A highlight is the Henderson Waves, which, at 36m above the road, is the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore. It’s wheel-friendly so you can bring the stroller along. When little feet get tired, just take a break in one of the undulating ‘ribs’ before continuing on the journey. Download DIY walking guides here
Thursday
Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research
Did you know that the number of plants in Singapore exceeds that in all of North America? Lean more about Singapore’s incredibly rich biodiversity of fauna and flora here, and marvel at spectacular animals like dugongs, pangolins, tigers, bats, and even a giant turtle. Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Science Library Building (S6), Level 3. Tel: 6516 5082. Opening hours: Mondays to Fridays, 9am to 5pm. Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.
Friday
Conservatory Lunchtime Concerts
Bring the kids to a classical concert without having to worry about their inability to sit still through the performance – and wasting your money on tickets. These take place on an as-hod basis so do check the ACM website for upcoming ones. After the performance, take a walk down the Singapore river, explore the central business district, or head over to One Fullerton to say ‘hello’ to the Merlion, have lunch, or let the kids run loose while you enjoy the breeze. 12.30pm to 1.30pm, Shaw Foundation Foyer, Asian Civilisations Museum, 1 Empress Place.
Singapore Art Museum
Get up close and personal with contemporary art, from from painting and sculpture, to installation, film and video, photography, new media, performance and sound art. After all, it’s never too early to introduce your child to art. Free admission on Friday nights, 6pm to 9pm.
Saturday
Fire Station Open House
This is a winner with kids of all ages, especially boys. Almost all the fire stations in Singapore open their doors to the public every Saturday morning. Kids are given plastic helmets to wear, and get to hold a hose, be lifted in a rescue ladder, check out the interiors of fire trucks and ambulances, watch firemen zoom down poles, and experience almost everything that a fireman does. If you’re touring the Central Fire Station, finish off at the Civil Defence Heritage Gallery where the kids can scramble around and pose in vintage fire engines. Opening hours: 9am – 11.30am. Call 6848 1524 or check the website to find out which stations have open houses.
“Getting to Know MacRitchie”
This guided “Earth & Water” walk at MacRitchie Reservoir Park helps children to understand why forests are so amazing and their relationship with our most essential necessity – water. Every second Saturday, 9am to 11am, at MacRitchie Reservoir. Email [email protected] to register and put as the subject title “ATTN: MacRitchie Reservoir Park – Guided Walk”. Upon registration, a confirmation email will be sent to you.
HeART for Nature
A free art workshop that has children express nature in themed art activities like drawing, fingerprinting, origami, puppet making. Suitable for kids aged between 5 and 10 (with parental supervision). Limited spaces available so call 6554 5127 (Mondays to Fridays) three days in advance at to register. See the website for more details.
Sunday
Beautiful Sunday
Free concerts by homegrown music groups in the Esplanade Concert Hall. These are held once a month on a Sunday. Coming up next is the Magic Of Walt Disney performed by the Philharmonic Youth Winds on 5 June at 3pm. Enjoy a selection of award-winning songs from favourite cartoon classics like Beauty & the Beast, Little Mermaid, and The Lion King. See the website for details and updates on future performances.
Daily Treats
Esplanade: At The Concourse
A series of free indoor performances spanning dance, music and theatre at Esplanade’s Concourse space every evening. At The Concourse showcases talented amateur, semi-professional and professional artists from Singapore and around the world.
National Museum of Singapore
Free admission to Singapore Living Galleries from 6pm to 8pm, daily.
NLB public libraries
Storytelling and crafts at the various libraries islandwide. Check the website for details.
Note: Event schedules are not cast in stone, do check the websites of the various locations or call before going, to avoid disappointment.
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