SingaporeMotherhood | Family Fun
August 2020
6 On-trend Activities to Boost #stayhome Family Bonding in Phase Two and Beyond
Even in Phase Two of Singapore’s safe reopening, everyone has a responsibility to prevent COVID-19 infections from spreading again by adhering to safe distancing measures. And let’s face it, the #1 safe distancing measure is to stay home as much as we can. However, while spending more time together can help strengthen family ties, it could also lead to more conflict. Try these fun on-trend activities and build positive family bonds that will stand the test of time.
1. Family Game Nights
A family that plays together stays together. Get the competition going and the adrenaline rushing on family game nights. Be it old-school board games, party games like charades, or virtual reality video games, it’s everyone for themselves. Or work in teams — parents vs kids, Mum vs Dad, or parent-kid mashups, for more, well, fun and games.
Expert tip: Upsize the playing field and avoid digital eye strain by using an LED projector compatible with various game consoles for video games. For instance, some of the best Nintendo Switch multiplayer games the whole family can play include Just Dance and Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
(See also: The Best Board Games for Kids, from Age 3 to Teens)
2. Keeping in Touch
Prior to Circuit Breaker, we mostly only used video conferencing at work or to contact loved ones overseas. It’s since become something we do to catch up with friends and family locally too. In fact, the popularity of video calling has led to the birth and rise of many video chat apps. Even with real-life meetings possible in Phase Two, it’s still fun to ‘Zoom’ and ‘Meet’. Apps like Houseparty even let you play games with your chat mates.
Expert tip: Use parental timer controls to limit how long the kid’s chats can last when you can’t be there to supervise. A projector’s drop-proof features and eye-protection sensor also means kids can safely hang out and play.
3. Expanding Horizons
With non-essential travel for leisure still nowhere on the cards, family vacations are probably out this year. But with technology at our disposal, we can actually ‘travel’ to more places for less! Combat cabin fever by going on virtual tours of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park or Japan’s Ghibli Museum with the family. You can also board Disney theme park rides without leaving your couch.
Expert tip: Get an extra immersive experience by wirelessly casting augmented reality content straight from your mobile devices. Feel the difference when your phone’s 6-inch display converts to an 80-plus inch huge screen!
(See also: Virtual Tours and Real Gifts to Make Father’s Day 2020 Special)
4. Camping Indoors
Who says you can only go camping in the great outdoors? Show the kids what a little creativity and imagination can achieve. Be like Nee Soon East MP Louis Ng and other Singaporeans and pitch a tent in your living room. Remember to pack torch lights and snacks too. It’s the perfect combination of a cosy sleepover and a camping trip.
Expert tip: Turn the lights out and move a portable projector around the room to shine virtual night skies onto your ceiling. Now you can do some stargazing as you roast marshmallows on a little camp stove.
5. e-Learning
Thanks to Home-Based Learning (HBL) during Circuit Breaker, our kids are now online classroom veterans. Many also participate in school CCAs, such as dance and robotics, via digital means. Take a cue from them. Educational platforms such as Khan Academy and YouTube Learning offer resources for young and old. Pick up a new skill or language, a new hobby or instrument — learning as a family, the sky’s the limit!
Expert tip: Combine sound and picture with a Bluetooth speaker-enabled projector and indirect light projected onto the screen. It makes following along with instructors easier, and can help give your child a leg up in CCAs such as dance.
(See also: FREE post-HBL Fun for Kids and Families)
6. Family Movie Nights
We don’t typically advocate too much TV time, but a weekly family movie night can make for excellent bonding time. Make a big batch of popcorn, snuggle together on the couch, and stream an old classic or latest release. How about Netflix’s The Willoughbys or Nanny McPhee on Amazon Prime Video? The bigger the screen, the better, especially with cinemas still closed throughout Phase Two.
Expert tip: Go all out and use a digital projector to simulate your very own movie theatre. Just cast and play wirelessly on an 80-plus inch big screen, and your family movie night is good to go. Remember to dim the overhead lights for the full effect.
BenQ GS2 Wireless Portable Projector
To take your family bonding moments up a notch, invest in the new BenQ GS2 Wireless Portable Projector. Turn your tiny screen displays into a grand 80-plus inch projection, powered by Digital Light Processing technology for optimal viewing experiences. With wireless cast-and-play functionality and Bluetooth speaker, it maximises all your entertainment and edutainment needs. Best of all, with Parental Timer control, Eye-Protection Sensor, and Drop & Splash Proof features, you can relax knowing your kids are in safe hands.
From now till 31 August, purchase the GS2 (or other selected projectors) and stand to win a Nintendo Switch console!
Visit the BenQ GS2 official website to learn more, or head to the official GS2 brand store to purchase your family’s new best friend.
All content from this article, including images, cannot be reproduced without credits or written permission from SingaporeMotherhood.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram for the latest article and promotion updates.
