News

In Singapore, parents always look for engaging activities to entertain their children during school holidays. Ideally, these activities should be affordable, which isn’t always easy to find in our city-state. We want our kids to have fun but also to be immersed in experiences that offer learning opportunities. With the school holidays already here, we’ve compiled a list of five immersive experiences in our Little Red Dot that cost under $30 that would be perfect for keeping your kids entertained and educated during the break. Located at NUS, at 2 Conservatory Drive, the Lee Kong Chian National History Museum is a gem that tends to fly under the radar of most parents. Spread out over seven stories and 8,500 square metres, the museum houses 560,000 catalogued lots and over a million specimens from Southeast Asia. The public gallery is 2,500 square metres and covers 15 different thematic zones—from plants and mammals to dinosaurs. Charting the history and development of so many animals is an educational (as well as fun) experience for kids. There’s also a unique phylogenetic garden with various plant forms, ranging from algae and moss to colourful plants and trees. Tickets for adult Singapore residents are $18, while tickets for children/students/seniors cost $10. They can be bought online via SISTIC or at the door. The museum has three entry sessions: 10am, 1pm, and 4pm. In Singapore, anything free is always a bonus, and the Keppel Centre for Art Education at the Singapore National Gallery delivers just that. Located on Level 1 of the City Hall Wing, this center consistently offers fresh experiences and exhibits designed to captivate children. Currently, you can explore “A Brush With Forest Fire,” an interactive exhibition that uses art to narrate stories about our world and how artists draw inspiration from their surroundings. This exhibit highlights the work of Raden Saleh, one of Indonesia’s most significant 19th-century artists. Another feature is “Illuminate!” where visitors can explore abstract art by experimenting with shapes, colours, light, and shadows to explore contrasting forms. The National Gallery is open daily from 10am to 7pm, but please note that the Keppel Centre for Art Education has cleaning breaks from 12:30pm to 1:00pm and 3:30pm to 4:00pm each day. Located at 21 Jurong Town Hall Road, the IMAX Omni-Theatre is a truly immersive cinematic experience. The Omni-Theatre is home of the world’s largest and brightest 8K digital planetarium system. Home to Asia’s largest dome screen, the Omni-Theatre has specially-designed seating and surround-sound effects to fully immerse viewers. As a result, it’s not just about watching a screen but also providing a deeply educational and experiential element for kids. Currently, the Omni-Theatre is showing “Star Dreaming” – taking viewers on a journey to the arid heartland of Western Australia to visit the remote site of the largest science facility ever built; the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope. With a duration of around 45 minutes, the short film is appropriate for kids aged 7 and above. Tickets for the Omni-Theatre can be purchased online and cost $14 for each person, irrespective of age. For those of us who love artistic and creative experiences for our kids, the Chaos Lab provides the perfect opportunity for them to express themselves. At Changi Airport Terminal 2, Chaos Lab is also ideal for parents and kids to have fun. There’s something for everyone to enjoy With a bunch of interactive stations, including a Slime Station, Bubbling Ball Pit, Graffiti Wall, and Mirror Maze. Children 2 and under can enter for free, while tickets for those aged 3-11 cost $25. Tickets for adults (ages 11 and above) are $9 each. They can be purchased online at Chaos Lab’s website. While Chaos Lab’s normal operating hours are Friday to Sunday, it’s open every day during this September school holiday week. There’s no better way to beat Singapore’s sweltering summer heat than by cooling off at Splash-N-Surf, a water playground run by Singapore Sports Hub on the third floor of Kallang Wave Mall. And yes, it’s free. This water playground features a variety of water slides of different heights, along with jets and sprays that are sure to keep the whole family entertained for hours. For younger children, there are small splash pools, as shallow as 60cm, perfect for toddlers and babies to enjoy a refreshing dip. Splash-N-Surf is open from Wednesday to Monday, 9am to 8pm (closed on Tuesdays). To avoid the crowds, it’s best to arrive early. Credit your salary to get S$300, then spend with us to enjoy additional S$200. . T&Cs apply. SGD Deposits are insured up to S$100K by SDIC.