School holidays are around the corner and if you are wrecking your brains over how to keep your little ones occupied, don't fret!
There is something for every child this holidays. The People’s Association (PA) is offering more than 50 great ideas from mid-November to December 2009 under its highly popular PA Kiddies workshops, under the theme of “School’s Out! Fun’s In!”.
These series of workshops serve as a valuable platform for family bonding and an opportunity for children of different backgrounds to make friends and learn together.
And what better way to educate and explore your child's creative gifts than this as you take learning out of the classroom! So mums and dads, here are some great ideas to keep your children active during the school holidays!
Family outdoor fun
Your kiddo deserves a good break from the classroom, so be adventurous and wacky! Take them to the great outdoors on camping trips to experience flora and fauna, and nature's best! And who says Singapore lacks good nature spots?
OVERNIGHT FAMILY SAFARI CAMP
Recommended for: Ages 6 to 12
What: Go behind the scenes at the zoo, tour the Night Safari and Animal Hospital and watch elephants bathe and feed.
Where: Singapore Zoo
When: Dec 5 & 6
Cost: $130 to $155
Info: Call Rivervale CC or go to http://one.pa.gov.sg
LIVING IN THE OCEAN! SLEEPOVER FAMILY CAMP
Recommended for: Ages 4 to 6
What: Learn about the diverse residents of this watery world through exciting eco-games, stories and activity-filled tour of the oceanarium.
Where: Underwater World, Sentosa
When : Dec 6 & 12, 10am - 2pm
Cost: $60 to $75
Info: Register with ZhengHua Segar RC (Zhenghua CO) / Bukit Batok East CC
SUN, SAND & SEA FOR THE FAMILY
Recommended for: Ages 1 and up
What: Have some family-bonding time at the seaside and learn sandcastle-building techniques. Equipment will be provided.
Where: East Coast Beach
When: Dec 5 (4 - 7pm)
Cost: $30 to 60 (PA members), $40 to $75 (non-members)
Info: Call the CCs. Or go to http://one.pa.gov.sg
Family wellness
Workout together over a game of Ultimate Frisbee, dance to the Family Cha Cha or allow the biological sciences to come alive at an outdoor excursion to the farms at Kranji.
ULTIMATE FRISBEE FAMILY PLAYTIME
Recommended for: Ages 9 to 12
What: Learn the basic art of throwing and catching. The trainer will also teach you how easy it is to compete in the Ultimate Frisbee sport where families can form teams against each other to compete.
Where: Keban Bahru CC
When: Dec 5, 12pm - 1.30pm
Cost: $10 (PA members), $15 (non-members)
Info: Call Keban Bahru CC or go to http://one.pa.gov.sg.
EXCURSION FOR FAMILY SCIENTISTS
Recommended for: Ages 4 to 12
What: Let your kids experience the world of science with all five senses as they take a field trip to the Kranji countryside for a day of exciting farm visits.
Where: Hay Dairies, Jurong Frog Farm, and Bollywood Veggies Farm, Kranji
When : Nov 25, 9am – 5pm (inclusive of lunch)
Cost: 1 adult + 1 child: $70, 1 child: $35, 2 adults + 2 children: $130
Info: Register with Pasir Ris Elias CC
DO THE FAMILY CHA CHA
Recommended for: Ages 5 to 15
What: This exciting and active programme is useful for those who are not involved in sports and perfect for beginners with its lively music, rhythm and quick, sharp basic movements.
Where: Jalan Besar / Whampoa / Anchorvale / Nee Soon South / Pek Kio / Teck Ghee CC
When: Nov 29, Dec 5, 21, 22 and 23
Cost: $22 - $25 per parent & child (PA members), $25 - $35 per parent & child (non-members)
Info: Call the CCs or go to http://one.pa.gov.sg.
Journey into creativity
Allow the children to nurture their creativity through lively courses on mathematics and sciences, language, culture and craft work. Also, they can expend their boundless youthful energy through workshops on dance and physical activity like Bellydance, Jive, Cha Cha or Shinju-Kai Aikido and Chanbara Self-Defence.
LITTLE MOVIE MAKER
Recommended for: Ages 6 to 12
What: Children learn to edit their video footage and make impressive movies in an easy way.
Where: Bishan North / Senja-Cashew CC
When: Dec 7 and 10, 4.30pm - 6.30pm / 3pm - 5pm / 2.30pm - 4.30pm
Cost: $50 - $60
Info: Call the CCs or go to http://one.pa.gov.sg.
BELLY DANCE FOR CHILDREN
Recommended for: Ages 5 to 13
What: Learn body coordination, rhythm awareness and basic dance skills the fun way. Young dancers will learn head slides, shoulder shimmy and rolls, snake arms, hand movements, the Egyptian Shimmy and other belly dance moves.
Where: Nee Soon South CC
When : Nov 25 - Dec 30 (Every Wed) (8 sessions), 10am – 10.45am
Cost: $80 - $85 (NM)
Info: Call Nee Soon South CC or go to http://one.pa.gov.sg.
The MATHEMAGIC OF THE MOBIUS STRIP
Recommended for: Ages 10 to 12
What: The Mobius strip happens when creative mathematics clashes with rational thought. It is linked to topology, where shapes do not change when an object is stretched or distorted. See how the Mobius strip is used in magic, art, science, engineering, literature and music.
Where: Hougang / Bishan CC
When: Nov 30 and Dec 16, 10am - 12pm / 1pm - 3pm
Cost: $25 - $30
Info: Call the CCs or go to http://one.pa.gov.sg.
SHINJU-KAI AIKIDO & CHANBARA SELF DEFENCE
Recommended for: Ages 9 to 12
What: This fun course imparts life skills via self-defence and encourages teamwork.
Where: Whampoa / Jalan Besar / Tampines Changkat CC
When: Dec 7, 14 & 21 / Dec 15 - 17 / Dec 17 - 19 (3 sessions), 1.30pm - 3pm / 10am – 11.30am / 2.30pm- 4pm
Cost: $60
Info: Call the CCs or go to http://one.pa.gov.sg.
Grooming little chefs
For children who prefer to tinker around in the kitchen, enrol them for the Healthy Doughnuts Making workshop featuring healthier, non-fried versions, or Chocolate Making Little Chef where they get to learn the finer art of handling chocolates.
HEALTHY DOUGHNUTS MAKING
Recommended for: Ages 7 to 12
What: Kids will learn to make their own healthy and delicious versions by baking instead of deep-frying the doughnuts. They will also get to decorate them with yummy toppings.
Where: Geylang Serai / Bukit Timah / Nanyang / Buona Vista / Chong Pang / Nee Soon South / Bishan CC
When: Nov 30, Dec 1, 9, 11, 12, 21 & 22, various times
Cost: $25 - $32 (Ingredient Fee: $5)
Info: Call the CCs or go to http://one.pa.gov.sg.
SWEETS AND SUCH CHOCOLATE-MAKING LITTLE CHEF
Recommended for: Ages 7 to 12
What: Learn chocolate-making and handling techniques. In this two-hour workshop, children will get to work on anything from chocolate flakes to fancy chocolate cups.
Where: Yew Tee/ Marine Parade/ Braddell Heights/P asir Ris East and Toa Payoh East CCs
When: Dec 1-26
Cost: $12 to $15 (PA members), $15 to $23 (non-members)
Info: Call the CCs, or go to http://one.pa.gov.sg
ICE CREAM TOUR WITH BEN & JERRY'S
Recommended for: Ages 5 to 12
What: Two hours of ice cream tasting and a tour of a Ben & Jerry's shop.
Where: United Square Ben & Jerry's
When: Dec 4
Cost: $30 (PA members), $35 (non-members), plus ingredient fee of $10
Info: Call Ace The Place CC or go to http://one.pa.gov.sg.
