TAKE ME OUT! Elevated Play Towers - Little Day Out

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Elevated Play Towers Nordic Wonders Waterfront Dining Grow Your Adventure Tree

TAKE ME OUT! Join in our Little Day Outings! ISSUE 2, 2017

Big adventures for little ones

facebook.com/littledayout.sg

Talk to us at [email protected] Publisher Geraldine Leong Editor Lester Ng Contributors Goh Yee-Huay Darryl Ng Carissa Soh Wong Wai Ling Clarence Yap E-von Yeung Sales [email protected] Little Day Out is published by Big Little Company Pte. Ltd. Little Day Out is a Singapore-based online magazine providing parents with exciting ideas and on-the-ground stories on the best of Singapore and the region for families with young children. It is the perfect go-to guide, helping families create memories that last a lifetime. Since going ‘live’ in August 2012, Little Day Out has attracted a loyal readership of parents, educators and kid-lovers by word of mouth because they all believe in having a great little day out! The print version of Little Day Out is distributed free of charge before the mid- and year-end school holidays in Singapore. Find us at attractions, enrichment centres, preschools, restaurants and cafés, and at littledayout.com. Copyright © Big Little Company Pte. Ltd., all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. All information is correct at the time of publication. Whilst every reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy and objectivity of the information provided in this publication, errors or omissions may occur and we do not accept any liability in respect of them.

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Junior Play @ Admiralty Park Models: Elise Liew, Lauryn Ng and Jared Ng Photography: Geraldine Leong

LITTLEDAYOUT.COM | CO REGN NO 201210929D | MCI (P) 138/04/2017 | Issue 2, 2017 | A BIG LITTLE COMPANY PTE. LTD. PUBLICATION


Year-end 2017

News 4 Features Make A Wish 7 Themed Holiday Activities 8 Unique Museums 9 Look Present Perfect 10 Play Elevating Play 12 Outdoors Admiralty Park 14 Time Out at Sea 15 Travel Nordic Wonders 16 Bangkok Gems 17 Bond Get on Board 18 Little Day Outings 19 Tortoises and Turtles 19 Food Waterfront Dining 20 Veggie Masquerade 21 Review 2017 in Review 22 Craft Grow Your Adventure Tree 23 Colour and Play 24

Visit us at www.littledayout.com

Little Day Out turns five this year! To celebrate, we’re giving away five family packages (two adult + two child admission tickets) to both River Safari and Singapore Zoo. To stand a chance to win these tickets, visit littledayout.com/ldoturns5 now!

LittleDayOutNews

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Christmas

Wonderland

Circus! Science Under the Big Top

Masterpieces from Monet, Renoir, Raden Saleh, Juan Luna and more

Eat With Your

Family Day Launched in 2003 by Centre for Fathering, Eat With Your Family Day encourages organisations to allow employees to leave work early at 5 pm to enjoy a meal with their loved ones. The next Eat With Your Family Day falls on 17 November 2017, the last day of the school term.

The circus has arrived at Science Centre Singapore. Unravel the science behind popular circus acts and find out how amazing feats such as sword swallowing and superhuman capabilities like contortionism are done. Try a few stunts yourself - by bending metal bars or squeezing into a box that will barely fit a large bag of rice. Discover why certain people like Siamese twins or “the tallest man in the world” exist. What’s more, enter the big top and dress up in a variety of circus costumes. Circus fun has never been this educational.

Century of Light features two exhibitions that showcase masterpieces from the 19th century. On display are Impressionist artworks from Musée d’Orsay and works of Southeast Asian painters. Families with children can look forward to storytelling sessions and hands-on activities as well as other drop-in programmes and workshops at Keppel Centre for Art Education.

28 October 2017 to 18 March 2018, Science Centre Singapore

16 November 2017 to 11 March 2018, National Gallery Singapore

Companies are encouraged to sign up to show your support at fathers.com.sg.

Twilight

Encounters

The Prudential

Marina Bay Carnival

Fun awaits at The Prudential Marina Bay Carnival. From rollercoasters to water rides, there are more than 40 games and rides at the carnival with something for everyone to enjoy. 8 December 2017 to 1 April 2018, Marina Bay

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Encounter mystical geometric animals and trek along glowing walking trails at Night Safari. Uncover the secret messages hidden along the trails and get your glow on at a fluorescent face-painting booth. 17 November to 31 December 2017 (Fridays and Saturdays), Night Safari

COMPILED BY LITTLE DAY OUT TEAM. IMAGES COURTESY OF: CENTRE FOR FATHERING, CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND, LITTLE DAY OUT TEAM, MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION, NATIONAL GALLERY SINGAPORE, THE PRUDENTIAL MARINA BAY CARNIVAL, SCIENCE CENTRE SINGAPORE, WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE

1 to 26 December 2017, Gardens by the Bay

of Light

Giants

Children’s Festival

Singapore’s largest yuletide fair returns with magnificent sculptures of light, family-friendly performances and an all-round festive atmosphere.

Century

Land of

Enter the Land of Giants where larger-than-life invertebrates rule at Singapore Zoo. Look out for a giant orchid mantis, net-casting spider and more. Go on activity trails and participate in crafts over the weekends.

For two fun-filled weeks, discover the amazing world of plants and nature through hands-on activities, performances, movie screenings and games at the Singapore Botanic Gardens Children’s Festival. 11 to 26 November 2017, Eco-Garden, Singapore Botanic Gardens and Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden

18 November to 31 December 2017 (activities on weekends and Christmas only), Singapore Zoo and River Safari

Santa Run

For Wishes 2017 Gear up for a run followed by a fun carnival packed with activities, games and food, all in support of Make-A-Wish Foundation Singapore. 9 December 2017, The Promontory @ Marina Bay

THE GIFT OF EARLY LITERACY, THE SEED OF FUTURE SUCCESS

The early years are crucial for your child. Researchers at Harvard University found that differences in the size of a child’s vocabulary start from as young as 18 months. Children with a solid early literacy foundation also tend to have an edge in formal schooling over others. Our LITERACY SMARTTM programme has been voted as Singapore’s Best Literacy Programme in 2017/18 by Young Parents magazine and Parents World magazine. Give your child the gift of early literacy today.

6653 8000 Bukit Batok

Jurong West 478

[email protected] Jurong West 502

Serangoon 540

www.littlegreenhouse.com.sg Serangoon 553

Tampines

Woodlands

Yishun

Issue 2, 2017

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LittleDayOutNews

LittleDayOutFeatures

Preparing for P1

A WISH FULFILLED

A

huge fan of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Harper wished to celebrate her fourth birthday with her two favourite characters. In June 2017, Make-A-Wish Singapore planned a grand Mickey Mouse-themed birthday party for Harper at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Gallery Ballroom, complete with sweet treats, a balloon-arch, bouncy castle and Mickey scooters for the children to zip around the ballroom. The icing on the cake for Harper was when Mickey and Minnie Mouse entered the ballroom and Harper was showered with loads of hugs and kisses from her favourite characters. Mickey and Minnie even sang her a birthday song and helped with her cake-cutting, which was a Mickey Mouse cake of course!

Free admission. Register at todaygotclass/asktheexperts. 18 November 2017, 1.45 pm, Ang Mo Kio Public Library

Dr Lee Song Choon

Deputy Director, KidsSTOPTM and Life Sciences, Science Centre Singapore

What activities do you engage in as a family? We take walks, play ball games in the park, go on play dates with our friends’ kids who are all around the same age. Where are your favourite familial dining haunts? House @ Dempsey, Bakerzin and Rider’s Café. Most of the time though, we prepare our own meals at home! Where have you holidayed as a family, and what’s next on the passports? We have been to Taiwan and Hong Kong for family holidays. There are no immediate plans but perhaps we’ll be off to Australia for a farm stay! Why do you value family time? Similar to a majority of young families, both of us are working professionals who spend long hours at work. After deducting the time spent doing housework and other matters, there’s not much left for family time so we really treasure our time spent with our kid. Moreover, they grow up way too fast and too soon, and then they would rather go out with their friends than you! How has your family benefited from little days out? My kid enjoys exploring different places and seeing how things she read about or saw images of come alive. For instance, having real encounters with animals in their natural habitat are different from seeing them in a book! Of course, it’s a great way for the family to bond too. I feel this is more valuable than just having them watch youtube videos or playing games on tablets. Dr Lee is a scientist by training and joined Science Centre Singapore in 2011 as Head of Life Sciences. Since 2017, he also oversees the management and operations of KidsSTOPTM, Singapore’s first Children Science Centre, making science fun and enjoyable for people of all ages. He is married and has a three-year-old daughter.

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SAFRA Punggol

Make A Wish Come True

School Holiday Programmes

F

18 November to 15 December 2017,

SAFRA Punggol

MindChamps ACA Kids Theatre Preview Workshop For Parents

Parents, participate in a preview workshop to discover how your child can benefit from the ACA Kids theatre programme. Participants will receive a free pass for their kids to experience a trial class too. 9 December 2017, MindChamps HQ, Toa Payoh HDB Hub

Insider Insights

ew things move the heart more than a sick child. At MakeA-Wish Foundation Singapore, it is not only the hearts that are moved but the hands as well. The foundation’s business is turning the wishes of children faced with life-threatening illnesses into reality. We asked Dr Keith Goh, Chairman of Make-A-Wish Foundation Singapore, about the work it does.

Kids, get set for a journey of learning through play, exploration and experimentation this holiday with SAFRA Punggol’s series of fun-filled workshops! Participate in arts and crafts, baking and dance workshops, and more.

COMPILED BY LITTLE DAY OUT TEAM. IMAGES COURTESY OF: DR LEE SONG CHOON, MINDCHAMPS, SAFRA PUNGGOL, TODAY GOT CLASS

Where are your favourite places with the kids? There are certainly many more options for kids nowadays compared to when I was a kid! Our favourite places are Gardens by the Bay, Botanic Gardens, Singapore Zoo, Science Centre Singapore and of course KidsSTOPTM! These places offer different experiences to young children, allowing them to explore nature, plants, animals and science in authentic settings. They are also very family-friendly with lots of fun activities for the family to do and bond together.

How did Make-A-Wish get started? Make-A-Wish was founded in Phoenix, Arizona in 1980, when a group of caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfil his dream of becoming a police officer. Can you share with us how Make-AWish came to Singapore? The Singapore affiliate of Make-A-Wish started this amazing journey in April 2002, and we’ve granted over 1,300 wishes to date. We have nine staff members and a pool of dedicated volunteers to help us grant wishes and raise funds for our mission. How do children get referred to Make-A-Wish Singapore? Children can be referred through the Make-A-Wish Singapore website or via a WhatsApp/SMS hotline recently set up: 9366 2004. Members of the public can also drop an email to [email protected].

What impact does it have on the children to have their wishes fulfilled? In a 2011 Wish Impact Study, 89% of health professionals said a wish experience can improve a wish kid’s physical health, while 96% of parents reported that the wish experience strengthened their families’ morale. It also helps make wish kids feel a return of self-confidence that comes with feeling “normal” again. How can families and kids get involved in Make-A-Wish Singapore? There are a few ways for people to contribute to the worthy cause of granting wishes – namely donating funds or referring a child. Anyone can refer a child via the Make-A-Wish website (makeawish.org.sg) – as long as the child is three to 18 years old and has a life-threatening illness. You can also take part in one of our annual events, like the upcoming

“

Having their wishes granted can have a profound effect on children – it can improve both their physical and mental health and even benefit those around them.

”

Dr Keith Goh Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon based at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, and Chairman of Make-A-Wish Foundation Singapore. He is one of the founders of Make-A-Wish Foundation Singapore and the first wish he granted was for a child who wished for a blue piano. IMAGES COURTESY OF: MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION SINGAPORE

Our Little Day Out

Harper, 4, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Have a child who is heading to Primary 1 in 2018? Attend an expert panel discussion hosted by Today Got Class to get tips on how to help your child transition from preschool to Primary 1.

Santa Run For Wishes on Saturday, 9 December 2017. Whether you sign up for the run or simply donate, it will go a long way towards helping us grant wishes in 2018! Issue 2, 2017

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SPOTLIGHT

LittleDayOutFeatures

Themed Activities

Unique Museums

for Better Learning

Explore these niche, first-of-its-kind museums right here in Singapore.

Excite your child with themed learning activities at MindChamps’ year-end school holiday workshops.

by Carissa Soh

Singapore Musical Box Museum

With programmes catering to children as young as three years old to those preparing for their PSLE next year, MindChamps holiday workshops are designed to inculcate more than just raw skills, but values and soft skills as well.

Champions Values Workshop

Enrol your child for reading and writing workshops with an environmentally-conscious spin for the year-end school holidays at MindChamps. Reading Workshops for Three- to Six-Year-Olds: At MindChamps’ Be a Junior Environmentalist Reading Workshop, kids will learn about saving the environment while picking up reading skills. The themed workshop blends fun activities with phonics and a listening and reading programme to create an engaging experience for young children. MindChamps will also be sharing tips with mums and dads on cultivating the reading habit at home during this parentaccompanied workshop.

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PSLE Grand Prix for P6 in 2018 Want to lay a strong foundation for your child entering Primary 6 in 2018? MindChamps has got you covered on that front as well with Formula 1-themed PSLE Grand Prix holiday workshops which take place over two days on 30 November and 1 December 2017. Workshops cover the four subjects of English, Chinese, Science and Mathematics, and consist of classroom activities and projects to reinforce students’ understanding of the curriculum. Workshops will also cover exam strategies to boost your child’s confidence as he or she enters his or her final year of primary school. For more information about MindChamps Year-end School Holiday Workshops 2017, call 8332 0020 or check out workshops.mindchamps.com.

“

The most important two things that I learnt from the Champions Values Workshop are being respectful and having resilience in the things I do.

”

Zachary, 8 years old

IMAGES: MINDCHAMPS

Be a Junior Environmentalist Reading & Writing Workshops

Writing Workshops for K2 to P4: Start your child on a journey to improve his or her writing skills at MindChamps’ writing workshops. Catering to K2 to Primary 4 children, participants will learn about conserving the environment and relate what they have learnt to parts of speech such as adjectives, conjunctions and verbs. They will also be taught creative writing during the workshop.

Vintage Camera Museum

MindChamps’ Champions Values Workshop equips primary school-going children with skills and values to succeed in life. The workshop was started two years ago when MindChamps recognised gaps in the ability of children to fully harness the champion mindset. It has been designed to empower children with the right attitude to life, develop values such as gratefulness and integrity, and equip them with essential skills such as EQ. Activities conducted at the Champions Values Workshop include watching video clips that convey Champion Values, having participants record personalised messages for parents to express their gratitude, and self-reflection exercises. MindChamps’ Champions Values Workshop is an investment in a child’s character, encouraging him or her to develop into a well-rounded, balanced individual.

Many Singaporeans would be unaware of the existence of Singapore Musical Box Museum. Located within the Chong Wen Ge building at Telok Ayer Street, this museum consists of musical boxes from the personal collection of Mr Naoto Orui, Founder of Singapore Musical Box Museum. According to Orui-san, his love for musical boxes started at a young age, stemming from a love for antique watches which extended to an appreciation of the musical box after viewing some at an antique fair in Switzerland. Choosing Singapore as the location for this museum was not by chance. It all started when Orui-san was invited to Raffles Hotel in Singapore. He saw something that looked like a musical box in the hotel. The staff referred to it as a “clock without hands” as they did not know what it was. Orui-san found out that they had lost the key to the antique musical box. Thankfully, because of his background knowledge as a watchmaker, he was able to unlock and restore it. Singapore Musical Box Museum carries a large variety of musical boxes, including some unique pieces which are completely different from conventional musical boxes found in stores today. The classic Cylinder Musical Box consists of a cylinder with raised pins and a flat piece of metal, known a comb, that hits the pins to produce sound as they slip past. More unique boxes include the Overture Box which has a total of 183 teeth. These allow it to play longer and more complex pieces of music. Another, the Atlantic Musical Box, not only has a cylinder that mimics the sound of a regular musical box, but has drums, triangle and a unique coin mechanism. Visit Singapore Musical Box Museum to be charmed by the history and craftsmanship of intricate musical boxes and the beautiful music they play.

Top: Mr Naoto Orui, Founder of Singapore Musical Box Museum.

Singapore Musical Box Museum

168 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068619 singaporemusicalboxmuseum.org Tel: 6221 0102

Step through the “lens” of the world’s largest camera-shaped building to enter the Vintage Camera Museum. Inside Singapore’s one and only vintage camera museum, there it is no doubt of founders Solaiyappan Ramanathan and AP Shreethar’s super-sized love for all things to do with cameras. The museum holds a large collection of old and rare cameras. On display are objects such as a Box Camera that uses paper coated with silver chloride to capture images, a Bellow Camera and even a Pigeon Camera from the days before flying drones. Other highlights include a replica of a massive Mammoth

Camera. It measures a whopping 2.4 metres by 1.4 metres and was specially built to photograph a single train. On the other end of the scale is the world’s smallest camera, measuring less than the size of an average thumb! The Vintage Camera Museum is co-located with the Click Art Museum which features photo opportunities with trompe l’oeil artworks. Vintage Camera Museum

8C & 8D Jalan Kledek Singapore 199263 facebook.com/ vintagecamerasmuseumsingapore Tel: 6291 2278

Issue 2, 2017

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PHOTOS: CARISSA SOH, SINGAPORE MUSICAL BOX MUSEUM

by Lester Ng

LittleDayOutLook

Present Perfect

You do not have to look far to find fabulous gifts for Christmas. Our little red dot has plenty of designers who have come up with wonderful creations, often with a distinctly Singaporean twist, as well as local companies with unique, artisan offerings.

Fancy Gem Globe Necklace in Silver $39.90, from thepigbakesclay.com

Vanda Miss Kitty Necklace $32, from alfiedemeow.com

Tutu Kueh Cufflinks $28.90, from thelittlelink.com

by Goh Yee-Huay

Supertree Cat Earrings $20, from alfiedemeow.com Ang Ku Kueh Girl Bag Charm – Rock Chic $50, from angkukuehgirl.com

Durian Cushion $29.90, from meykrsstore.com

Straits Preserves Singapore Sling Marmalade $15, from redmart.com and selected specialty and department stores

Milo Dino Plush Toy $26.90, from shop.wheniwasfour.com Mooncake Ear Studs $20, from miniatureasianchef.com

Binary Style x Museum Label Growing Up Scarf and National Museum of Singapore Scarf $70 and $88 respectively, from binarystyle.myshopify.com Mint Chocolate Chip and Raspberry Ice Cream Cushions $29.90, each from meykrsstore.com

Ette Tea Company No. 803 Kebaya Blue $26, from ettetea.com

Baby Mer Mer the Merlion Plush Contented Serenity Blue $16.80, from theforestfactory.net

Strangely Singaporean Melamine Plate - Yau Gwee $12.90, from thelittledromstore.com

Qualy Design Book Mountain Bookend and Bookmarks $59.90, from qualydesign.sg

Xiao Ming T-Shirt $29.90, from temasekclothings.com

Katfood Matcha Made In Heaven Brightening Mask $29.90, from ilovekatfood.com

Hot Sia Pouch $14.90, from shop.wheniwasfour.com Strangely Singaporean Tote - Huat Ah $22, from thelittledromstore.com

Happy Meh Meh Totebag $24, from shop.wheniwasfour.com

Qualy Design My Little Deer Accessory Tray $32.90 from qualydesign.sg

To Be Calm Singapore Journey Candle $37, from tobecalmgroup.com

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Playground Coin Bank Dragon $18.90, from thelittledromstore.com

Ang Ku Kueh Girl and Friends Shophouse Series Travel Pouch (set of 2) $70, from angkukuehgirl.com

PRICES ARE ACCURATE AT TIME OF PRINTING.

Lepak Pte Ltd T-shirt $30, from statement.sg

Distinguished Gentleman Wash Bag $48, from paper-clip.com.sg

Issue 2, 2017

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LittleDayOutPlay

Heights Play Elevating to New Take child’s play up a notch at these power towers.

All kids have dreamt of living in a treehouse, darting along elevated walkways, high above the surrounding land below. While not exactly treehouses, several playgrounds and play spots in Singapore do provide kids the opportunity to take play off the ground and up in the air. Elevated playgrounds consist of towers and bridges. Cargo nets lead from the ground upwards to little hideaways perched above. These playgrounds are both challenging and fun. They allow kids to expend their energy and, more importantly, build a healthy sense of adventure and self-confidence.

Jurong East Street 32 Playground

Block 306 Jurong East Street 32, SIngapore 600306

Admiralty Road West

Woodlands Waterfront is not only home to one the longest jetties in Singapore but one of the most exciting elevated playgrounds too. “Crows nests” are interconnected by chain-link bridges at this coastal park playground. Rope ladders and climbing nets provide multiple entryways for kids to get to the fun above.

Forest Adventure 1000 East Coast Parkway, Singapore 449876

Tampines Green Forest Park

At the centre of the Marine Cove Playground is a red “lighthouse” play tower. A raised cargo net tunnel is connected to the play tower, providing an alternative route in and out.

Scale the hexagonal spaces of a climbing net to get up the towers at Tampines Green Forest Park. This earthy brown playground has sky cabins raised up above ground. Cabins are interconnected by a series of netted bridges.

MacRitchie Reservoir, enter via Venus Drive

For a truly elevated perspective on nature, make the trek to the TreeTop Walk at the Central Catchment Area. The 250-metre long suspension bridge connects Bukit Peirce and Bukit Kalang, the two highest points in MacRitchie.


825 Bedok Reservoir Road, Singapore 479244

Marine Cove

TreeTop Walk

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PHOTOS: FOREST ADVENTURE, GERALDINE LEONG, LESTER NG

Two rustic “cottages” sit atop green “trees” at Jurong East Street 32. The two shelters are connected by a netted walkway. Climb a rope ladder up at one end and twirl down the slide at the other.

Woodlands Waterfront Park

879A Tampines Avenue 8, Singapore 521879

Experience adventure among the trees at Forest Adventure. This rope adventure course at Bedok Reservoir Park is perfect for both kids and adults to challenge themselves and build confidence. And it comes with an awesome view too.

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Issue 2, 2017

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LittleDayOutOutdoors

Admiralty Park

At 27 hectares, Admiralty Park is the largest park in the north and comprises both an urban park and a nature area. It also holds several distinctions amongst parks in Singapore.

Time Out at Sea A Fishing Expedition by Clarence Yap

Though we are in the midst of our concrete jungle, the open sea is just a short hop away. And being on a boat is such a peaceful and meaningful way to spend the day with your child.

Slide Away, Play Away The urban park section is located within walking distance of Woodlands MRT, close to Republic Polytechnic. A highlight for families at the urban park is its playground. With a total of 26 slides, Admiralty Park’s playground has the highest number of slides found in any public park in Singapore. Embracing the hilly terrain, the playground is filled with tube slides, roller slides and Singapore’s first family slide, wide enough to accommodate up to four persons side-by-side. Kids can have a go at the playground’s nine-metre-tall double barrel slide at the Family Terracing Play area or make their way down a 34-metre Curved Roller Slide, Singapore’s longest slide in a park. Climbing nets and other aids criss-cross the slopes of the playground, providing various means for kids to ascend the slopes and enjoy gravity-fuelled rides down the slides. Younger children have a Junior Play area which also features inclusive play equipment. Nature Area Venture beyond the urban park to explore the other side of Admiralty Park. The park’s nature area is centred around Sungei Cina, a gentle river that flows from Admiralty Park down to the coast at Woodlands Waterfront. Walking trails stretch through secondary forest and riverine habitats. Be on the lookout for fauna such as birds, dragonflies and even a troop of monkeys at the nature area. Take note that sections of Admiralty Park’s nature area are closed off for enhancement works and are expected to be reopened in December 2017.

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Many of us bringing up children in Singapore are acutely aware of how fast the pace of life is here. A few diaper changes and sleepless nights, ferrying them to their first day in school, blink, and before you know it, they have completed their PSLE. There is so much going on all the time, with an increasing number of entertainment options; it is challenging to take time to smell the roses, or in this context, the saltwater. The Idea My son told me he wanted to give fishing a try. He was curious, but was also afraid he would be bored, which happens easily in this age of instant gratification. I did think about whether to take him to one of the many fishing ponds around, but that would have felt like being at a beach resort and choosing the swimming pool over the sandy beach just a few steps away! As I was keen to take him out boat fishing, we recruited a willing friend and his dad, so that if it turned out to be boring, he could fall back on hanging out with his friend. I got in touch with an old friend who has been an avid fisherman his entire life – Conrad Lee. He had taught me how to fish back in the 1990s. These days, he is known as Mr C Lifestyle, running one of the most popular local fishing YouTube channels. The Plan We had the option of heading North of Singapore or to the Southern Islands. Given that it was my son’s first trip, I chose the relatively calmer waters of the North. I got my son a simple rod and reel with line, all for $70, plus some accessories like weights, swivels and pre-tied hooks (which is perfect for the lazy angler!), and we were all set to go.

The Expedition On a hot sunny morning, we set off from Marina Country Club. The strong wind heightened the sense of adventure and we knew we were out among the elements. Conrad had a spot in mind, and steered straight there. He anchored where he thought the fish would be. And how right he was. Within two minutes of dropping the line in the water, we had a couple of bites on the line. My son struggled to compose himself for his first-ever battle with a wild fish. Thankfully, with some guidance from the adults, we saw the flash of silver after a minute of his tussle. My son was able to bring the fish close enough alongside the boat so I could scoop it up with the net. And that was all it took to get my son hooked on fishing. That early excitement spurred him on to keep working hard to check on the bait and cast the line, in hope of landing another fish. At another spot, we targeted some snappers. After half an hour, my son landed the catch of the day, a beautiful Golden Snapper that had him beaming from ear to ear. He struggled to carry the fish for the requisite photo. His friend was able to land a fish too. This meant everyone on the boat caught something that day. By late afternoon, we were all exhausted, happy and ready to head home to partake of our catch. As the boat made its way back to the Marina, I enjoyed taking in the landscape and reflecting on the trip. I had my share of fishing action, but what has stayed with me is how enjoyable a time we had, being outdoors, working together, away from anything electronic. Truly, it was a great day out for father and son! Issue 2, 2017

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PHOTOS: CLARENCE YAP

by Lester Ng

Nordic

Wonders with Kids Travelling with four children ranging from five to ten years old in Denmark and Sweden, we wondered if we would be able to find an itinerary that would satisfy everyone from kids to the adults. Gladly, we managed to! by Darryl Ng

Swedish Stories In Sweden, we stuck close to Stockholm and explored the small archipelago of islands that make up the Swedish capital. While we visited the palace of Drottningholm and enjoyed wandering along the medieval cobbled-streets of the old town, Gamla Stan, it was the activities on the island of Djugarden that stood out. Djugarden is a small island just east of the Gamla Stan. Among the attractions dotting its western coast lies the Grona Lund amusement park. Grona Lund is not huge but it has a number of rollercoasters and rides and

exudes an old-school fun-fair vibe a big difference from the theme parks in Asia. Junibacken, just a few minutes from Grona Lund, is a unique children’s attraction that is devoted to Swedish children’s literature – primarily the works of Astrid Lindgren. One of Astrid Lindgren’s most recognisable characters is Pippi Longstocking. It is no surprise that the character is featured prominently within the attraction. Junibacken has many interactive rooms for kids to explore and this turned out to be a surprise hit for us.

Denmark Travels In Denmark, we made the obligatory trip to LEGOLAND Billund, Denmark’s best-known amusement park for families. However, we were pleasantly surprised to find two other kid-friendly (and educational!) attractions too. Situated two hours away from Copenhagen by car, Odense is the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, the Danish children’s fairy-tale author. As you might expect, there is a plethora of Andersen-related activities - ranging from walking tours to a Hans Christian Andersen museum at what is thought to be his birthplace. The attraction that won our kids’ hearts though was the Tinderbox. The Tinderbox is a play centre for children where they can dress up and let their imaginations run wild, recreating classic fairy tales or inventing new ones of their own. The centre even has a mini-stage where kids can play-act to their hearts’ content.

It is very well thought out and the kids loved dressing up as ugly ducklings, noble folk and even the tin soldier! Closer to Copenhagen sits Roskilde, home to the Viking Ship Museum. Unlike other museums that only provide a picture of medieval times through artefacts and items, this museum takes a more hands-on approach to history. For example, there are outdoor stations highlighting craftsmanship from olden times. On our visit, we caught modern day boat builders hard at work, re-creating a functional, life-sized Viking ship. The main halls display grand Viking shipwrecks salvaged over the years but the real thrill of this place is the chance to actually row out on one of those re-created Viking ships! The kids loved the experience (even if they did not actually do any rowing) and it is certainly something they will remember for years to come.

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Bangkok Gems A short flight away from Singapore, Bangkok is a popular destination for a quick getaway. The Land of Smiles has plenty to offer visitors. by Lester Ng

Avid shoppers can choose from posh, modern malls along Sukhumvit Road and the bustling aisles of weekend markets such as Chatuchak Market. Culture-buffs can visit historic sights such as the Grand Palace and countless temples. If visiting Bangkok with kids, you may want to intersperse some stops for the kids into your plans. Here are some ideas of what to do in Bangkok with kids.

1

Imaginia Playland Imaginia Playland provides creative experiences that introduce children to art, music and literature through play. With more than 20 interactive play stations, including a tunnel slide and wooden play fort, kids will have plenty to do around this two-level, indoor play centre.

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Little Zoo Café Settle down for a meal and interact with little pet animals at the same time at the Little Zoo Café. Depending on the day you visit, in addition to common animals such as dogs and chinchillas, you may see more exotic animals like meerkats.

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Terminal 21 Love snapping family photos while on holiday? Terminal 21 holds plenty of photo opportunities for you. This themed shopping mall dresses up its various levels as world travel destinations. Visit floors themed after Tokyo, San Francisco, Istanbul and more at this colourful shopping mall.

PHOTOS: JOSEPHINE LIU, DARRYL NG, LESTER NG

LittleDayOutTravel

Issue 2, 2017

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LittleDayOutBond

Little Day Outings

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If you liked area-control games such as RISK, try… SMALL WORLD In Small World, players play as mythical races such as giants, skeletons and dwarves out to explore a new utopian land. The objective of the game is to capture as much territory on the game board as possible. Each race has a different “power” that helps it evolve as the game progresses. Eventually, a race will evolve to the point where it hits a limit to the number of areas it can support. Players then choose to put the race into decline and acquire a new race to keep on expanding. Victory points are earned at the end of every round based on the territories occupied. The winner is the player with the most victory points at the end of the game.

Join us and bond with your family through fun days out. by Wong Wai Ling

Get on

Board

To say that board games are enjoying a revival is slightly understating it. With the growth of the board game industry over the past few years, there is an increasing number of board games that families can enjoy together. by Darryl Ng

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If you liked entry-level board games such as Monopoly, try… TICKET TO RIDE Ticket to Ride is a modern entry-level board game for two to five players where they have to vie for the most points. Players have a few simple options to make each turn and points are earned by claiming various routes on a map and collecting sets of coloured train cards. Despite the small number of options, it requires strategic decision making on when to claim a route or plan for an alternative if one is snatched from you. Points are also earned or lost by connecting different locations on the map.

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If you liked traditional strategy games such as CHESS, try… ONITAMA Onitama is a small footprint, two-person game that plays like chess, except with a 5 × 5 board and just 5 pieces on each side instead. There are five cards depicting the possible moves that can be made. Each player holds two cards in hand, with the fifth card left displayed on the table. On the player’s turn, he or she will have to decide which of the two cards to play to move his or her pieces against the opponent. The card that has been played is then exchanged for the displayed card and so forth. The winner is the player who takes the opponent’s king first.

If you enjoyed the odd game of Monopoly or Cluedo when you were younger, and recall busting out Scrabble or Boggle, here are five board games that will provide you with hours of entertainment with family and friends.

Turtles

If you liked deductive board games such as Cluedo, try… OUTFOXED Outfoxed is a cooperative children’s deduction game where a villainous fox, having stolen a pie, has to be identified before he escapes. Players move around the board gathering clues. They then use a unique evidence scanning tool in the game to rule out various characters. Outfoxed takes deduction to a co-operative level, enabling younger kids to experience the thrill of the chase and discuss amongst themselves how to win the game.

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If you dislike conflict and competition, try… FORBIDDEN ISLAND In Forbidden Island, players work as a team to find four treasures hidden on an island. Once the treasure is found, players have to work together to escape the island with it. To add to the excitement, every turn sees the tide rising, slowly flooding the island! Players need to cooperate with each other to navigate the floods, gather card resources and claim the four treasures before they run out of time and the island is submerged!

It had been a couple of years since our last visit to The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum. Younger then, the kids had thoroughly enjoyed feeding the shelled reptiles. Little seemed to have changed at the museum. Tortoises roamed the garden while hungry terrapins flocked towards us every time we approached the pond. Though older now, the kids still relished feeding the turtles and tortoises. The tanks, housing snapping turtles, pig-nosed turtles and mata mata among others, still drew their attention. It was a nice visit to a familiar spot and, more so, to see the kids continue to be appreciative of the little things in life. The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum

PHOTOS: LESTER NG

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Actor, and Scriptwriter, to create their own family movie from scratch. Little Day Out is also collaborating with Yue Hwa Chinese Products Emporium in Chinatown to bring you a fun, cultural family experience set around the theme of the Dongzhi, or Winter Solstice, Festival. At Little Day Outing to Yue Hwa: Dongzhi Family Experience, you can expect a family workshop on Chinese calligraphy writing and a tangyuan-making game that tests your teamwork as a family. For more details on Little Day Outings, visit littledayoutshop.com.

Tortoises and by Lester Ng

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Top and left: Participants were wowed by the techniques taught by sandcastle-building pioneer, Alvin Lee, and his team at Little Day Outing to Castle Beach: Amazing Sandcastles Family Workshop. Below: Displaying the fifth position taught by our guide, Amanda Lim, at Little Day Outing to Singapore Dance Theatre: A Peek Behind the Scenes.

1 Chinese Garden Road, Singapore 619795 turtle-tortoise.com Tel: 6268 5363 The museum is slated to move out of its Chinese Garden premises by March 2018 as the Jurong Lake District area undergoes redevelopment. Issue 2, 2017

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PHOTOS: GERALDINE LEONG, LESTER NG

Peek behind-the-scenes at a dance theatre. Create a family movie at a scenic park. Build a bona-fide sandcastle, complete with brick walled towers, intricate battlements, and connecting stairways, together with family and friends. These are some of the fun you can have at Little Day Outings, created by Little Day Out with the aim of encouraging family bonding through unique activities. Little Day Outings are a new focus embraced by Little Day Out in commemoration of our fifth anniversary. Encouraged by the positive response to our very first Little Day Outing to Castle Beach in June, where families had fun learning not just the art of sandcastle-making but also the importance of teamwork, we created more. Little Day Outing to Singapore Dance Theatre: A Peek Behind the Scenes brought participants to the workplace of professional dancers, to see the passion that goes into presenting the art of dance. It is back by popular demand this November and tickets are available on littledayoutshop.com. Another upcoming event is Little Day Outing to the Reel World: Create a Family Movie, where the whole family can come together to make a unique video at the beautiful HortPark. Conducted by multi award-winning producer Tracy Wong, this workshop makes sure that every member of the family pitches in, taking on roles such as Director,

Veggie

LittleDayOutFood

Waterfront Dining

Masquerade

Escape the bustle of city life and head down to the waterfront to enjoy your next meal.

Try these easy veggie smoothies that make kids love greens.

by Lester Ng

by E-von Yeung

Dining by the waterside is an ideal way to indulge your senses and satisfy your stomach at the same time. It is a great excuse to take some time out, to slow down and enjoy the sights by the water. And, with Singapore being an island, there are plenty of dining choices available. Here are some waterfront dining spots to get you started. Beaulieu House

117 Beaulieu Road, Singapore 759837, beaulieuhouse.com.sg

Built in the 1910s, Beaulieu House is a charming seaside house at Sembawang Park. In the past, it had been a family residence and military building. Today, it is a restaurant serving Chinese and Western cuisine with views of the Johor Straits from its dining room.

Marina Bistro, Raffles Marina

10 Tuas West Drive, Singapore 638404, rafflesmarina.com.sg

Located at the western edge, next to Tuas Checkpoint, Marina Bistro literally takes you away from the city. The bistro, open to the public, serves both Asian and Western food. Enjoy a stroll along the adjacent pier to view the insta-worthy Raffles Marina lighthouse.

Upturned noses, gagging faces and even tears - forcing vegetable-hating kids to eat their greens can turn pleasant family dinners sour. There are ways to add greens to your child’s meals. No sugar added! Tried and tested on my preschooler, these sweet treats are easy to make and clear winners. Experiment with flavours which you know your child loves the most, or add new ingredients to expand her palate. Move over, anti-veggie dinner theatrics!

Superfood Smoothies: Three Ways

These cold treats top the list for a lovely dose of greens. Which adult or kid would turn down a smoothie? You will be surprised - there is no green taste despite the raw salad leaves in the mix. For extra mileage, the same recipe can be done three ways - smoothie, popsicle, or smoothie bowl.

Rasa Istimewa Waterfront Restaurant 6A Admiralty Road West, Singapore 757445, rasaistimewa.com.sg

Uniquely situated above the water on Woodlands Waterfront jetty, Rasa Istimewa Waterfront Restaurant is a halal dining spot that serves seafood and western cuisine. Along with the food come views of Johor Bahru, filling the restaurant’s wide and ample windows.

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Choc Berry Super Spinach Smoothie This recipe is always a hit in my household. If your family is new to raw vegetables, start with baby spinach leaves. They are tender, sweet and mild. Kale is slightly bitter and strong-tasting. After my child got used to veggie smoothies, I started using kale and salad mixes. Microgreens wonderful nutritional tiny powerhouses - are also great. Raw cacao is high in antioxidants, due to the phytonutrients in cacao nibs. It is not the same as cocoa, which is raw cacao toasted at high temperatures, losing nutritional value in process. The good news is raw cacao tastes chocolatey too! Berries add a sweet burst to the smoothie. And it is easy to freeze berries. Bananas are like nature’s dessert - I have tried blending them frozen and at room temperature, and the smoothie still does fine. Sometimes I pop a whole banana, with skin on, into the fridge hours before blending, just to get the smoothie cold. If you want to freeze banana, it is best to slice them before freezing to make it easier on your blender’s blades. I use oat milk as my child is allergic to dairy - you can use a variety of milks too. Reduce the amount of milk or add more frozen fruit if you want a thicker smoothie.

Coachman Inn Restaurant, Changi Sailing Club 32 Netheravon Road, Singapore 508508, coachmaninnrestaurant.com

Dine with the sound of waves lapping against the shore at Coachman Inn. Open to the public, the al fresco restaurant overlooks Changi Point Coastal Walk and provides an idyllic view of Pulau Ubin. Enjoy a selection of local and Western fare at the restaurant.

Quayside Isle

31 Ocean Way, Sentosa Cove, Singapore 098375, quaysideisle.com

With a picturesque view of Sentosa Cove’s marina, Quayside Isle has a wide array of restaurants and cafes. Sample authentic Greek cuisine at Mykonos On The Bay, roasted meats and seafood at Blue Lotus - Chinese Eating House, wood-fired pizzas at SolePomodoro Trattoria Pizzeria and much more.

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Popsicles The great thing about smoothies is that they can be made into icy popsicles too. It is like a dessert upgrade. Using the same smoothie recipe above, you can pour the mix into popsicle moulds. Freeze them, and you have a cold, creamy dessert for parties or special days!

PHOTOS: QUAYSIDE ISLE, LESTER NG

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Smoothie Bowl Acai bowls are all the rage. You can make your own version too, with or without the acai puree. Frozen acai puree or pulp can be easily found in supermarkets nowadays. But be sure to whiz up a thicker smoothie when it comes to smoothie bowls. You don’t really want to sip cold fruity soup! Add some fresh blueberries, sliced bananas, granola crunch, diced fruit like dragonfruit and mango, goji berries; dust on some chia seeds, and your smoothie bowl is good to go! Better than ice kacang!

Choc Berry Super Spinach Smoothie Ingredients

• Half a banana (frozen, cold or • • • •

room temperature) 3/4 cup of frozen strawberries, blueberries and raspberries 2 handfuls of raw baby spinach (start with one handful) 1 tablespoon of raw cacao powder 1 cup of milk of choice (dairy, goat, almond, oat, soy - all good)

Optional

• 2 teaspoons of chia seeds • 2 teaspoons of flax seed meal • Half a teaspoon of bee pollen Steps Add the ingredients in the order listed. Toss in your frozen ingredients first as they need the most blitzing. The spinach and milk are added last. Blend until smooth. You can substitute the milk with coconut water for a healthy, refreshing smoothie. Pack in more greens once you are confident that your child is taking this whole smoothie business. Make one for yourself too!

Other Mix-in Ideas

• 1 tablespoon of rolled oats • 2 tablespoons of yogurt • A dollop of almond butter or

peanut butter if you are feeling nutty

• Half an avocado • Pineapple cubes • Mango cubes • A few ice cubes for a thicker, more icy smoothie

Tried-and-tested Favourite Combos

• Bananas, nut butter, oats, greens, yogurt, milk

• Dragonfruits, bananas, blueberries, greens, milk

• Pineapples, bananas, greens, coconut milk

• Mangoes, apples, bananas, greens, milk

• Avocados, bananas, cacao powder, greens, milk

• Strawberries, bananas, greens, yogurt, milk

Issue 2, 2017

21

LittleDayOutReview

LittleDayOutCraft

Grow Your

Adventure Tree

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“Plant” your own tree of adventure, nourish it with amazing experiences, and see it flourish!

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by Wong Wai Ling

What you will need: • Penknife (only for adult’s use) • Disposable spoons • Poster colour (green, light green, and yellow) • Markers or other writing materials • Colourful pom poms and stones or other relatively heavy decorative objects • A transparent plastic food container Follow these simple steps: 1. Cut small slits all around the kitchen towel roll with a penknife. An adult will need to help with this. Make sure that each slit is long enough for a disposable spoon to be inserted. This will be the trunk of your Adventure Tree.

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“Plant” the trunk in the plastic food container. Use blue tack to keep it steady and throw in some stones or other heavy objects to weigh the container down. Decorate further with colourful pom poms.

2. Paint the spoons with green and yellow poster colour. These are to be leaves with branches. 3. When you’ve encountered something fun or meaningful, write it down on the concave side of a painted spoon. Here are some examples: It’s the school holidays!, Made new friends, Played at Admiralty Park, Went on a Little Day Outing, Saw a double rainbow, Went museum hopping, Enjoyed Perth, Baked cupcakes, Rescued a baby bird.

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4. Insert the spoon into a slit on the kitchen towel roll. The more adventures you record, the faster your Adventure Tree grows! Come Christmas, decorate it with tinsels and baubles. Dress it up with angpows for the Chinese New Year. And hang fairy lights on it in celebration of Hari Raya Puasa and Deepavali. This is one tree that grows with you through the seasons!

4 Get more printables and ideas at littledayoutshop.com. Issue 2, 2017

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BY WONG WAI LING