Learn-To-Play teaches kids new sports in a safe and fun environment.
PHOTO: SINGAPORE SPORTS HUB
Our time with our little ones is precious, because they grow up faster than we might realise. If you’re wondering how to engage your kids in healthy and wholesome experiences, here’s what you can do during the weekends and public holidays. Young families will love these unique experiences, which will immerse the little ones in sports, culture and nature.
Sports
Introducing our children to sports at a young age is very beneficial as sports teaches us many virtues, such as tenacity, teamwork and discipline, along with valuable life lessons. Singapore Sports Hub offers a free programme called
Learn-To-Play that introduces children aged 6 to 12 to new sports like archery, foam frisbee, inline skating, skateboarding and more. Part of the Active Family programme offered by the Health Promotion Board, Learn-To-Play’s array of activities are carried out in line with safe management measures. Learn-To-Play is temporarily suspended till further notice, but you can check here for programme updates. When sessions recommence, parents will be able to register their kids through the Healthy 365 app, which is available for download from the App Store or Google Play.
Established in 1983, the Singapore Sports Museum has six galleries dedicated to the rich history of local sport.
PHOTO: SINGAPORE SPORTS HUB
Culture
Many museums in Singapore, like the National Gallery Singapore and National Museum of Singapore, offer free entry to Singaporeans and Permanent Residents.
Similarly for the Singapore Sports Museum, don’t miss it! This engaging museum retells the history of Singapore’s sports scene through intriguing artifacts and interactive installations.
Also free for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents, the Singapore Discovery Centre retells Singapore’s history through a cavalcade of sights and sounds, while the Civil Defence Heritage Gallery presents the evolution of firefighting and rescue work through a variety of exhibits. Children will enjoy exploring the technology and eclectic operations of Singapore’s ports when they visit the Singapore Maritime Gallery. Entry to the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre and Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall are also free, which showcase the history and culture of Asia’s Chinese diaspora.
The view from Singapore Sports Hub’s Water Sports Centre.
PHOTO: UNSPLASH
Nature
If you and your loved ones would like to enjoy the breeze along the Kallang Basin, take a stroll along Singapore Sports Hub’s waterfront, which is where you can enjoy picturesque views of Tanjong Rhu, and the storied neighbourhoods of Lavender and Kallang.
If you’d like to bring the little ones to discover nature through play, visit child-friendly venues like Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden at the Singapore Botanic Gardens or Reflections at Bukit Chandu, which is linked to Kent Ridge Park. If you’re keen on a longer walk, Kent Ridge Park is connected to Hort Park, the Southern Ridges and Mount Faber, which teem with flora and fauna, along with a spread of new and old architecture.
Check out Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve if you fancy a walk on the wild side. A crucial rest stop for migratory birds that fly between Australia and Siberia annually, this nature park’s even paths and boardwalks are suitable for visitors of all ages. If your family members are able to climb slopes that are slightly steep, you’ll love discovering the diverse nature that inhabits local parks like Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Hindhede Nature Park, Jurong Lake Gardens and MacRitchie Nature Trail. If your kids are old enough to kayak or cycle, board a ferry to Pulau Ubin from Changi Point Ferry Terminal!
