Water Fun! Float My Boat

PRICELESS magazine for Families

Little Day out

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Water Fun! Longkang Fishing

Float My Boat Mad about Manatees

Beach Escapes Splash and Dine

WIN

a Ritz Kids Night Safari Adventures Stay! ISSUE 1, 2018

Big adventures for little ones

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u

28th May to 10th A

Visit us at www.littledayout.com Talk to us at [email protected] Publisher Geraldine Leong Editor Lester Ng Contributors Goh Yee-Huay Carissa Soh Ria Tan Tang Tee Tong Kim Quek Keef Wong Wong Wai Ling 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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Longkang Fishing @ Orto Model: Peter Cheo Photography: Geraldine Leong

LITTLEDAYOUT.COM | CO REGN NO 201210929D | MCI (P) 103/04/2018 | Issue 1, 2018 | A BIG LITTLE COMPANY PTE. LTD. PUBLICATION


Mid-Year 2018

News 4 Features Longkang Fishing 7 Happy Digging at Happy Castle 8 Ready Steady Go Kids 9 Mad about Manatees 10 Play Float My Boat 12 Awesome Hotel Pools 14 Travel Holiday with Seoul 16 Short Beach Escapes 18 Outdoors Life along Singapore’s Shores 19 Wild Wet Family Fun 20 Nautical Playgrounds 20 Look Ocean’s Eleven 21 Food Splash and Dine 22 Activity Move Like a Sailor 23 Colour and Find 24

n o s a e S r e m m u S gust

Little Day Out turns five this year!

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To celebrate, we’re giving away five family packages (two adult + two child admission tickets) to both River Safari and Singapore Zoo. om .c s p m a c y r e v o c is d @ fo 2 ainchance to win these tickets, visit +65 6664 81To2stand littledayout.com/ldoturns5 now!

LittleDayOutNews

Mid-Year Events

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100 and 100

Come and experience the island life on Pulau Ubin. During the Pesta Ubin celebrations, activities planned include arts and crafts, nature walks, birdwatching, the Chek Jawa Open House and more – all just a bumboat ride away.

See the world through children’s eyes in a myriad of ways at The Artground’s 100 and 100 More Festival for Young Audiences. Highlights include Into the Blue Forest, an interactive performance about friendship and Especially on Birthday, a visual-theatre experience about being a twin. Young visitors can also enjoy the installation, Rolling @ TAG, at The Artground.

26 May to 24 June Pulau Ubin

23 May to 3 June The Artground

KidZ & Sports SPARK:

Enjoy a week of performances, musical storytelling sessions and a music carnival at SPARK: The Music Circle Opening Season. 1 to 10 June The Music Circle

Hari Raya Light Up

Welcome To Our

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25 May to 24 June S.E.A. Aquarium, Resorts World Sentosa

ut.com www.littledayo

Everybirdy’s

Colourful Home

Ocean Fest at S.E.A. Aquarium, Resorts World Sentosa is being held in celebration of World Oceans Day. Come and play the role of a detective at the Ocean Plastic Investigation Lab, join in a Green Workshop and take part in interactive games while learning about the important role the ocean plays and how to protect it.

inspired kits and guides

The Music Circle Opening Season

Pesta Ubin

Fest!

25 May to 3 June Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

For more holiday fun, visit Singaporelittledayout.com/juneholidays18 FREE weekly activity eNewsletters as with great ide

Ocean

Come and explore the intersection of music, physical theatre, comedy and the visual arts at Esplanade’s Flipside festival. Wander through a Sound Maze, watch as puppets construct themselves and enjoy a wide range of ticketed and free programmes for all ages.

ore Best of Singap for kids

Latest familyfriendly news and reviews

More Festival

Flipside

m

Be a Colour Explorer and learn about the world of birds as you play a fact-finding game. Be entertained by an educational puppet show and meet Sunny the Hornbill mascot. These activities and more await at Jurong Bird Park during the mid-year holidays.

Themed “Celebrating Our Kampung Spirit”, the Hari Raya Light Up 2018 will feature 2.25 km of light installations that incorporate icons symbolic of Malay tradition and history. The highly-popular bazaar will be back from 12 May till 14 June with more than 800 stalls.

26 May to 24 June Jurong Bird Park

12 May to 30 June Geylang Serai

COMPILED BY LESTER NG. IMAGES COURTESY OF: RIA TAN, WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE, THE ARTGROUND, THE MUSIC CIRCLE, ESPLANADE - THEATRES ON THE BAY, RESORTS WORLD SENTOSA, KIDZANIA SINGAPORE

Fun

Don’t you just love the school holidays? With so many events and activities being held around Singapore, it is a wonderful chance to spend precious time with family and friends.

Bond over sports at KidZania Singapore during the June school holidays. Experience different sports, get the heart pumping with a Cardio Workout and take part in activities such as a Soccer Clinic. Families dressed in sports outfits even get to enjoy a discount! 21 May to 24 June KidZania Singapore

Little Day out Readers Survey 2018 WIN a Ritz Kids Night Safari Adventures Stay Package

Enter our reader survey and stand to win an amazing “Ritz Kids Night Safari Adventures” stay package at The Ritz-Carlton,

Take the Readers Survey: littledayout.com/ survey2018

Millenia Singapore.

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www.littledayout.com5 November 2017 to April 2018

LittleDayOutNews

LittleDayOutFeatures

Hook Up with

Outings

Longkang Fishing by E-von Yeung

Regale the kids with tales of wading through longkangs (the Malay word for drains) in a faraway childhood long ago, hunting for fish. Then surprise them with a first-hand experience of longkang fishing.

Yong Ning

Founder and Director of Coding Lab®

Where are your favourite places with the kids? The Singapore Botanic Gardens for nature, East Coast Park for the sand and sea, Esplanade for the music and arts and the different parks across Singapore such as Admiralty Park and Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park. What activities do you engage in as a family? We like to play music together. My wife and I were both in the school band, so we like having a ‘family band’ to encourage the kids to practise their music. We also do puzzles together and spend time tinkering with the latest tech-related toys, for example Scratch Jr, Cubetto and Makey Makey.

Behind-the-scenes tours, baking and building sandcastles. These are some of the specially curated outings organised by Little Day Out especially for families. To find out more about the upcoming Little Day Outings, visit littledayout.com/outings.

In the past, kids would hop into large drains to catch small fish, with whatever receptacles they had on hand - glass jars, plastic containers, bags. While we don’t see kids jumping into drains nowadays, it is still possible to experience old-school fishing and the activity is as fun for the kids of today as it was for those of yesteryear.

Where are your favourite familial dining haunts? We love to explore new places such as Bollywood Veggies, Seletar Aerospace Park with the Aeroplane playground, and other eateries with lots of space for the kids to run and play around, such as Spruce. Dining at open spaces with fresh air builds up the kids’ bodies and is fantastic for their growth and development.

Why do you value family time? Time is probably the most meaningful and non-renewable resource that we can give to our family. The bonds forged last a lifetime and we know we can depend on each other for support, weathering both good and bad times together as one family. How has your family benefitted from little days out? Having days out are a treat for the entire family. We make it a point to take the kids to their favourite parks at least once a week - their recent favourite is Admiralty Park! The kids get to learn more about nature and have a good run, and the feeling of the cool breeze helps us to relax and plan for the week ahead. Yong Ning is the founder of Coding Lab®, a school that teaches children coding and computational thinking. He is happily married and father of two children, Audrey, 5, and Mitchell, 3.

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ORTO at Yishun is one of several longkang fishing facilities in Singapore. For a fee, your child will get a plastic fish tank and a fishing net, and plenty of splashing fun.

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COMPILED BY GERALDINE LEONG, LESTER NG. PHOTOS: YONG NING, WONG WAI LING

What are your biggest challenges as a parent? I would say that it is having to balance between having fun with our kids, while ensuring they are properly brought up with the right manners and attitude to life.

Wade In

The pond has a concrete floor with an anti-slip finish, so kids can safely zoom after the darting guppies. Partially sheltered, the pond has a depth of between 10 cm and 30 cm. This accommodates children of different heights and ages. Longkang fishing is an activity that allows kids to have outdoor fun while honing their hand-eye coordination and motor skills. They also get to make friends at the “longkang” and learn to work with others to trap those slippery fish! At the end of the longkang fishing expedition, kids can take the fish they caught home as pets. What if you are not keen on bringing home the fish as pets? Don’t worry - you can simply release them back into the pond. The memories of the time spent longkang fishing are yours to keep! For a list of places to go longkang fishing in Singapore, visit littledayout.com/longkangfishing.

PHOTOS: E-VON YEUNG, GERALDINE LEONG

Our Little Day Out

Little Day

Issue 1, 2018

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SPOTLIGHT

SPOTLIGHT

Happy Digging at Happy Castle

W

ant your preschooler to engage in sports, but not sure which ones the little one will be inclined towards? Worried that your child may not last through a term of doing the same activity over and over? The multi-sports programme at Ready Steady Go Kids may just be your answer!

by E-von Yeung

Jump, dig, build and create - there is lots of fun to be had at the Happy Castle playground, located at The Seletar Mall.

Bounce Into the Ball Pit The first zone that greets you at Happy Castle is a pit full of balls, gleaming like big bubbles. Kids love to throw themselves and “swim” in a ball pit, so you’ll find squealing children having a great time here. The banana boat-looking rocking toys are great for groups of kids and interactive play. They attract kids to have fun together and rock to their hearts’ content, like a see-saw at traditional playgrounds.

by Wong Wai Ling

At Ready Steady Go Kids, children from 1.5 to six years old learn the fundamentals of 10 sports – from soccer and tennis to the notso-common T-ball and cricket – experiencing all of them within two terms! Sports are rotated every two or three weeks, just enough time for basic concepts and motor patterns to be reinforced without the kids getting disinterested.

Happy Bouncing in a Bouncy Castle Cassia Seed Playground Known also as “jue ming zi” in Chinese, cassia seeds are commonly used in Chinese medicine to treat eye infections and help with weight loss. It is said that pillows filled with cassia seeds help improve the quality of sleep too. Lots of sand toys are available at Happy Castle’s cassia seed playground, from spades to buckets and funnels. Kids get to practise their motor skills and learn about cause-and-effect as they pour seeds through spinning-wheel towers and other toys.

Jump, climb, slide; jump climb, slide - rinse and repeat. Watch as kids bounce to their hearts’ content at this bouncy castle, and make friends with fellow bouncers.

Premier Science-based Programme from Australia

Bricks Land

Ready Steady Go Kids was brought in to Singapore from Australia by Mr Chua Wee Lee in 2012. The programme aims to enhance children’s fine and gross motor skills, encourage participation in sports and prepare them for early school years.

Climb up to this giant brick structure and storm the castle! The short slide is a fun activity for both older and younger kids. Kids can create their own life-size “castle” with giant bricks. Colourful and fun, the bricks are large and easy for young children to handle.

“

I realised my daughter, who was five at that time, could not catch a big ball thrown to her. Wondering why, I did some research and discovered that motor skills are something that have to be learnt – seems obvious but I don’t think many parents know this until they read about it or hear someone else say it.

Art-and-Craft Activities After your time at the playground, head to the art zone for some winding down activities. Pick from a variety of craft here - from beadcraft to foam-craft. Complete a little craft project for something to bring home after a fun little day out!

Happy Castle, The Seletar Mall

33 Sengkang West Avenue #03-K1/K2/K3, Singapore 797653 Happy Castle outlets can also be found at Westgate, Jem, Jurong Point, City Square Mall, Century Square (coming soon in June 2018) and HarbourFront (coming soon in August 2018).

PHOTOS: E-VON YEUNG

Mr Chua Wee Lee The Chief of RSGK Singapore Pte Ltd.

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”

Pay-off Socially, Emotionally, and Mentally Ready Steady Go Kids’ multi-sports programme encourages kids to acquire a range of motor skills. Such gross and fine motor manipulations are necessary for everyday functions, such as maintaining tabletop posture and writing. These have a direct impact on children’s academic learning. Learning different sports with others enables kids to practise teamwork and sportsmanship in different situations too, and improves their ability to listen and concentrate.

An Effective Learning Environment To ensure more effective learning, class sizes are maintained at a maximum instructor-to-student ratio of 1:7. This means that the kids enjoy the best of both worlds: adequate individual attention from the instructors and the excitement of a lively group activity. To book a trial lesson with Ready Steady Go Kids or for more information, visit www.readysteadygokids.com.sg.

PHOTOS: READY STEADY GO KIDS

Opened in 2017, this indoor playground in the north-east is one of Happy Castle’s multiple outlets in Singapore. Activities range from a cassia-seed playground to a ball pit to an artand-craft zone.

Ready Steady Go Kids

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LittleDayOutFeatures

Mad about Manatees by Wong Wai Ling

“Good boy,” I said, patting the head of the cutie in front of me. This was no doe-eyed cat. Nor was it a fluffy toy-sized dog. We are talking about a 600-kg manatee, with huge creases around its nose, thick wet lips surrounded by short wiry whiskers, beady eyes on either side of its head, and a figure that looks pregnant all year round! It might not have everything going for it in the looks department, but it was such a gentle giant, it completely stole my heart!

Getting to Know the Manatees Behind the Scenes I was on the Manatee Mania behind-the-scenes tour at River Safari with my husband and six-year-old. The highlight of the tour was the chance to interact with the manatees and their aquarists, who are the equivalent of zookeepers for aquatic animals. Our guide brought us through a staff-only doorway, into the back of the manatee enclosure. Here, we were greeted by two aquarists, who shared with us about their work and the manatees in their care.

Did you know that manatees are very affectionate creatures?

Discovering intriguing facts about manatees from River Safari’s aquarists Mun Yee and Jimmy.

We were helped into our bulky waders by the aquarists and their very nice supervisor. The little one was then presented with a basket of fresh vegetables. “We need your help to feed the manatees,” she was told.

The 12 manatees at River Safari eat 200 kg of vegetables a day! But their favourite food is a high-fibre biscuit that smelled like dog food to me. The strategy, therefore, was to feed them the vegetables first, before moving on to the biscuits. Makes total sense! We walked clumsily to the manatees’ enclosure, where we had to carefully descend a few steps to the elongated space behind the tank. From here, we could reach out to feed or pat the manatees that came our way. Almost knee-deep in water – hence the waders – we were taught how to feed the manatees. The little one was both fascinated and a little wary, even though we learnt earlier that manatees do not have teeth at the front of their mouths and cannot bite when they are fed. But the manatees were so gentle and slow in movement, she eventually overcame her fear and offered them the food. We were introduced to Eva, the largest manatee at River Safari, weighing a hefty 1,200 kg, Pedro, the oldest at 39 years old, and Canola, River Safari’s animal icon. Each manatee at River Safari is trained to recognise a different colour so that aquarists can communicate with them individually using coloured sticks. I was impressed by how obedient they were: they never fought for food. They ate their vegetables even though they knew their favourite biscuit was on the menu. It was relaxing spending

Meeting these lovable manatees was such a pleasure!

time with them – looking into their kind eyes, feeding them, and patting them on their heads. All too soon, the food was gone. We learnt how to tell the manatees that the meal was over, by shaking our hands in a “no more” gesture, like what we do with little kids. It was hard to say goodbye. Till we meet again, cuties! River Safari’s Manatee Mania behind-the-scenes tour is available daily from 9.30 am to 10.30 am for a maximum of eight people at a price of $118 for an adult and $72 for a child. Bookings are compulsory.

PHOTOS: WONG WAI LING

According to the aquarists, the babies hug them and chew their hair playfully in the water. They also like to be patted on the head when they have done well, much like kids! After learning all about the manatees, we were ready to meet them!

From Feeding with Caution to Falling in Love

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LittleDayOutPlay

Float my Boat

Water Sports Centre, Singapore Sports Hub 8 Stadium Walk, Singapore 397699

A quiet lake it may not be, but the Kallang River provides a scenic backdrop for a spot of relaxing pedal-boating or pedalbiking. Rentals to the public are are available from the Water Sports Centre. And if you happen to feel like something a little more vigorous, go for the canoes, kayaks and dragon boats.

A roughly-folded paper boat set adrift in a roadside drain. A lazy afternoon on a pedalo drifting in tranquil waters. Activities reminiscent of a time where pleasures were far simpler. Hankering to relive those days? Here are some cool spots that you can cast off from. Whether it’s sailing a boat, or sailing in one - you pick. Whatever floats your boat!

Marina Barrage Water Playground 8 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018951

by Kim Quek

Venture into the shallow wading pool at Marina Barrage’s Water Playground. Dash through a tunnel created by sprinkling jets of water or step into a cluster of water fountains that playfully rise up and down. It is a simple and enjoyable water play spot with the city skyline in the background.

Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park Water Playground Opposite Block 223 Ang Mo Kio Street 22

Springing from a source atop the gently sloping terrain and meandering through a series of varied channels, the neverending flow of water makes this playground an ideal place to set your boat afloat. It’s an interesting one too - metal sluice gates and movable barriers allow kids to direct the water flow and experiment with the effect of obstacles on it.

Bounded by Yishun Ave 1 and Lentor Avenue, Singapore 769139

A simple playscape that leaves plenty of room for imagination. A shallow wading stream courses through undulating slopes, feeding, on one end, into a wading small pond and water jets in the ground. On the other end, two cheerful giant poppy showerheads provide relief on a hot day. This playground has both calm and slightly more tumultuous conditions for little boats.

Paper Boat 3. Fold the bottom

1. Fold a rectangular paper in half.

6. ...square.

strips upwards.

2. Fold the two top

corners to the centre.

4. Fold the corners to

the front to make a triangle.

5. Hold the bottom corners and

push them together to make a…

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PHOTOS: SINGAPORE SPORTS HUB, LESTER NG

Make Your Own

Lower Seletar Reservoir Park Water Playground

7. Fold the bottom half upward. Turn over and repeat with the other side to…

8. ...make a triangle.

9. Hold the bottom

corners and push them together to make a square.

10. Hold the upper corners and pull them apart. Let the cabin come up and you have created your own boat.

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LittleDayOutPlay

Awesome

Hotel Pools

Recharge and beat the heat with a well-deserved break at these beautiful, family-friendly pools in Singapore hotels. From slides to life-sized floating peacocks and more, these amazing pools offer a combination of fun and relaxation. by Carissa Soh

Rasa Sentosa Resort and Spa Rasa Sentosa has one of the largest free-form pools in Singapore. Add on a children’s pool, splash pad with fountains and water slides sheltered under a canopy and it turns into fun playground for families to have a splashing good time in the water.

Capella Singapore

Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa

Capella Singapore’s cascading outdoor pools beckon guests to take a dip. When you get tired of one pool, simply hop on down to the next one. Guests can also make complimentary use of several floats at the cascading pools. One of the most popular floats is in the form of a peacock – and they go well with the actual peacocks roaming around the resort!

Amara Sanctuary Resort is well known for their luxurious villas. Families that want to take their getaway experience to the next level can book a villa with a private pool. These come with a gorgeous interior, private patio and plunge pool. Have an unforgettable experience relaxing at this exclusive getaway.

Crowne Plaza Changi Airport At Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, you can daydream to the sight of planes flying into the sky while soaking in a gorgeous outdoor swimming pool. This landscaped pool comes complete with palm trees and has various nooks and crannies which make it perfect for families to play a game of hide-and-seek!

Hard Rock Hotel If you’re deciding between a day at the beach and a day at the pool, why not have both? At Hard Rock Hotel, the resort’s beachlike swimming pool has tropical landscaping that ensures that the sand and “sea” are just steps away from one another.

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IMAGES COURTESY OF: RASA SENTOSA RESORT AND SPA, CROWNE PLAZA CHANGI AIRPORT, RESORTS WORLD SENTOSA, CAPELLA SINGAPORE, AMARA SANCTUARY RESORT SENTOSA

How to Throw an

Unforgettable Pool Party

“

”

I want to have a pool party with all my friends!

Planning parties may seem daunting but here are five steps to have a relatively fuss-free yet impressive pool party!

1 3 4 2

5

Theme It

Special Guests

Games and Activities

Deciding on a theme will help to narrow down the hundreds of possibilities when choosing decorations, food and party invitations. Brainstorm along different categories such as characters (mermaids, pirates), locations (beach, floating in space) or even colours and textures (“blue and green”, glitter, glow-in-the-dark).

If you want to make the pool party extra special, invite some extra special guests. Ever dreamt of meeting a mermaid? You can hire one to guest star at your pool party. Alternatively, getting a friend or family member to dress up in a rented costume works too!

Many simple and fun games can be played in a pool. Organise a simple team race or, for younger party guests, play simple games such as “fishing” using DIY fishing rods and magnets. So there you have it! Stay safe and have a splashing good time at your pool party!

DIY Decorations

Rent Some Floats

Decorations don’t have to be complicated or expensive. Use streamers and buntings to fill up larger areas and have a few large centrepieces at locations like the food table. Make use of floats and toys to save on costs.

What would a pool party be without supersized floats? From giant pizzas and unicorns to flamingos, there are plenty of choices available. There are companies that rent pool floats that will bring an interesting visual to the party.

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View of the Han River from Seoul Tower atop Namsan Park

LittleDayOutTravel

All dressed up in traditional Hanbok

Holiday with

Seoul

Steeped in culture and tradition, yet juxtaposed with the modern comforts of a cosmopolitan city, Seoul offers the young and grand an exciting cinematic backdrop to explore.

Top: The eight-flavoured beef and pork barbeque Above: Guards at one of the five palaces in Seoul

Snacks at the cultural district of Insa-dong

Left: Shopping at the fashionable Myeong-dong

by Geraldine Leong

Seoul Significant Amidst the skyscrapers and traditional homes are six of the remaining great gates and small pagoda-style gateways, vestiges of the Joseon Dynasty, dotting the capital city. Of the five palaces, the oldest and grandest Gyeongbok and the bestpreserved Changdeok are the most

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frequented by tourists. With the kids, we chose to take a short morning walk through the small Unhyeongung Royal Residence, which was within walking distance of our hotel at Insa-dong. Namsan Hanok Village, with its five restored traditional Korean houses, a pavilion and traditional garden, gave us an insight into how Koreans used to live. At the SonghakKhim Store, a threein-one stop for tourists, we had a quick lesson on how seaweed is harvested from the clean waters of the Western Sea while chomping on crisp laver. We also a fun time making preserved cabbage (kimchi), one of the world’s top five healthiest foods, and trying out traditional Korean clothes (hanbok) against traditional Korean sets.

Seoul Scenic For a panoramic view of Seoul, we headed up to Seoul Tower, atop the 262-metre peak in Namsan Park. Here’s a tip: don’t forget to visit the toilets with floor-to-ceiling glass windows giving you the most gorgeous views while you are 480 metres above sea level. For another scenic sight, we took a 1.5 hour drive to Nami Island in Gapyeong City. Made popular by the Korean drama “Winter Sonata”, the beautiful getaway was originally a hilltop that became an island following the construction of Cheongpyeong Dam.

Seoul Shopping Choices are aplenty at the many shopping districts within Seoul, from the dazzling lights of the financial and fashion district of Myeong-dong with its trendy boutiques and luxury department stores to Samcheong-dong’s main street lined with cafes, quaint shops and galleries. Over at Insa-dong, the cultural centre of Seoul, one can soak in the sights of traditional Korean clothing (hanbok), traditional paper (hanji), traditional teas and folk craft. At Dongdaemun, more

than 20 malls and specialty stores carry a full range of inexpensive fashion from head to toe. My family’s favourite was Namdaemun, home of South Korea’s largest wholesale market. We weaved through a fraction of the over 10,000 stalls on the many streets packed with the best bargains on accessories, cosmetics, handicrafts, ceramics, Korean food and imported products. Seoul Scrumptious The top shopping spots are filled with a variety of delicious street food, sizzling away on the grills. After the long walks, our tummies went on gastronomic adventures with bimbimbap, bulgogi, pork bone stew (gamjatang) and more.

An interesting experience was the well-marinated eight-flavoured beef and pork Samgyupsal Wu Hua Rou Barbeque. And of course, there was the unforgettable good ole Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup. Seoul Superb A trip to Seoul would not be complete for the kids without a visit to a familyfriendly resort. We visited Everland Resort, a theme park and zoo rolled in one, which gave us kiddie rides, roller coasters and a whole day of family fun. With all the walking and exploring came the talking and discovering that make a holiday complete. Deeper ties were forged and all I can say was that it was a Seoul good holiday.

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PHOTOS: LEONG SEE KIT, GERALDINE LEONG

Korean movies, K-pop and Kimchi are the three Ks South Korea’s Seoul is most famously known for. Yet, two Seoul searching trips later, the first with my bestie and the next with my extended family and four kids, left me with not just these Ks, but a kaleidoscope of vibrant experiences as good as Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup is for my soul.

The beautiful tree-lined walk on Nami Island

SPOTLIGHT

Life

Short Beach

Escapes

LittleDayOutOutdoors

along Singapore’s Shores Singapore shores are alive! Join marine enthusiasts in celebrating the International Year of the Reefs in 2018! Here are some seashore animals you can find around Singapore’s coasts.

Looking to refresh and recharge? With world-class beach destinations just a short distance from Singapore, there are plenty of reasons to escape for the weekend and unwind by the waves and sand.

by Ria Tan

Coral reefs

by Keef Wong

Rawa Island, Malaysia A tropical paradise off the East coast of Malaysia, Rawa Island offers visitors turquoise blue waters and white sandy beaches. This idyllic beach getaway is perfect for those who wish to laze about.

Yes! Singapore has coral reefs. They are teeming with amazing marine life. Reefs support wild dolphins and sea turtles, still regularly seen nowadays in our waters. No need to dive! You can explore our reefs by joining low tide walks at the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park.

Sea stars

Krabi, Thailand Some of the most pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters in Southeast Asia are found in Krabi, Thailand. Kids will absolutely love the fine white sand on Railay Beach and the famous Phi Phi islands. Don’t forget to take your sunscreen for the day under the sun.

Singapore’s seagrass meadows are sparkling with stars! Often called starfish, these creatures are not fish at all! So let’s call them sea stars. Be kind to our stars. Don’t pick them up as many sea stars can purposely drop off an arm if they feel threatened! This is how they might escape the jaws of a predator. Get close to our stars by joining seashore walks by NParks at Chek Jawa, Pulau Ubin or the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park.

Horseshoe crabs

Mudskippers Happy both in water and on land, mudskippers sometimes get mistaken as frogs or snakes. But a mudskipper is a fish! Singapore has many kinds of mudskippers. The Giant Mudskipper is our biggest and “baddest”. It can grow to the size of your foot! An aggressive hunter, it eats mainly prawns, small crabs and insects, and sometimes, other smaller mudskippers too! Spot them at the free family walks every month by the Naked Hermit Crabs at Pasir Ris mangrove boardwalk and Chek Jawa boardwalk.

Stay Protected Under the Sun

Be sure to keep the entire family well protected against the harmful rays of the sun while enjoying the outdoors. Whatever your plans, don’t forget the sunscreen. Don’t let sunburn ruin a wonderful weekend getaway. With Banana Boat sunscreen, you can protect the family so that they can enjoy outdoor fun. Remember that the sun is always shining even if it’s cloudy and when you’re not swimming! Banana Boat sunscreen applies easily and there is a tear-free version specially formulated for kids too. It’s tested to stay on in seven conditions – sun, pool water, ocean water, wind, sweat, sand and extreme heat - so the whole family can have fun without worrying about the sun!

Banana Boat Sunscreen Products

$3 Off

Sting-free, Tear-Free, Hypoallergenic

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Crocodiles Seeing crocodiles should make us smile. Only healthy mangroves can support these magnificent top predators! Small crocodiles may eat insects, frogs, crabs and fishes. Adults can eat larger fish, birds and mammals, hunting mainly at night. Despite our worst fears, crocodiles don’t eat people. Like any wild animal, crocodiles will not harm humans if we keep a respectful distance from them. The best way for an opportunity to see them for yourself is to join free monthly walks at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. Visit the Celebrating Singapore Shores website (celebratingsingaporeshores. blogspot.sg) for the latest seashore events for families and kids.

PHOTOS: RIA TAN

Bali, Indonesia Everyone who visits Bali flocks to Kuta to laze about on its beautiful beaches. Next time, try heading a little further out to Lovina in northern Bali instead. Famous for black sand beaches and dolphin-spotting tours, this is a getaway that the family will not be forgetting anytime soon!

Horseshoe crabs are strange, ancient creatures that have been around since before the dinosaurs. Singapore is lucky to have two types of horseshoe crabs, but they are endangered. Learn and do more for our horseshoe crabs by volunteering with Horseshoe Crab Rescue and Research by the Nature Society (Singapore).

1. $3 voucher is applicable for the purchase of Banana Boat sunscreen products in a single receipt on top of promotion. 2. Voucher is not refundable or exchangeable for cash. 3. Limited to 1 voucher per transaction. Combination of vouchers is not allowed. 4. Original voucher must be presented at point of payment. 5. Voucher is not valid for purchase at online store. 6. Voucher is only valid for use from 1 June to 31 July 2018. No extension of date is allowed. Issue 1, 2018

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LittleDayOutOutdoors

LittleDayOutLook

Wild Wet

Ocean’s Eleven

Family Fun

Just because something is essential doesn’t mean it has to be boring. These wonderfully cheery and colourful beach gear will zest up your seaside holiday and get you right in the mood for a splashing good time.

Siti Shahida is Assistant Manager, Guest Services at the Wild Wild Wet. We get to know her and find out about her role at the Downtown East water park plus get some insider tips too! Tell us about yourself and your family.

by Goh Yee-Huay

by Lester Ng

My family and I are strong believers of having fun together and we build close bonds through play. I have a son and he is now 15 months old, and we enjoy spending quality time as a family.

What is your role at Wild Wild Wet? I oversee the Guest Services department at Wild Wild Wet. This includes looking after the daily operations matters such as admissions, customer service, and counter and in-park services.

What do you enjoy most about your role at Wild Wild Wet? I enjoy interacting with the guests and ensuring that their needs are met. When my team and I provide good customer service to them, their happy and excited faces, especially the gleaming looks on children, really make my day.

Do you have a favourite ride at Wild Wild Wet? Yes, definitely the Ular-Lah! I can take this ride together with five other family members and scream our lungs out as we swoosh down the slide. My boy also enjoys splashing and playing in the new Splash Play area, which is very popular with kids and their parents alike.

Early Learning Centre Frog Baby Shade Pool $53, from Mothercare Singapore

Banana Boat Kids Sunscreen Lotion SPF50+ $14.90, from Watsons and other stores

My Swim Baby Sun Hat $14.90, from Pupsik Studio

B.Toys Large Bucket Set $55.90, from Motherswork

What tips do you have for families to get the most out of their day at Wild Wild Wet? Come prepared with sunblock lotion and a fresh change of clothes. Buy tickets online to skip the queue and book a cabana to lounge comfortably while keeping an eye out for your children. There’s also no need to worry about food as we have many food options within the waterpark and nearby.

Nautical

Playgrounds

Go nautical at these ship-themed playgrounds in the heartlands.

Set sail on this bright red ship playground. Tour the playground’s two decks and get a close-up look of its smokestack.

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Melissa & Doug Clicker Crab Child’s Outdoor Chair $32.90, from Motherswork

Block 286C Compassvale Crescent

Explore a shipwreck and perhaps uncover some hidden treasure at this Compassvale playground.

Melissa & Doug, Water Wow! Animal Water-reveal Pad $9.90, from Mothercare Singapore

Personalised Hooded Towel $29.99, from cottonon.com/SG

Green Toys Seaplane $26.90, from Motherswork

Skip Hop Grab & Go Wet/Dry Bag $22.40, from Pupsik Studio

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PRICES ARE ACCURATE AT TIME OF PRINTING.

Block 121B Canberra Street

Giant Cupcake Beach Blanket $50.25, from Redmart

Shipwreck Playground PHOTOS: SITI SHAHIDA, WILD WILD WET, LESTER NG

Double-decker Ship Playground

Melissa Beach Slides Rainbows $110, from Melissa

LittleDayOutActivity

LittleDayOutFood

Splash and Dine

Move Like a Sailor

Why did Handel compose a series of three orchestral suites, naming it Water Music? Find out how he went with the flow. by Lester Ng

Sandbank

Smith Marine Floating Restaurant

Sandbank has a casual, family-friendly feel with a view of the waters off East Coast Park. Its menu of international favourites includes pastas, pizzas, burgers and mains such as fish and chips. Sandbank has a 15-metre plunge pool which spans the front of the outlet – a feature that will no doubt provide the kids with amazing, splashing fun.

Catch a fish in the middle of the sea next to Pulau Ubin and have it freshly cooked for you at Smith Marine, the modern kelong restaurant off the coast of Changi. This uniquely located restaurant provides an opportunity for family and friends to enjoy the sea breeze, laid-back vibes and fresh seafood. Reservations are a must.

Royal Albatross

Wave House Sentosa

8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098269 tallship.com.sg

Dine under the four masts of the Royal Albatross, a wooden vessel that exemplifies the romance of the age of sail. The 47-metre-long tall ship’s galley is open on selected days of the week when docked and welcomes visitors with a hearty menu of starters, pizzas, mains and desserts. A kids menu is available for little ones as well.

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Pulau Ubin Coastal Waters. Take a ferry from Changi Point Ferry Terminal smithmarine.com.sg

Siloso Beach, Sentosa wavehousesentosa.org

Hang out by the beach and dine at Wave House Sentosa. Its restaurant serves a selection of appetizers, pastas, seafood and mains. You can get a view of riders carving up the waves on the Flowrider at the same time – and perhaps have a go at it yourself too.

PHOTOS: GERALDINE LEONG, ROYAL ALBATROSS, WAVE HOUSE SENTOSA

920 East Coast Parkway, #01-28/32 Parkland Green, Singapore 449875 sandbank.com.sg

K

ing George I was planning an excursion up the Thames River and thought aloud, “Wouldn’t it be lovely if there was music to entertain my guests and me when we cruise up the River?” With this thought, Handel wrote three Water Music suites for this special occasion. While King George I and his party sailed up Thames on a barge, another barge with a huge orchestra on board floated alongside to perform Handel’s suites. Many townsmen also gathered by the River to enjoy and dance to this lovely performance. The host and his guests enjoyed the joyous music so much they requested for the musicians to perform it four times, which lasted from 8 pm till past midnight! Can you imagine how exhausted the musicians were after this performance? Have a listen to the Hornpipe dance section from Handel’s Water Music at littledayout.com/watermusic. Now, try these listening and movement activities at home and be introduced to the instruments and sections of an orchestra as well.

by Tang Tee Tong

Activity

1

Instruments of the Orchestra Watch and listen carefully to this dance movement and let your body sway along with the orchestra! The first section emphasizes different instruments in an orchestra – can you hear and see when the trumpets receive the limelight? And the horns? Now, let’s listen to the movement again and imagine we are musicians of an orchestra by imitating their movements. Let’s first imagine we play a string instrument! Remember when we heard the trumpet and horn solos just now? Imitate a trumpet or horn player during these solos. Take on different roles of the orchestra, don’t be shy, you can even try to be the conductor!

Activity

2

Listening and Movement This hornpipe dance movement is in 3! Let’s imagine you are sailors and march as a family counting 1-2-3 out loud! The middle section of the music is quieter. Get on your tippy-toes while the strings are bustling in activity as if whispering to each other. Listen carefully to when the “sailor” section returns and march with pride and joy! PHOTOS: CLARENCE YAP

Looking for a unique experience for your next meal? Dive into these dining spots which provide a mix of good food and water-themed fun.

Issue 1, 2018

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items Can you find the hen us w that protect the sun? in we have fun !

are Hint: there five in this

Answers: sunglasses (inflatable pool), sunscreen lotion (ladder of slide), umbrella (among sunflowers), glass of water (pants of boy with frisbee), hat (crown of tree)

UR AND FIN O L D CO

50 SPF

picture