FAMILY

2013 Year End Holiday Calendar Planner

| San

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3 things that I have done since the exams ended:
01. Put the used textbooks aside till the next donation drive.
02. Dropped the non reusable activity books and exam practice papers in the recycling bins.
03. Cleaned up the study room.

I am currently looking out for activities to do in November and December.  Knowing how much I love planners, I created a monthly version this time, for simple tracking of available events around town and my family’s holiday schedule.

Have you started planning your year end activities?

Homemade Popcorns for Stay Home Movie Sessions

| San

homemade popcorns2 homemade popcorns1
One of the things I did with the kids during the second half of the month long school holiday was cooping up at home watching movies.  The haze condition chased most of us indoors, we could only do that many craft projects before the paper/glue/paint mess got too big to be handled.  So I slotted in a few celluloid classics while I do the cleaning or cooking.

A few titles that always get requested are the anime works of Hayao Miyazaki’s (宫崎骏), my kids love them, from the earlier ones like Castle in the Sky, Whisper of the Heart (My Favorite!), Kiki’s Delivery Service, to the recent ones like Spirited Away, The Secret World of Arrietty, etc.

** A Must : When you are done with the movies, and can’t get enough of their beautiful soundtrack, be sure to catch this Studio Ghibli 25 years concert, and relive those favorite moments again.

Made old school popcorns at home for snacking while watching the movies.  I always thought that you’ll need those huge looking corn popping machines seen at the theater snack bar to do the trick.  Turned out that my heavy bottom pan, some butter, and corn kernels would do.  Even your microwave could do it, some made it look even simpler with a brown bag and eating straight out of it after the corns are popped.  Just stay away from those microwave-ready popcorns.

Butter and ghee are my preferred fat for making these popcorns.  I still rely on the stove-top method instead of the microwave version because somehow my microwave seems to burn the popped corns easily.  It was so frustrating picking out the charred ones.  A lower setting did not work either.  Think I am destined to stand by the stove…

HOMEMADE POPCORNS
// Adapted from Creative Simple Life

INGREDIENTS
1 heap tablespoon of ghee
1/3 cup corn kernel

1. Place 3 corn kernels in a covered (preferably glass cover for see-through) pot and heat over medium fire.
2. Once the 3 kernels are popped, remove them from the pot, and add the ghee and rest of corn kernels into the pot, covered with lid.
3. Corns should start popping in a while, shake the pot back and forth intermittently, so that the popped kernels does not get charred below.  Lift the lid slightly to let steam escaped.
4. Once the popping slow down to just 1 per second, turn off fire, and pour the popcorns into a serving bowl.
5. Season according to preference.  I love the convenience of Old Bay or melted dark chocolate.

Book Cover 002

| San

bookcover002 // mono+co

Have your kids been journaling/doodling more during the past hazy week?  This is a second exercise book I wrapped with brown paper and simply decorated with a checkered floppy disk label.

Kaleidocycle

| San

kaleidocycle // mono+co kaleidocycle // mono+co

A Kaleido-what?

While making the popup card yesterday, we stumbled upon another great paper craft on the same site to make this toy.  I can’t explain how the thing works, see here for yourself.  The printable template is there too.  Just print it out, give yourself 10 minutes to sort the instructions out, and then impress the kids with it.

Pixelated Popup Card

| San

pixelatedpopupcard // mono+co

A last minute Father’s Day card made with instructions from here.  The template prints on an A4 paper to make 2 cards.  Neon colors are still a huge trend, so I printed mine on neon pink paper.  It’s a bit tricky to cut and score the template, so I did most of the work, but once the popup step is completed, the rest is free for the kids to design and create their one-of-a-kind Father’s Day Card.

And if you are adventurous enough, there is another 8-bit “space invader” and “skull” pop up tutorial on the site too!

Book Cover 001

| San

bookcover001 // mono+co

Journal writing a great activity to unleash kids’ creativity and we get to learn about their thoughts through their work.  I buy standard exercise books from the stationery shops and re-wrap them with brown paper and then embellish the cover with a series of heart-shaped labels.

Pancakes With Molded Butter Pads

| San

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I’m not sure my kids like making the banana pancakes or the butter pads better, but both recipes are pretty fool-proof, and extra fancy for a looong morning breakfast.  If your kids can stir, they can make these.

A plea from the pancakes: use real butter, not man-made margarine.  Make these individual servings of butter with your favorite chocolate molds the night before.  I got mine from Daiso, they have cute looking teddy bear ones too!

DIY MOLDED BUTTER PADS

1. Soften butter (salted or unsalted are fine, individual preference) to room temperature.
2. Spoon softened butter into molds, minimizing air bubbles.
3. Freeze the molds in freezer for 1 hour, or chiller compartment overnight.
4. Remove mold from fridge and tap them on counter top to dislodge the butter pads from the mold.
5. Use immediately, or keep them in a container, but always keep them in the chiller so that they won’t melt and go out of shape.

FLUFFY AMERICAN BANANA PANCAKES
// Adapted from : BBC Food
Yields : 4 fairly large thick pancakes.

INGREDIENTS

  • 135g plain flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons castor sugar
  • 130ml milk
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter, and slightly more for cooking
  • 1 large banana, sliced

1. Lightly whisk milk and egg in a bowl together, then whisk in melted butter.
2. In a separate bowl, mix sifted flour and powder, salt and sugar.
3. Pour milk mixture in step 1 into the bowl of dry ingredients in step 2, and stir thoroughly with a fork, until the batter has no lumps.  The batter would be thick, not the runny kind, resist temptation to add milk/water to remove lumps, keep stirring and the lumps should disappear.  Let batter stand aside for a few minutes.
4. In a pan, brush some melted butter, and turn on fire to low heat.
5. Pour some batter into the heated pan, and let it cook over low heat.
6. Arrange banana slices on the top of the pancake, tapping them down into the batter slightly.
7. Wait till the top of the pancake starts to bubble, then turn pancake over to cook the side with bananas.
8. Remove pan from heat, and serve cooked pancake onto a plate.  Wipe the pan clean with clean towel, and brush with melted butter first, before repeating step 5-8 for the next pancake.
9. Repeat till all batter are used up.
10. Serve pancakes immediately while they are still warm.  Top with gula melaka syrup (or real maple syrup) and butter pads(above).

Frugal Holiday Part 2 : June 2013 School Holiday Activities

| San

P.S. Frugal Holiday Part 1 Here

Last week, while checking out museums to visit, I found a few more places of interest from Children’s Season 2013 website that would come in handy for planning school holiday activities with kids:

1. Infocomm Experience Centre (iExperience)
27 May 2013 – 16 June 2013
Address : 90 Bras Basah Road #B1-10/18 Esplanade Xchange S(189562)

Children Infocomm Workshop
Weekdays: 10.30am – 12pm / 2.30pm – 4.30pm

“Specially designed for children from 4-12 years old, the Children’s Infocomm Workshop is for children to learn about next generation infocomm technologies through play. Children will get hands-on experience with various infocomm tools such as interactive board, multi-touch interactive table, video-conferencing, fun shopping with mobile and creation of 3D videos.”

Children’s Fiesta (Full)
Weekends: 10am – 4pm

{Source}

2. Land Transport Gallery
17 May – 30 June
Address : 1 Hampshire Road Block 1 Level 1 S219428
9.30am – 5pm (Mon – Sat)

“Explore the past and present of Singapore’s land transport system through games, activities and tours in our latest download line train model. Activity booklets and goodie bags will be given away too, so join in the fun at the Land Transport Gallery this Children’s
Season!”

{Source}

3. Old Ford Factory
Address : 351 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 588192

History Through Drama
15, 22 June

“Calling all budding drama kings and queens! Put on your thinking caps and get your creative juices flowing! Memories at Old Ford Factory is excited to present to you a fun and stimulating way of learning about Singapore’s history. Get your young talents to join in the skit and learn how to design their own drama performance – kids will take part in designing the props! Through the activities, children will understand the hardships of war and better appreciate the peace and harmony enjoyed today.”

{Source}

4. Police Heritage Centre
Address : New Phoenix Park Police HQ Tower, Level 1 & 2, 28 Irrawaddy Rd, S(329560)

I Want To Be A Policeman
Weekdays: 23 & 31 May / 7, 14, 21, 27 & 28 Jun
10am / 2.30pm / 3.30pm
Saturdays: 25 May / 8, 22 & 29 Jun
9am / 11am
Free admission
Visits are by appointment only

“Our young visitors will get to tour the Police Heritage centre, role-play as police officers and make their very own warrant cards. There will also be photo-taking opportunities with our police officers!”

{Source}

5. Singapore Maritime Gallery
Address : Marina South Pier 31 Marina Coastal Drive S(018988)

Discover Maritime Singapore
18 May – 30 June
9am – 5.30pm (Tues to Sun)
Free admission
Free guided tours are available on weekends at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm
Free shuttle service to and from National Museum of Singapore on weekends at regular intervals. Note: Pick-up point from National Museum is at the Fort Canning entrance.

Learn how Singapore transformed from a small fishing village into one of the world’s leading maritime centres.  Understand the intricacies and vibrancy of the world’s busiest port. Come and experience an interactive maritime journey with the Singapore Maritime Gallery.

{Source}

Frugal Holiday Part 1 : Free Museum Activities For June School Holiday 2013

| San

children season

Admissions to the National Museums and Heritage Institutions will be free from this Saturday (18 May 2013) onwards, in conjunction with NHB’s Children’s Season 2013, as well as International Museum Day .

There are altogether 8 museums available for visit under the new program and 2 more to be added when they are ready in 2015; National Art Gallery and Indian Heritage Centre.

It’s a great to be able plan some of the free museum activities into our June school holiday plan, especially since the museums are running Children’s Season 2013.  I took down (cut and paste) some notes on the FREE activities available at various museums and archive them here for easy reference.

1. NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE
Address : 93 Stamford Road S(178897)
Tel : 6332 3659 / 6332 5642
Opening Hours
Singapore History Museum (10am – 6pm)
Singapore Living Museum (10am – 8pm)

Children’s Season – Island Adventures 2013
Concourse & Craft Zone, Level 1
18 May 2013 – 21 Jul 2013

“…Children’s Season – Island Adventures 2013 explores our multi-racial and multi-cultural society through the themes of Food, Film & Wayang, Fashion, and Photography. Children can be an old-time hawker and invent a unique ‘Singapore dish’, watch wayang peep shows, be a tailor of different cultural costumes, and learn how photo studios of a bygone era produced coloured prints in the 1950s and 60s. Each child gets a complimentary activity book^, and parents can purchase an optional Craft Kit ** for additional hands-on activities. There will also be roving acts and story-telling sessions at selected timings throughout the season, with outdoor film screenings of Walt Disney classics The Aristocats and Pinocchio, in June.” .. MORE

**About Optional Craft Kits
– Available at $5 which includes programs, Island Adventures – Roving Acts and Island Tales.
– Admits one parent and one child into Island Adventures Craft Zone which includes programs – Roving Acts and Island Tales.
– This ticket is valid on the stipulated date only.
– Limited to one craft kit per ticket
– Children of all ages must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Island Adventures – Roving Acts
Concourse and Craft Zone, Level 1
Every Friday | 10am and 11:30am | 30 minutes
Every Saturday and Sunday | 11:30am and 2:30pm | 30 minutes

Join us on our island adventure and meet mysterious characters from the past! Young visitors will get to meet interesting people who are skilled in different trades, and find out what they do for a living.  Created to be interactive and educational, our popular roving acts will delight visitors of all ages.

Island Tales
Concourse and Craft Zone, Level 1
Every Monday and Wednesday | 10am and 11:30am | 30 minutes Every Saturday and Sunday | 10:30am and 1:30pm | 30 minutes

Let our storytellers inspire the young ones with intriguing and colourful tales from the past! With engaging dramatisation and interaction, these sessions are a wonderful introduction to Singapore’s history.

Traditional Rattan Basket Weaving Demonstration
26 May
3.30pm – 4.30pm

Witness the skills of the traditional rattan basket weaver and try your hand at weaving one yourself. Rattan baskets are cost-effective storage solutions, as the only raw material necessary is the rattan palm, and in the past all these baskets had to be made by hand.

Wayang Kulit Performance
25 May
3.30pm – 4.30pm

In this performance, let the Dalang, or “Puppetmaster” tell you the story of how Singapore got its name through the enchanting world of wayang kulit (shadow puppetry). The first story, Singapura, is the tale of how Sang Nila Utama, the Prince of Sumatra, came to an island that was then known as Temasek. It was there that he saw a lion, or “Singa” in his native tongue, and decided to name the island “Singapura” (Lion City).

The second story comes from the Indian epic Ramayana. Join us and learn how Prince Rama, who was the incarnation of the God Vishnu, struggled to free his beautiful wife Sita, who had been abducted by the horrible ogre, King Ravana.

Both performances will be brought to you by Sri Warisan, a performing arts company founded by renowned cultural Medallion recipient Madam Som Said.

2. SINGAPORE ART MUSEUM
Address : 71 Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189555
SAM at 8Q : 8 Queen Street, Singapore 188535.
Tel : 6332 3222
Opening Hours : 10am – 7pm (Fri till 9pm)

The International Museum Day event at SAM takes place this Saturday, and there are so many activities to choose from:

International Museum Day
18 May 2013
“Celebrate International Museum Day at SAM with a series of fun, hands-on activities for everyone in the family that are free and centred around the ever-popular Art Garden and President’s Young Talents exhibitions.The activities are:

Box-scape
Hourly from 11am – 6pm
Location: SAM at 8Q Level 4
Create a diorama of your own intriguing landscape using the mixed media technique. This activity is inspired by the NUS Architecture students’ work LANDscape in the Box.

Button It Up!
Hourly from 11am – 6pm
Location: SAM, Glass Hall, Level 1
Transform everyday items such as buttons into beautiful collages that are inspired by nature. Participants can make their collage into badges too.

Flowers in Your Hands Balloon Sculptures
Duration: 11am – 6pm
Location: SAM, Outside Glass Hall, Level 1
Enjoy flowers made from bouncy balloons.

Paint a Garden on Your Face
Duration: 11am – 2pm, 3pm – 6pm
Location: SAM, Chapel, Level 2
Choose your favourite item from the garden, get it painted and walk through the Art Garden with us.

Guided Tour of SAM
Timings: 11am, 2pm, 3.30pm
Venue: SAM Front Desk
Take some time out to enjoy a guided tour of the exhibitions at SAM.

{Program Source: Singapore Art Museum}
Art Garden 2013
SAM at 8Q
17 May 2013 – 1 September 2013

“Wander through fairy tales, get lost in dreams and stretch your imagination, as Art Garden comes back for the fourth year running! This ever-popular exhibition for the young, and the young at heart, features exciting new commissions, mesmerising artworks, short films as well as animations by local and international artists. Explore the exhilarating world of contemporary art through these installations, and take part in the delightful activities specially designed by SAM and the artists. Get ready to be surprised!” .. MORE

3. ASIAN CIVILISATIONS MUSEUM
Address : 1 Empress Place S(179555)
Tel : 6332 7798
Opening Hours : Mon (1pm – 7pm), Tues – Sun (9am – 7pm), Fri (till 9pm)

The Young Collecter
8 & 9 June
Activities from 1pm to 5pmExplore the special exhibition Devotion and Desire and catch exciting dramas in the galleries. Enjoy enchanting cross-cultural performances and create one-of-a-kind crafts for your own art collection.  

The Asian Civilisations Museum’s website has a program resources page useful for parents who like to making the visit a fruitful learning journey with their kids.

Available for downloading are fun interactive worksheets that kids can use to explore various galleries, e.g. Asean Trail, China Gallery Trail, South East Asia Trail.

museum01 museum02
{Source : Asian Civilisations Museum)

Free scheduled Guided Tours of the permanent galleries are also available daily according to the website.

4. THE PERANAKAN MUSEUM
Address : 39 Armenian Street Singapore 179941
Tel : 6332 7591
Opening Hours : Mon (1pm – 7pm), Tues – Sun (9am – 7pm), Fri (till 9pm)

Art Attack!
22 and 23 June 2013
Activities from 1pm to 5pm
Be one of the first to view and take part in the new contemporary art installation, Luminous Depth.Watch the premiere Rempah Sayang, a film presented by Big Eyes, Big Minds as part of this year’s Singapore International Children’s Film Festival. Enjoy storytelling sessions, demonstrations of Peranakan pastimes, and hands-on activities.

Just like Asian Civilisations Museum, The Peranakan Museum’s website also has a resource page for worksheet downloads, or follow the free daily guided tours.

museum03
{Source: The Peranakan Museum}

5. MALAY HERITAGE CENTRE
Address : 85 Sultan Gate, Singapore 198501
Tel : 6391 0450
Opening Hours :
Museum – Tues – Sun (10am – 6pm)

ter-ba-BOM!: Children’s Season @ MHC
31 May – 29 June
Specific timings availableGet ready for a month of thrilling adventures and creative fun at the Malay Heritage Centre during the June school holidays! Returning for the third year, ter-ba-BOM! takes you on a Heritage Hunt around Kampung Gelam and offers interactive storytelling sessions and craft activities for the family!Heritage Hunt
Malay Heritage Centre & Kampong Gelam district
Fridays & Saturdays, 31 May – 29 June 2013
10am – 12pm & 2pm – 4pm
Recommended for children aged  7 to 13 years oldThe residents of Kampong Gelam have been afflicted by mysterious ailments! Armed with a map and a trusty guide, participants will embark on a quest around Kampong Gelam to find traditional cures for different ailments afflicting the human body.Limited to 30 participants per session. To register, please call 6391 0450  or email NHB_MHC_Programmes@nhb.gov.sg.Movie Nights @ MHC
14 and 15 June
8.30pm

Don’t miss an evening of movie magic under the stars at the Malay Heritage Centre!  In support of Children’s Season 2013, MHC will organise free outdoor screenings of Magika (Friday, 14 June) and Nujum Pak Belalang (Saturday, 15 June) on our lawn at 8.30pm.

Note: In the case of inclement weather, all screenings will be cancelled.

Magika
Magika is a fun and hilarious film through which the young can discover and be acquainted with Malay legends and heroes. As Malaysia’s first musical film, Magika tells the story of two siblings who enter a world of fantasy and magic where they meet characters from Malay folklore such as Orang Bunian, Nenek Kebayan, Badang, Hang Tuah and many others.

Nujum Pak Belalang
Nujum Pak Belalang is a film that portrays the challenges of growing up as the child assuming the responsibility of adulthood. The clash of roles is illustrated in a relatively light mood in which the genre of this film is comedy. It also discusses issues of class and status.

Makmal Rekaan (Creative Lab)
Gallery 1, Malay Heritage Centre
Saturdays, from 1 June  – 29 June
12pm – 1.30pm & 3pm – 4.30pm
Recommended for children aged  6 years old and below with accompanying adults

Play a heroic character from Malay folklore in Makmal Rekaan (Creative Lab), our interactive workshop that combines storytelling, acting and handicraft activities to create props and costumes!

Limited to 30 participants per session. To register, please call 6391 0450  or email NHB_MHC_Programmes@nhb.gov.sg.

Neighbourhood Sketches
Bussorah Mall, Kampong Gelam
28 Jun 2013 – 29 Jun 2013
8.30pm to 9.30pm

Neighbourhood Sketches return this year with more vibrant performances along the bustling esplanade of Bussorah Mall!

This popular series of street performances will continue to showcase different aspects of traditional and contemporary Malay artistic expressions such as kerongchong (Malay folk music originating from Java), angklung (a musical instrument consisting of two or four bamboo tubes), kulingtang (wooden xylophone from Sulawesi), wayang orang (Javanese theatrical performance) and more.

All performances will  be held at Bussorah esplanade on every last Friday and Saturday of the month from 25 January 2013 to 31 August 2013.

Galleries Alive!: An Afternoon of Traditional Malay Music
02 May 2013 – 29 Aug 2013
First and last Thursdays of the month from May 2013 until August 2013; 12.30pm to 1.15pm, 3.30pm to 4.15pm

Learn more about various traditional and syncretic Malay music forms through our live performances in the galleries on selected Thursdays. There will be post-performance discussions with the musicians and visitors will also have the chance to try their hands at selected musical instruments found in MHC’s Muzik Gallery!

6. SINGAPORE PHILATELIC MUSEUM
Address : 23-B Coleman Street S(179807)
Tel : 6337 3888
Opening Hours : Mon (1pm – 7pm), Tues – Sun (9.30am – 7pm),

There are four permanent galleries (Orange Room, Purple Room, Room of Rarities and Heritage Room) that we can explore on our own for free.

  • 4 chargeable activities are currently listed on its website for the June 2013 holidays HERE.

7. SUN YAT SEN NANUANG MEMORIAL HALL/ 晚晴园-孙中山南洋纪念馆
Address : 12 Tai Gin Road S(327874)
Tel: 6256 7377
Opening Hours : Tues – Sun (10am – 5pm)

Learn About Dr. Sun Yat Sen Through Storytelling
19 May 2013, 2pm – 3.30pm
This is a light and entertaining workshop for kids below the age of 12 where storytelling and simple games are the mode through which children learn about Dr. Sun Yat Sen and the 1911 Revolution

Princess Iron Fan
19 May 2013
10am – 12pm
Princess Iron Fan is the First Chinese animated feature film produced in 1941 by the Wan brothers i.e. Wan Guchan and Wan Laiming and it is based on the well known Chinese novel Journey to the West.

Clay Figurine-making Workshop
26 May 2013
10am – 12pm
Learn to make your own clay figurine! It can be a snake, a rabbit, a mouse or even an Angry Bird!

Tile Painting Workshop
26 May 2013
2pm – 4pm
Design and colour your own tiles of which you can use it as a home-deco or even a gift for your friends & family!

In Search of Balestier’s Memories
15 June 2013
10am – 4.30pm
Ever wondered about the history of Balestier – where the memorial hall is situated at? Learn about the stories of people living in Balestier, their memories and recollections of this place. Also check out the documentary film on Balestier made by ITE students and participate in activities & workshops suitable for the young and the old.

Chinese Painting Workshop for Parents and Kids
23 June 2013
10am – 12pm
Appreciate Chinese art and culture as you learn how to paint in this workshop. Parents and kids are welcome to sign up as a pair for this activity.

8. REFLECTIONS AT BUKIT CHANDU
Address : 31-K Pepys Road S(118458)
Tel : 6375 2510
Opening Hours : Tues – Sun (9am – 5pm

Children’s Season Open House at RBC
Reflections at Bukit Chandu
18 May, 22 and 23 June
9am – 5pm
Visit Reflections at Bukit Chandu and relive the Battle of Pasir Panjang, where 1,400 brave soldiers from the Malay Regiment heroically defended the last stand against a 13,000-strong Japanese army during World War II.

Program Information were sourced through:

  • Museum’s respective websites