The best kid-friendly things to do during the school holidays

National Heritage Board’s annual programme, Children’s Season, is back with exciting events and activities across Children’s Museum Singapore (CMSG) and Museum Roundtable museums. From swashbuckling pirate adventures through the Singapore Maritime Gallery and a food trail at Armenian Street by CMSG, to traditional Indian martial art workshops at the Indian Heritage Centre and a theatrical journey through post-war Singapore at Former Ford Factory, there’s lots to ignite kids’ imaginations this June holidays. 

Running alongside Children’s Season is a new Into The Hawkerverse exhibition at CMSG, an exploration of our rich hawker heritage; and the Tiny Islands, Many Stories travelling exhibition that shines the spotlight on lesser-known narratives of Nusantara and Singapore.

Round up your budding board sport fiends and truck them off to Trifecta Family Day, which promises a full day of surf, snow and skate fun alongside family-friendly activities. Sign up for board sport classes with Trifecta’s experienced instructors or stick to the sidelines to cheer on competitors at Trifecta’s Surf League. Creative tots can get their creative juices flowing at an art bar by Mind in the Mountains, or play chef for a day at a pizza-making workshop by Yeast Side. There will be inflatable castles, face painting, food pop-ups and more to complete the festival atmosphere. Trifecta Family Day is part of the Trifecta Summer Festival, which includes Artletics (now over), holiday camps and kitchen takeovers. Find out more here.

i Light Singapore is one art showcase that kids can thoroughly enjoy. Back this May and June for its 10th edition, the annual after-dark affair features dazzling installations and interactive activities scattered across Marina Bay, South Beach, Millennia Walk, and its newest district takeover – Tanjong Pagar. This year's theme is Cyclical Nature, so you can expect works to express ideas around sustainability. When the family's tired from all the walking, simply hop over to GastroBeats at Bayfront Event Space, where there'll be trucks of delicious grub and a slate of live music performances. For the first time, The Conscious Festival has partnered with I Light Singapore – which means a ton of (sustainable) shopping, wellness workshops, and talks too. 

Jewel Blooms is back with six captivating floral displays at Jewel Changi Airport's Canopy Park. Named Jewel Blooms: What A Feelin5, the display includes themed activities, promotions, and a garden-themed overnight camp to boot. 

First, the highlight of Jewel Blooms is Petal Garden: Super Blooms by Megumi Shinozaki. This installation features 10,000 bundles of pink hybrid starchis – a double-flowering variety of cherry blossom – and hydrangeas. Arranged on 2.8-metre-tall mountain structures, the result is a dreamy, blush pink display to make all your sakura dreams come true. The other five installations are just as gorgeous. Designed by award-winning local designer Andy Eng, they feature vibrant sunflower mazes, tranquil ponds filled with water plants, waterfalls of wisteria, misty trails, and a romantic walk lit by illuminated paper and flowers. 

Topping it off is Changi Experience Studio's 'An Enchanted Night in the Airport' camp. Stay overnight in a garden-like 'campsite' and take part in flora-inspired workshops and quests with your family. 

If you and your little one love the tale of The Little Prince, then a peek into the life and mind of its author will make for a fascinating time. Antoine de Saint Exupéry: When a Prince Takes Flight shines a light on the life of author-pilot Antoine de Saint Exupéry and pays tribute to the 80th anniversary of his disappearance. Divided into three sections – 'Adventurer', 'Writer', and 'WWII Hero' – uncovers hidden facts about The Little Prince and sheds light on significant elements in the story that reflect his personal life. Browse a rare collection of exclusive artefacts on loan from the Saint Exupéry Foundation and catch talks, workshops, and screenings related to the extraordinary world of The Little Prince. 

Find out more about the exhibition here.

If you can't get enough of the enchanting world of The Little Prince, then head to Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3 this June holiday season. The iconic tale comes to life through mini golf courses and immersive photo spots fashioned after destinations and scenes from the book. Sink holes at the golf course, which recreates seven planets from The Little Prince’s journey, or have a romantic swing in the rose garden under fairy lights and a 5-metre-tall tree. Alliance Francaise de Singapour will also hold captivating storytelling sessions on June 8 and 15 for those who want to revisit the fairytale. There’s Little Prince merchandise to bring home too, including a tumbler with beautiful stained-glass prints. A minimum spend applies to qualify for merchandise and selected activities – find out more here.

Get the youngsters started early with bouldering, a form of rock climbing that’s experienced a surge in popularity. The sport trains strength, mobility, and flexibility – not to mention problem-solving skills to solve bouldering puzzles. Project Send’s Lil Asenders Camp makes for the perfect introduction, combining bouldering workshops with other fun activities, like DanceFit classes, fitness challenges, stretch sessions, and even creative and baking workshops. From the end of May to the end of June, kids can get a taste during a one-day camp or commit to the week-long camp, starting from $150 for the day camp.

Families should not miss the Emmy award-winning theatre sensation Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show. The popular show first premiered in Bluey’s hometown, Brisbane, and has seen sell-out shows across Australia, the UK, Ireland, and North America. Now, it makes its Asia debut at Singapore’s Sands Theatre from 13 June 2024. At Bluey’s Big Play, catch Bluey, Bingo, Mum, and Dad live in action against impressively designed sets. This theatre show will be based on a fresh original story written by creator Joe Brumm, with accompanying new music by Bluey composer, Joff Bush.

Dive into mall-wide fun at Marina Square, which is pulling out all the stops this June holiday with inflatables, creative workshops, and family-friendly deals. From May 29 to June 17, kids can zoom down slides and frolic in a sea of soya bean bubbles at two inflatable lands. A third jumpy castle, Candy Playland sweetens the deal from June 18 to 23 with peppermints, candy canes, and gumdrops galore. On select days, kids can flex their creative muscles at four workshops – a Faber-Castell soft pastel workshop, CocoArt’s key chain or clip-making workshop, a gooey slime-making activity, or a Love in a Bottle Terrarium class. And for the budding film buffs, don’t miss silent cinema screenings of Kung Fu Panda 3 and Toy Story 4.

Families that walk together, stay together – so lace up your shoes and join the Skechers Friendship Walk on June 8. The walk kicks off at the Sports Hub, with scenic views at Kallang along the way. Challenge yourself with the 10km competitive run or the 4km fun walk with friends and family. Afterwards, you can reward yourself with food, games, and performances at the village carnival. There’ll be lucky draws too, where you stand to win a year’s worth of Skechers shoes.