Preparations for prelims and year-end school exams may be gearing up, but the 2023 September holidays shouldn’t be all about revision and no relaxation. In between tuition, bootcamps or extra school classes, give your child some time to recharge… and an opportunity for sweet parent-child bonding.
Here are some ideas on activities you can enjoy as a family, whether it’s to soak in the sun outdoors, or participating in a weather-proof indoor event.
Oh, and don’t forget, with 1 September being Pollin Day and Teacher’s Day changed to 11 September, kids will be getting an extended break this year!
ENJOY THRILLS & SPILLS
OUTDOOR: Get your adrenalin pumping and release all that pent-up energy at Resorts World Sentosa’s Adventure Cove Waterpark. Hang on tight as you get funnelled down the Spiral Washout on a thrilling tube ride or frolic in the giant Bluwater Bay wave pool. You can also get acquainted with colourful marine life while snorkelling in the Rainbow Reef. Grab the SG Moments Special combo at S$39 (U.P. S$45), which includes admission ticket and popcorn.
INDOOR: It takes a whole lot of guts to parachute out of a plane… and the opportunity to do it is few and far between. But at iFly Singapore, almost anyone can skydive. Third Warrant Officer Jefferey Heng, the Red Lion who was injured in the 2022 National Day Parade, was at iFly as part of his rehabilitative training. Skydiving champion Kyra Poh’s career story began because of iFly. Now, even the most uninitiated can take your first indoor skydiving flight with iFly’s $58 Local Teaser Package and experience the thrills in one of the world’s largest indoor skydiving wind tunnels!
STEP BACK IN TIME
OUTDOOR: For history buffs interested in Singapore’s colonial past, check out this DIY History Walking Trial at Fort Canning Park. Spend a day discovering one of our island’s most historic landmarks with highlights such as WWII relics, Singapore’s first Christian cemetery and the site of Sir Stamford Raffles’ first bungalow. Though not in time for the September holidays, you can also look forward to free admission when The Battlebox reopens in October 2023.
INDOOR: The Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM), celebrating its 8th anniversary in 2023, is a treasure trove of the region’s rich natural heritage. Some of its most significant exhibits are the three much talked-about diplodocid sauropod dinosaur skeletons and Singapore’s first sperm whale specimen. In total, there are over 2,000 natural history specimens on display. Get 20% off admission tickets now with this NDP Coupon. LKCNHM is located at NUS Faculty of Science, 2 Conservatory Drive, Singapore 117377.
AWAKEN YOUR CULTURAL SENSES
Photo credit: Monster Day Tours
OUTDOOR: How much do you know our Little Red Dot, especially the heritage of our ethnic enclaves? Be a tourist in your own backyard and join a free guided walking tour to Chinatown, Little India or Kampong Glam.
INDOOR: The Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, located at 1 Straits Boulevard, Singapore 018906, has an ongoing Singapo人 exhibition, which explores what it means to be Chinese Singaporean. Suitable for the whole family, this is a truly interactive exhibition that gets you pondering and reflecting on various cultural aspects, walk through history and learn how the accomplishments of Chinese Singaporeans have impacted our society. Admission to the exhibition is free.
CHANNEL YOUR INNER TOP GUN
Photo credit: RSAF55 Open House 2023
OUTDOOR: The RSAF55 Open House will be held from 9 to 10 September 2023, in commemoration with the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s 55th anniversary. Look forward to an experiential exhibition to learn about the transformation of the RSAF over the years. Of course, there’ll be static displays of fighter aircrafts, helicopters, missile systems and more, plus a family-friendly carnival and food stalls.
INDOOR: Give your kid a taste of being a real pilot, or perhaps relieve your own childhood dream at Wings Academy (15 Changi Business Park Crescent, #05-01 Haite Building, Singapore 486006). Choose from different flight simulators, including the Boeing 737-800 and the F-16C Fighting Falcon and imagine yourself cruising the skies. Get 25% off now all Wings Academy flight simulator sessions with this NDP Coupon.
IMMERSE IN ART PURSUITS
OUTDOOR: Budding artists cum nature lovers, don’t miss Nature Sketching in the Gardens, a volunteer-led activity held on the first Saturday of every odd month (upcoming: 2 September) at Botanic Gardens. Or arm yourselves with sunscreen and a water bottle and embark on the new Benchmarks art trail. Launched in August 2023, it features six art benches installed around the Civic District. Have a seat and be inspired or create your own Instagrammable moment.
INDOOR: Sign up for a family-friendly art jamming session or one of the many holiday art programmes offered by art schools such as Artary, TreeArt and Hi!Art. The Indian Heritage Centre (5 Campbell Lane, Singapore 209924) is also having its Little Adventurers: Prints & Colours holiday programme from 3 to 11 September. Workshops include blockprinting and Kalamkari, a traditional art from the state of Andhra Pradesh in India.
SELF-DISCOVERY & CHARACTER BUILDING
OUTDOOR: Learning extends beyond the regular classroom. And at Outdoor School by NTUC First Campus, young explorers will get a chance to take an adventurous learning journey while enhancing their ecological intelligence through outdoor learning. This September, Outdoor School will be holding its Curious Adventurers Holiday Camp at Lower Pierce Reservoir. Get 10% off Outdoor School’s holiday programmes with this NDP Coupon.
INDOOR: Unleash the warrior within. Sign up now for the Junior Warrior Workshop and embark on a transformational journey of self-discovery with your child. Together, unlock the courage and power within you both, fostering self-protection and the confident expression of your needs. You may also wish to let your kid learn life skills through martial arts. J H Kim Taekwondo Institute conducts lessons for all ages and while learning to execute kicks and punches, your child will also become more focused, disciplined and confident. Sign up for a free trial now or receive a free uniform and 50% off first 3-month package with this NDP Coupon.
ENRICHMENT ZONE
OUTDOOR: Want to let your kids learn how to swim? Sign up for holiday classes conducted by professional swimming instructors and pick up a stroke or two. Swim schools such as Swimsg has lessons at many public swimming complexes. AquaDucks’ September Holiday Camp combines an action-packed day of swimming and Lego.
INDOOR: Kids aged 7-11 or 12-16 can try their hands at learning four musical instruments each in the Believer Music 2-Day Adventure Camp. With or without any music background, every participant will learn to play a song on each instrument, such as the ukulele or keyboard.
Planning anything interesting with your child for the 2023 September holidays? Share with us by commenting on our September Hols posts on Facebook or Instagram.
