Where to have fun with your kids in Singapore before the school holidays end

SINGAPORE – Two more weeks left before school reopens. Make the most of the holidays and create precious memories with your children at these places.

For kids who want to learn kite-flying

Look up, a 23m-long octopus is flying gracefully – in the form of a kite, that is. There is also a 7m-wide pufferfish inflatable swaying in the air.

If wind conditions are favourable at Sentosa’s Palawan Beach, you can spot up to six majestic marine creature-themed kites and inflatables at the new Flight of Wish fiesta.

The event runs on weekends until Dec 29. It resumes from Jan 25 to Feb 16.

At the start of each session at 3pm, catch enthusiasts from the Singapore Kite Association flying the large kites, which will soar in the sky till about 6.30pm.

If your children have always wanted to fly a kite, they can get free kite-making kits, each comprising a blank kite, coloured markers and decorative items.

After the 15-minute workshop – open from 3 to 6pm on a first-come, first-served basis – take their creations to the dedicated kite-flying zone and let them take flight.

You can also buy ready-made kites at the premises.

From 8.15 to 10pm during the same period, another set of sea creature inflatables, such as jellyfish, manta rays and whales, will illuminate the sky over Palawan Beach.

The Floating Marvels is an audiovisual experience curated by Mr Myles Ziebart, who has worked on projects for the Singapore River Festival and Singapore Night Festival.

Both free events are part of Sentosa’s A Big, Big World line-up. It aims to transport visitors to three unique realms across Resorts World Sentosa, Sentosa Sensoryscape and Palawan Beach.

Find out more at

abigbigworld.sentosa.com.sg

For alternative festive photo spots

When it comes to festive photo spots, a medical institution may be the last place that comes to mind, but Woodlands Health Campus will make you think twice.

It has teamed up with Woodlands resident and carpenter Tan Koon Tat to spread cheer to its patients and the community.

The 64-year-old has been putting up festive decorations for his neighbourhood for close to 20 years.

The team at Woodlands Health Campus, which officially opened in July, reached out to him to collaborate.

At the healthcare facility’s main drop-off point is a 6m-long wooden train with three carriages, which Mr Tan built from scratch before painting it together with Woodlands Health staff.

The Christmas train will be lit up from 5 to 9pm daily until Dec 31.

Mr Tan has also put together a display of 10 reindeer, which he moulded from fibreglass, at the greenery around the amphitheatre.

“It is not about drawing crowds, but brightening the days of those who find themselves here,” Mr Tan tells The Straits Times.

The train has a symbolic meaning to him. “Just as it runs smoothly along its track, it represents the seamless care patients receive at healthcare institutions today,” he says.

Ms Carrie Chan, deputy director of Woodlands Health’s Campus Planning and Development and Sustainability Office, says: “Mr Tan’s pure motivation of bringing joy to the community is admirable. We are also happy to offer another lease of life to the reindeer, telephone booth and mailbox that Mr Tan had previously created for his heartland decorations.”

The collaborative effort ties in with Woodlands Health’s theme of a sustainable Christmas. Explore the grounds and you will also find upcycled decorations, such as Christmas trees made of toilet paper rolls by the residents of Ren Ci @ Woodlands nursing home, located at the healthcare facility.

For Pokemon fans

Pikachu and his friends from the Pokemon world have turned up at Adventure Cove Waterpark to celebrate the attraction’s 12th anniversary. So head there with your family to enjoy the thrilling water rides and also catch the Pokemon Parade featuring Pikachu, Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly. The parade takes place at 2pm daily from Dec 20 to 29, and also on Jan 1.

Plus, you can take pictures with the mascots at 11am and 4pm daily from now until Jan 1.

There are Pokemon-themed decorations and photo spots throughout the waterpark as well.

As part of the anniversary special, you can buy the Family Fun Combo package at $80, which covers the admission for two adults and one kid aged four to 12, and includes retail and food vouchers worth $15.

Pay $28 for every additional child who is a Singapore resident. Those aged three and below can enter for free.

Find out more at

www.rwsentosa.com/acwpokemon24

For tweens and teens who like Demon Slayer

Older children who enjoy the popular anime series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba (2019 to 2024) will be delighted by the decorations at five Sushi Tei outlets.

Until Jan 12, these Japanese restaurants are decked out with standees of the characters from the show, based on the manga series of the same name.

You may even spot a staff member wearing a replica of the haori, or traditional jacket, worn by the protagonist Tanjiro and his sister Nezuko.

At every table, there are themed paper placemats and chopstick sleeves which you can bring home.

Order its special menu items such as Tanjiro’s Okonomiyaki ($14.80), a savoury pancake fashioned after the star character’s iconic green-and-black checkered haori.

In a nod to the demon king Muzan, there is a crispy pork cutlet coated with black breadcrumbs named Darkness Tonkatsu ($15.80).

Check out the collaboration at Sushi Tei outlets at Raffles City, VivoCity, One Holland Village, Nex and Tampines 1.

Follow its Instagram account (

www.instagram.com/sushiteisg

) for updates.

For beach-loving families

Check into a beachfront resort and enjoy some sea sports. At Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa, your staycation includes water activities such as kayaking, pedal boating and stand-up paddleboarding.

These are for guests aged above five and at least 1m tall, and subject to weather conditions. Children below 10 must be accompanied by an adult aged at least 18.

You and your spouse can also enjoy couple time by dropping off your children off at the kids’ club. The service is complimentary for guests.

Room rates in December start at $380++ a night, inclusive of breakfast for two adults.

Sign up for the free Shangri-La Circle membership to enjoy breakfast at no charge for kids aged six and below, and 50 per cent off for those aged seven to 11.

Go to

str.sg/yCKD

for details.

For young panda lovers

Step into a “bamboo forest” maze at Downtown East’s E!Avenue Event Square and help a little panda look for its family members.

The maze comprises 12 free-to-play zones which include foam obstacles, a ball pit and a mirror maze. It is open daily until Feb 12.

Keep your eyes peeled for a roving panda mascot who will be sweetening your day with heart-shaped candy on Dec 20, 21 and 24.

You can also redeem panda-themed gift wrappers, tote bags and foldable umbrellas when you spend at least $70 at the entertainment hub.

Go to

downtowneast.com.sg

for details.

For active kids

Does your toddler watch CoComelon animation videos on repeat? Do you have a child who likes Sonic the Hedgehog video games? Or are your kids simply full of energy?

Take them to the fourth annual edition of Jumptopia by Kiztopia. The indoor edutainment playground company has put together 10 giant inflatables, including six inspired by CoComelon and Sonic the Hedgehog.

The young ones can bounce on Yes Yes Playground while older kids can conquer the obstacles on Sonic Turbo Dash.

The other four inflatables are fashioned after Kiztopia characters, such as Raby’s Choco Candyland.

Jumptopia Triple Adventure runs until Jan 5 at Sands Expo and Convention Centre’s Hall C.

Enjoy daily unlimited playtime for $28 a person or $96 for four tickets. Babies 12 months old and below enter for free with a paying adult. Tickets are available at

str.sg/rezb

Kiztopia also has pop-up playgrounds at various malls, including Nex. Check out the Christmas-themed Jingle Playfest inflatable, which will be there until Dec 22.

A 30-minute play session costs $7.50 for a child aged under 12 and an accompanying adult. Buy your tickets at

str.sg/aF7E

For Disney, Pixar and Marvel fans

The much-anticipated Disney Adventure cruise ship will set sail on her maiden voyage from Singapore on Dec 15, 2025.

But your kids can already take photos against the backdrop of a 4m-tall replica of Disney Cruise Line’s ship funnel. Until Jan 2, Jewel Changi Airport’s Canopy Park is decked out with installations inspired by the themed areas onboard Disney Adventure.  

Your children can interact with three motion-activated portholes that respond to their waves, each revealing surprise appearances from Disney and Pixar characters, such as Captain Mickey Mouse.

There are photo spots featuring popular characters such as Disney princess Ariel and Marvel superhero Iron Man.

Stand a chance to win a three-night cruise vacation aboard the Disney Adventure when you visit Canopy Park and take part in a quest.

Admission for Singapore residents costs $6 a person. Find out more at

str.sg/D74V