Mad About Kids

Chinese Immersion Camp, June 2013

admin — Tue, 21 May 2013 03:05:48 +0000

Does your child struggle with the Chinese language? Check out the unique program by ‘I Love Chinese’ (ILC), which is more oral-based and less worksheet-based. Students are taught to recognise, read, listen, understand and comprehend words and phrases and learn their applications. Their fun and engaging teaching techniques and activity-based curriculum help students to focus and remember words and phrases in a more effective manner.

ILC programs are suitable for students who are

-	weak in their oral communication skills
-	struggling with the Chinese language in school
-	preparing for Primary One admission
-	from non-Chinese speaking environment
-	beginners to the Chinese language
-	studying in International Schools but wish to further their interest in the Chinese language
-	too shy or afraid to speak in mandarin
-	doing well in their age-equivalent levels but wish to take their competency in the Chinese language to the next level

Here’s the deal: Bring a friend along and BOTH get to enjoy 10% off camp fee!

13-15 June 13: Charity Event with a Difference by Electrolux!

admin — Wed, 15 May 2013 06:51:47 +0000

Not sure what to do with clothes you or your kids can’t wear anymore? Fret not, here’s a wonderful opportunity to participate in a good cause with those old clothes!

In their bid to foster a caring and gracious community, Electrolux is organising its own unique Washing-thon in Singapore for the first time, from 13-15 June 2013.

You can donate your clothes at these designated locations from 13 May to 7 June 2013: Toa Payoh Central CC or The Grandstand (Level 1 Atrium, opposite MAD restaurant).

When: 13 -15 June 2013, 10:30am to 8:30pm

Where: Toa Payoh Lorong 6, Open Plaza next to Blk 192

For three days, washing machines and tumble driers will be on repeat cycles in Toa Payoh as Electrolux aims to launder a record-breaking number of donated clothes.

Working with charity partners MINDs and Blessings in a Bag, the donated clothing laundered during the Washing-thon event will be given away for deserving causes in Singapore, Cambodia and Laos.

Families and local residents are invited to come down and join in the fun at the Washing-thon – there will be exciting activities and entertainment taking place to keep the crowds entertained whilst their donated clothes are laundered.

For more information, visit www.electrolux.com.sg/washing-thon

Cupcake Deco Workshop

admin — Wed, 15 May 2013 05:55:31 +0000

Have fun with your child this holiday as we bake nutritious cupcakes and decorate them with your own creativity! Parents and children will truly enjoy this hands-on experience and can easily replicate it at home. Each child gets to take home four mini cupcakes!

Suitable for children aged 3 & above, accompanied by parent.

Date: 21 June 13 (Fri): 3 – 4.30pm

Venue: The Polliwogs @ East Coast Park

[1020 East Coast Parkway #01-02]

http://www.thepolliwogs.com/display/Locations.asp?NAVID=1891

Fee: S$68 per parent-child pair [Additional child is S$48, adult is S$20]

**Each child also gets 2 hours of play (worth $18!) at The Polliwogs after the workshop.**

Parents can chill out at the air-conditioned lounge or al fresco beach-facing area with a wide selection of local newspapers as well as local and international magazines.

* Price is inclusive of cupcakes, ingredients to make the decoration and disposable containers.

Party Ideas – Tennis Party

admin — Tue, 07 May 2013 01:59:58 +0000

Be it infants, juniors or adults, The Tennis Club (TTC) offers customised birthday parties with fun, exciting games that focus around tennis. The use of their indoor facility also means that you need not worry about the weather! What’s more, the kids will be thrilled with the surprise appearance of Mr Tots, TTC’s mascot as they bounce away on TTC’s trampoline!

Vendor – www.thetennisclub.com.sg

Party Ideas – Football (The Cage/The Ark@Thomson)

admin — Thu, 02 May 2013 06:37:52 +0000

This one is especially for the boys. Not only are soccer parties fun, the kids also get to learn some pretty cool soccer skills. Packages are available with coaches and some include items such as A1-sized poster or invitation card for the signing of well wishes. The Ark also offers optional soccer-themed party gifts as well as food and drinks, which is a wonderful one-stop shop that leave no work for the parents to worry about. It’s a great team-building opportunity and will definitely leave your child happily exhausted.

Vendor – http://thecage.com.sg/ ; http://www.theark.sg/thearkthomson/birthday

Party Ideas – Cartoon-character themed party

admin — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 02:49:47 +0000

Cartoon characters are always a big hit with kids. The party can be arranged in the colours associated with the character and most of the décor can be found easily.

Some of the activities which the kids can engage in until the character arrives are – themed cupcake decorating, making themed accessories, themed, pin-the-nose-on-the-character, etc.

Vendors – Fantasy Theme Parties – http://www.kidsfantasyparties.com/

Kids Party Whizz - http://www.kidspartywhizz.com.sg/

Party Ideas – Bowling (Downtown East/Kallang Leisure Park)

admin — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 03:36:57 +0000

Bowling has always been a fun family-bonding game or a healthy competitive game among friends. Why not take it a step further and celebrate your child’s birthday while you are at it! It’s a great idea for boys and girls of all different age groups. What’s more, you can engage the parents as well and have a friendly competition among all the parent-child teams. All the bowling venues come complete with party packages.

For younger children, consider the miniature bowling at Orchid Bowl at E!Hub, Downtown East. It has bowling balls small enough for the little hands to handle.

Vendors – http://www.orchidbowl.com.sg/; http://leisurepark.com.sg/bowling1.html

Happy Willow

admin — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 00:12:48 +0000

Located at the Fushionopolis, Happy Willow is billed as an enchanting playground for children of all ages, particularly from 9 months to 9 years old. Step into a world of fantasy, where fairies and elves roam our Play Garden.

The playground is essentially divided into 2 areas – a Kids’ Den for older kids and a Toddlers’ Turf for kids below 2 years old. Besides the usual slides, ballpit and zip lines, kids can snuggle up at the Book Burrow reading corner, or dabble in some arty work in the art and craft corner.

Website: http://www.happywillow.com.sg/

Area: West

Yay: The kids loved the whimsical fairy-tale like décor of the Indoor Playground

Nay: Play structures are a little limited due to space constraint.

Did you know? Happy Willow has 2 ball pits; one for older kids, and the other for toddlers – which is a welcome relief for parents with young children.

Price:

9-23 months old – $10 for 3 hours (2 hours for Weekends & Public Holidays); $3 for each subsequent 30 minutes

2 years old and above – $18 for 3 hours (2 hours for Weekends & Public Holidays); $3 for each subsequent 30 minutes

Babies 9 months and below – Free

Verdict: 3.5 thumbs up (out of 5)

Kids Amaze @ SAFRA Jurong

admin — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 02:42:42 +0000

Unlike other Indoor Playgrounds, Kids Amaze isn’t housed over a sprawling site. Instead, it is equipped with a five-level vertical maze and the latest play technology that is specially designed for both children as well as adults. And the steep climb culminates with a 3-storey winding slide for a quick descent.

The entire arena consists of themed interactive soft play centres which serve to stretch a child’s imagination. As they navigate through the multi-level play centre, friendly facilitators will be on hand to guide them along as well as to keep a watchful eye on them. For toddlers, there is also a separate and fully equipped play area with a gated entrance.

Website: http://www.safra.sg/page.aspx?pageid=622

Area: West

Yay: It’s big, fun and full of challenging obstacles, especially for older kids. Even parents can join in the mayhem, if their oversized bodies can fit through the nooks and crannies of the play structure that is.

Nay: Smaller children might get lost in the climb to the summit as the ascent might prove to be too challenging for them.

Did you know? Kids Amaze is the only Indoor Playground in this Top 10 list that offers a Family Package for entrance fees.

Price:

18 months – 18 years old: Weekdays – $11.20 for unlimited play per entry; Weekends & Public Holidays – $16.50 for unlimited play per entry

Less than 18 months old: Free

Accompanying adults: $2.15

Family package (2 Adults & 2 Children): $34.25

Verdict: 4 thumbs up (out of 5)

The Petite Park

admin — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 02:48:45 +0000

Designed to be an imaginative, challenging, and fun yet safe environment for children to play and explore, The Petite Park offers 2 main play spaces: Active Play & Pretend Play.

The Active Play area consists of colourful play structures ranging from a ball pit, bubble tunnel to a giant inflatable slide. The Pretend Play area features an impressive selection of play toys for toddlers; from train sets & tables, kitchen toys, make-believe food stalls, to music instruments and educational puzzle toys.

Parents can also observe their young-lings from a distance, by getting a rest on the bar stools right outside the playground while enjoying a cuppa or reading a magazine.

Website: http://www.petitepark.com.sg/index.html

Area: East

Yay: Located at Changi City Point, The Petite Park is a well-padded Indoor Playground, with its play structures and toys well-thought out for the younger children. Which makes it the perfect place to deposit toddlers while the adults go shopping, especially if there is an I.T. fair or Warehouse sale at the Singapore Expo next door!

Nay: Older children above the age of 6 might not find the play structures particularly challenging.

Did you know? The Petite Park is designed for children under 130cm.

Price:

9 months and above: Weekdays – $16 for unlimited play per entry; Weekends & Public Holidays – $18 for 2 hours and $6 for each hour thereafter

Less than 9 months old: Free

Verdict: 3.5 thumbs up (out of 5)