Category: education

Birthday Party at KidsSTOP

[ Media Invite ]

The kids were invited to a “Birthday and Halloween Treats” party at KidsSTOP.

KidsSTOP is situated at Singapore Science Center, and it is an one-stop FUN venue for kids from 18 months to 8 years old. We sometimes find young-at-heart adults trying out the various activities too πŸ™‚

Let us start with KidsSTOP’s Birthday package.
The details and pricing are listed here.

As we are in the Science Center, you should expect Magic Science in their Birthday activities right? While our kids enjoy themselves, they also pick up some Science knowledge. As a parent, we always believe that experimental play is the best way to cultivate kids’ curiosity and attract their attention.

Science related activities to entertain the kids:
– (Top photo) Kids are curious why water flows into a vacuum and extinguish the flame (Vacuum and pressure).
– How come the balloon did not combust when it touches the fickle flame?
(Water in balloon cools the flame)
– (below photo) Why does the liquid stay in the swinging pail? (Centrifugal)

Birthday venue

Spacious Party venue which can accommodate up to 20 kids.

Balloons are always welcome in a Party, and everyone got a chance to let their balloons rush to the ceiling.

Quick no one is seeing, we can blow a few more balloons.

From 27Oct to 02Nov, you can enjoy Halloween treats at KidsSTOP too. We need to top up $5 per person.

Grab a party prop (not necessary pumpkin and devil’s horn), then pose πŸ™‚
First photo above, kids were curious about the skeleton.

Add baking powder to water and vinegar, watch the chemical reaction (Carbon Dioxide) inflate the balloon. To young kids, they thought this is a magical illusion.

Pass a secret invisible message or code to your siblings and your parents will not be any wiser. Heat up the paper to reveal the message.

Tattoos and face painting are always popular with kids

Video : You can catch Boon Xin mixing Witches’ potion or Boon Yee creating static electricity by rubbing balloon over his head. Did you see someone enjoying his Karaoke?

Kids had some free time to cover the other areas around KidsSTOP after their Birthday and Halloween activities. From our previous outing, we have a few recommendations.

Referencing the map :

– Karaoke! (10). You can be a singer, director, producer, play with the lights. Wow!

– Supermarket (5) – kids always enjoy scanning the “barcode” or playing the cashier, but our Boon Yee enjoys keeping the fish, chicken, milk and other groceries

– Flight Space Cockpit (3) – First time visitors must don the cute pilot suit and let kids yank the Boeing down the imaginary runway

– Giant J (15) – from 3 to 7m. Daddy tried dangling from 6m, and it was nerve wrenching

– Dino Pit (20) – Sand. (Enough said)

– Big Dream climber (17), challenge the kids to reach the Musical roof (24).
If adults are stuck halfway, please do not blame us.

– Item 9-13 is hidden behind, and a lot of people miss them. Enter through the fish pond (8) path

(9) Count the chicks before they hatch, we notice the little ones have all grown up.

(10) Simulation – race your red jeep away from T-Rex or Apache!

..or roleplay as a weather forecaster. Rain coat optional.

(1) Singapore is Summer all year long, thus kids might not get to experience Autumn leaves falling or Winter’s bitter cold. They can build sandcastle (cubes) during summer too.

Pilot or Cashier? Kids get to role-play all the adult jobs they fancy.

(21 and 22) Built environment – Kids can scoop the balls up (just like arcade) or you can design a path for the balls to roll down. A lot of hands-on activities require the the kids to think about their game strategy

(16) Toddlers need not worry as there is a “Small world”

Click for more photos from our earlier KidsSTOP outing.

Video : More fun activities captured in our previous visit

School holidays is fast approaching, we strongly recommend kids to pop by KidsSTOP, adults are welcome too :p
You will need minimum three hours to enjoy all the activities, as this is one venue where Kids cannot STOP!


(image credit KidsSTOP)

Do take note of the operation hours :
Weekday Session 1 – 12pm to 3pm
Weekday Session 1 – 4pm to 7pm
Weekend Session 2 – 10am to 2pm
Weekend Session 2 – 3pm to 7pm

Pop by KidsSTOP Website and Fanpage for more updates.

What can we learn from the Riot?

One whole generation has grown up in peaceful Singapore.
Yesterday’s Channel News footage of rioting did not happen in Bangkok, but right in our own Little India.

We now know the riot was triggered by a bus accident which leads to the death on a foreign worker. A sad incidence, but the actions which happen afterwards were uncalled for.

Youtube footages showcase overturned police vehicles and burning ambulance.
It was fortunate that no one was seriously hurt.

More shocking than the rioting and disorder are the online comments.

Similar to the recent “annonymous hacking” incidence, a group of people were out in force spreading half truths and chanting racial slurs.

The comments were unhelpful and adding fuel to fire. Some examples are :
– send them back to their countries
– insulting slurs to Indian’s darker pigment
– along the way, someone will mention “why Singapore so many Foreign Talents” again
– Police only know how to bully residents

I can explain the physical riot to my children, but I could not find a logical explanation for the online rioters‘ agenda.

Yes, you can hate the government or the politicians, but you do not side with the enemies or troublemakers to harm Singaporeans. It is only a matter of time before we read “sensational” reporting from websites like TheRealSingapore.

(For the record, I seek alternate views, but some websites are only out to draw blood, spread half truths and fan raw sentiments)

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What can we learn from this rioting incidence?

1) Remind our kids that nothing can be taken for granted, be it peace or safety

2) We can be frank and admit that racial harmony and integration is an ongoing process. All it takes is some idiotic comments to stress Singapore’s racial harmony

3) When we see a Police officer or Paramedic (Hometeam), we can show some appreciation, he/she is keeping Singapore safe. Hometeam should organise more events to engage the community, like the recent open house

4) For a few hours during the riot, Singapore Police Force’s Fanpage and ChannelNewsAsia kept Repeating the same message :

… “Police confirmed a riot at .. public stay away.. and situation is under control” …

We are lucky that the situation was under control.
– What happen if the riot spreads?
– What happen if there are more casualties?
– What happen if we need to contact our loved ones who might be in the vicinity?
– Are we supposed to rely on ChannelNewsAsia (CNA) as the source of update?

During that few hours, with a lack of information, everyone went online for the latest updates. That’s when speculations and untruths spurn out of proportion.

(Most people would feel uncomfortable watching police vehicles and ambulance burning)

We need an official voice and medium, someone with authority to update the latest situation. Having an official update at 1.30am might be too late.

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If you have not been to Little India before, do pop by when things have settle down.
Absorb the surroundings, take in the burst of colours, and yes, the scents.
Our previous trip to Little India.

Majority of Indians (be it from India, Bangladesh) are peace-loving hardworking folks.
They are here in Singapore so that their families can enjoy a better life.

If the kids come up from this episode less gullible, and not taking Singapore’s safety and peace for granted, it will be a positive start.