Chinese New Year Activities for Kids

(Daddy compiles)

Anyone feel that this year's Chinese New Year is approaching way too early? I mean, the Christmas dinners have only just been digested, the New Year fireworks have just died down and now we are in a celebratory mood again??? Our poor tummies, or mine at least, need some rest from all those festive food! Heh.

And to usher in the Year of the Dragon, besides the usual fare of house-to-house visiting (and gorging), here are a list of activities that might just light up those eyes of the little ones.

1. River Hongbao 2012

This, of course, should be familiar to almost everyone as this yearly affair returns to the Marina Bay every Chinese New Year. Experience a traditional Chinese festival with its display of colorful fireworks and gigantic lanterns. Visitors will also get to enjoy cultural performances, delicacies and handicrafts from Guangxi, China.




Venue: The Float @ Marina Bay
Dates: 21 - 29 Jan 2012
Time: 12pm - 11.30pm daily (*22 Jan: 12pm - 1am with CNY Countdown)
Admission is free.
For more information, visit here: http://www.riverhongbao.sg/


2. Sentosa Flowers 2012

Sentosa Flowers is the most celebrated flower festival during the Chinese New Year. This year, Sentosa is transformed into an enchanting flower extravaganza, and unfolds the story of 3 playful kids as they venture out to discover the beauty of spring! Join them in the journey to usher in the Year of the Dragon. Celebrate spring with thematic photo points like Dragon Gate, Dinoland, Sweet Love and more.



*Go on an Enchanted Spring Guided Tour to discover stories behind the floral wonderland. It's FREE! Details as below:
Dates: 23 - 29 Jan 2012
Times: 12.10pm, 1.10pm, 2.10pm and 4.10pm
(Pre-registration at Sentosa Flowers Information Counter required, and is on a first-come-first-serve basis.)

Venue: Merlion Plaza & Imbiah Lookout
Dates: 22 - 29 Jan 2012
Time: 10am - 10pm daily
Admission is free. Island admission and transportation charges apply.
For more information, visit here: http://flowers.sentosa.com.sg/


3. Chinese Acrobatic Acts @ Downtown East

Catch a series of spectacular Chinese Acrobatic Acts - Adagio (双人力量表演), Flaming Candle Balancing Act (蜡烛平衡表演) and 4-men Balancing Act (四人技巧) - and soak in the rich Chinese culture.

Venue: Event Square, Downtown East
Dates: 23 Jan - 6 Feb 2012
Time: 7pm daily
Admission is free.


4. CNY Open House at Singapore Art Museum

Celebrate Chinese New Year at SAM with free activities and film screenings for all to enjoy! Create your own dragon mask and learn more about how the Dragon came in fifth in the zodiac race, also discover more about Chinese ink painting with artist Kiat Sing. Try your hand at decorating a giant red packet to keep all your red packets and pose for pictures dressed in festive costumes.

Venue: Singapore Art Museum and SAM at 8Q
Dates: 24 Jan 2012
Time: 10am - 7pm (Activities from 11am - 6pm)
Admission is free.


5. Huayi - Chinese Festival of Arts

Celebrate the Chinese New Year at the Esplanade as Huayi brings you a host of free programmes over 10 days. Enjoy Chinese traditional arts, Chinese instrumental and choral music, evergreen hits, outdoor movies, performances by talented local singers and ensembles, as well as sing-along sessions!

For a detailed listing of all free programmes, visit here: http://www.huayifestival.com/2012/free.html

*Free Workshop - Chinese New Year Bean Art
Get creative with beans this Chinese New Year! Create your own masterpiece using beans and basic art materials. (Conducted in English. Recommended for children aged 4 and above, as well as the young-at-heart. Children below 7 should be accompanied by parent(s).)

Dates: 29 Jan, 4 & 5 Feb, Sun, Sat & Sun
Timings: 11.30am – 1pm; 1.30pm – 3pm; 3.30pm – 5pm; 5.30pm – 7pm (Sat only)
Venue: Esplanade Concourse

There are 2 ticketed theatre shows for the children as well - The Baby Panda and Mulan: The Legendary Heroine.

Venue: Various locations at The Esplanade
Dates: 27 Jan - 5 Feb 2012
Time: Various timings


6. Eco-friendly Dragon Workshop @ City Square Mall

Kids will enjoy a fun session of creating eco-friendly dragons, using recycled materials such as used magazines and more!

Venue: Atrium, City Square Mall
Dates: 7 - 29 Jan 2012 (Sat & Sun only)
Time: 2pm & 4pm
Admission is free.


7. Chingay 2012

Centered on the theme of "Love, Care and Kindness Everywhere" Chingay 2012 takes you on a colourful celebration of love in all its guises, flowing with passion, romance, harmony and community spirit as Chingay marks its 40th anniversary.

And this year, Chingay literally performs on water! All the acts are performed along a 360-metres waterway with performers making a splash and creating spectacular stunts and exhilarating acts with water.

I was invited for a media preview of its full dress rehearsal last Saturday, and will blog about it soon. But first, here are some of the details:

Venue: F1 Pit Building
Dates: 3 & 4 Feb 2012 (2 parade shows)
Time: 8.30pm
For prices and purchase of tickets, please click HERE.
For more information on Chingay 2012, visit here: http://www.chingay.org.sg/