Chinese New Year (CNY) Activities for Kids 2014

(Daddy compiles)

The Year of the Horse is fast galloping towards us but Chinese New Year need not always mean the usual fare of house-to-house visiting and gorging. Spice up the CNY with this list of kids-friendly activities that will help to keep your little ones occupied throughout the long weekend and beyond. HUAT AH!

Year of the Horse Floral Display at Gardens by the Bay

Spring surprises await you at the Gardens in 2014! Gallop into the Year of the Horse with this new floral display. Kicking off “Gardens by the Bay Goes around the World” series for 2014, this display will bring an auspicious start to the Lunar New Year amidst colourful blooms such as cherry blossoms, kumquat plants and camellias. Look out for the horse sculptures designed by award-winning sculptors to tie in with the Chinese zodiac sign.

Read my review here: www.cheekiemonkie.net/2014/01/gallop-away-gardens-by-bay.html

Oh, and don't forget to pop by Singapore's newest Playground for children, the Children's Garden, after that!

Venue: Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay
Date: 17 Jan - 16 Feb 2014
Time: 9am - 9pm daily
Charges: Entry fees into the Cooled Conservatories apply. For admission charges, click HERE.
Website: http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg

Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations 2014

Usher in the prosperous Year of the Horse with 88 illuminated lantern scuptures of horses galloping towards prosperity and countless gold coins suspended along the street. Drop by the carnival-like bazaar to shop for a wide range of New Year goodies from auspicious plants and flowers to festive delicacies.

Street Light-Up
Venue: Eu Tong Sen Street, New Bridge Road, South Bridge Road and Garden Bridge
Date: 11 Jan - 28 Feb 2014
Time: 7pm – 2am (Friday & Saturday) | 7pm – 12mn (Sunday – Thursday)

Festive Street Bazaar
Venue: Pagoda Street, Smith Street, Sago Street, Temple Street and Trengganu Street
Date: 10 - 30 Jan 2014
Time: 6pm – 10.30pm (Daily) | 6pm – 1am (Chinese New Year’s Eve)

Nightly Stage Shows
Venue: Kreta Ayer Square
Date: 11 - 30 Jan 2014
Time: 8pm – 10.30pm

CNY Eve Countdown Party
Venue: New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street
Date: 30 Jan 2014
Time: 9.30pm – 12.30am

CNY Yuan Xiao Party
Venue: New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street
Date: 9 Feb 2014
Time: 6.30pm – 10pm

Website: http://chinatownfestivals.sg/

Celebrate Lunar New Year at Resorts World Sentosa

Soak in the festive atmosphere at Singapore’s first integrated resort. RWS stays open throughout the Lunar New Year, as it transforms into a magical destination with 3,888 custom-made lanterns light up the resort in full festive glory. Auspicious decorations will adorn the resort blessing guests with success in the Year of the Horse. These include 8 lantern horses galloping along FestiveWalk and 8 lantern seahorses outside the Maritime Experiential Museum.

Universal Studios Singapore
From 15 January onwards, come ‘bai nian’ with Woody and Winnie Woodpecker and your favourite Sesame Street friends at Universal Studios Singapore. For the first time, Cookie Monster, Oscar, Grover and Abby Caddaby will be joining Elmo in festive outfits, as they greet guests with well wishes in the Year of the Horse.

Time: 10am – 7pm
Price: S$74 (Adult); S$54 (Child; 4-12 years old); S$36 (Senior; 60 years old and above)

A Sea of Celebrations at S.E.A. Aquarium
Gallop into the Year of the Horse at the world’s largest aquarium, where an abundance of fun and surprises await. Come usher in good tidings with the family of beautiful seahorses and sea dragons. From 24 January 2014 to 14 February 2014, guests can enjoy the sweet tunes of Chinese-fusion chamber music and be surprised by very special underwater festive greetings from the divers at the Open Ocean Habitat. Don’t miss out on performances such as street magic, stilt walkers, acrobatics, as well as fun activities for the kids. Magnificent lantern seahorses will also greet guests as they visit the S.E.A. Aquarium this Lunar New Year.

Date: 24 Jan - 14 Feb 2014
Time: 9am – 9pm (31 Jan 2014 – 9 Feb 2014), 10am – 7pm
Price: S$38 (Adult); S$28 (Child; 4-12 years old and Senior; 60 years old and above)

Dinosaurs: Dawn to Extinction

Featuring more than 400 fossils and models, as well as over 50 original artworks, this first-of-its-kind exhibition combines four exhibitions from the renowned American Museum of Natural History, San Juan National Science Museum, SCI! Expo at Monash University and artist Peter Trusler.

“Dinosaurs: Dawn to Extinction” will take visitors on a journey from the Precambrian, Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous time periods, offering a refreshing and in-depth journey into the pre-existence, existence, rise and extinction of dinosaurs. Through a timeline thread, visitors will be transported more than 600 million years back in time to learn the unique story of what came before and after the dinosaurs, and gain a deeper understanding on how these species evolved and adapted to changing environmental conditions.

Read my review here: www.cheekiemonkie.net/2014/02/dinosaurs-dawn-to-extinction-artscience.html

Venue: ArtScience Museum
Date: 25 Jan - 27 Jul 2014
Time: 10am - 7pm
Charges:
STANDARD: Adult S$24 | Senior Citizen (65 yrs & above)S$19 | Child (2-12 years) S$12
SINGAPORE RESIDENTS: Adult S$18 | Senior Citizen (65 yrs & above) S$16 | Child (2-12 years) S$11
For advance purchase of tickets, visit HERE.
Website: http://www.marinabaysands.com/Singapore-Museum/dinosaurs/

Logos Hope Floating Book Fair

Logos Hope, the world’s largest floating book fair, is returning to Singapore during the Chinese New Year! The book fair onboard Logos Hope offers an expanded selection of over 5,000 books at affordable prices. They cover a range of subjects for the whole family to enjoy! Additionally, the rest of the fully air conditioned Visitor Experience Deck is also open for the public to explore. From the Welcome Area, which introduces the new vessel through a short movie and interactive displays, to the International Café, which has ice cream, drinks and snacks for sale, there is sure to be something for everyone.

We visited it back in 2011 when it docked in Singapore, and the kids had a blast onboard. Read more about our experience HERE.

Venue: The Promenade, VivoCity
Date: 24 Jan - 2 Feb 2014
Time: Wed - Sat: 10am - 10pm | Mon & Tue: 3pm - 10pm | Sun: 1pm - 10pm
Charges: Free. Children under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
Website: http://gatheringsofhope.logoshope.org/

River Hongbao 2014

With larger-than life lantern displays, intricate handicrafts and crowd-pleasing performances featuring local and foreign performers from the region, be prepared to treat your senses to an extravaganza of lights, sights, and sounds this coming Lunar New Year. Be dazzled by the wide array of exquisite handicrafts from China and satiate your taste buds with more than 40 sumptuous varieties of local and regional delicacies served at the largest outdoor Food Street in Singapore. A myriad of fringe activities, ranging from amusement rides to carnival games to Main Stage Performances, will also ensure that visitors are treated to non-stop entertainment for the entire family.

Venue: The Float @ Marina Bay
Date: 29 Jan - 8 Feb 2014
Time: 12pm - 11.30pm daily (CNY Eve: 12pm - 1am)
*29 Jan: Fireworks at 8pm
*30 Jan (CNY Eve): Fireworks at 12 midnight
Charges: Free Admission
Website: http://www.riverhongbao.sg/

Horse-picious New Year with Wildlife Reserves Singapore

Singapore Zoo

Activity	Date/Details	Venue
Southern Lion Dance and photography (30 minutes)	30 Jan - 3 Feb 2014 10am & 2pm	Entrance Plaza
Prosperity Mascot Appearances – Fu Lu Shou  (30 minutes)	30 Jan – 3 Feb 2014 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm,1.45pm, 2.45pm, 3.45pm	Entrance Plaza
Zoo-diac Trail	30 Jan –14 Feb 2014 8.30am – 6pm	All around Singapore Zoo
Horse-picious Photography	31 Jan – 2 Feb 2.30pm – 3.30pm (on a first come, first served basis)	Garden With A View
Falabellas Parade	31 Jan – 2 Feb 10:30am (15 minutes per session)	Rainforest Kidzworld, Garden With A View
Education Booth	31 Jan, 1-2 and 8-9 Feb 2014 10am - 2pm	Outside Singapore Zoo entrance retail shop

River Safari

Activity	Date/Details	Venue
Southern Lion Dance and photography (30 minutes)	30 Jan - 3 Feb 2014 10am & 2pm	Entrance Plaza
Prosperity Mascot Appearances – Fu Lu Shou  (30 minutes)	30 Jan – 3 Feb 2014 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm,1.45pm, 2.45pm, 3.45pm	Entrance Plaza
Zoo-diac Trail	30 Jan –3 Feb 2014 9am – 6pm	All around River Safari

Night Safari

Activity	Date/Details	Venue
Southern Lion Dance and photography (30 minutes)	30 Jan - 2 Feb 2014 7.15pm & 8.15pm	Entrance Courtyard
Prosperity Mascot Appearances – Fu Lu Shou  (30 minutes)	30 Jan – 2 Feb 2014 Every hour from 6.30pm - 9.30pm	Entrance Courtyard
Zoo-diac Trail	30 Jan – 14 Feb 2014 7.30pm – 12mn	All around Night Safari
Animal Enrichment Sessions	30 Jan – 2 Feb 7.30pm, 8.30pm, 9.30pm	Fishing Cat Trail, Wallaby Trail, East Lodge Trail
Festive Tiger Token Feeding	30 Jan – 2 Feb 8.30pm & 9.30pm	Malayan Tiger Exhibit (East Lodge Trail)

Jurong Bird Park

Activity	Date/Details	Venue
Southern Lion Dance and photography (30 minutes)	30 Jan - 3 Feb 2014 9.30am & 2pm	Penguin Coast
Prosperity Mascot Appearances – God of Fortune (30 minutes)	30 Jan – 3 Feb 2014 Every hour from 10.30am – 3.30pm	Entrance Plaza
Horsepicious Photography (20 minutes)	30 Jan – 3 Feb 2014 12pm (on a first come, first served basis)	Hawk Show Arena
Festive High Flyers Show	30 Jan – 14 Feb 2014 11am & 3pm	Pools Amphitheatre
Zoo-diac Trail	30 Jan –14 Feb 2014 8.30am – 6pm	All around Jurong Bird Park

*Activities are free, but usual admission charges apply.
For more information, visit http://www.wrs.com.sg/

CNY Special 2014: Dr Ken Farquhar's Science Circus Show

Embark on a unique voyage of discovery with Dr Ken Farquhar as he relates science facts and juggling in a special Chinese New Year themed show at the Science Centre!  Learn why jugglers love gravity and why unicyclists need to keep moving!

Venue: Science Centre Singapore, The Marquee

Date: 30 Jan - 2 Feb 2014

Time: 30 Jan: 2pm & 4pm | 31 Jan - 2 Feb: 11am, 2pm & 4pm

Charges: Free Show but Science Centre admission charges apply.

Sentosa Celebrates Lunar New Year 2014

Venue: Merlion Plaza to Beach Station, Sentosa
Date: 31 Jan - 2 Feb 2014
Time: 11am to 9:30pm daily
For more information, click on the poster above or visit www.sentosa.com.sg/en/whats-on/events/current-events/#item5245

CNY Open House 2014 @ National Museum Of Singapore

Rein in the year of the horse this Lunar New Year at the National Museum of Singapore with free activities including storytelling sessions, face painting and a craft activity. Visitors will also enjoy free admission to the special exhibitions A Changed World: Singapore Art 1950s – 1970s and Singapore Biennale 2013.

Activities on Sat 1 Feb:

Craft activity*
Glass Atrium, Level 2 | 12pm to 5pm

Face painting*
Glass Atrium, Level 2 | 12pm to 5pm

The Story a Painting Tells: Storytelling Sessions for Children
in conjunction with A Changed World: Singapore Art 1950s – 1970s 
Exhibition Gallery 2, Basement | 2.30pm to 3pm & 4.30pm to 5pm

*Last admission time for craft activity and face painting is at 4.30pm.

Venue: National Museum Of Singapore
Date: 31 Jan & 1 Feb 2014
Time: 10am - 6pm
Charges: FREE

Titans of the Past

Titans of the Past is a unique presentation put together for the very first time to form a seamless storyline of travelling through pre-historic times. It features two international travelling dinosaur exhibitions, "The Growth and Behaviour of Dinosaurs" which is co-produced by the Museum of the Rockies, US Montana and Kokoro Co., Ltd Japan, and "Ice Age, The Exhibition" from Aurea Exhibitions, Argentina. Check out our experience HERE.

Venue: Annexe, Science Centre Singapore
Date: Now until 23 Feb 2014
Time: 10am - 6pm daily
Charges: Adult $20 | Child (3-12 yrs) $16 | Family Package (2A&2C) $68

Chinese New Year 2014 @ Singapore Flyer

Embark on a flight of prosperity at Singapore Flyer and gallop ahead as the Giant Wheel of Fortune guides you along its Signature Auspicious Trail. Have fun with other new year festivities such as meet-and-greet Captain Flyer God of Fortune, an award-winning rainforest full of cherry blossoms, horoscopes panels and more! Each child will also get a pack of gummies compliments of Captain Flyer, official mascot of Singapore Flyer.

Meet-and-Greet “Captain Flyer” God of Fortune
Venue: Waterfront Promenade (Level 1), Singapore Flyer
Date:  31 Jan, 1 & 2 Feb 2014
Time: 12pm – 1pm and 3pm – 4pm
Website: http://www.singaporeflyer.com/promotions/chinese-new-year-2014/

Istana Open House

Venue: Istana (Entrance to the Istana grounds is via the main gate at Orchard Road)
Date: 1 Feb 2014
Time: 8.30am - 6pm
Charges: FREE for Singaporeans and Singapore permanent residents. Other visitors are required to pay an entrance fee of $1 per person.

CNY Celebrations at LEGOLAND Malaysia 2014

To celebrate the Year of the Horse, guests visiting LEGOLAND Malaysia Theme Park will be able to build LEGO Horses using their imagination and creativity. The Park is also challenging guests to build a total number of 888 LEGO Horses. The number is considered to be symbolic of prosperity and the building challenge is expected to last until 9 February 2014.

Venue: The Beginning
LEGO Build-A-Horse Activity | 24 Jan - 9 Feb 2014 | 11am - 6pm
Lion Dance of Courage |  31 Jan - 3 Feb, 8 & 9 Feb 2014 | 7pm
Qian Qiu Drum & Martial Arts | 31 Jan - 3 Feb & 8 - 9 Feb 2014: 7.50pm | 4 -7 Feb 2014: 7.30pm
Musical Fireworks | 31 Jan & 1 Feb 2014 | 8.20pm
LEGO All-Stars Performance | 31 Jan - 3 Feb, 8 - 9 Feb 2014: 7.30pm | 4 - 7 Feb 2014: 7.20pm

Venue: LEGO City Stage  
Qian Qiu Drum & Martial Arts | 31 Jan - 9 Feb 2014: 12.30pm, 2.30pm & 4.30pm
Lion Dance Stilts Show | 31 Jan - 3 Feb, 8 & 9 Feb 2014: 3pm & 5pm
The Brainstormers Acrobatic Show | 24 - 30 Jan, 10 - 28 Feb 2014 (Fri to Sun only): 11.30am, 2.30pm & 4pm | 31 Jan - 9 Feb 2014 (Fri to Sun only): 11.30am, 2pm & 4pm

Lunar New Year Parade (From LEGO City Stage to The Beginning)
31 Jan - 3 Feb, 8 & 9 Feb 2014: 6.45pm | 4 - 7 Feb 2014: 7pm

*Usual admission charges apply.
Website: http://www.legoland.com.my/Plan/CNY-2014/

KidsFest 2014

KidsFest is a three-week festival of world class theatre for young people in Singapore. This year, nine shows will be performed over three weeks. Here are some of the shows that will be put up during the Chinese New Year period:

What the Ladybird Heard
21, 23, 25, 26 & 30 Jan & 1 Feb 2014
Details: http://www.kidsfest.com.sg/productions_Ladybird.asp?cid=02

Private Peaceful
22, 24, 25, 26 & 31 Jan, 1 & 2 Feb 2014
Details: http://www.kidsfest.com.sg/productions_Peaceful.asp?cid=04

The Snow Dragon
29 & 30 Jan, 1 & 2 Feb 2014
Details: http://www.kidsfest.com.sg/productions_Dragon.asp?cid=06

Horrible Histories: Awful Egyptians
31 Jan - 2 Feb, 8 Feb 2014
Details: http://www.kidsfest.com.sg/productions_Egyptians.asp?cid=08

The Boy Who Cried Wolf
31 Jan, 2, 4, 6, 8 & 9 Feb 2014
Details: http://www.kidsfest.com.sg/productions_Wolf.asp?cid=07

Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors
1, 7 - 9 Feb 2014
Details: http://www.kidsfest.com.sg/productions_Tudors.asp?cid=09

Huayi - Chinese Festival of Arts 2014

Hello Ling!
Step into Ling’s lovely little garden and feel the warmth of the sun. Come along as she explores her fascinating garden of light. Discover how light makes plants grow and how it creates beautiful colours like those you see in a rainbow. Join us in this theatre for children aged 2 to 4 years old to learn more about light and how it makes things glow, glisten, sparkle and shine!

Venue: Esplanade Recital Studio
Dates: 7 - 9 Feb 2014
Time: 7 Feb 2014, Fri, 9.30am, 11am & 4pm | 8 & 9 Feb 2014, Sat & Sun, 11am, 2pm & 4pm
Charges: $15 | Package of 4: $50
Book tickets HERE.
Website: http://www.huayifestival.com/2014/programmes/hello-ling/

Parent-Child Workshop: Move, Learn and Have Fun!
Learn important Chinese values like respect and filial piety in this fun-filled movement based parent-child workshop. Simple movements choreographed to poems that talk about filial piety and extracts from Chinese classic texts like Di Zi Gui will be taught. Come sing and move along with your child!

Venue: Esplanade Recital Studio
Dates: 8 Feb 2014
Time: 10.30am & 4pm
Charges: 1 Adult + 1 Child: $24 | 1 Adult + 2 Children: $36 | 2 Adults + 1 Child: $36
Book tickets HERE.
Website: http://www.huayifestival.com/2014/programmes/parent-child-workshop-move-learn-and-have-fun/

Parent-Child Workshop: Crafting Delight — A Rocking Horse
Don’t miss this fun and interactive workshop where you can create your very own adorable rocking horse! Participants can also learn simple paper-cut designs and Chinese idioms themed around the horse. So bring along your creativity and get ready to gallop into the springtime!

Venue: Esplanade Bay Room
Dates: 8 Feb 2014
Time: 10.30am & 2.30pm
Charges: 1 Adult + 1 Child: $24 | 1 Adult + 2 Children: $36 | 2 Adults + 1 Child: $36
Book tickets HERE.
Website: http://www.huayifestival.com/2014/programmes/parent-child-workshop-crafting-delight-a-rocking-horse/

Chingay 2014

Join us at the Most Colourful and Grandest Chingay ever! 8,000 multi-ethnic performers, World Longest and Largest 360-metre beautiful batik art, 4-metre tall Giant Artistic Puppets contingent, First Time Getai in Chingay, 700-children ballet performance, First-of-its-kind outdoor community drama, Exotic groups from various countries such as Italy, Korea, Philippines and China and Grandest Finale by 3,000 performers presenting 720-metre long of colourful hand knitted tapestries and many more exciting highlights!

Venue: F1 Pit Building
Dates: 7 & 8 Feb 2014
Time: 8pm
Charges: 7 Feb - Cat 1 $50 & Cat 2 $40 | 8 Feb - Cat 1 $60 & Cat 2 $50
*20% discount for PAssion Card members.
For tickets, please visit HERE.
Website: http://www.chingay.org.sg/

National Geographic Young Explorer Programme 2014

National Geographic Channel Singapore invites all kids aged 7 - 10 years old to join the National Geographic Young Explorer Programme 2014! Learn more about uncommon flora and fauna in Singapore through excursions to parks and places which are exclusive habitat to these species.

A total of 5 workshops are available, and they begin from 8 Feb 2014 onwards. Participation is FREE, but you must register by 31 Jan 2013! Visit www.ngcyoungexplorer.com.sg for more information and to register.