20 things to do with you kids this June holiday

So many choices, so little time. Family-friendly activities abound in every corner of Singapore during the June holidays. Use our handy guide below to zoom in on what to do.

FOR CARTOON LOVERS: Let the kids meet their heroes

1. The Angry Birds Movie

The hit mobile game, created in 2009, has become a 3D movie. The film, which centres on what made the birds so angry, even knocked Captain American off the top spot earlier this week. It opened in Singapore on Thursday and is now screening in cinemas island-wide. The Angry Birds will also be making an appearance at Suntec City’s North Atrium on Thursdays to Sundays, June 2 to 12 at 1pm and 7pm. Additional 4pm session on Saturdays and Sundays. In addition, they’ll be seen at various cinemas and Mc Donalds outlets. For the full schedule, log on to www.facebook.com/SonyPicturesSG/

2. Shrek the Musical

Based on the hit Dreamworks animated film, the musical brings everyone’s favourite ogre to life with snazzy tunes and dance moves. The musical, which has played on Broadway and West End, arrives in Singapore as part of its first international touring production. It runs from June 8 to 19 at The Mastercard Theatres at Marina Bay. Tickets available from Sistic.

3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles : Out of the Shadows

The shelled heroes are back in a sequel to the 2014 movie. This time around, they’re faced with a new enemy called Krang, which is threatening to destroy New York City. We suspect the daddies will be bringing the boys to this one as Megan Fox returns as April O’Neil. Opens in cinemas June 2. The turtles are also making an appearance at KidZania Singapore for a meet and greet session on the weekends of June 11 and 12, June 18 and 19 and June 25 to 26, at 12.30pm and 5.30pm. 

4. Finding Dory

The much awaited sequel to Pixar’s Finding Nemo is finally here. Finding Dory sees the forgetful fish (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres) embark on a journey to find her parents. Opens in cinemas June 12.

5. Mister Maker and The Shapes Live on Stage

The younger crowd will lap this up as the popular characters from BBC’s CBeebies will be getting the audience to sing, dance and do art and craft. At D’Marquee, Downtown East from June 10 to 12. Tickets available from Sistic.

6. Storytelling Comes Alive! with My Little Pony

From a 3D pop-up book of Ponyville to interacting with the digital projections of the characters, this is your one-stop for everything to do with My Little Pony. At Sentosa Palawan Green, June 11 to July 17. Free admission.

7. Robot Kitty Singapore

The world’s favourite feline goes high tech. See how Hello Kitty is transformed into a robot as part of this interactive theme park experience. It’s also a chance to design your very own robot kitty. At Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hall 403, from June 11 to 21. Tickets priced at S$28 for adults and S$14 for children age three to 11. Available at http://robotkitty.com.sg.

FOR WATER PLAY: A splashing good time is guaranteed

1. Sentosa Fun Fest

A foam pit filled with bubbles, gigantic inflatables, water slides, obstacle courses ... there’re lots of wet and sweaty fun to be had here. Parents can also kick back at the chill and food areas while the kids run wild. At Sentosa Palawan Green, from May 28 to June 5. Tickets are priced at S$28 for adults and $18 for kids age three to 12, and are available at the Sentosa online store. Sold out for May 28.

2. DBS Marina Regatta

Singapore’s first urban beach returns as part of the festivities for DBS Marina Regatta. Tweens and teens can make a beeline for Southeast Asia’s tallest inflatable water slide, standing high at 16m. Meanwhile, there are free Kidz Kayaking sessions, the Get Wet, Get Wild obstacle course, stand-up paddling and zorbing on the pop-up pool for younger ones. At Promontory @ Marina Bay, from May 28 to 29, and June 4 to 5. Free admission.

3. SAFRA Punggol Waterway Challenge

Team up with kids and row your kayak along the Punggol Water and Coney Island as part of Safra’s inaugural Punggol Waterway Challenge on June 11. You can opt for the Families for Life AceKids Challenge, a 6km route for one parent and a child age seven to 10 years old or the Families for Life ChampKids Challenge, a 9.3km route for one parent and a child age 11 to 14 years. To register, log on to http://www.safra.sg.

4. Soak Out Water Party

Like its name suggests, there’s major drenching going on here at the Lagoon Stage of Universal Studios Singapore. The Minions and Sesame Street characters will also be there to join in the party ,which will end with a water canon blast. You’ve been warned. From June 13 to August 10, at 3pm daily with an additional 5.30pm session on Saturdays. Admission charges of S$74 for adults and S$54 for children apply.

FOR AIR-CONDITIONED COMFORT: Cos’ who wants to be hot and sweaty all the time?

1. Big Eyes Big Mind: Singapore International Children’s Film Festival

Kids from as young as two years old to 18 years of age can enjoy a series of culturally diverse short films specially curated from around the world. This year’s selection includes the adorable Rich Ball’s Little Mallets from Taiwan and Sisi & Wanwan, a film about a pair of twins raising money for homeless teenagers in China. At National Gallery Singapore, on May 28 and 29, and June 4. Tickets priced at S$13 at the door or S$12.90 online from http://www.bigeyesbigminds.com

2. Avatars & Cloud Babies’ Public Art Making

For a shopping trip with a difference, check out Avatars & Cloud Babies, a children art exhibition at Ion Orchard. There’s an art making session where both adults and children can doodle together to form a huge pop-up mural to be displayed. Ion Art Gallery, Ion Orchard Level 4, June 8 and 9. 11am, 2pm and 5pm. Admission is free.

3. Peter & Blue Go Around the World

How about a ballet performance designed just for kids? Join Peter, his dog Blue and his cat Calico as they travel around the world. Balloon-sculpting, photo-taking and meet-the-characters sessions top off the experience. At The Singapore Airlines Theatre, LASALLE College of the Arts, from June 2 to 5, at 11am and 2pm. Tickets priced at S$28. Available from Sistic.

4. Science of Magic II

Here’s science with a magical twist. Kids get to learn the science that goes behind magic tricks at this fun-filled workshop. Different sessions are conducted for various age groups. They even get to pick up a trick or two. At the KidsSTOP Party Room at Science Centre Singapore, on May 30, June 7 and 14. 10.30am to 1pm. Tickets priced at S$45. Available from http://www.kidsstop.edu.sg.

5. ZouKiDisco

Zouk returns with an installment of its ZouKiDisco, a day-time dance party with an animal safari theme this time around, which should delight the little ones. Other kid-friendly activities include sand art painting and balloon sculpting. At Zouk on June 5. Tickets priced at S$12 inclusive of one non-alcoholic drink. Available from https://ticketing.zoukclub.com.

FOR BUSY PARENTS: Quality over quantity at these one-stop spots

1. Families for Life Celebrations 2016

Held in conjunction with Car-Free Sunday in the Civic District, you get to start the day with fun exercises or simply head straight to Empress Lawn for a breakfast picnic where there’ll be hawker stalls dishing out local favourites. Other highlights include the ActiveSG Kids Obstacles Fun Race at the Esplanade Park and an outdoor movie screening with your very own cardboard car which you can decorate together. On June 29, from 7.30am till late. Free admission.

2. Aviva Superfundae

This is a must-do for all busy parents as it’s got practically everything you need for a full day out. The “funival” has activities such as mosaic workshops, a movie under the stars, bouncy castles, a water play area with Super Soakers and even fun runs involving mums and dads — Beer Dash and Milk Dash anyone? Best of all, stalls from Pasarbella market will be there to provide great grub all day long so there’s no need to leave the premises at all. The Meadow at Gardens by the Bay, June 4. Tickets are priced at S$19.90 for adults and children under three enter for free. Available from http://www.superfundae.com.sg.

3. Family Night at The Museum

Stuck in the office and can’t spend the day with the little ones? Take the chance to go out at night since it’s the holidays. Singapore Art Museum is organising a curator-led tour of the children-centric exhibition Imaginarium: Over The Ocean, Under The Sea for an informative and eye-opening parent-child bonding session. On June 1, 7pm. Tickets are priced at S$12 for both adults and children age seven to 15. Available from Sistic.

4. Singapore Botanic Gardens Heritage Week

Bring out your picnic mat for a leisurely day in the gadens. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is hosting a series of activities and performances to bring families and friends together. There’s a carnival today and tomorrow, while next weekend sees the return of the popular plant bazaar. Kids also get to enjoy free craft activities from May 30 to June 3. Admission is free.