There is festivity in the air. Lanterns now adorn the sky and families can be seen enjoying delicious mooncakes, all in the lead up to Mid-Autumn Festival or the Mooncake Festival, which is being celebrated today.
While COVID-19 restrictions are in place on the island, there are other ways to celebrate this joyous occasion. And what better way than heading to Gardens by the Bay to the glowing lanterns, FOR FREE!
If you are planning to take your kids to this world famous site, there is some good news we’d like to share.
Flower Dome Price For Kids During The Mid-Autumn Festival
Image courtesy: Gardens by The Bay
For the Mid-Autumn Festival 2021, Gardens by the Bay has placed lanterns; both at the Outdoor Gardens and within the Flower Dome. The celebrations started on September 15 and will continue till October 3 at Gardens by the Bay.
The Flower Dome admission price for kids 12 years and below is Nil (yes, its FREE!) till October 3, 2021.
You will have to pre-book the visiting date and also the time to the Flower Dome online.
Steps to book a time slot at Flower Dome
- Login to the website
- Select Flower Dome Only
- Then go for “Kids Go Free promotion Flower Dome Only”
- Finally, select your preferred date and time of visit.
Other Celebrations At Gardens By The Bay
The celebrations this year at Gardens by the Bay are in line with their theme “Blessings.”
The highlight of the lantern displays can be seen at the Golden Garden. Don’t miss the pair of rabbits releasing a sky lantern into the air, set against the traditional Chinese landscape as the backdrop.
Besides the lantern displays, you can also catch the cultural performances on weekends. They will also be live-streamed on Gardens by the Bay’s Facebook page.
But if you want something more and outside of Gardens By The Bay and inside the comfort of your home, you can also try these three ideas and activities this during Mid-Autumn Festival.
3 Activities To Do At Home To Celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival 2021
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DIY- Glowing Lantern Project
If you love bubble tea, next time don’t throw the plastic cup away. Wash it to turn into a beautiful glowing plastic cup lantern for your little one.
Things required:
- Waxed cotton cords
- Tracing paper
- Plain paper
- Coloured brush pens
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Plastic cup and lid
- Permanent markers
- Electric tea light
Steps to make:
- First, measure the circumference at the top of your plastic cup. Then take the measurement at the base of your cup. Don’t forget to also measure the height of the cup.
- Next on plain paper, draw and cut out a strip of paper according to the three measurements. Note, that it should roll up to form a cone shape and it perfectly fits into the cup.
- Draw horizontal lines across the paper that you have previously cut out. Remember, that these lines should be about 5 cm apart from each other.
- Put a piece of tracing paper over the paper guide and then cut it into the same shape. Let your kids have fun with the tracing paper and they can also start to fill in each row with colours they like.
- Allow your kids to choose three of their favourite waxed cotton cord colours.
- Cut the cords to about 20cm long and then tie a knot on one end. Next, braid them together and then tie a knot on the other end.
- After your kids are done decorating the tracing paper, then roll it into a cone and place it into a plastic cup.
- You can turn on the electric tea light and drop it into the plastic cup. If you want, you can choose to secure it in place with tape.
- Then, fold your braided cord in half and slot it through the middle of the cup lid from inside out. Note, the knots on the cord will prevent the cord from sliding all the way out.
Place the lid on the cup and your glowing plastic DIY lantern is ready!
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Try A Mooncake Recipe At Home
Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations are incomplete without the traditional mooncakes. Even though you can find a variety of mooncake options in the market, how about trying your hand at making one?
Here’s a simple recipe for all the chefs out there:
Things required:
Image courtesy: File Photo
To make the dough:
- 100g cake flour
- 60 g golden syrup
- 1/4 tsp lye water (kansui)
- 24g vegetable oil
To make the filling
- 10 salted egg yolk
- Egg wash to brush the mooncake
- 220g store-bought lotus paste
Steps to make:
How to make the mooncake dough?
- Start by mixing the golden syrup, vegetable oil and lye water in a bowl.
- Add flour to the above mixture and then mix it well.
- Keep the dough on a piece of cling wrap. Refrigerate it for 30 minutes to let the dough relax.
Mooncake filling steps
- First, wash the salted egg yolk with water to remove the white sticking to the yolk. Pat dry.
- Next, wrap the yolk with the lotus paste.
- Then roll it into a ball and keep it aside.
How to make the wrapping for the mooncake?
- Keep the pastry in between two plastic sheets.
- Next, take out the cling film on top. Then fold the pastry toward the filling.
- Try to remove the excess pastry where the pastry is double folded. This will ensure consistent thickness.
- Then, roll the mooncake with your palms to form a ball.
Baking:
- Dust the surface with flour and then roll the mooncake on it.
- Keep the dough on the baking tray.
- Next, place the mooncake mould on the dough. It will take the shape of the mould, and the pattern will be imprinted on the surface.
- Bake it on the middle rack. Maintain a 175°C/350°F top and bottom temperature for 5 minutes or until the surface starts to firm up.
- Take the mooncake out from the oven and then brush the surface of the mooncake with egg wash.
- You can bake it for another ten minutes or until it is golden brown.
- Let it cool down after you have taken it down in the oven.
- Keep all the mooncakes in an airtight container. You can also keep them for three days before serving.
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Reunion With family
Making elaborate arrangements for a family reunion amid the COVID-19 restrictions seems like a distant dream today. But, don’t get disheartened, there are other ways in which you can still connect with your family on the festive occasion.
- If you are planning to meet your family physically, then make sure to abide by all the COVID safety protocols at all times.
- You can connect with your family by hosting a virtual party. Send the invitation link to all the family and friends before hand.
- Set a theme for the party and you can ask the invitees to dress accordingly.
- Exchanging gifts is an important part of the Mid-Autumn festival. You can get all your friends to open their gifts online.
Soak in the fervour of the Mid-Autumn festivities with your loved ones!
ALSO READ:
7 Mid-Autumn Festival Activities To Enjoy In Singapore This Year
16 Places That Offer Yummy Mooncakes For Mid-Autumn Festival Celebrations
