Fun things to do with your kids this National Day!!!

The 9th of August 2014 heralds a very special day in Singapore — our 49th National Day!

It's a great time to teach your kids about the history of this amazing little island we live in and treat them to a wide range of festivities happening around Singapore to mark National Day.

If you are wondering what you can do with the kids this National Day, check out our gallery full of great ideas.

From visiting the President's House for a spot of history and culture, to the best places to watch the fireworks, we have it all here.

Click 'next' for some fun things to do with your kids this National Day!

Catch the National Day rehearsals

If you've got very young kids or babies in tow, it might be easier and more relaxing to catch the National Day rehearsals prior to the actual event.

There are rehearsals almost every week in July, leading right up to the big day on the 9th of August. Check out the schedule below:

Combined Rehearsal 6, NE show 3: 26 Jul 2014

NDP Preview: 2 Aug 2014

Enjoy the festivities at the Esplanade

Head on down to the Esplanade with your family this National Day.

There are heaps of fun activities lined up for the whole family to enjoy, spread over the National Day long weekend!

And after you enjoy these super fun activities, you can show the kids the amazing fireworks as the Esplanade is a great spot to view them!

FACE PAINTING

This fun face painting activity is for both the young and the young-at-heart! Get an "I Love Singapore" slogan painted on your arm or your little one's face and get right into the patriotic mood of National Day!

When: 9 August 2014 (Saturday)

Time: 2pm-5.30pm

Where: Esplanade Concourse

KAMPUNG GAMES

Have fun with your family while you give nostalgic childhood games such as 'goli' (marbles), five stones and 'gasing' (top spinning) a go.

When:

8 Aug 2014 (Fri), 6pm-9pm

9 Aug 2014 (Sat), 2pm-7pm

10 Aug 2014 (Sun), 3pm-9pm

Where: Esplanade Concourse

For more details and information, click here.

Have fun with the little ones at 'Baby's Day Out' by NTUC

Celebrate the biggest National Day party for babies and toddlers at 'Baby's Day Out' — an NTUC initiative.

Dress baby and yourselves in your best red and white finery, and join other families for National Day Songs Mass Sing-Along.

At the finale, you can be treated to the spectacular display of National Day Parade Preview Fireworks!

Event Highlights:

1. FairPrice Most Fashionable National Day Baby Contest

2. Fun activities for the little ones

3. Baby race

4. Baby Sensory Activity Corner

5. Bubble Play Land

6. Stage Games with attractive prizes

Although registration is now closed, if you were lucky enough to grab a spot at the baby party of the year, here's when, where and what time the event will be held:

When: 2 Aug 2014, Saturday

Time: 5pm-8pm

Where: The Promontory@Marina Bay

Check out 'Istana,' the President of Singapore's residence!

Get into the mood 1 week before National Day by letting your kids explore the amazing grounds of 'Istana', the President's official residence.

This is a not-to-be-missed trip, so do plan ahead, as Istana grounds are open to the public just 4 times a year!

Check out a great variety of performances on the grounds during the Open House. And for an entrance fee of just $2, you could even tour selected function rooms in the Istana building and view a special display of gifts presented to the President and the Prime Minister!

Here are some things to keep in mind when visiting Istana:

1. No pointed/sharp objects (e.g. knives and forks) or flammable items (e.g. lighters) are allowed on the grounds.

2. No cycles, scooters, roller blades, etc. are allowed.

3. Littering, smoking and the consumption of alcohol is prohibited.

4. No pets (except for guide dogs) are allowed.

5. You will have to go through security screening prior to entering Istana grounds.

When: 2 Aug 2014 (Saturday)

Time: 8.30am-6pm (Ticket sales office closes at 5.30pm)

Cost: Free for Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents. Other visitors are required to pay an entrance fee of $1 per person

Entrance to the grounds is via the main gate at Orchard Road (near Dobhy Ghaut MRT station).

Celebrate at Gardens by the Bay

Not only is Gardens by the Bay (Bay East Gardens) one of the best places in Singapore to watch the NDP fireworks, it's also a great spot to spend the National Day with the kids.

Head to the Far East Organization Children's Garden at Gardens by the Bay with the young ones and have loads of fun this National Day!

Located between the Cloud Forest and Satay by the Bay, the 1-hectare Children’s Garden provides a fun venue for kids, with an emphasis on water play (don't forget to pack swimsuits!) and forest adventure.

Its garden setting encourages exploration and interaction with nature for both toddlers and older children.

Kids can ‘hang out’ in treehouses, go on an adventure trail, or have a splashing good time in the water play area!

The best bit? It's FREE!

Image credited to Gardens by the Bay

Pack a picnic and head to Marina Barrage!

This has to be the ultimate kid-friendly spot for a National Day picnic! A big screen on one end shows you exactly what's happening down at The Float @ Marina Bay, where the National Day Parade and celebrations will take place.

There's plenty of room for the kids to run around in, and it's an amazing spot to catch all the air show action too!

Take note that it can get quite crowded, so it's best to head there and claim your picnic spot early in the afternoon.

Don't forget to dress in your red and white best, and take plenty of Singapore flags for the kids to wave!

Also, do remember that there's strictly no kite-flying before and during the air show.

Watch the amazing National Day Parade (NDP)

This is the place to be on National Day with your family if you were lucky enough to get a ticket! Held at the spectacular The Float @ Marina Bay, you'll get to see 5,000 performers showcasing their talents on a multifaceted stage the size of a football field!

For the first time this year, the Parade will integrate two 30m dancing fountains to showcase an array of lights and water moving in rhythm with the music, as well as a pair of brightly lit 3D lightbox panels located at the front facade of the central seating gallery.

The theme for this year's NDP festivities is "Heartbeats", and the Parade and Ceremony will pay tribute to Singapore's pioneers who worked against great odds and uncertainties to build this great nation to where it is today.

A must-see event for the entire family, whether you are actually there, watching it on TV at home, or catching the action with your kids on the big screen at Marina Barrage, or other locations around Singapore!

Catch the spectacular NDP fireworks!

Even if you weren't lucky enough to get tickets to watch the National Day Parade, you can still treat yourself and the little ones to the AMAZING National Day fireworks show!

Here are some of the best spots in Singapore to catch this amazing pyrotechnic display!

1. The Esplanade

2. The Promontory

3. The Helix Bridge

4. Gardens by the Bay (Bay East Gardens)

5. Singapore Flyer

6. Marina Barrage

The fireworks should start at 8.10pm and go on for about 10 minutes.

Soar among the fireworks on the Singapore Flyer!

Go for a super fun ride high in the sky with the kids on the Singapore Flyer this National Day!

Time it so you're up in the sky during the fireworks. Or catch the 'Casing and Uncasing of Colours' with your kids, hosted by Singapore Flyer.

THE CASING AND UNCASING OF COLOURS

Go behind the scenes as you see how the Colour Guards rehearse for the flag march-in for the National Day Parade 2014 only at Singapore Flyer.

Termed as the 'casing and uncasing of colours', the Colour Guards execute a detailed drill to prepare the national flag and other army flags, as they march into position upon command.

When: 9 Aug 2014

Where: Singapore Flyer Coach Bay East Promenade)

Phone 6333 3311 for more details

Image credited to Singapore Flyer Pte Ltd.

Enjoy a delicious pancake treat at Miam Miam Singapore Pancake!

Miam Miam is a successful food establishment that has outlets in 2 of Singapore’s most recognisable shopping malls: Bugis Junction and Westgate.

In conjunction with Singapore’s birthday, Miam Miam has launched a dainty dessert: Singapore Pancake.

Guess what? This National Day, you can get a FREE Miam Miam Singapore Soufflé Pancake (it's really thick and fluffy and of course, freshly baked!) with every order of main course*. There is one condition though... you have to be dressed in red and white!

This pancake will only be available from 21 July to 17 August 2014 so why not make Singapore's 49th birthday an occasion to savour this delicious treat?

*Limited to one pancake per transaction.

Have an NDP (National Day Party) at home!

Deck yourselves out in your red-and-white best, invite family and friends over, cook a Singaporean feast, watch all the action on TV, and have a house party to remember for the kids and adults this National Day!

Home is where the heart is, after all!

Written by

Nalika Unantenne

Weekend Guidenational daylong weekendSingapore national day