Photo courtesy of People’s Association

Looking for more December school holiday activities? If you’re not thinking of utilising your SingapoRediscovers vouchers so soon, there are still many budget-friendly ways to be a local tourist, even from the comfort of home!

Read on for our round-up of activities that will let you bond with your kids — and learn about our history and culture — without straining your wallet. For affordable activity ideas, you can also visit the People’s Association (PA) website to check out their School Holidays Series.

Explore Singapore Through These DIY Heritage Trails

Photo by David Kubovsky on Unsplash

1. Police Heritage Trail

The Singapore Police Force has recently launched its first Police Heritage Trail to commemorate 200 years of policing in Singapore.

This trail consists of nine sites that mark the Force’s contributions to Singapore. It begins at the location of Singapore’s first police office — along the Singapore River — and ends at the former Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters in Tanjong Pagar. Fun fact: the headquarters was once known as the “Scotland Yard of Malaya!”

For the trail map and other details, visit Roots.sg.

2. WWII Trail

Not many people are aware of this, but the National Heritage Board has produced a comprehensive World War II trail booklet for those interested in our war sites. It’s an excellent resource for the family, and you can make visiting these sites an extended project, as you won’t be able to cover too many locations in a single day.

For starters, do visit the Former Ford Factory museum to get an overview of key events in Singapore during WWII, namely the Battle for Singapore (which ended with the British surrendering Singapore to the Japanese in 1942), and what took place during the Japanese Occupation, such as the Sook Ching massacre.

3. Nature Walks

Want to make sure that your kids are clocking their green hours? Singapore’s National Parks Board has a great collection of walking trails that you can choose from. Get to know your nearby park better, or head out further to discover something new!

4. Cultural Walks

If you’ve never really explored our cultural enclaves before, there’s no better time to do it! Use these official guides to get around:

• A DIY tour of Chinatown, curated by the Singapore Tourism Board.
• A Kampong Glam guide with three walking trails, by the National Heritage Board.
• A Little India guide with three walking trails, by the National Heritage Board.

Celebrate The December Holidays With These Virtual Tours

Photo by Charles Deluvio on Unsplash

1. Online Visit To A Curry Puff Factory

Love curry puffs? Curry puff maker Sha Zah is inviting you into their factory! Learn about making curry puffs from scratch — you’ll find out how the filling and the sweet chili sauce are made, and much more.

Fees: S$15 (PA Member), S$24.50 (Public)

Optional: Puffs Taster Bundle (plus delivery) at S$17.50

2. Online Visit To A Traditional Coffee Factory

Immerse yourself in an online tour of a popular coffee roasting factory in Chinatown. Learn about the differences between local kopi and designer coffee, as well as the different roasting techniques that local coffee brewers use. You will also see a traditional coffee master in action as he performs a “coffee dance” to bring out the best Nanyang coffee flavour!

Fees: S$20 (PA Member), S$29.40 (Public)

3. Online Visit To A Traditional Bread Factory

Visit Jie’s Bakery, one of the oldest traditional bakeries in Singapore. Go behind the scenes to understand how this small bakery produces over 10 types of traditional buns each day, what makes their buns different from commercially made buns, and how the iconic “rainbow bread” is made. This is also the opportunity to ask about age-old recipes and methods, if you would like to try baking traditional breads at home!

Fees: S$15 (PA Member), S$24.50 (Public)

Optional: Bread Taster Bundle (plus delivery) at S$17.50

4. Online: Travel Back In Time With D’ Walking Museum

D’ Walking Museum offers a history-themed interactive workshop experience for the family. Through captivating stories and the opportunity to interact with rare artefacts, participants will cultivate a deeper appreciation of Singapore’s diverse cultures, traditions, and practices.

Fees: S$30 (PA Member), S$39.20 (Public)

Learn Together At These Cultural Workshops

Photo courtesy of People’s Association

1. Online: Whip Up Your Own Hainanese Chicken Rice

In collaboration with Prima Taste, you can learn to cook a favourite Singaporean dish as a family!

All you’ll need for the class is:

• one chicken thigh
• garnishes such as cucumber, tomato, and parsley
• a rice cooker
• a pot to boil the chicken in
• two large bowls for soaking and steaming the chicken

Get ready to whip up the best homemade Hainanese Chicken Rice! 

Fees: S$5 (PA Member), S$7.84 (Public)

2. In-Person: Bracelet Making With Traditional Chinese Knots

Team up with your child to learn the art of using Chinese knot techniques to make charming bracelets with crystals and plastic beads. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to create a treasured gift or keepsake!

Fees: S$12/pair (PA Member), S$16.66/pair (Public)

Material Fee: S$20/pair

3. In-Person: Make Traditional Kueh

Have you always wanted to make traditional kueh? This kid-friendly class will take you through the paces of making sweet treats such as kueh dadar (rolled coconut pancakes). Do check with the organising community centre about age restrictions, as well as guidelines/payments for the accompanying parent.

Fees: S$15 (PA Member), from S$19.60 to S$24.50 (Public)

4. In-Person: Miniature Clay Art (Make A Nyonya Kueh Clay Set)

Kuehs are an important part of the Peranakan heritage, and through this workshop, children will learn more about Peranakan culture by making miniature kuehs from colourful clay. Please register soon for this if you’re interested, as slots are running out fast!

Fees: S$18 (PA Member), S$27.44 (Public)

Material Fee: S$12