Blogger's Parenting Tips

Kids courses and activities websites

2010-01-02T15:01:00.021+08:00

Abacus and Mental Arithmetic
3G Abacus
CMA

Art
Kids Art

Baking and Cooking
Genius R Us

Brain Training
iGenius.sg
MindChamps

Kids gym
The Little Gym

English and Chinese language
Leap Schoolhouse

Music
Magic Fiddler

Sports
Inlinex - Inline skating
Strike Academy - Bowling

Tuition websites

2010-01-01T15:00:00.018+08:00

Tuition Centres
EduMax Learning Centre
MindLab Tuition Centre

Maths
Maths Rally

Private Tuition
My Classroom

Maths
Filomaths.com
H2 Maths Specialist
Leon Wu JC H2 Math
Maths Champion
Maths-Digest.com

Physics
physicsandcalculus.com
The Physics Tutor

Tuition Agencies
CampusTutors Tuition Agency
Temasek Tutors
The Right Tutor
Trust Tuition Agency
Tutors999.com
We Care Tuition Agency
Yes Tuition Agency

Fun on the farm - Part 7: Bollywood Veggies

2009-03-05T08:59:00.003+08:00

Bollywood Veggies
100 Neo Tiew Road
Tel: 6898 5001
http://www.bollywoodveggies.com/

Entrance fee per person is $2 (free for children below 12 and adults above 60). Pre-packaged weekday guided tours cost $5 to $15 per head, including entrance fee and snacks or lunch (two-week notice required). Farm and bistro open from 9am-6pm (Wednesdays to Sundays, including public holidays).

You've gone organic, so how about teaching your kids the concept at Bollywood Veggies. This garden paradise of fruits, vegetables and flowers is free from chemicals, pesticides, fertilisers and growth hormones. It boasts the largest production of organic bananas and papayas in Singapore and lays claim to growing the hottest chilli padi here. Leave your kids to discover ladies fingers, long beans, cucumbers and bitter gourd. There are also spice gardens and a picturesque lotus pond. Head down to the Poison Ivy Bistro and enjoy dishes like fried carrot cake, banana curry and crispy fried quail ($5 each).

Extracted from: Simply Her magazine (Jul 2007)

Fun on the farm - Part 6: Orchidville

2009-03-03T08:49:00.003+08:00

Orchidville
10 Lorong Lada Hitam, Mandai Agrotechnology Park
Tel: 6552 7003
http://orchidville.com/

Admission is free. Orchidville is open from 8.30am-5pm daily. The Meteor Cafe operates daily, 9am-9pm, and the weekend barbeque buffet is available every Saturday, 6-10pm ($18 per adult, $9 per child).

Never mistake our national flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim, for another orchid again. At Orchidville, Singapore's largest orchid farm with more than two million blooms, there are workshops on orchid care and cultivation, pressed flower crafts and floral arrangements for adults and children. The farm's Meteor Cafe serves up homemade kaya, Italian coffee and fruit juices. If the idea of dining in a luscious garden setting sounds good, go on Saturday evenings for the weekend barbeque buffet.

Extracted from: Simply Her magazine (Jul 2007)

Fun on the farm - Part 5: Aero-Green Technology

2009-03-01T08:39:00.002+08:00

Aero-Green Technology
260 Neo Tiew Crescent
Tel: 6792 4298
http://www.aerogreentech.com.sg/

A tour costs $4 per person with a minimum of eight persons, and includes a bottle of lettuce juice or a bowl of Fresh Single Serve Salad (while stocks last). Daily: 9am-5pm.

Convincing your child to eat his veggies may or may not be easier after this, but at least he'll have a better understanding of high-tech aeroponics farming after a visit to Aero-Green Technology. Here, vegetables are grown without soil - their roots are suspended in the air and sprayed with a nutrient-rich mist. The one-hour tour includes a short video screening, followed by a walkabout to the greenhouse and around the 5.3-hectare farm to learn how plants like gourd, dill, tomato and watermelon are grown. Your kids will learn to identify vegetables, herbs and fruits by sight, touch and smell. You can also try their ready-to-eat salads and lettuce juice.

Extracted from: Simply Her magazine (Jul 2007)

Fun on the farm - Part 4: Singapore Crocodile Farm

2009-02-27T09:18:00.006+08:00

Singapore Crocodile Farm
790 Upper Serangoon Road
Tel: 6288 9385
http://www.singaporecrocfarm.com/

Admission is free. Half hour-long guided tours are available for a group of at least 30 persons ($2 per head) - bookings must be made at least a week in advance. It includes a goody bag and an in-house farm guide. Daily: 9.30am-5.30pm (closed on public holidays).

Maybe not, but your child can live out his crocodile hunter fantasies at the Singapore Crocodile Farm, with over 100 species of crocodiles. Play spot the crocodile as you ramble along a tree-lined path that winds around the farm, and glean information about their feeding and mating habits. Mums can buy crocodile-skin handbags with a clear conscience as the farm is an avid supporter of crocodile conservation.

Extracted from: Simply Her magazine (Jul 2007)

Fun on the farm - Part 3: Hay Dairies

2009-02-25T09:09:00.004+08:00

Hay Dairies
3 Lim Chu Kang, Agrotech Park Lane 4
Tel: 6792 0931
http://www.haydairies.com.sg/

Milking demonstrations at 9am, 9.30am, 10am and 10.30am. A tour costs $3 per head (includes a 250ml bottle of goat's milk and a farm souvenir). Confirm your visit at least one month in advance. Daily: 9am-4pm.

Trace your child's favourite carton of milk back to its source. At Hay Dairies, which has about 1,000 milk-producing goats, you can catch one of four milking sessions. After that, troop down to the sheds to pet and feed the gentle creatures. Then, sample or take home freshly chilled goat's milk in original or chocolate flavours ($2 for 250ml, $7 for one litre). For safety and hygiene reasons, those who have visited Europe or any cow farms recently are advised against visiting Hay Dairies.

Extracted from: Simply Her magazine (Jul 2007)

Fun on the farm - Part 2: Jurong Frog Farm

2009-02-23T08:39:00.003+08:00

Jurong Frog Farm
56 Lim Chu Kang Lane 6
Tel: 6791 7229
http://www.jurongfrogfarm.com.sg/

Tours cost $2 to $5 per person. Make tour and lunch bookings one week in advance. Daily: 7am-6pm.

Your child learns how a tadpole becomes a frog in school - bring the process to life at Jurong Frog Farm, the only commercial frog-breeding farm in Singapore, with some 6,000 American bullfrogs. A 38-minute tour takes you to the breeding and mating ponds where you learn about the frog's life cycle, characteristics and feeding habits. Your kids may want to take home a frog-rearing kit ($6), complete with tadpole feed and instructions. Foodie parents will love the wide range of frog-based products, such as hashima ($15 for 20g), frog legs ($12 for 500g), and essence of bullfrog with ginseng and cordyceps ($20 for a six-pack). End your morning with a pre-booked lunch (a minimum order of $50 is required) with frog legs prepared in a variety of ways and, of course, frog leg porridge.

Extracted from: Simply Her magazine (Jul 2007)

Fun on the farm - Part 1: Farmart

2009-02-21T08:25:00.004+08:00

Farmart Centre
67 Sungei Tengah Road
Tel: 6767 0070 or 9450 0752 (Edu Farmart Tour)
http://www.farmart.com.sg/

Admission is free. Food outlets operate from 10am-10pm (Mondays to Saturdays), and 9am-10pm (Sundays and public holidays). Retail outlets close at 8pm.

It's not quite the farmer's markets we find overseas, but if it's variety you want, the Farmart Centre showcases over 25 individual farms under one roof. See how honey is made and collected at Xali (Bee Hive) or pick out fresh seafood at Crabby King. Roam further and discover vegetables, spices, horticultural crafts and ornamental fish. At Austwine, there are more than 60 varieties of red and white wine, starting from $20. Take it easy and linger. Or sign up for a guided Edu Farmart Tour by Uncle William, who will take you around Farmart and to external farms to study the local farming community.

Extracted from: Simply Her magazine (Jul 2007)

10 Top Kid-friendly restaurants - Part 10: Brewerkz

2009-02-19T09:15:00.004+08:00

Brewerkz Singapore
30 Merchant Road #04-07 Riverside Point
Tel: 6438 2311
http://www.brewerkz.com.sg/

Although commonly perceived as a watering hole famous for its handcrafted beer, the relaxed and cosy atmosphere of Brewerkz makes it an ideal place to spend a weekend afternoon with the children. Laidback and informal, the establishment provides high chairs, colouring paper and crayons for children. It also has a selection of meals for children on the menu.

Extracted from: Motherhood magazine (Feb 2007)

10 Top Kid-friendly restaurants - Part 9: Swensen's

2009-02-17T09:06:00.003+08:00

Swensen's
Outlets around Singapore
http://www.swensens.com.sg/

Design-wise, Swensen's outlets have been created with passageways broad enough to accommodate most prams. The tables and chairs have also been arranged with ample space for bigger families.

Swensen's, which offers a special children's menu consisting of six "kid-approved" meals and three desserts, has also trained its staff in skills like balloon sculpting and face painting to entertain children at its outlets. Members of its Kids Club get to enjoy a free sundae monthly and one on their birthday too!

Extracted from: Motherhood magazine (Feb 2007)

10 Top Kid-friendly restaurants - Part 8: Ikea

2009-02-15T08:56:00.003+08:00

Ikea Singapore
317 Alexandra Road
60 Tampines North Drive 2
Tel: 6786 6868
http://www.ikea.com.sg/store_services/restaurant.asp

While Ikea is essentially a furniture lifestyle store, it recognises that children play a big part in the decision-making process.

Besides being able to choose meals from a special children's menu, the children can relax in the children's corner by playing or watching cartoons. High chairs and microwave ovens for warming milk are also available in these kid-friendly outlets. There is a nursing room opposite the restaurant and diaper-dispenser machines in some of the women's washrooms too.

Extracted from: Motherhood magazine (Feb 2007)

10 Top Kid-friendly restaurants - Part 7: Prego

2009-02-13T09:39:00.004+08:00

Prego
Raffles The Plaza, Singapore, 80 Bras Basah Road
Tel: 6339 7777
http://www.fairmont.com/singapore/GuestServices/Restaurants/Prego.htm

Possibly due to being Italian at heart (like the food it offers), family comes first at Prego. Indeed, Prego has dedicated efforts to ensuring it is a family-oriented restaurant. Besides a special table sitting for children, they can also doodle with crayons on drawing paper provided by Prego. During the Prosecco Brunch, Prego children can munch on finger good while watching cartoons or playing games in the kid's corner. Those aged five and below also dine for free during the brunch (one child per paying adult). As for those planning to hold birthday parties at the restaurant, give them a day's advance notice and Prego will prepare a complimentary birthday cake (250g) for the lucky child.

Extracted from: Motherhood magazine (Feb 2007)

10 Top Kid-friendly restaurants - Part 6: Oscar's

2009-02-11T09:24:00.002+08:00

Oscar's
Conrad Centennial Singapore, 2 Temasek Boulevard
Tel: 6334 8888

A hit among parents and children, Oscar's appeals to the two groups very differently. The children like it as they are offered a wide selection of popular favourites like chicken drumlets, spaghetti and pork sausages, along with the colouring book, with crayons and Conrad Teddy Bear they receive at the restaurants. The parents like it, as there are huge discounts for their children in the lunch and dinner buffets. Oscar's even has a promotional tie-up with a major bank, where one child gets to dine for free with every paying adult for the buffets.

Extracted from: Motherhood magazine (Feb 2007)

10 Top Kid-friendly restaurants - Part 5: McDonald's

2009-02-09T08:26:00.005+08:00

McDonald's
Outlets all around Singapore
http://www.mcdonalds.com.sg/

Aware that parents are continually looking for healthier choices of food for their children, McDonald's has introduced new items - corn kernels, grilled chicken bun and even apple juice - into its ever-popular Happy Meals promotions. Selected outlets have dedicated areas for children to play in too. McDonald's also organises birthday parties with trained party hostesses, which can even be held outside the fast-food chain's outlets.

Extracted from: Motherhood magazine (Feb 2007)

10 Top Kid-friendly restaurants - Part 4: California Pizza Kitchen

2009-02-07T09:05:00.003+08:00

California Pizza Kitchen
583 Orchard Road #01-42, Forum the Shopping Mall
Tel: 6836 0110
http://www.cpk.com/locations/store_details.php?LID=615

Knowing that deciding on what to eat can take a while, CPK has games and activities designed for kids as parents make their choices from the extensive menu. CPK also has special programmes just for children, including the popular CPKids Restaurant Tours.

In this behind-the-scenes activity, children learn about how the restaurant operates and even get to make their own pizzas. For their efforts, they are rewarded with a certificate of participation and a free kid's meal on their next visit to the restaurant. During the school holidays, children can also attend other customised activities such as a pizza box decorating and sundae making workshops.

Extracted from: Motherhood magazine (Feb 2007)

10 Top Kid-friendly restaurants - Part 3: Sharkey's

2009-02-05T08:48:00.003+08:00

Sharkey's
Rasa Sentosa Resort, 101 Siloso Road, Sentosa
Tel: 6275 0100

With the children kept entertained by seasoned staff with activities such as face painting and playing in the garden's playground while parents are allowed a leisurely brunch, Sharkey's comes well-recommended by impressed patrons. Furthermore, the restaurant has created a menu (not spicy) to suit the taste buds of children, including items such as Toot's Burger, Chicken Nuggets and even kid's Noodle Soup.

However, one of the main plus points of Sharkey's would have to be its Sunday Brunch, where for every paying adult, one child below 12 gets to dine for free. Sharkey's also accommodates birthday parties on its premises, with packages including the use of the resort's pool facilities available.

Extracted from: Motherhood magazine (Feb 2007)

10 Top Kid-friendly restaurants - Part 2: Hard Rock Cafe

2009-02-03T08:25:00.005+08:00

Hard Rock Cafe
50 Cuscaden Road #05-01 HPL House
Tel: 6235 5232
http://www.hardrock.com.sg/singapore

Hard Rock Cafe entertains its young fans with its Lil' Rocker menu (that doubles up as a colouring book) and the provision of crayons, tattoos and Hard Rock buttons. Favourites like Spaghetti Meatballs and Chicken Macaroni and Cheese are in the menu, alongside creations like Ain't Nothing But a Hot Dog. Children can also sign up for the kid's card, which gives the cardholder a 50% discount on items in the kid's menu.

Extracted from: Motherhood magazine (Feb 2007)

10 Top Kid-friendly restaurants - Part 1: Globetrotters

2009-02-01T08:57:00.003+08:00

Globetrotters Restaurant
#02-02/05 United Square, 101 Thomson Road
Tel: 6356 5285
http://www.globetrotters.com.sg/

Garnering enthusiastic thumbs-up from parents and children, Globetrotters is one of the most kid-friendly restaurants in Singapore. Built with families in mind, the spacious establishment has a dedicated glassed-in play area, assistants to tend to the children and stations where the culinary-inspired young can create their own pizzas and decorate sundaes.

Globetrotters also caters to parents with babies with its baby menu, provision of bibs and wipes and sale of single diapers in case of emergencies. The restaurant's staff, who have been trained to be aware of and sensitive to parents' needs, even offer to carry babies while parents eat during off-peak periods!

Extracted from: Motherhood magazine (Feb 2007)

Toy rental websites

2009-01-01T09:00:00.034+08:00

Go Go Mummy
Kidz Library
Little Fairyland
MyGrowingToys
My Toy Library
Rent-A-Toy
Rent D Toyz
Rent That Toy
Rent ZQ Toy
The Toy Bucket
The Toy Rental Club
Toy Rental World
Toys 4 Rent
Toys-A-Month