- SINGAPORE
Kaleidoscope Kids: 10 Ways To Introduce Your Child To Singapore’s Most Colorful Cultures
Discover Vibrant Traditions Through Play
Singapore’s multicultural city means that there are plenty of unique cultural activities for kids to explore! From the vibrant streets of Little India to the exciting ruckus from a traditional Chinese opera performance, there are various opportunities in Singapore to experience the colourful culture that our city has to offer. Be it a weekend escapade or evening post-dinner walk, here are some unique ideas to get started!
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EXPLORE LITTLE INDIA'S SPICE MARKET: Little India *Singapore's Most Colorful Cultures
Vibrant Hub Of FlavoursDo the kids just know "curry powder"? In fact, there are plenty of other spices such as Appam, cumin, and turmeric! And there is no better way to learn about the myraid of these spices than a trip along Little India's spice market! Head over to the streets of Little India Arcade, Tekka Market, and Campbell Lane to explore their hawker stalls and learn about individual spices as well as how to incorporate them into daily dishes. To get started, simply book one of the local tours run by experienced guides!
- Spice of Life by Tribe Tours: Click here
- Singapore Tours: Click Here
- Mustafa Centre: Click Here
Little India, www.visitsingapore.com/neighbourhood/featured-neighbourhood/little-india
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PERANAKAN COOKING CLASS @ ALLSPICE INSTITUTE: Bukit Merah *Singapore's Most Colorful Cultures
Recipes Passed Down Through Generations!Allspice Institute's Peranakan cooking lesson is a 3.5-hour long session that introduces participants to the ingredients and techniques used in Peranakan cooking. Suitable for those aged 16 and above, the session combines Chinese style cooking together with Indonesian and Malaysian spices and flavours! Learn to whip up delectable dishes such as Ayam Sio, Dry Laksa and Nyonya Popiah! Course fee starts at SG$362.70 for Singaporeans after subsidies.
- Peranakan Museum: Click Here
- Grandmothers' Recipe: Click Here
- Cooking Class Singapore: Click Here
Allspice Institute, 162 Bukit Merah Central, #07-3545, Singapore 150162, www.allspiceinstitute.com/ssg-korean-complex-peranakan/
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WATCH TRADITIONAL CHINESE OPERA: Smith Street *Singapore's Most Colorful Cultures
Immerse In Traditional Chinese Opera!Experience the traditional art of Chinese Opera with frequent events by Chinese Theatre Circle! Since its establishment in 1981, it has been promoting the traditional art of Chinese Opera. Let the kids appreciate the intricate movements, music and elaborate costumes associated with Chinese Opera at its Chinese Opera Teahouse. Parents get to also enjoy a refreshing and freshly-brewed Chinese tea! The entire performance is kid-friendly, and suitable for little ones aged 3 years old and above!
- Upcoming Events: Click Here
- Chinese Opera Institute: Click Here
Chinese Theatre Circle, 5 Smith St, Singapore 058919, www.ctcopera.com
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HENNA PAINTING: Little India *Singapore's Most Colorful Cultures
Celebrate Festivities With Henna Tattoo!Take a chance at temporary tattoo with henna tattoos, which are bound to delight the kids! Henna painting is typically used as a decorative art form, and done during festive or celebratory events. It is often done on the hands and feet, and can last up to 3 weeks before fading away. There are various artists and shops in Little India, each with its own speciality and decorative art form. Best of all, it is not harmful to the skin!
- SyraSkins, Click Here
- Stained by Warda, Click Here
Singapore Henna Artist, www.instagram.com/thehennastory
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JOIN A LION DANCE PRACTICE: Serangoon *Singapore's Most Colorful Cultures
Experience Traditional Chinese Culture!Lion dances are no doubt one of the festivities that every kid looks forward to during the Chinese New Year period. And there is no better way to get them excited and learn more about the traditional Chinese culture than participating in a lion dance practice session! Lion dance is a form of traditional dance in Chinese culture and other Asian countries in which performers mimic a lion's movements in a lion costume to bring good luck and fortune. Over at the Lion Dance Academy, kids can learn the art of lion dance or even kungfu! Through their lion dance academy, children will not only learn the physical aspects of lion dance but also gain a deeper understanding.
- Lion Dance Class: Click Here
- Kung Fu Class: Click Here
Lion Dance Academy Singapore, 50 Serangoon North Ave 4 First Centre, Singapore 555856, www.liondance-academy.sg
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PARTAKE IN FIRE-WALKING: Little India *Singapore's Most Colorful Cultures
Not For The Faint-Hearted!The annual fire-walking festival, also known as Theemithi, is a ritual observed during the Tamil month of Aipassi at the Sri Mariamman Temple. This fire-walking ritual usually happens between mid-October to mid-November. There are essentially five key rituals that Hindu devotees will need to perform during this event. Non-Hindu devotees are not obliged to perform these rituals - however it is a great way to expose the family to the various practices that each religion observes!
- Sri Mariamman Temple, Click Here
- Major Festivals, Click Here
Hindu Endowments Board, www.heb.org.sg
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HEARTY MEALS AT GEYLANG SERAI RAMADAN BAZAAR: Geylang Serai *Singapore's Most Colorful Cultures
Singapore's Iconic Ramadan Celebrations!Partake in Singapore's most iconic Ramadan celebrations over at Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar! It is held annually during the month of Ramadan, where Muslim gather together to break fast. The Geylang Serai bazaar is often a massive affair, featuring over a hundred food stalls along with shopping options and entertainment! There is no better way to spend quality family time together, similar to the Muslim traditions!
- Wisma Geylang Serai, Click Here
- Facebook Updates, Click Here
Geylang Serai Raya Bazaar, www.instagram.com/bazaarayageylang2025
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WATCH CHINGAY PARADE: Promenade **Singapore's Most Colorful Cultures
Taste of Singapore's Diverse Cultures!There is no better way for both the kids and kids at heart to immerse in the diverse cultures that Singapore offers than catching a parade! The Chingay parade is essentially a people's parade celebrating multiculturalism with elaborate costumes, colourful floats, and cultural performances that showcase Singapore's rich traditions and artistic diversity. Catch floats that are beautifully adorned with traditional crafts, along with dancers in their ethnic costumes!
- Programme Booklet: Click Here
- Chingay Floats, Click Here
- Chingay @ Heartlands, Click Here
Chingay, near F1 Pit Building, www.chingay.gov.sg
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CATCH A SHADOW PUPPET SHOW: Multiple Locations *Singapore's Most Colorful Cultures
Shadow Puppet StorytellingDelight the kids with a shadow puppet show! Also known as "Wayang Kulit" performance, such shows are a traditional Javanese shadow puppetry art. These shows often feature local adaptations of myths and stories. There are various theatres that organize these puppet show, so be sure to catch one with the kids as a weekend activity!
- Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, Click Here
- Indian Heritage Centre, Click Here
Paper Monkey Theatre, Goodman Arts Centre 90 Goodman Road Block B, #01-05 Singapore 439053, www.papermonkey.com.sg
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LEARN RANGOLI ART: Upper Serangoon *Singapore's Most Colorful Cultures
Indian Traditional ArtLet the kids' creative juices run by enrolling in a Rangoli art class! Rangoli art is a lively traditional Indian practice where people make intricate patterns on the ground using colored powders, rice, or flower petals. It is usually seen in homes during festivals, representing happiness and good luck. One can either print or draw a pattern on the ground, and use colored salt, sand, flower petals, rice flour, lentils, or beans to fill them. It will no doubt be a therapeutic and fun activity for the entire family!
- Vijaya Mohan, Click Here
- SingaRangoli, Click Here
Strokearts, #02 - 13 The Midtown 1187 Upper Serangoon Road Singapore 533971, www.strokearts.com/class/rangoli-art/
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