Singapore Family Blog | Toddly Mummy

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: My little mermaid

I'm so proud of EV and her little creation!

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Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Play Learning Tuesday: Colourful straw pan pipes

It's music making day today! Is EV the pan piper conjuring some musical magic?

This set of colourful straw pan pipes is oh-so-easy to make. And you can make it as big or as small as you want it to be.

Here are the materials you need:

Straws, of all colours (we chose the big ones so that it is easier to blow in and make sounds)

Recycled cereal box

Firstly, just cut a piece of cardboard from the cereal box. The size depends on how big you want your pan pipes to be, as it will serve as the support for the straws.

Then start gluing the straws one by one together, and securing them to the cardboard. Make sure that the straws cover the cardboard completely and that the flat ends of the straws are aligned with each other. Little hands can help in this task, though halfway through, these hands will most probably preoccupy themselves with other games, and mummy or daddy will have to finish up the task.

The final task is one that requires the dexterity of adult hands. While holding on to the glued straws, cut the sharp ends of the straws into different lengths. Add more glue if necessary to further secure the straws, and wait for it to dry.

The pan pipes is now ready to make some music.

Are you making music instruments with recycled materials too?

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What is Play Learning Tuesday?
Play Learning Tuesday is a weekly linky hosted by Toddly Mummy where bloggers are invited to share their child-friendly play, learning and craft activities. Taking part for the first time? You might like to read the guidelines here first.

Linking up with:

Activities for Children Lessons Learnt Journal Kids Co-Op

Friday, September 06, 2013

Happy Willow for happy kiddos

There are good indoor playgrounds, and there are good indoor playgrounds. None that we have come across, though, is better than this.

Fusionopolis is not one of the places that we frequent. The last time we were there, we went to watch The Hungry Caterpillar. That was last year. We haven’t been back, till recently.

Now since our discovery of Happy Willow, we have been back numerous times. In our opinion, Happy Willow is the best indoor playground we have visited so far. Well, actually, it is this mummy’s opinion. To EV, any indoor playground is good.

Seriously, a lot of thought has been put into the creation of Happy Willow. It is what I like to call a holistic indoor playground, because it combines physical play, imaginative play, literacy and craft into one space. Curious? Let me bring you on a pictorial tour.

The moment you enter Happy Willow, on the left, is the play area that most indoor playgrounds will have. Here at Happy Willow, they have clearly demarcated sections for older kids and younger babies - Kid's Den and Toddlers' Turf. And one of the biggest areas in the Kids' Den is the ball area, which includes an orange slide from the second level of the soft play structure.

Here is EV climbing up the play structure trying to get to the second level. One of her favourite highlights is the swing, and she just can't get enough of it.

Another unique feature is the rock wall. EV was scared to want to try that out, so she was contented to just stand by it. She did however, attempt the net climb structure all by herself, and was extremely ecstatic that she climbed it successfully.

Comparatively, the whole play area is rather small compared to some other indoor playgrounds. However, Happy Willow more than makes up for it with the other play areas, which is on the opposite side. This is where little kids' imagination is triggered. Besides a little garden complete with potted 'flowers' and watering cans, there is also a miniature garden table and chairs for kids to chill out and have a 'picnic'.

Just next to the little 'garden' area is a hardware booth, complete with tools and a shelf to hold them.

And just beyond the train area is the home and kitchen area, with a stove, barbecue grill and a sink. One of EV's favourite toys in this area is the cashier machine, which comes with a walkie talkie. She couldn't get enough of it.

Throughout the playground, there are ample couches, chairs and tables for parents to sit back and relax, while the kids are at play. There is a small cafe too, which serves mostly drinks and snacks. You can bring your own food for lunch or dinner, but do buy the drinks from the cafe.

Now, just beside the cafe is the Book Burrow, a cosy area where kids can go to for a quiet moment of reading, or some art and craft. Don't think that this area is not often used. During the times we were there, I have noticed kids retreating to the Book Burrow to read a book, then run back to the play area for more fun. EV did a lot of that too.

Happy Willow also has mini book displays just outside the Book Burrow from time to time. One of the displays that I really liked was the one featuring local authors. I didn't know that there were so many children's books published locally, such as The Adventures of Mooty, as well as one by a 9 year old girl. I even bought a few titles for EV.

Only socks are allowed in Happy Willow. There is a nice green cabinet with 'Happy Willow' tags at the entrance to let everyone put their shoes neatly and safely. There are even tiny chairs just for the kids.

On another trip there, we discovered another secret - a party room! EV attended a holiday music session that Happy Willow held. This room can even be used for private parties.

So our verdict? Happy Willow is definitely a place we will keep coming back to. In fact, plans have already been made to visit this coming holidays.

Disclaimer: We received one complimentary Play Pass from Happy Willow. All other visits were paid by me. All opinions and photos are my own.

Tuesday, September 03, 2013

Play Learning Tuesday: DIY Teacher's Day gift

It's that special time of the year when we show our appreciation to those who teach us. Last year, I bought gifts for EV's teachers, as I was so busy, I didn't have time to think of anything, or even make anything.

This year, I decided to start thinking of ideas early. Besides EV and AA's teachers from their kindy and playgroup, I also included my own mentors, who have patiently guided me through my educator training. So in total, I had to make eight special gifts. Yup, 8.

So here are my thoughts: I wanted something hand crafted, as that's more meaningful. I also wanted something personalized, yet simple to do, so that EV can also help me. So I decided on this very easy-to-do DIY gift.

Here's what you need:
- wooden clothes pegs
- washi tape, or any colourful adhesive tapes
- small bottles (I bought these from Daiso)
- ribbons to decorate
- felt (different colours) for personalising
- craft glue

Teachers Day Gift 2

Measure the right length of ribbon and glue it to the lid. Leave to dry.

Tape the washi tape to the wooden clothes pegs. I only taped the top of the pegs, so that they can be used as 'paper' clips. This takes a longer time, as the pegs need to be worked on individually. Here's EV helping me out. Don't you just love her intense look?

Once the glue on the ribbons are dry, it's time to personalize the gifts! I used different coloured felt, cut out the initials of the teachers' first names, and glued them to the tops of the lids.

Once the pegs are done, EV helped me put the pegs into the bottles. For this size of bottles, we put in about 18 pegs each. Then on comes the personalised lids and we're done!

EV and I sure hope our teachers and mentors love the gifts!

What are you making for Teacher's Day?