Weekly things to do 9-15 Feb 2026

Dear parents,

Esplanade PLAYtime! kicks off its 2026 season this weekend with the first of 3 shows lined up for the year.

Plus find out how you can win a BenQ kids study lamp worth $399.

Happy CNY in advance!

Here’s what we’ve got for you this week:

• Things to do with kids this week

• HEI Schools Singapore

• Esplanade PLAYtime!

• Review and Giveaway: BenQ Kids Study Lamp

• Kinderland Academy & Preschool‍

• Kid friendly activities and events to celebrate Chinese New Year

• Singapore Chinese Dance Theatre

• The Play Scene

• Passages at Last Light: Singapore’s WWII Maritime Evacuation Routes

• Sisters’ Island Marine Park

• GUNDAM BASE SINGAPORE

• Hetou Old Street: Tang Dynasty Theme Street in China

• Best Indoor Playgrounds in Singapore

• Fun things to do with kids

• Education and School Guides

Watch an interactive theatre show specially for kids 3-6 years old, head down to Singapore’s largest Chinese New Year Festival, check out the first ever official Gundam Flagship store in Singapore, and more!

HEI Schools Singapore - The first Finnish-inspired HEI preschool in Singapore

HEI Schools Singapore, the first Finnish-inspired HEI preschool in Singapore is now open for enrolment!

HEI Schools Singapore is launched in partnership with HEI Schools Global, co-founded by the University of Helsinki and globally recognised for its research-based, play-centred and well-being-focused early education model.

Why parents love HEI Schools

• Research-Based curriculum developed directly by the University of Helsinki

• Holistic growth that focuses on creativity, kindness, and emotional safety - not competition or rankings 

• Inclusive and play-centred environment where every child belongs and curiosity leads the way.

Ready to discover what makes Finnish education unique? 

Visit their open house or book your school tour today!

🗓️Dates: 13–14 Feb 2026 

🕐 Time: 9am – 12pm 

📍 Location: 11 Binchang Rise Singapore 579882

Esplanade PLAYtime! returns with 3 enchanting shows for 2026

Esplanade’s PLAYtime! is an interactive theatre series made specially for kids 3-6 years old. Through playful storytelling, music, and movement, young audiences are invited to explore big ideas, emotions, and imagination together with their grown-ups.

The 2026 season features 3 enchanting stories: 

• BURP (30 Jan–15 Feb)

• Together (2–17 May) 

• The Amazing Sarong (14–30 Aug)

Why parents love PLAYtime!: 

• Designed specifically for young children 

• Interactive & engaging performances, perfect for short attention spans 

• All shows are Relaxed Performances (welcoming children with diverse needs) 

• SG Culture Pass eligible

Perfect for curious minds - book your adventure now and give your child the magical gift of live theatre!

Where: Esplanade Theatre Studio

Tickets: $23, ticket specials available for Esplanade&Me PIP’s Club members

[Review & Giveaway] BenQ - Kids Study Lamp

We just found the perfect study lamp!

The BenQ MindDuo2 is one lamp the kids actually got excited about!

Here’s why it has become their new study superpower:

• 95cm ultra-wide coverage = entire desk lit up, zero dark corners

• One-tap mode switching: Paper Reading or Screen Mode (goodbye, annoying glare!)

• 7 colour temperatures: warm light for creativity, cool white light for focus mode

• Easy to operate with kid-friendly controls right up front

• The front canopy design and cleverly concealed lighting sources means no direct glare. EU-certified blue light safe and flicker-free lighting means happy, healthy eyes.

• Timer that beeps every 30 minutes to remind your child to take a break and let their eyes rest.

This thing is built to last and has been tested extensively. The lamp knobs have been tested 15,000 times while lamp heads and arms have been tested 10,000 times.

This is the study upgrade your child actually needs to level up their study game.

Get it for the new school year!

Kinderland Academy & Preschool‍ - Music infused curriculum that strengthens early brain development

Did you know music is the key to smarter, happier learning? At Kinderland Academy & Preschool, they turn every melody into a milestone.

Kinderland’s unique music-infused curriculum connects fun with function. By engaging in singing and instrument play, children naturally boost the brain power needed for math, science, and literacy - all while having a great time.

Kinderland builds confident, well-rounded learners, supporting children from 2 months to 6 years with comprehensive infant care and preschool programmes.

You’ll have total peace of mind knowing your child is developing social skills, coordination, and a love for learning in a joyful environment.

Chinese New Year Activities in Singapore

Celebrate Chinese New Year in Singapore with exciting family-friendly activities across the island. From festive celebrations to fun activities, here are the top picks to enjoy together this festive season.

Dance classes tailored for all ages at Singapore Chinese Dance Theatre

Discover the beauty of Chinese Dance with Singapore Chinese Dance Theatre (SCDT), where every movement tells a story.

SCDT offers courses for all ages - from enthusiastic 3.5 year olds to passionate adults. Whether it’s the delightful Parent-Child Dance, the energetic First-Step Dance, the powerful Kungfu Dance, or the graceful Chinese Dance Technique, there’s something for every budding dancer.

With over 400 students at the Toa Payoh and East Coast centres, SCDT is more than just a dance school, it’s a vibrant community of dance lovers.

SCDT’s Dance Development Roadmap provides a structured pathway from beginner classes to pre-professional training and even professional dance careers. Students get to shine in dance showcases and events, building confidence and expressive skills.

Join SCDT and watch your child grow, leap, and twirl into confident expressive individuals through the transformative power of Chinese dance!

The Play Scene - Bespoke Birthday Celebrations for ages 1 to 6

The Play Scene in Bukit Timah takes the stress out of party planning by creating bespoke birthday celebrations for children aged 1–6.

Each party is tailored to your child’s interests-whether it’s princesses, dinosaurs, or Bluey-featuring guided games, music, storytelling, and crafts led by professional hosts.

Parents can relax while everything from set-up to clean-up is handled, with exclusive use of the spacious Montessori-style play area.

Packages include two hours of private venue hire, themed activities, and full access to facilities, with options to add entertainers, extra time, or more guests.

With its all-in-one service, The Play Scene makes birthdays joyful, memorable, and entirely hassle-free, so you can focus on celebrating your little one’s special day.

Passages at Last Light: Singapore’s WWII Maritime Evacuation Routes

Ever wondered what it was like for those who fled Singapore by sea as the city fell in 1942?

This February and March, step aboard a chartered ferry and retrace the very routes taken by boats escaping Singapore during WWII.

Your journey begins at the Singapore Maritime Gallery, where you'll uncover Singapore's rich maritime past and see artefacts from the RMS Empress of Asia - a troop transport destroyed in our waters in February 1942.

You’ll then board a chartered ferry from Marina South Pier to Sisters' Island where you’ll get to explore the island while listening to stories about Singapore’s wartime past and maritime evacuations. It’s history brought to life!

Dates: 21 Feb | 22 Feb | 28 Feb | 1 Mar | 7 Mar | 8 Mar

Time: 5pm – 7.30pm

Admission: $55 per person | Early bird $50 (12–20 Feb only!)

Bookings open on 12 Feb, spots are limited!

This tour is one of the highlight programmes of Battle of Singapore 2026, commemorating the 84th anniversary of the Fall of Singapore with over 30 programmes running from 21 Feb – 8 Mar.

Sisters’ Island Marine Park

Sisters’ Island Marine Park is one of Singapore’s best kept secrets and here’s why you need to visit:

• Hop on a ferry from Marina South Pier (it’s basically a mini cruise with gorgeous skyline views) 

• Lush nature trails + native wildlife roaming free

• Singapore’s FIRST 220-metre floating boardwalk - spot marine life right under your feet

• Possibly Singapore’s best toilet view

• Take the late ferry back to enjoy sunset views 

GUNDAM BASE SINGAPORE

GUNDAM BASE SINGAPORE is bringing the ultimate Gundam and Gunpla (Gundam plastic models) paradise right to our doorstep!

This dedicated Gundam hub is packed with experiences that go beyond shopping:

• A massive 1.8m tall RX-78 Gundam statue greeting you at the entrance

• Photo ops with a large blueprint of the fan-favourite RX-78-2 Gundam

• FREE weekend model-building workshops

• Exclusive limited edition Gunpla you can't find anywhere else in Singapore

• Everything from Entry Grade to Perfect Grade models – everyone from rookies to pros are covered!

This is going to be the go-to spot for every Gundam fan!

Date: Opens 3 Feb 2026

Operating hours: 10am-10pm (Gunpla workshop available for families and newcomers to try out for free during weekends from 12pm-8pm)

Location: Jewel Changi Airport #04-219

Hetou Old Street: Tang Dynasty Theme Street in China

Hetou old street in Tangshan is on a whole different level. Located 2 hours from Beijing, this Tang Dynasty themed world feels less like a tourist attraction than a high budget fantasy movie set.

When the sun sets, the place transforms with the glow of thousands of lanterns.

Everywhere you go, there will be something happening.

You can catch live performances at every corner, fly over the attraction for those aerial views, and witness the famous molten iron fireworks.

Plus there’ll be hundreds of costumed characters waiting to interact with you, fun carnival games, and endless street food!

Warning: You will lose track of time here

Put this on your China bucket list!

Location: Hetou Old Street, Tangshan, Hebei Province (2hrs from Beijing | 1.5hrs from Tianjin)

Best Indoor Playgrounds in Singapore

Discover Singapore’s top indoor playgrounds for endless fun all year round. From colourful play spaces for toddlers to thrilling, action-packed zones, we’ve rounded up the best spots for you to explore.

More Fun Things to Do with Kids

Need more ideas for things to do with kids over the weekend? Check out our guides!

• Best free outdoor playgrounds (link)

• Kid friendly museums and exhibitions (link)

• Kid friendly activities and events to celebrate CNY 2026 (link)

Education and School Guides

Plan for the school year with our education and school guides:

• Guide to PSLE AL Score and Scoring System (link)

• Secondary School Rankings 2025 (link)

• JC Cut Off Points (link)

• Best preschools and kindergartens in Singapore (link)

• Best International Schools in Singapore (link)