Smart Nation activities to keep your child busy this school holidays

The school holidays are here, which means one thing: The kids are out!

While everyone loves some good old family time, no one can deny that things can get chaotic fast if you don’t channel the little ones’ energy properly.

That said, not to worry – we’ve got some suggestions on places to go, and things to do with your kids during the school holidays.

Explore the New PlayScape at the Science Centre

Newly opened in late May, PlayScape is an ideal destination for parents seeking to enrich their children’s knowledge through interactive experiences. With exhibits on AI, cybersecurity, and other key digital technologies, it provides hands-on learning that is both engaging and educational.

Each zone at PlayScape offers a unique glimpse into the technologies that support Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative.

Children can learn through play, gaining insights into complex concepts like blockchain and geospatial technology in an accessible manner. The exhibition’s focus on gamified interaction ensures that visitors understand and retain what they learn.

Some fun highlights that kids might enjoy are programming a robot to dance to their moves, training an AI computer to identify 3D-printed animals, and watching a robot solve a Rubik’s Cube puzzle.

Location: 15 Science Centre Rd, Singapore 609081 Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm.

Head down to the Smart Nation CityScape

If you’re not up for the journey to the Science Centre in Jurong, how about something more central?

Step into the Smart Nation CityScape, a part of the URA Centre’s Singapore City Gallery. We think it’s a great opportunity for the younglings to witness – in very real terms – what tech can do to shape their environment.

CityScape invites young explorers to delve into the ‘Building a Better Home exhibit’, where Augmented Reality (AR) breathes life into Singapore’s skyline.

Children can craft avatars in the ‘Technology Within Your Reach’ exhibit, reflecting their personalities and embark on a digital scavenger hunt for hidden messages within the exhibits.

Watch your child’s avatar navigate through virtual streets in the ‘Unlocking Invisible Benefits’ exhibit, uncovering the silent workings of technology that make Singapore buzz.

Finally, engage them with tales of transformation, showcasing Singapore’s dynamic changes over the years and inspire them with the tech ecosystem’s role in our lives through the ‘Working Together for Tomorrow’ exhibit.

PS: After a day of discovery, why not continue the adventure with a family meal at Maxwell Centre or a leisurely walk through the historic Ann Siang Hill Park?

Location: 45 Maxwell Road, The URA Centre, Singapore 069118. Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm.

Learn how to code – for free!

There are plenty of coding lessons out there, but here’s one that doesn’t break the bank – GovTech’s very own.

On our YouTube channel, you can find instructional videos where children can learn how to code. Don’t worry – these aren’t complex languages like Python or Java; instead, the lessons mostly use Scratch, a language that is child-friendly. The series is called Learning From Scratch (Haha, see what we did there?)

Happy holidays!