Hideaways - Creating with Nature
The kids
would have probably inherited the mother's gene of affections for art,
especially the first-born. He has the patience to sit and engross himself for a
good few hours to get an art piece done nicely. And he treasures every
single masterpiece of his. Although he is very good in expressing himself
through language, he is in the other hand, equally great in expressing himself
through drawings.
For that
reason, I must keep a look-out in sourcing all sort of places that we can
unleash our creativity, and that we can work together as a team, so as to bond.
I came across to Playeum's website through search engine.
The
well-establishment of the building caught my attention immediately. Bricks wall
is my all time favourite especially the orangish ones. And that black-framed
windows! What a perfect combination! Instantly, I decided to explore Playeum
with the kids during weekend.
Playeum
is "The Children's Centre for Creativity" where families and children
can create, play and be inspired together. It is also an independent registered
charity that champions children through Play and Creativity. Playeum has
operated for six years, 'without walls', reaching close to 60,000 children
through 150 projects across Singapore. They have just recently found a shelter
at Gillman Barracks, a contemporary arts cluster.
From now
till 30 October 2016, children and families get to indulge themselves in a
hand-ons exhibition namely "Hideaways - Creating with Nature".And
this hand-ons exhibition is Playeum's second exhibition in the space since it
opened in September 2015. As the title implies, children get to explore,
observe, construct, innovate and engage with nature and natural materials.
We were advised to leave our creations with the centre rather than to
bring home. But if you prefer to bring home a keepsake of what you've created
with your child, you will have to approach the staff and speaks your mind. The
staff would then brief you on the cans and cannot-dos.
Admission
is $20 per child and accompany adult gets to enter free with the hug from your
child. While additional accompanying adult is required to pay $10. The playtime
is unlimited. However, it is subject to the centre's busy period. In any event
that the centre is over-crowded or happenstance to have corporate/ groups
visit, the playtime may be kept to only 2 hours. While the wonderful part of
Playeum's website is, we can avoid this by checking out the webpage for their
upcoming busy times. So, in order to avoid disappointment, do better plan your
visit.
We
arrived the centre at about 4pm. As soon as we step in the door, we were
greeted by a pretty-yet-chatty front staff. She first checks if this is our
first time there. As soon as she noted that it is, she immediately handed us
the exhibition map and briefed us through details of the exhibition quickly yet
lucidly. She has not forgetting to remind us the centre will be closed at 6pm.
But a good 2 hours are more than enough for my kids to explore and have lots of
fun. But of course if time permits, do stay for more hours so that our child
can really take their own sweet time explorer, indulge and create because there
are quite a number of hands-on activities that they get to do.
While I'm
making payment, they kids are required to write down their name on piece of
post-it watermarked with Playeum's beautiful logo. Apparently the girl is not
ready to write yet, so the brother is kind enough to writes on her behalf.
Then, the stick-on clothing name label is now ready.
Parents may leave the stroller and bags in the closet near to
entrance.
Altogether
there are 7 sections of installations - covering 6 indoors and 1 outdoor.
ONE
CREATURE CAVE
The cave is entirely made up of
cardboards. Although the installation is designed for toddlers and infants but
it is not restricted to older children. But older children might find it a bit
lame though. The space is safeguard by padded flooring, hence the explorers
will be required to take off their shoes.
This section featuring animal sound pads and a range of texture and
lights, where the kids will revel in exploring the multi-sensory using their
whole bodies, eyes and ears. It is ideal for pre-schooler specially because
studies show that Sensory Play is actually important not only for Brain Development,
as well as Motor Skills Development. In this installation, there are range of
textures, lights and sounds enable the kids to sense [Involves whole bodies],
see [with your eyes, obviously] and hear [with your ears].
TWO
DARK SPACE
My kids
skipped this installation because they find it rather creepy inside because yes
it is dark. But it's worth an exploration if your kid isn't afraid or terrified
of the dark because kids get to indulge in kinetic artwork and
exciting hands-on activities in this space. They are able to construct a web
using strips of cloth and velcro, insects cut-outs and glowing paints. Asides
from this, by walking, jumping or running in the dark room, the kids gets to
trigger off different sounds of insects. Ideal space for skylarking.
Just in
case you are not aware or not noticeable, the name label that your kid wrote
his name on, is actually glow in the dark!
THREE
KNOCK, KNOCK WHO LIVES THERE
My kids,
and I find this installation amusing, interesting and significant. We spent
greater time exploring this installation because it involves a more detail
hand-ons activity that indulge your kids in drawing or sketching, better still,
in writing. There are a few elements that we should pay attention to in this
section, as well as its function.
1. Knock, Knock! Observation Stations - In here, you will find a few of
the red mailboxes attached on the wall. On top of the mailboxes there are
special surveillance screens, where children can view insects and other
creatures on their natural habitats and record what they see. The
surveillance screens actually streaming the live footage of the habitat's
interiors.
There are several Bug Hotels that the kids get to peer through the
windows.
The mail boxes are clearly labelled with different type of insects that
are available for real live observation from the Bug Hotels.
The mailboxes are not for decoration purposes but they serve as
communication medium that enable us to "post" our queries or doubts
that you might have in mind regarding insects. You may pen down your questions
on a piece of paper, along with your email address clearly stated, and post it
into the relevant mailbox. You will actually get a reply or answer from the
expert, in your inbox! How cool!
2. Knock, Knock! Book Corner
There are
numerous books focusing on the topic like "How To Draw Bugs and
Insects", "How to draw brilliant bugs", "La
grenouille" [means "The Frog" in French] are available here for
browsing. The books are tidily displayed in wooden crates.
Identification Table with kid size microscope. It is user friendly,
simply put the specimen under the microscope and that's it!
To associate with both observation stations and book corner,
there's an Identification table complete with sketching paper, colour
pencils, magnifying glasses, torch lights and specimens of various kind of
insects as well as a microscope!
Kids get to up close the structure of an insects by putting the specimen
under the microscope. After the tedious observation from the observation
stations, kids can head here to see the larger-than-live insect on
the projector screen.
Also there are specimens of insects displayed in glass jars, which allow
the kids to get nearer look of the crawlies.
3. Knock, Knock! Sensory Bug Hotel - The sensory bug hotel invites the
kids, especially the younger ones to feel and sense the frames of different
textures made using natural materials.
FOUR
WELCOME TO MY WORLD
This
installation invites the kids to construct shelters like a bee's nest
using petals and egg cartons. Instructions were given.
Although they sound to be an inexpensive material, but they are very
precious. So please spend them wisely.
Or make a moth cocoon using egg carton, dried leaves and other natural
materials available. Children can imagine a world where they are as small as an
insect in an immersive installation that presents the insect environment on a giant
scale.
After which, you may hang it up on the installation, or bring it home as
a keepsake.
These beautiful handiworks serve as mini habitats for insects hideaway.
The spacious hallway dangling with netting and there's a wind chime made
up of bamboos. allowed family to have ample space to workout on
weaving.
This is a great opportunity for family bonding as family can
work as a team to construct a structure by weaving. This
section invites kids to weave the natural materials into
the structure to make it grow.
What can you hear by swaying the bamboo wind chimes with a stick?
FIVE
MAKE-BELIEVE HIDEAWAYS
If you don't mind your kids or yourself get dirty, you shall explore
this dirty-fun hands-on activity. In this installation, you and your kids shall
be given a dough of clay for you to create a hideaway for insects.
This encourage kids to build imaginary habitats inspired by nature,
in any shape, any size, anything.
You will be contributing a little something to place within a larger
habitat, resulting in a collective make-belief hideaway. We are not
allowed or supposed to bring the clay home. But if the kids really like it or
if you'll like to continue the hideaways experience at home, the 'Clay-Doh' is
available for purchase at $5 per pack of 250grams, and that is quite a lot
actually.
SIX
SOUNDS OF EARTH: NATURE'S ENSEMBLE
"Sounds of Earth" is an interactive sounds installation where
children can create and build musical instruments with natural materials such
as bamboos, leaves, sticks, pebbles, toilet paper rolls, kitchen towel rolls as
well as coconut husks and many more. You may leave your instrument to
be attached to the Tunnel of Sound, the outdoor installation.
The biggish work desk in the workshop can accommodate at least 8
kids at a time. No more fighting for space!
SEVEN
THE TUNNEL OF SOUND
As above mentioned, the musical instruments that we created in Sounds of
Earth will be attached here, a skeletal structure that will grow over the
exhibition's duration, culminating in an immersive musical extravaganza. The
kids can walk through the tunnel and strike the various dangling to create
various sounds.
The
various sounds mingled pleasantly in the breeze, leaving the tunnel surrounded
with euphonious melody.
The
insects were intoxicated in the beautiful rhythm.
There is a largish chalkboard near to the entrance allows children to
scribble freely. And this would be the last thing that caught their attention
before leaving the centre. They were spoilt for choice.
Do note that there’s no washrooms within the centre itself. The
lavatory is just right outside the workshop. It is child-friendly as step
stools are provided below the basins but it is not baby-friendly as there is no
nursing room nor nappy change station available.
There's cold drinks vending machine just beside the toilets.
Block 47, Malan Road #01-23 Gillman Barracks, Singapore 109444.
Tel: +65 6262 0750
Opening Hours and Admission
Playeum
is open every day of the year except all Mondays and 25 December, from 10am to
6pm. Admission is $20 per child and accompany adult gets to enter free with the
hug from your child. While additional accompanying adult is required to pay
$10. The playtime is unlimited. However, it is subject to the centre's busy
period. In any event that the centre is overcrowded or happenstance to have
corporate/ groups visit, the playtime may be kept to only 2 hours. While the
wonderful part of Playeum's website is, we can avoid this by checking out the
webpage for their upcoming busy times. So, in order to avoid disappointment, do
better plan your visit. Find out the centre's busy times here.
Currently
Playeum is having some card promotions. Get 20% off child admission when you
foot the bill by UOB debit/ credit card. While Passion card holder enjoys 20%
off child admission and additional adult admission.
Famished after so much fun? Don't worry because the Red Barons Cafe is
just right at the doorstep. They serve good coffee/tea and delish. Playeum-er
will get 10% off the bill, but don't forget to retain your receipt for the
claim.
Getting There
Nearest MRT Station
Labrador Park Station (Circle Line)
You will never get lost with this guide!
Nearest Bus Stop
Along Alexandra Road, Opposite NOL Building (Bus Stop Number 15049)
Available Buses: 51, 57, 61, 83, 97, 97e, 100, 166, 175, 408, 963 or
963E
Carpark Charges
Mon to Fri 7:00am to 5:00pm
First Hour Free Parking
$0.50 per 30 min for the Second hour
$3.00 per hour for the Third hour onwards or part thereof
Saturdays from 7:00am to 11:00am
Free Parking from 11:00am to 7:00pm
$0.50 per 30 min
Mon to Fri from 5:00pm to 7:00am (next day)
Saturdays from 7:00pm to 7:00am (next day)
$0.50 per 30min (capped at $2.00)
And most importantly - *FREE parking on Sundays and Public Holiday!
So mark a date on your calendar today to indulge yourself and the kids in this meaningful and educative exhibition!
Saturdays from 7:00pm to 7:00am (next day)
$0.50 per 30min (capped at $2.00)
And most importantly - *FREE parking on Sundays and Public Holiday!
So mark a date on your calendar today to indulge yourself and the kids in this meaningful and educative exhibition!
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