Go to Kusu Island with your kids

Kusu Island or Tortoise Island is a small island off Singapore. I was really lucky to be able to go there because of an event.

Well, it's a small island but it's a great place to spend an idly time with your family. (Avoid the pilgrimage seasons when devotees go there in droves.) Bring a picnic basket and mat and set up tent by the beach! Kids can freely run around too.

You can tell your kids the legend of Kusu Island as you arrive at the Island. (Legend has it that a giant sea turtle turned into an island to save 2 shipwrecked sailors - a Malay and a Chinese. As an act of thanks, the two men built a Chinese temple, Malay shrine and a huge turtle sculpture on the island. Source: New Asia Singapore)

You can find more information like ferry information at http://www.wildsingapore.com/places/kusu.htm

Take Photo of F1 Car

I figured that would be out-of-reach for most people! But you can find replicas of the F1 car around Singapore! Bring your kids there and take photos with these instead.

• Cycle and Carriage (Mercedes) showroom at Alexandra Road. - (I hope it's still there!) It's the most authentic one that you can find for free!
• Comm Centre -
• Singapore Flyer - These life-size F1 cars there are made of cardboard!
• Borders Bookstore at Wheellock Place - We made a lifesize F1 car out of balloons and it is on display at the bookstore along Orchard Road. Here's a picture of it!

Here's the process of making a F1 Car!

Let me know if there are more places you can see these cars!

P.S. I knew that Comm Centre has a stimulation F1 car game, is it still there?

Go on a food trail with your kids...

I know kids don't eat much and don't really care what they eat (most of the time at least!). One way to go on a food trail is to make it fun for the kids! Personally, I feel that architecture of old shophouses along Balestier Road has a lot of stories to tell. Hence you can make it like a treasure hunt for your kids! Ask your kids to look for:

• A pillar with guards holding guns
• A kiosk which dispense free water to people
• Count the number of stalls that sell Bak kut Teh
• Locate all the Tau Sar Piah stalls in the area
• Find a charming restore building call "Old Place" (Lao Ti Fang)

When they are tired, you can always find food to nimble on. Continue your hunt once you are rested!

You can find more information and ideas at http://www.ura.gov.sg/rediscoverSpore/pdf/balestier.pdf

What did you do during your school holidays?

Mr Bottle always wonders what do kids do during their school holidays? Mr Bottle loves to walk around Singapore to experience and see new things! He has found many hidden treasures in Singapore that may be suitable for kids too!


We will start a one month series on fun, interesting and educational places that kids can go... (with their parents!). If you have ideas, email us at marketing@kidsparty.com.sg


During the school holidays, Mr Bottle performed at Bukit Panjang Plaza for the kids! It's not the usual "magic on the stage" but street magic! It's a great experience because magic is done right up close for everyone! We had such a big crowd on some of the sessions! (Usually street magic is for a small group!)

I like the caption too: "The famous magician, Mr Bottle, will astound you with his bag of tricks, as long as you can find him."

Indeed, some kids came running around looking for Mr Bottle! Some shoppers were probably wondering who is man in Black and White!

Praises for Mr Bottle

Dear Mr Bottle

I was just beginning to draft an email to Pamela (marketing) to help convey my heartfelt thanks to you for putting up such a fabulous show for my Asher last Saturday. Your show lingers in our mind even now.

What other parents have posted on the web is true - your company is indeed reliable and high standards is assured. We were all pleased with the service you have rendered.

Just like many parents who embark on throwing a party for their kids, we were concerned about making the party entertaining for both the kids and adults, and also to make the party a special one for our son. It was a trying journey looking for a company to run a magic show and provide some other forms of entertainment such as balloon sculpting, face painting etc. The main worry was to engage someone who doesn't turn up promptly, deliver less-than-satisfactory service or worse, make us lose face for being too corny, impatient etc.

The good feeling I got from your company started when I began corresponding with Pamela, your marketing agent, about the range of services your company provides. Pamela is not only pleasant to talk to, she is also patient and forthcoming in helping me understand the services your company provides thus enabling me to make informed decision on the package to sign up for. She even helped me find out where to get the Spongebob pinata for the party and after checking with a few stores, that was the last one available in Singapore!

Then, came the party. Right from the moment we met, it was a comfortable and reassuring feeling to have engaged you for the party. You were so patient with the rowdy kids and professional in your magic tricks and balloon sculpting that there was none at the party who was not awed by you. What impressed me most was how you helped me settle the kids when I was still busy setting up the party and later coordinated with my timing to make the entertainment captivating for everyone.

What I like is your personalised service. Not only are you good in your balloon sculpting and magic tricks, you were able to account for every kid at the party and approached them to 'place an order' for a balloon sculpture. That was beyond my expectation as I was about to do so for you. In addition, during the show, I could see very clearly how you handle the emotional aspects of our young audience and not to turn their into a laughing stock for the adults. As I am someone who research much into child psychology, I am very particular about ensuring every kid's physical and emotional welfare is taken care of. You have demonstrated much understanding of child psychology through your treatment towards them: gently managing the active ones; constantly encouraging the shy ones; and patiently answering the inquisitive ones.

You have simply managed to take care of the young and old at the party and everyone sang praises about you that night after you left. Now my younger son, Benedict, has already told me that he wants you for his 8-year-old party and we do not know if he can so that long to see you again. =)

It has been a great pleasure meeting you.

Best regards
Adeline

Praises for Prof Messy!

We had Prof Messy at our party last Saturday. He turned up earlier to ensure the place is right and proper for his show. The 12 kids were totally thrilled, although my daughter Ariel has watched him twice. Ariel had a very naughty friend, a boy who would rebutt everything Prof Messy said. But he was cool and professional and did not show he was annoyed with the boy's numerous questions and remarks.

I will certainly recommend this to my friends. If you have more and different tricks, we will be happy to have you over again.

Best regards,
Angeline Tan

Praise for Prof Messy!

Your science show was unique and wonderful. Your entertainment made party more enjoyable and memorable. Adults and children Of all ages liked the show. Everybody was asking your name and number. Even our condo's security guard took your card from me. Thank you very much.

Geeta Patwardhan