The year 2024 is coming to a close and now is the time to take stock!

Vote in our BusyKidd Readers’ Choice Award 2024 to support your favourite company that inspires making your life fulfilled with their incredible services or products. Whether it’s kids’ camps, indoor and outdoor activities for kids, restaurants, beauty & wellness services – we’ve got them covered!

Express your opinion about the best businesses in the city and don’t miss the opportunity to win nice prizes for your family.

To enter the draw, simply vote for any number of businesses in the categories Things To Do, Food & Drinks, Home & Living, Beauty & Wellness, Shopping, and then enter your email address at the end – it’s that simple!

Don’t forget to vote as soon as possible as the deadline for entries is 10 January 2025 and the winners will be announced shortly after.

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Win the Prize and Have an Unforgettable Weekend with Your Family

All the voters who will take part in voting for their favourite businesses in Singapore will participate in our giveaway standing a chance to win a 1N2D voucher to have an unforgettable vacation at Legoland Malaysia with free tickets to all their 3 parks for the whole family (2 adults and 2 kids).

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Home Alone

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When 9-year-old Kevin is accidentally left behind when his family go on a Christmas vacation to Paris, he wakes up to find he’s got the whole house to himself. Although he’s delighted with his freedom at first, Kevin soon realises that he’s not the only one who wants to spend some time in the house…and the other people are robbers. A hilarious slapstick comedy ensues as Kevin keeps out the bad guys by using homemade lures and boobytraps to make sure that the would-be thieves have a miserable Christmas.

Miracle on 34th

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When a PR executive from a failing New York department store man decides she needs a Santa Claus actor to attract customers, she picks a man from the street who has a beard and looks the part. The only catch is that he calls himself Kris Kringle and insists he is the real Santa. When Kris Kringle is caught on film knocking down an attacker in self-defence, he gets sent to court. The court case eventually boils down to ‘is this Santa or just someone who believes he’s Santa?’ The film’s ending captures the magic of Christmas beautifully.

Elf

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When an orphan human baby crawls into Santa’s sack he gets taken to the North Pole and is taken in by a family of elves who name him Buddy and bring him up as one of their own, despite his huge size. When Buddy learns that his birth father is still alive and living in New York City, he travels there to find him. Unused to living amongst humans, Buddy stands out as being very different in this hilarious, but heart-warming, fish-out-of-water comedy.

Deck the Halls

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Steve is a suburban dad in the US who is crazy about Christmas and takes pride in having the best decorated house in the neighbourhood. But, when a new neighbour moves in next door, a competition begins to see who can have the most elaborately illuminated house. After both neighbours try to out-Christmas each other with camels and other nativity animals, fireworks and other devices, they realise that it’s the Christmas spirit that’s most important.

The Muppet Christmas Carol

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The classic Dickensian Christmas story told with the help of Jim Henson’s muppets. It’s Christmas Eve and the miserly Scrooge (Michael Caine) ignores the poverty of his employee, Bob Cratchit (Kermit) and his son, Tiny Tim (Robin), and gets visited by three ghosts (played by muppets) before he learns the true meaning of Christmas spirit. A great introduction to the most popular Christmas tale and a Dickens classic.

Jingle All the Way

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Arnold Schwarzenegger plays an overworked salesman called Howard, who rarely finds time to put his son to bed. Attempting to redeem himself, Howard finds himself running across town on Christmas Eve, attempting to track down the last remaining action figure that his son is desperate for. He finds himself in battle with another father to find the toy, and the increasing competition brings hilarious results before Howard realises that being a good dad is about more than giving the best Christmas present.

A Boy Called Christmas

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A 13-year-old boy called Nikolas lives in the forest with his woodcutter father. When his father disappears trying to gain a reward by finding the lost kingdom of Elfhelm, Nikolas goes in search of the kingdom and his father with the help of a talking mouse and a reindeer. After surviving adventures such as nearly being eaten by a troll, Nikolas discovers that he is part of what will become the tradition of Christmas.

Arthur Christmas

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This animated tale sets out to answer the Christmas question that is as old as time: how does Santa deliver presents to all the boys and girls across the world in one night? When a mistake happens that means that one little girl doesn’t receive her Christmas present, Arthur sets out to find the girl and make sure that there’s a present waiting for her on Christmas morning.

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

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This story focuses on an adventurous girl called Journey who discovers that her grandfather used to be inventor of toys until his book of inventions and his greatest creation, an animated talking doll, was stolen by his apprentice. Using her intelligence, enthusiasm and belief in magic, Journey helps her grandfather in his bid to rescue the talking doll and bring it to life in time for Christmas.

The Polar Express

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Set in the 1950s on Christmas Eve, The Polar Express tells the tale of a young boy who is becoming sceptical about the existence of Father Christmas until a mysterious train stops outside his house and he’s invited to join with other children and travel to the North Pole. After a series of adventures he meets Santa Claus and receives ‘the first gift of Christmas’, the importance of which he discovers at the end of the film.

With so many wonderful films to explore, we’re sure that you’ll enjoy the shared experience of watching classic Christmas movies together. But just remember, no fighting over the popcorn!

Featured Image Credit: Imdb.com

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If you’re not familiar with the Elf on the Shelf, it’s a relatively recent Christmas practice that began in 2005 when a mother and daughter in the United States published a book called ‘The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition’. The book told a story about ‘scout elves’ who would fly down from the North Pole every day in December to keep an eye on children and then give Santa a report when they flew back to see him every night. That way, Santa would know which children had been good and which should go on his naughty list. The elves would return each morning, before the children woke up, and wait in a new location – in this way they would play an ongoing game of hide and seek. The book came with a toy elf, wearing a red suit, white collar and pointy hat, which parents could place on the shelf or wherever else they wished, without their children knowing. The book explained one key rule that everyone should follow: never move the elf as its magic might disappear. Kids were allowed to speak to the elf, however, and tell it their day’s activities and their Christmas wishes. Obviously, the intention is that parents move the toy elf and that kids will believe in the magic (and hopefully show good behaviour as they don’t want to go on Santa’s naughty list!). In the last 10 years in particular the idea has really caught on and now many parents around the world have the Elf on the Shelf as part of their family Christmas tradition. The general recommendation is that each scout elf arrives in the last week of November and that parents don’t introduce the elves until their children are about 3 years old so that they’re beginning to understand the magic of Christmas. And, although the elf starts of sitting on the shelf, people have got more and more creative about where to put him and what activities he might be doing. There are endless numbers of funny Elf on the Shelf ideas but here are 10 of our favourites.

The entrepreneurial elf

Set up your helpful elf as a car-washing expert with help of some signs and a mini bucket and sponge. You can even leave a toy car there to make it look like he’s started working. The cars will be gleaming, and the kids will be beaming.

The egg-centric elf

Replace the eggs in an egg box with small Christmas baubles and then pretend to be annoyed with the cheeky elf when you go to use some eggs for cooking and find out his prank. See if your kids get the yolk!

The candy cane-farming elf

Make some ‘soil’ by grinding up oreo cookies, fill a small pot, and then bury some candy canes until only the tops are visible. Then, for the next few days, make the candy canes grow by exposing increasing amounts of them. Now you’re farming!

The milk monitor elf

Show your elf has a sense of humour and likes a pun by placing him in the kitchen holding a sign, next to a milk carton with an angry face. There’s no need for that sour face!

The pun-making elf

Have your elf make some funny puns such as the ‘eye pad’ joke and the ‘I made you a cup of tea’ joke – all you need to do is create the eye pad and the letter ‘T’. Slurp!

The elf with the Frozen friend

Make an Olaf using three toilet rolls, a black marker, and with a nose, hair and arms made from coloured card. Hey presto, your elf has made a new friend!

Santa’s little helper elf

Let your kids know that the elf on the shelf’s taking his job seriously and is reporting back to Santa on whether they’re on Santa’s naughty or nice list this year. Here’s hoping they don’t get a lump of coal for Christmas!

The elf who likes feeding ducks

Put some little rubber ducks in a basin, add some water, then have your elf sitting at the edge of the ‘pond’ holding a piece of bread. Quack!

The elf that likes to chill out

Wrap your elf in a mini blanket made from a piece of cloth and place him in the fridge. Brrrrrr!

The elf with minion friends

Simply draw minion characters on some bananas and place the elf with the pen in his hands so it looks like he’s created them. Don’t forget Kevin!

The ziplining elf

First, attach a line from the top of your Christmas tree to another fixed point. Then tape your elf’s hands to a candy cane and place the cane on the line. Geronimo!

The elf in a bubble bath

Simply fill a small container with mini marshmallows and then submerge the elf in the ‘bubbles’. It’s good clean fun!

The message-writing elf

Write a festive message using buttons or candies and put your elf next to it. Ah, it’s so sweet!

The snowball-fighting elf

Find a friend for your elf and set them up midway through a snowball fight using mini marshmallows for snowballs and icing sugar for snow. Don’t get hit by a snowball!

As the Elf on the Shelf has become so popular there are many more funny ideas for your elf. And one of the most fun activities for parents is thinking what they can do next. If you use your imagination and think about the things that interest your kids it can be a real blast. Just remember to stay off the naughty list!

The post Funny Elf on The Shelf Ideas 2024 to Recreate at Home appeared first on BusyKidd.

Although it is famous as a centre of adrenaline activities, New Zealand offers way more than just bungy jumping and white water rafting (although it does offer some of the best opportunities in the world to try these thrilling activities) and is a very family-focused nation. New Zealanders, known as ‘Kiwis’ after the small flightless bird that is found nowhere else on the planet, are renowned for their love of the outdoors so you can be sure that your time there will be filled with fresh air and healthy al fresco activities.

Although it is a single country, New Zealand is composed of two unconnected islands, each with distinct characteristics. The North Island is the smaller of the two islands but has the bigger cities, including Auckland (which has one third of the country’s population) and the capital, Wellington. Indeed, the North Island has over 3 times the population of its southerly neighbour. It has a warmer climate (which is subtropical in the northernmost regions), and is more famous for its Maori culture. The North Island also has a slightly longer coastline and is home to more beaches as well as greater expanses of native forests. It is famous for its thermal activity and hot springs, and is home to all of New Zealand’s volcanoes (although there are volcanic mountains in the South Island, the most recent eruption occurred over 2 million years ago).

New Zealand’s South Island has a more varied climate, ranging from a mild temperate climate to severe alpine climate in the high altitudes. The South Island is famous for its white wines (grown mainly in the regions at the top of the island) and picturesque scenery. It is home to the country’s stunning fiordlands and nearly 3,000 glaciers, of which the Franz-Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier are the biggest. There is some excellent skiing available in the winter months and demanding climbing on mountains such as Mount Cook. Indeed, Mount Cook was where Sir Edmund Hillary trained for making the first successful climb to the top of Mount Everest.

BusyKidd‘s team has revealed its roadmap to New Zealand with kids, let’s check out!

Getting to New Zealand

As only two airlines currently fly from Singapore to New Zealand, your choice of flights is relatively simple. Thankfully, the national carriers of the respective countries, Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand, are both well regarded – Singapore Airlines was ranked the number 1 global airline in the 2023 Skytrax awards and Air New Zealand was within the top 20. Both Auckland, in the North Island, and Christchurch, in the South Island, are relatively well served, with flights to Auckland taking around 10 hours and flights to Christchurch lasting 10-11 hours. Your choice of destination will largely be dictated by your itinerary – in other words do you want to see both islands or just one, and if you want to travel around both islands where do you want to start and finish? Indeed, for many travellers it makes sense to fly into one island and fly out of the other to avoid backtracking. Luckily it’s not difficult to book two single tickets to achieve this aim.

Getting Around in New Zealand

New Zealand is larger than you might think. Driving continuously from the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South Island, or vice versa, would take around 30 hours (including the 3 hour ferry journey between the islands). However, the highways are generally well constructed and well maintained in New Zealand, and most visitors travel by road.

Bus

If you don’t want the hassle of driving and are happy to travel to a fixed route and schedule, getting around by bus can be a good option. There are a number of bus companies but Intercity, New Zealand’s national bus company, has the most extensive route network.

Car

However, if you like the idea of making your own flexible itinerary and travelling according to your own schedule, hiring a car might be preferable. Most of the major car rental companies, such as Hertz and Avis, as well as a number of local companies, operate in New Zealand. One important note, if you’re travelling to both islands, is that you need to check that your rental vehicle is allowed on the ferries run by Interislander and Bluebridge that operate between Wellington (North Island) and Picton (South Island). Just as crucially, it’s important to check if you can do a ‘one way rental’, where you collect the car in one location and drop it in another. That way you can collect your car in Auckland, for example, but leave it in Christchurch, thereby avoiding the need and expense of travelling back to your pickup point. Check also if unlimited mileage is included in your rental contract, as you will soon clock up some serious mileage if you’re planning to see a lot of the country.

Motorhome

Many visitors decide that travelling by motorhome is the best way to see New Zealand. The biggest company is Britz although there are numerous smaller operators. Although renting a motorhome can seem expensive, you will obviously be saving on accommodation costs (although you may have to pay to stay at a campsite). Bear in mind that rental rates for motorhomes can be almost double in summer what they are in winter. It is not legal to park your motorhome wherever you want in New Zealand. If you park somewhere that is marked as ‘no camping’ you could be subject to an on-the-spot fine of NZ$200 (around S$150). There are, however, many paid campsites with facilities including toilets, showers and charging points (ranging from $8-20 per adult per night) as well as over 500 ‘responsible freedom camping sites’ with minimal facilities and where you’re expected to observe various rules to keep them in good order. Paid camp sites can be booked in advance using apps such as Campermate and Rankers Camping NZ . Tourism New Zealand offers useful advice about travelling by motorhome in New Zealand.

Train

There is no major train network for passengers in New Zealand although there are some trains that follow scenic routes, such as the famous Tranzalpine railway journey .

Travelling Between North Island and South Island

There are two ferry companies that operate between the two islands: Interislander and Bluebridge . Both companies only have single routes between Wellington (North Island) and Picton (South Island). The ferry journey takes around 3 hours but can be quite rough at times as the water that runs through the Cook Strait moves relatively fast and the area can be very windy. It can cost around NZ$400 for a family of four to make the trip. If you’re not travelling by car you might consider flying between Wellington and Picton. The flight time, on a small propellor-powered plane that carries up to 12 passengers, is around 30 minutes and prices for one-way tickets are normally around NZ$100 per person. Due to the windy conditions around both airports, the landing can be a little bumpy but the pilots are very experienced and the safety record is extremely good.

Things to Do in the North Island of New Zealand

Auckland

Chances are that you’ll fly into Auckland, which is New Zealand’s biggest city although not its capital. Many people choose to go straight to see some of the North Island’s many attractions but Auckland itself has a few places worthy of a half-day visit.

Right next to Auckland airport is Butterfly Creek, a charming centre where kids can get up close to animals such as monkeys, meerkats, and otters. As its name suggests it is also home to a large tropical butterfly house. Other devoted animal lovers might prefer to head to Auckland Zoo, which has over 130 species and is one of the best places in New Zealand to see its native animals, such as the kiwi, as well as animals from across the globe. As it’s a coastal city with one of New Zealand’s largest harbours, it’s perhaps not surprising that Auckland has an impressive Maritime Museum where visitors can learn about the history of sailing in this region. You can even set out on a tour of the harbour aboard boats such as The Breeze, a replica of a 19th century tall ship with 10 sails. Auckland’s stadium, Eden Park, is the home stadium of New Zealand’s world-famous rugby team, the All Blacks, who are famous for their pre-match Maori war dance called the ‘haka’. Rugby fans, or even those with a passing interest in this national institution, are likely to enjoy the ‘All Blacks Experience’. As well as getting a tour of the stadium, visitors can face-off against a virtual life-size haka and test out their rugby skills. For those who like to get their bearings from a higher altitude, the Sky Tower offers unsurpassable views of the entire city from its viewing platform that sits at 186 metres above street level. Adults and daring children over 10 years old can even do a Sky Walk, secured by harnesses on a 1.2 metre wide platform, or a bungy Sky Jump in which they can experience free falling from a height of 190 metres!

Rotorua

As well as being a centre for Maori culture, Rotorua is an area of intense geothermal activity where you can see (and smell!) hot gasses venting from the side of footpaths. Te Puia is a great place to see some of the country’s most active geysers across its 70-hectare geothermal valley, which is home to over 500 geothermal sites. Here you can learn about traditional New Zealand culture and even see kiwi bird conservation at work. Just a 10-minute drive from Te Puia is the Whakarewarewa Forest, which is home to gigantic California redwood trees and is a great place for hiking and mountain biking. It’s also a place where you can enjoy the Redwoods Treewalk, a network of bridges suspended high above the ground amongst the majestic trees. Also within easy access of Te Puia and the Redwoods Treewalk is Rotorua Ziplines, which offers an ideal activity for adrenaline junkies who fancy the idea of ziplining through a forest and even across a waterfall. If you like you can race a friend on the dual ziplines in this beautiful setting. For those who prefer their high speed while driving, the Skyline Luge has five thrilling downhill luge tracks (including Gravity, Twister, and Legend) that are suitable for all the family as children over 2 years old can drive solo or smaller kids can be accompanied by an adult. You can also take a gondola cable car ride here which provides stunning views of Lake Rotorua. Also close by is the Rotorua Farm Experience. New Zealand’s most popular farm experience is set on 350 acres of farmland and its experiences include a farmyard nursery where kids (and adults) can cuddle baby animals such as lambs. You can also tour the farm on a tractor with a covered trailer and visit the National Kiwi Hatchery. Lake Tikitapu, also commonly known as Blue Lake, is perfect for those who like water-based activities, such as swimming, kayaking, water skiing and fishing. Visitors can also do hikes that range from the gentle Tikitapu Nature Walk (about 30 minutes) to the 5.5 kilometre Blue Lake Track, which circles the lake, passing through native bushland and forest.

Tauranga

About 2 hours’ drive from Rotorua, sitting on the edge of the Bay of Plenty, is the coastal town of Tauranga. As well as having lovely views of Mount Manganui, an extinct volcano, Tauranga is a great base for a number of excursions, such as to the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour. This tour takes you around The Shire, the 12-acre set where The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were filmed. Various options are available, including a day tour followed by an evening banquet at the Green Dragon Inn that was featured in many of the films. A 2 hour drive east from Tauranga will take you to the coastal town of Whakatane, where fishing is a key activity. Indeed, more yellowfin tuna are caught off the coast here than in any other part of the country. From here you can also go hiking, biking, explore the cultural heritage, do numerous water-based activities, or even take a helicopter trip to see one of New Zealand’s most active volcanoes, White Island, which is known locally as Whakaari.

Tongariro

In the centre of the North Island is New Zealand’s oldest national park that has dual World Heritage status due to its three active volcanoes and Māori cultural significance. Although it offers activities such as mountain biking and numerous hiking opportunities, it is probably most famous for its full-day hike known as the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. This challenging hike covers almost 20 kilometres and takes up to 8 hours to complete but offers the unique opportunity to walk along the ridge of a volcanic crater and see a blue lake that is sacred to Māori culture as well as stunning emerald lakes whose colour is caused by minerals from the thermal area surrounding them. Visitors to Tongariro might also want to tie in a visit to the National Trout Centre, which contains a large freshwater aquarium showcasing New Zealand native fish species and offers hands-on learning about the life cycle of trout and the history of the fishery. There is also a crèche for an endangered New Zealand blue duck which lives in the local region.

Wellington

As well as being the official capital of New Zealand, Wellington is a common staging-post for people who are travelling to the South Island by ferry or small plane. As well as being an attractive coastal city, Wellington is the unofficial ‘coffee capital’ of the country where visitors and locals can enjoy the products of world-class baristas. Wellington is also home to Te Papa Tongarewa, the Museum of New Zealand, which offers fascinating insights into the country’s history, from its contribution to the World Wars to the journeys that people took when emigrating to New Zealand, from Māori times to the modern day. Fans of films such as the Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Avatar, are bound to love the Weta Workshop Experience. Visitors can visit the workshop where Wellington artisans created the special effects for these and other films. They can immerse themselves in this unique world and learn how these specialists create props, costumes, weapons, and movie creatures. For families who are more interested in the natural world, Staglands Wildlife Reserve offers the opportunity to see predominantly New Zealand native species in a beautiful outdoor setting that spans 25 acres. Species include Auckland Island pigs, endangered birds such as the kea and toetoe, and Arapaho Island goats.

Bay of Islands

Located towards the top of the North Island, the Bay of Islands is a coastal region with a microclimate known as ‘the winterless north’ and, unsurprisingly, lots of islands. Paihia is the most popular base for enjoying this enchanting area of beaches and turquoise seas. This is one of the best places in New Zealand to go on a sailing tour, either as a day trip or overnight, during which you can explore hidden coves and islands such as idyllic Motuarohia. Thanks to its crystal-clear waters and abundant sea life, the Bay of Islands is also a great location to try snorkelling and scuba diving. The Bay of Islands is also not too far from Ninety Mile Beach (which is actually 88 miles long) where you can take a 4WD tour along the beach which is registered as a road.

Things to Do in the South Island of New Zealand

Queenstown

Most people who travel around the South Island visit Queenstown at some point. As well as being on of the world’s most famous centres for outdoor pursuits and adrenaline activities, Queenstown’s stunning location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, surrounded on all sides by mountain ranges, makes it a mecca for travellers who want to get the perfect picture for their social media sites. In fact, Queenstown has something for everyone – you can ski on the slopes of The Remarkables and Coronet Peak in the winter, you can visit the many wineries such as the Gibston Valley Winery, you can explore the Queenstown Cycle Trail (a series of easy to intermediate trails that take up to 4 days to complete in total), you can enjoy delicious local produce, or you can face your fear and experience one of the adventure activities for which Queenstown is so famous. Some of these activities include bungy jumping (there are multiple world-class sites but the original site, where commercial bungy jumping was started by AJ Hackett in 1986, is the Kawarau Suspension Bridge), jet boating (where you fly across shallow water at incredible speeds and make up to 360 degree turns), and white water rafting. One thing is for sure, you will try something new in Queenstown!

Wanaka

Just an hour’s drive from Queenstown is a town which feels a little like the sensible older sister of Queenstown. Wanaka has much of the natural beauty of Queenstown but caters more for families than thrill-seeking adults. That’s not to say that you can’t experience adventure activities here – because you can do tandem skydiving, skiing, canyoning and jet boating near Wanaka – but it also has an incredible variety of activities for children. You can visit an animal sanctuary, do a tour of an extensive lavender farm where you also try their delicious honey, see one of the most extensive private collections of vehicles and toys in the world at the National Transport and Toy Museum, watch a movie at a quirky cinema where you can choose to sit on a sofa or in a vintage car, and go on a kid-friendly cycling tour. However, one of the biggest draws for families to Wanaka is Puzzling World. This hands-on theme park will give your brain plenty of exercise as you explore attractions such as the Great Maze and Illusion Room, and take the opportunity to take mind-bending photos by one of the many optical illusions in the extensive grounds.

Kaikoura

New Zealand is one of the best places in the world for people who like Nature, and some of the best wildlife can be found in the nutrient-rich seas of its South Island. Kaikoura is one of the best -one-stop-shops for seeing New Zealand marine life as it offers close contact with a variety of animals including whales, dolphins and seals. Indeed, this sleepy seaside town is one of the best places in the world to see sperm whales. You can embark on a boat tour with companies such as Whale Watch or get a bird’s eye view by plane, allowing you to see the full scale of these majestic creatures, with companies that include Wings Over Whales. If you don’t mind getting up early you might consider swimming with dusky dolphins, a small species of friendly dolphin. Dolphin Encounter offers well-regarded tours, the earliest of which start at 5:30am! Alternatively you can engage with inquisitive fur seals, either on the water in a kayak or in the water while swimming.

Dunedin

Another great place to see wildlife is Dunedin, towards the southern tip of the South Island. Some of the first European immigrants came from Scotland, attracted by a landscape and climate that reminded them of home. You can thus be assured that it is often cold and wet there! However, it offers beautiful architecture, stunning (if chilly) beaches, a local brewery, a 19th century castle, and New Zealand’s biggest and interactive science centre. However, one of the top draws for tourists is its nature tours on which you might see yellow-eyed penguins, sea lions, fur seals, albatross, and many other species.

Franz Josef Glacier

The South Island is one of the most southerly inhabited places on Earth, so it’s perhaps no surprise that you can ski here in the winter. However, it’s also home to two of the most accessible glaciers in the southern hemisphere: the Franz Josef glacier and the Fox glacier. Of these, Franz Josef is the most developed for tourism and offers glacier tours. It is no longer permitted for visitors to hike from the base of the glacier for safety reasons, so the only way to access it is by helicopter. Thankfully a number of companies, such as Franz Josef Glacier Tours, offer heli-hike tours and they allow you to reach the higher and more pristine higher regions of the glacier. These tours are not cheap but they do allow a once-in-a-lifetime experience during which you can see the scale of the glacier from the air and often enter ice caves that appear as the glacier slowly changes form.

Christchurch

New Zealand’s second largest city, Christchurch, has a distinctly British feel. In fact, when you travel along its River Avon by punt (a flat-bottomed boat that you propel by pushing a pole against the riverbed), admiring the historic buildings along the way, you can almost imagine you’re in the university town of Cambridge in England. Departing from the historic Antigua Boat Sheds, you can choose to pilot your own punt or sit back and relax while a professional does it for you. Christchurch is a relaxed artsy place with easy access to the outdoors, where you can enjoy the city’s architecture or meet the local and foreign wildlife, ranging from kiwis to lemurs, at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. It’s also home to the International Antarctic Centre, where you can learn about the South Pole and its exploration, see penguins, and even experience an artificial polar storm at -18C in a ‘storm dome’. All in all, Christchurch is a must-see for anyone exploring the South Island.

Te Anau and Fiordland National Park

Te Anau is known as the gateway to New Zealand’s Fiordland, one of the most beautiful regions across the whole country and more akin to the fjords of Norway than the rest of the South Island. Sitting on the banks of Lake Te Anau, the town has a stunning setting and offers numerous lodges, hotels and campgrounds. It’s also home to the Te Anau caves where you can journey into a limestone grotto and see an underground waterfall. Perhaps the biggest draw to the caves are the glowworms that illuminate the roof of the cave as you slowly travel by boat in the silent darkness along an underground stream. However, most people who visit Te Anau are there to see the Fiordland National Park, of which Milford Sound is the jewel in the crown. Numerous companies offer boat tours that traverse the fiord, where you can see countless waterfalls, wildlife such as seals and dolphins, dense forests and stunning cliffs. Te Anau is also the starting point for a 60-kilometre hike called the Kepler Track, which travels along the lakeside, across mountain ridges, and through ancient forest.

Tekapo

As well as being another town that has a stunning location on the banks of a lake (the eponymous Lake Tekapo), Tekapo is a world famous centre for stargazing. Anyone, young or old, who has even a passing interest in the cosmos will enjoy a visit to the Mount John Observatory, New Zealand’s most powerful telescope in the heart of the International Dark Sky Reserve. This observatory is so far from major towns or cities that its views of the night sky are unpolluted by lights. It offers New Zealand’s best opportunity to see the Aurora Australis, also known as the Southern Lights. Alternatively, if you fancy combining stargazing with a cultural experience you can enjoy an indoor Maori cultural experience on the banks of Lake Tekapo where you learn about Maori interpretation of the stars and cosmos. For those who are not interested in the stars or want to spent time outdoors during the day, Tekapo is also a great location for hiking, with its 7 trails including 2 easy ones that are perfect for families.

Why choose New Zealand

New Zealand offers an almost unparalleled variety of landscapes and activities and is a very family-focused place. The Kiwis are some of the friendliest people you can meet and they love to welcome people into the country of which they are extremely proud. So perhaps it shouldn’t be a case of ‘Should I go to New Zealand?’ as much as ‘When should I go to New Zealand!’

The post Exploring New Zealand with Kids appeared first on BusyKidd.

Prague

The Czech Republic’s capital, Prague, ticks many boxes when it comes to a perfect festive feeling – it has some of Europe’s best Christmas markets in Wenceslas Square (which features in the Christmas carol ‘Good King Wenceslas’), where you can buy gifts, food, and drinks such as mulled wine; it has frosty weather and often has snow towards the end of December; it has outdoor ice skating rinks in the parks; and it has multiple castles and a royal palace. Prague is also famous for its spectacular Christmas tree, decorated with glass-blown baubles. So if you find yourself eating gingerbread or roasted chestnuts, and sipping mulled wine or hot chocolate beside the illuminated Christmas tree as your frosty breath hovers in the air, could it really feel more festive?

Rovaniemi, Lapland

For many kids the ultimate Christmas would involve meeting the big bearded guy in the red suit, Santa Claus. And what better place to meet him than in his home region of Lapland? Santa town in Lapland is Rovaniemi, on the edge of the Arctic Circle. Many companies do tours here where kids can meet Santa and the family can take part in activities such as tobogganing. Cold weather gear is provided, as temperatures can reach -20C, and the tours are run in a way that doesn’t feel overly commercial; most include a sleigh ride pulled by reindeer, a sled ride pulled by huskies, a snowmobile journey across a frozen river, and an introduction to Arctic crafts and foods. Visitors also get to walk across the line marking the edge of the Arctic circle although, sadly, snowball fights will be disappointing as the atmosphere is too dry to make good snowballs. And best of all, you can even send a postcard with a special stamp to show it was sent from Santa’s post office.

Ice hotel, Kiruna Sweden

Staying in a hotel made entirely of ice would surely be the dream of any young (or old) fans of the movie, Frozen. Believe it or not, this dream can become a reality at the Ice Hotel in Kiruna, Sweden. Made from over 100,000 tonnes of ice blocks from the nearby river, as well as 30,000 tonnes of snow, the hotel has an unbelievable 80 rooms, a chapel, a restaurant, and even a bar made of ice. Guests sleep in thick sleeping bags on top of reindeer skins, which is just as well as outdoor temperatures can reach -45C! Kiruna is well inside the Arctic Circle and is a great place to see the aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, to make the experience feel even more Christmassy. The hotel also includes numerous ice sculptures and the restaurant serves traditional Christmas Swedish food.

Budapest, Hungary

Hungary’s capital city has long been regarded as one of the best Christmas destinations for families, with Forbes declaring its extravagant Christmas fair, the Advent Basilica, the best Christmas market in Europe. Located in front of the imposing cathedral, St Stephen’s Basilica, the market is also said to be one of Europe’s most affordable, offering everything you can find in other capitals but with a Hungarian twist. However, Budapest offers way more opportunities to get that Christmas feeling. You could watch the ultimate Christmas ballet, ‘The Nutcracker’, performed at the Hungarian State Opera, see a puppet show at Budapest Puppet Theatre, go ice skating in front of the imposing Vajdahunyad Castle, take a ride on a tram lit up with thousands of Christmas lights, or go sledding in the nearby Buda Hills.

Tromso, Norway

Tromso is a city that sits near the top of the Norway’s long coast and is famous for being one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. It’s such a good place to see the aurora borealis that it even has a dedicated Northern Lights Festival in January and February each year. Snow is guaranteed over the Christmas period, so the snow-clad buildings will definitely stir up festive feelings, but the average temperature is a relatively mild -4C so it won’t feel unbearably cold. There are plenty of family activities including a trip to the Tromso fjords, the Polar Museum, heated outdoor swimming pools and saunas, reindeer and husky sled rides, and a polar aquarium. If you don’t mind an extra flight you could even tie it in with a trip south to Bergen, the inspiration for the city of Arendelle in the movie Frozen.

London

Although it’s not as cold as many of its European neighbours, London is a city that embraces Christmas with open arms. Regent Street is home to Hamley’s, the largest toy shop in the world, which has seven floors devoted to every child’s desires. The entire store is decorated in Christmas spendour and it even has a famous Christmas grotto. Regent Street is also where you can find London’s world famous Christmas lights. Elsewhere in London you can see one of the world’s tallest Christmas trees in Trafalgar Square – this huge tree is given by the people of Norway each year to thank the UK for its support in the Second World War. The city has a growing number of Christmas markets, as well as Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. Here visitors can skate on the UK‘s largest outdoor ice rink, ride on a carousel, eat Christmas foods, or step into a maze carved from 500 tonnes of ice called the Magical Ice Kingdom. If that’s not enough, you could see a Christmas musical such as ‘Elf’ in the theatre district known as the West End.

Berlin

Berlin is an interesting city at any time of year, thanks to its huge number of parks and its greater number of waterways than Venice or Amsterdam. But the city really comes into its own in December when the cold nights appear and the Christmas feeling takes over. Berlin is the place to visit a Christmas market, with the city boasting more than one hundred quality markets within its expanse. At these you can buy all manner of gifts and eat German specialities such as roasted goose, bratwurst sausages, gingerbread and the festive Stollen cake. Close to Alexanderplatz, there is a free ice skating rink each year (you just need to hire skates), with a 50-metre-high Ferris wheel beside it. Kids can also enjoy pony rides at one of the city’s petting zoos or visit the Botanical Gardens which are transformed into a winter fairyland, called the Christmas Garden, where you can find illuminated Christmas figures and enchanted woods.

With so many options for a memorable family Christmas in Europe, you’re sure to find one that’s best for you. Whether you want freezing temperatures and guaranteed snow, reindeer rides or Christmas toy shops, Christmas markets or festive ballets, Europe has a city that can fulfil your dreams. We wish you a very merry Christmas!

The post Top Holiday Destinations for a Family Christmas in Europe appeared first on BusyKidd.

Christmas trees are such an integral part of Christmas traditions that it’s hard to imagine a time when they weren’t around. But did you know that Christmas trees have been in use since the first Christmas tree was decorated in the late 1400s (either in Latvia or Estonia, it’s still being debated), but that they only became really popular when Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III, introduced the custom to England from her native Germany in 1800? Or that candles were used to illuminate the trees (which was as much of a fire risk as they sound) until electric lights were invented in the United States in 1882? Well, the BusyKidd team knows many interesting, inspiring, and helpful facts about this integral attribute of Christmas, and today, we are going to answer one of the most common questions: ‘Where to Buy Live & Artificial Christmas Tree in Singapore?’

Nowadays, many families who celebrate Christmas, and even some who don’t, like to have a tree in their house each December (or even earlier for real Christmas fanatics). Decorating the Christmas tree can be a great shared activity for the whole family, and the hanging of traditional decorations can bring back warm memories of Christmas past. But is it better to get an artificial tree or a real one? And where can you buy Christmas trees in Singapore? The answer to the first question is not straightforward, as there are several factors to consider. Some people prefer artificial trees as they don’t shed needles, they can be used for many years, and many are fire retardant. Others prefer real trees as they look and smell more authentic and are disposed of after use and, therefore, don’t need to be stored in the home. One thing is certain – the Singapore climate and air-conditioned homes are not ideal for real trees, so they need to be watered every few days to make sure that the bottom of the tree’s trunk, where it was cut, is kept damp. But whichever option you choose – a real tree or an artificial tree – we can recommend some places to buy them.

Artificial Christmas Trees

IKEA

Image Credit: www.ikea.com/sg

IKEA is well known for its reasonable prices, and its Christmas trees are no different. Traditionally, great choice and high quality are guaranteed as well. IKEA can also be a one-stop shop for all your Christmas design needs, as it sells everything from Christmas lights and wreaths to advent calendars and Christmas foods. Let your IKEA Christmas shopping begin!

• Address:
  • IKEA Alexandra: 317 Alexandra Rd, Singapore 159965
  • IKEA Jurong: 50 Jurong Gateway Rd, #02-12/13/14, #03-15/16/17 & #04-20/21/22, Singapore 608549
  • IKEA Tampines: 60 Tampines North Drive 2, Singapore 528764
• Opening Hours: Vary by the store
• More Details

All Events Decor

This company knows everything about decorations for any holiday in the year, and it can’t wait to bring a Christmas vibe to your sweet home right now. All Events Decor’s Christmas Trees 2024 Catalogue is already out there, so don’t hesitate! Head to All Events Decor for your dream Christmas tree! From 5ft trees to 15ft green beauties – the company’s selection of artificial Christmas trees will definitely exceed all expectations. You can find an option from $80 to $1,200. All Events Decor also has a 10ft, 15ft, and 18ft Metal Frame + Garlands variant. The bigger the Christmas tree, the more gifts! Right?

• Address: 18 Tannery Ln, Singapore 347780
• Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 10 AM to 6 PM
• More Details

Henry Christmas Wholesaler

Many know this place as a… bicycle shop (yes, it’s true). But as Christmas becomes closer, true miracles begin. The store turns into a real winter wonderland with snow, myriads of lights, colourful decor, and a great choice of Christmas trees, of course. Hurry up since more than 20 new Christmas trees from 2ft to 12ft already await their new families at Henry Christmas Wholesaler. It’s time to bring Christmas magic home – and you’ll definitely find it at this welcoming store!

• Address: 736/734 Geylang Road (Near Lorong 44), Singapore 389645
• Opening Hours: 11 AM to 8:30 PM
• More Details

Lazada

Yes, Lazada is a place where you can get literally everything, and Christmas trees and decorations are no exception. Any height, any material, any colour, any style, and any price – you will undoubtedly find your perfect Christmas tree in this year’s Lazada catalogue. Charming Christmas ornaments, decorations, gifts, and all that jazz are also there waiting for you.

• Address: Online
• More Details

Masons Home Decor

Image Credit: www.mason.com.sg

Masons Home Decor has a great selection of Christmas trees of all types and sizes – from traditional trees to hyperrealistic trees. Their Christmas trees start at $59 for a basic 5ft tree and go up to $1599 for the most realistic trees with a height of 12ft.

Christmas trees are available online and in the showroom. Mason Home Decor provides free same-day delivery for orders above $200.

• Address: Pereira Road, #04-01, Asiawide Industrial Building, Singapore 368025
• Opening Hours: 11 AM to 7:30 PM
• More Details

Amazon Singapore

Amazon offers a wide choice, from simple trees priced at around $35 to 8ft Premium Christmas Tree for $937.96. As with many of the other vendors, you can shop for Christmas tree ornaments and lights at the same time, but with Amazon, you can also shop for Christmas gifts.

• Address: Online
• More Details

Christmas Tree Singapore

Image Credit: christmastrees.sg

The company sells artificial trees that range in price from $59 to $999.80 for a 7ft decorated Firlliant – Premium Monterey Pine Artificial Christmas Tree. Christmas Tree Singapore offers tree and decoration bundles, early bird discounts, and free delivery for orders over $150.

By the way, the store presents an incredible 60% Christmas Tree sale right now. So, you can buy your perfect Christmas tree at a pleasant price!

You can get your Christmas tree in the store’s showroom or order it online.

• Address: 22 New Industrial Road, Primax, #03-15, Singapore 536208
• Opening Hours: 11 AM to 8 PM (Daily)
• More Details

Pine Concept

Image Credit: christmastrees.com.sg

Pine Concept offers a great combination of high quality and affordability. The company guarantees that its trees maintain their structure and will make your home even cozier for many more Christmas to come. Yes, and all models look so realistic! ImpeFir, Granfeur, Firlliant, and Firneese are among the company’s bestsellers. The price ranges from $49.90 to $399.90.

By the way, the Pine Concept company offers great deals right now!

You can order your tree online or find it in the Pine Concept’s showroom.

• Address: 20 Sin Ming Lane, Midview City, #03-58, Singapore 573968
• Opening Hours: 11 AM to 8 PM (Daily)
• More Details

Vanda Win

Offering arguably the greatest range of all the artificial tree vendors in Singapore, Vanda Win prides itself on having trees that look close to the real thing. Trees range in size from 5 to 5.5ft, with decorated trees available. Prices are available on request.

• Address: 65 Sims Avenue, #05-10 Yi Xiu Fty Bldg, Singapore 387418
• Opening Hours:
  • Monday to Friday: 11 AM to 5:30 PM
  • Saturday, Sunday, and Public Holiday: Closed
• More Details

TANGS

Image Credit: tangs.com

The Christmas store at TANGS is already open – and it is ready to impress you with its incredible variety and great deals. You can become a happy owner of an exclusive Christmas tree at a cost from $174.30 for a 5ft 100% PE Canadian Spruce Christmas Tree to $1,679.30 for Pino Luxury. Add decorations, home essentials, gifts, and Christmas party looks – and you are totally ready for this Christmas holiday season!

Fantastic Early Bird Specials await everyone who wants to start this year’s Christmas adventure right now!

• Address:
  • TANGS at Tang Plaza: 310 Orchard Road, Singapore 238864
  • TANGS at VivoCity: 1 Harbourfront Walk, #01-187 & #02-189, Singapore 098585
• Opening Hours:
  • TANGS at Tang Plaza:
    • Monday to Saturday: 10:30 AM to 9:30 PM
    • Sunday: 11 AM to 9 PM
  • TANGS at VivoCity: 10 AM to 10 PM (Daily)
• More Details

Tidings

Image Credit: Tidings via Facebook

Tidings is an online store that specializes in all things Christmas, so you can find artificial Christmas trees, tree and decoration bundles, and lights. Trees range in height from 5ft to 8ft and prices from $48 to $499. By the way, if you prefer a live Christmas tree, Tidings is also your destination for finding an ideal option.

A 2-hour express delivery service is available for some products.

• Address: Online
• More Details

Real Trees

Far East Flora

Image Credit: www.fareastflora.com

With three outlets in Singapore, Far East Flora has nurseries with lots of real Christmas trees to choose from in person, although you can also order trees online. Pre-orders for Far East Flora’s Christmas trees 2024 have not started yet, so follow the announcements to be among the first to catch your Christmas tree.

• Address:
  • Far East Flora Centre (Headquarters): Level 2, 435 Clementi Road, Singapore 599873
  • Thomson: 565 Thomson Road, (within Goodwood Florist), Singapore 298184
  • City Square Mall: 180 Kitchener Road #B1-16, Singapore 208539
• Opening Hours: Vary by the outlet
• More Details

Candy Floriculture

Image Credit: Candy Floriculture via Facebook

Candy Floriculture is ready to accept your pre-orders for Christmas trees 2024, and it really has something to make your holiday special and filled with Christmas spirit. From a 4-5ft Noble Fir Live Christmas Tree for $217 to a 12ft and above green beauty for $3,814, Candy Floriculture has you covered! Delivery will be available from November 18, 2024.

• Address: 567 Thomson Road, Singapore 298183
• Opening Hours: 8 AM to 7:30 PM (Daily)
• More Details

Cold Storage

Who’d have thought you could pick up a Christmas tree while doing the weekly shopping? Although pre-orders for this year’s festive season have not started as of today, keep an eye on announcements since Cold Storage Christmas Trees sell out quickly.

You can order trees online.

• Address: Multiple stores
• Opening Hours: Vary by the outlet
• More Details

The Green Corner

Image Credit: The Green Corner via Facebook

With a physical store on Sungei Tengah Road and an online portal, The Green Corner has real Christmas trees priced from $269 to a whopping $3109 (although for this, you get a 12ft Noble Fir – Premium Grade Live Christmas Trees from USA).

The Green Corner provides free delivery, set up, dismantling, disposal, and two red poinsettias! Wow, we can feel the Christmas vibe already! Yes, pre-orders for Christmas 2024 are already available! Hurry up and email The Green Corner to pre-order your ideal real Christmas tree for the upcoming holiday season.

• Address: 53 Sungei Tengah Road, Singapore 698998
• Opening Hours:
  • Monday to Thursday: 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM
  • Friday to Sunday: 8:30 AM to 7 PM
• More Details

Song Lang Garden

Image Credit: Song Lang Garden via Facebook

This smaller nursery on Tanjong Katong Road on the east side of Singapore might not have the wide selection of the larger nurseries, but it still has plenty of options for tree height. You can choose your tree yourself, and the prices are reasonable (last year, the Song Lang Garden’s 3FT trees cost from $123). So, follow the information to get an affordable yet lovely Christmas tree 2024.

• Address: 378 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437134
• Opening Hours: 8:30 AM to 7 PM (Daily)
• More Details

Sing See Soon

Image Credit: singseesoon.com

Sing See Soon is a garden and landscape centre with branches in Simei and Punggol and an online store. All their Noble firs are sustainably grown in Canada, and tree prices start at $259 for a 4-5ft Christmas tree. They also stock Christmas wreaths and plants, so you can cover everything in one go. And the most important thing: Sing See Soon pre-orders for Christmas 2024 are already open!

Please note that delivery of Sing See Soon Christmas trees will commence on November 24, so now is a great time to pre-order your perfect Christmas tree!

• Address:
  • 5 Simei Lane, Singapore 528710
  • 32 Punggol Road East, #01-02, Singapore 828824
• Opening Hours:
  • Tuesday to Sunday: 8 AM to 8 PM
  • Monday: Closed
• More Details

Whether you decide to go for a real Christmas tree or an artificial one, we’re sure it will bring some of the sparkle and magic of Christmas to your home. And don’t forget, the person who’s been best behaved all year gets to put the star or the angel on top of the tree!

Cover image credit: www.ikea.com/sg

The post Where to Buy Live & Artificial Christmas Tree in Singapore appeared first on BusyKidd.

Getting to Hong Kong

Image Credit: Depositphotos

The direct flight from Singapore to Hong Kong takes approximately 4 hours and is offered by Singapore Airlines and Scoot, as well as Hong Kong’s national carrier, Cathay Pacific. Singapore Airlines was voted the ‘World’s Best Airline’ at this year’s Skytrax World Airline Awards, with Cathay Pacific close behind in third place, so the journey between Singapore and Hong Kong is likely to be pleasant as well as relatively short. Additionally, although it’s hard to beat Changi Airport as a great airport for departure or arrival, Hong Kong International Airport was voted ‘Asia’s Leading Airport’ at the 2024 World Travel Awards, so you can expect a comfortable experience at both ends of your journey.

Where to Stay in Hong Kong

Hong Kong offers something for every budget and taste when it comes to accommodation. You can choose to stay in the heart of the city or away from the hustle and bustle, beside the mountains or coast, and close to nightlife or theme parks. Although Hong Kong boasts over 320 hotels, we’ve chosen eight of our favourite family options, across five locations.

The Salisbury YMCA, Tsim Sha Tsui

Image Credit: The Salisbury YMCA via Facebook

If you want the location of The Peninsula without the hefty price tag, The Salisbury YMCA in Tsim Sha Tsui could be a great accommodation option. Situated immediately next to The Peninsula, The Salisbury YMCA has outstanding views of Victoria Harbour (depending on the room’s floor and aspect), well-equipped rooms, and a 6-lane indoor swimming pool. Guests can dine inside the hotel, at the Mall Café or the fancier Haven restaurant, or simply step outside to explore a host of dining opportunities in Tsim Sha Tsui. Hong Kong island is just a short hop away aboard the legendary Star Ferry.

• More Details

Dorsett, Wan Chai

Image Credit: Dorsett via Google reviews

Families who like to stay in the heart of a city will love the Dorsett’s location opposite the famous Happy Valley Racecourse. This vibrant area offers easy access to numerous shopping, entertainment and dining options, and the hotel provides a free shuttle bus to Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and Central. Although this hotel might appear to be more aimed at adults than children, it is actually a very family-friendly establishment with plenty of attention provided to children. For example, the hotel has a candy store in the lobby, provides a mobile e-book station for bedtime stories, child-sized bathrobes and slippers, and even hidden sweets in the bedroom drawers.

• More Details

Hyatt Regency, Sha Tin

The Sha Tin Hyatt Regency is located in the Sha Tin district of the New Territories, about a 25-minute taxi journey from Tsim Sha Tsui. Although it’s less central than many other hotel options, the Hyatt Regency boasts a spacious site with large rooms with modern décor,

an ample swimming pool, and an extensive and well-equipped children’s playground. The hotel also boasts multiple award-winning restaurants, including Sha Tin 18 (famed for its Peking duck), and the Tin Tin Bar. The hotel’s main restaurant offers a la carte dining as well as four daily buffets: breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner.

• More Details

Hong Kong Disneyland

Image Credit: Hongkongdisneyland.com

If you want to give your kids the full Disney experience (or perhaps experience it yourself!), Hong Kong Disneyland offers three good hotel options: Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, Disney Explorer’s Lodge, and Disney’s Hollywood Hotel. Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel is a 5-star resort whilst its two sister hotels fall under the 4-star bracket. Although all of them offer the advantage of convenience if you’re planning to spend time at Hong Kong Disneyland, each has a different core theme. Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel has a palace theme and includes rooms such as the Cinderella Ball Room and Sleeping Beauty Room, as well as a maze garden. Disney Explorer’s Lodge has an adventure and exploration theme and features four gardens themed around the Disney classics ‘The Jungle Book’, ‘Finding Nemo’, ‘Up’, and ‘The Lion King’. As its name suggests, Disney’s Hollywood Hotel is themed around Hollywood, with décor from the 1930s and 1940s, but with numerous references to Disney characters and in particular Mickey Mouse. Whichever hotel you choose you’re bound to have a ‘magical’ experience!

Ocean Park

For families who’d like to maximize their time at Ocean Park (and it’s so extensive that it really does require more than one day to do it justice), there are two hotels which offer an extremely convenient location: Hong Kong Marriott Ocean Park Hotel and The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel. The Marriott hotel is a 4-star resort whilst The Fullerton is rated as 5-star and is closer to Ocean Park itself. Apart from their ratings and proximity to Ocean Park, the hotels can be differentiated by their ambience. Hong Kong Marriott Ocean Park Hotel is inland and has well-presented rooms decorated in modern style with subtle references to wildlife; The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel is located on the coast and offers stunning sea views and more minimalist décor.

Travelling Around Hong Kong

Hong Kong is served by one of the most extensive and most diverse public transport systems in the world. This means that, wherever you want to head in the city, you can get there very efficiently. Where else in the world can you travel by bus, minibus, taxi, tram, funicular railway, cable car, train, metro, and ferry? This range of options makes Hong Kong a fascinating option for kids and adults who are interested in transportation (see below under ‘Things to Do in Hong Kong’). As you can pay for every type of transport using a contactless smart payment card known as an Octopus card, we highly recommend you purchasing one. This is easy to do as you can buy them at 7-Eleven stores (located at Hong Kong Airport as well as all across the city), Circle-K stores, and MTR stations (the metro system is called the MTR in Hong Kong).

Where to Eat in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a gastronome’s delight as it offers the best cuisines from across Asia as well as many options from Europe, the United States, and other parts of the world. As it’s located within the Canton province of China, Hong Kong offers some of the world’s best Cantonese cuisine, including dim sum, roasted duck and pork, and delicious seafood. Thanks to Hong Kong’s cosmopolitan nature, you can also try authentic food from Asian countries such as India, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, as well as European countries such as Italy and France. As Hong Kong has too many excellent family dining options to cover, we’ve selected five that are worthy of special mention.

Dim Sum at the London Restaurant, Mong Kok

You don’t have to look very far to find a dim sum restaurant in Hong Kong. And you can choose from every level of dim sum restaurant from the most basic ‘dai pai dong’ (basic food stall) to the swankiest restaurant that serves champagne and perhaps offers a fusion version of the classic little bites. However, if you want a true dim sum experience you should surely eat dim sum in a restaurant that serves the food in a traditional manner in an authentic atmosphere. The London Restaurant in Mong Kok fits this bill as it’s a no-nonsense restaurant where you can experience the noise of chatting and clinking cutlery whilst the staff display dim sum dishes on mobile carts so that you can choose the dishes that take your fancy.

Seafood by the Sea at Chuen Kee Seafood, Sai Kung

If you’d like to see a different side to Hong Kong other than the hustle and bustle of ‘the Big Smoke’, it’s well worth the 30- to 45-minute journey to see the village side of the city. Sai Kung began as a fishing village in the distant past and is now a community where expats and local mix and enjoy the more tranquil setting and fresher air of the New Territories. Sai Kung offers many restaurants, as well as a growing number of excellent coffee shops, but many people come to enjoy the seafood which is often straight off the boat. Many restaurants here offer delicious food as well as space for kids to run around if they want to burn off some energy. Chuen Kee Seafood is one of several restaurants that are right on the harbourfront and offer diners beautiful views of the harbour and the islands beyond.

Al-fresco dining beside Temple Street Night Market

Temple Street Night Market is a great place to visit to buy the latest electronic gadgets as well as clothing and gifts. When the sun goes down this open-air market becomes a bustling neon-lit shopping paradise that is exciting for kids and adults. It’s also a great place to eat outdoors at the side of the street and have a unique Hong Kong experience dining at one of the many food stalls that erect tables on the pedestrianized streets after about 7pm. At these numerous restaurants you can try dishes such as chicken satay, chilli crab, razor clams, beef noodles, fried oyster cake, and sweet and sour pork.

A dinner buffet at I-O-N, Kwun Tong

Like Singapore, Hong Kong is a famous for its hotel dinner buffets, which are popular with families because everyone gets to choose what they eat (and how much!). Located within the Nina Hotel in Kowloon East, I-O-N Kwun Tong offers a sumptuous buffet that includes everything from roast beef and baked cod to sushi and pizza. Desserts include mango sticky rice and bread and butter pudding.

Dependable pizza at The Pizza Project, Peel Street, Central

If you’re stuck for food options, or the kids are fed up with trying adventurous food, you can never go too far wrong with the ever-dependable pizza. Nearly every child likes pizzas, whether it’s the margherita gateway option or the meat feast or fancy burrata choice. The Pizza Project in the Central district of Hong Kong island offers a simple one-page food menu that avoids the confusion that kids face when they see a more extensive list of options. You can choose from the traditional pizza types or opt for something more experimental, such as the carbonara pizza that includes pancetta and quail eggs. The Pizza Project desserts include tiramisu and white chocolate mousse, so those with a sweet tooth will not leave disappointed.

Things to do in Hong Kong

With so many activities to choose from in Hong Kong, it’s impossible to do justice to the variety and quality of entertainment in the city, but here are just a handful of our favourite activities for families.

Travel on Multiple Forms of Transport in a Morning

Hong Kong is the perfect place for kids who love transport, thanks to the unique range of transportation options available. It’s possible to travel on as many as nine or ten types of transport in a morning or afternoon, and that’s not including the world’s longest escalators in the Mid-levels area of Hong Kong that help to transport people to and from work. However, if you have to choose just three types of transport to experience, we would recommend the following: street tram (known affectionately as the ‘ding ding’ because of the sound the bell makes before it departs each stop), which covers the width of Hong Kong island; the Peak Tram, which is a cable-drawn funicular railway that transports you up the extremely steep journey from Central to the top of The Peak (where the wealthiest people have traditionally lived in Hong Kong); and the Star Ferry, crossing the harbour between Tsim Sha Tsui and Hong Kong island, which is one of the most iconic ferry journeys in the world.

Observe Pink Dolphins in the Wild

Image Credit: Hong Kong Dolphinwatch via Facebook

The pink dolphin is one of the world’s most endangered marine creatures. Although they are found in a few locations across Asia, it’s only in Hong Kong’s waters that the dolphins have a truly pink colour (they are greyish in colour in most places and white near mainland China). Today only about 50 pink dolphins live near Hong Kong, but luckily you can still see them on tours organized by various operators. Guests can be picked up in Kowloon and ferried to Lantau where the sea-based adventure begins. Pink dolphin tours only operate in the mornings as that’s the best time to see these unique creatures.

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Spend the Day at the Beach

Despite its reputation as a busy city filled with skyscrapers and rushing people, Hong Kong offers a surprisingly large number of beaches where time seems to move at a slower pace. You can travel to Sai Kung in the New Territories to see some relatively unspoilt beaches that still have changing facilities, snack kiosks and lifeguards. Examples of recommended beaches include Hap Mun Beach, Trio Beach, Ham Tim Beach, and Clearwater Bay Second Beach. Alternatively, if you’re staying on the island, you might prefer a shorter journey down to the well-maintained beaches in the south, such as Repulse Bay, Big Wave Bay, Shek O, and Stanley Main Beach. Wherever you go, you’ll be surprised at the contrast between the city and these little oases.

Enjoy the Magic of Hong Kong’s Theme Parks

Image Credit: Oceanpark.com.hk

Hong Kong’s famous theme parks – Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park Hong Kong – might be what have initially attracted to a visit to Hong Kong. If so, you might have an itinerary that is based primarily upon enjoying these world-class attractions. However, even if you haven’t planned your holiday around these theme parks, you might want to consider a visit to one or both to allow your kids to decompress from cultural activities or simply enjoy the magic of these places of wonder. Hong Kong Disneyland offers exciting rides such as Hyperspace Mountain and Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars, as well as the Iron Man Experience, a 3-D motion simulator. It always boasts a recently opened attraction called Arendelle – The World of Frozen. As well as seeing many of the classic locations from the hit film, such as Arendelle Castle, kids will get the chance to meet some of their favourite characters including Anna, Elsa, Hans, Olaf and Sven.

Ocean Park Hong Kong is more of a theme park with a strong educational element.

It offers a great range of activities for all the family including rides for kids of all ages, including the Crazy Galleon, The Rapids, and Wild Twister. Ocean Park also has a large aquarium and extensive zoo that includes Hong Kong’s only giant pandas. Right beside Ocean Park, and accessible via a 15-minute walk, is Water World, a huge water park that boasts over 25 attractions including a lazy river, wave pool, numerous waterslides, and cabanas for relaxation.

Ride the Peak Tram and see the Kowloon Skyline

Image Credit: Thepeak.com.hk

One of the most enjoyable modes of transport in Hong Kong is the Peak Tram, which has been operating continuously for nearly 150 years. Kids will be full of excitement when their carriage on this funicular railway is pulled by cables up the extremely steep slope. At the top of the hill, known as The Peak, you can explore some of the many walking trails or take a rest and dine at one of the restaurants that include Bubba Gump Shrimp Company. You can also enjoy one of the finest views in Hong Kong from the Peak’s viewing platform. Here you can experience unobstructed views of the Kowloon skyline and take those all-important family photos to remind you of your trip to Hong Kong!

Hong Kong is an exciting city that offers a diversity of experiences, attractions, and cuisines. It’s so much more than just a busy, crowded city. Indeed, Hong Kong offers activities for people of all ages and thus makes a great destination for a family holiday.

Cover Image Credit: Oceanpark.com.hk

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Let’s go to explore Tokyo with BusyKidd!

Getting to Tokyo

The direct flight from Singapore to Tokyo takes approximately 7 hours and is offered by Singapore Airlines and Scoot, as well as the Japanese airlines ANA and JAL. To celebrate its 10^th anniversary, Scoot has decorated some of the planes on its Singapore-Tokyo route in Pokémon theme so that the fun can begin at Changi Airport! Once onboard, passengers will experience Pokémon-themed meals, cups, serviettes, internal cabin decorations, disposable headrest covers, plus the opportunity to buy Pokémon merchandise.

Where to Stay in Tokyo

Tokyo is not renowned for its cheap accommodation, but it does at least offer a wide variety of options for travellers, with everything from well-known chains to boutique hotels. As the city has over 3,000 hotels it would not be realistic to touch on more than a handful of hotels recommended for families, but here are five of our favourites.

Toy Story Hotel at Tokyo Disneyland

Many families visiting Tokyo will have theme parks on their to-do lists, and Tokyo Disneyland is one of the best. It offers a number of hotels that are perfect for children, including the Toy Story Hotel. Unsurprisingly, this hotel is themed on the popular Toy Story movie franchise and is sure to be a hit with fans of Woodie and friends. Everything in the hotel, from the exterior decoration to the bedrooms and restaurant dishes, has a strong Toy Story theme that is sure to delight the kids.

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Tokyo Disneyland Hotel

Also within the environs of Tokyo Disneyland is the Hilton Tokyo Disneyland. This Disney-themed hotel has mock Victorian architecture that adds to its magical feel. You can choose between different themes for your room, such as Alice in Wonderland and Mickey Mouse, whilst the communal areas are all strictly Disney in design. The hotel provides a free shuttle to Tokyo Disneyland, which is just a short hop away.

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Mimaru Hotel Apartments

Located in a variety of neighbourhoods across the city, Mimaru Hotel Apartments are a great family option because all rooms have a minimum of four beds and plenty of amenities for kids and self-catering kitchens. You can choose between Japanese or Western themed rooms, with some even offering rooms decorated in themes such as Pokémon and ninjas.

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Four Seasons at Maranouchi

One of two separate Four Seasons Hotels in Tokyo, Four Seasons at Maranouchi is perfect for kids (and adults) who love rail transport as it’s right next to a major train station. This means that guests can watch trains come and go from the comfort of their hotel rooms. If that’s not already enough, each room comes with its own train set as well as train-themed books and movies. There are even children’s bathrobes and bedtime snacks.

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Muji Hotel, Ginza

Fans of the Muji brand will expect its hotel to be stylish and comfortable and they won’t be disappointed. The beautifully designed rooms use space creatively and the family rooms have enough capacity to comfortably accommodate four people. Unsurprisingly, the hotel uses Muji products in its rooms, so expect to find ultra-soft bedding and towels. The family rooms include child amenity sets which include slippers, toothbrushes and toothpaste, and even pyjamas (although pyjamas are for rent or purchase only).

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Shiba Park Hotel, Minato

If you have children who love to read, look no further than the Shiba Park Hotel in the Minato district. This concept hotel combines a love of reading and fine cuisine with a thirst for discovery of new places. It hosts a collection of over 1,500 books, many of which are in English and suitable for children. The Shiba Park Hotel offers a number of traditional craft activities as well as the opportunity to experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. The spacious rooms are tastefully designed, with some offering modern bunk-style beds.

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Travelling Around Tokyo

Although Tokyo is a huge city, it is served by one of the best public transport systems in the world. This means that, wherever you want to head in the city, you can get there very efficiently. Although the bus system is very extensive, it can be quite complicated to navigate so the best way for tourists to travel is by train and subway. The most useful subway line is the JR Yamanote line, also known as the ‘Loop Line’ as it covers nearly all the major hubs in Tokyo. Although you can buy day passes for the train and subway networks, if you’re in Tokyo for a few days it’s worth buying a prepaid card such as Pasmo or Suica, which you can buy at the airport and are valid for 28 days. You will need to buy a separate card for each traveller, but kids under 12 years old travel for roughly half price.

Where to Eat in Tokyo

Tokyo is a food-lover’s paradise where you can indulge in everything from simple meals dispatched by a vending machine to gastronomic delights created by some of the world’s best chefs. Some of Japan’s most famous delicious foods include sushi, ramen noodles, tempura, yakitori, and wagyu beef. Although some dishes will be alien to a lot of children, there are always plenty of familiar foods, such as gyoza dumplings, as well as oodles of rice, so Tokyo is a great location for eating as a family. A sprawling city such as Tokyo has huge numbers of dining options, but here are just five of our favourite restaurants for families.

Gyopao Gyoza, Shinjuku

Advertised as a fusion of Japanese and Taiwanese cuisines, Gyopao Gyoza specializes in the dumplings that started off as Tokyo streetfood but have become worldwide favourites. ‘Gyopao’ are a specific type of soup-filled gyoza that are also known as ‘explosive soup dumplings’! Most kids love dumplings and none of the family will go hungry with a menu that goes well beyond gyoza to include stuffed seafood spring rolls, noodle soups, steamed chicken with green onion sauce, as well as dumpling varieties such as ‘tom sum soup’ and ‘meat steamed dumplings’.

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Ninja Experience Cafe, Harajuku

What isn’t there to love about a café that combines kid-friendly food and stealthy assassins!

Ninja Experience Cafe does exactly what its name suggests, providing diners with an opportunity to meet ninja actors. Be prepared for a few surprises as these ninjas may jump out when you least expect it! The menu includes a variety of Japanese dishes but the experience is the main draw for this café. Young ninjas can don costumes and learn to use blow darts, Japanese swords, and shuriken (throwing star weapons).

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Wagyu to Worldwide, Chuo-ku

Unless you’re a vegetarian you can’t really visit Tokyo and not try wagyu beef at some point. This marbled beef is renowned for being some of the world’s most delicious (and expensive) and it is famous for the special treatment that the cattle receive, including regular massages. Wagyu to Worldwide offers a great introduction to wagyu beef through its extensive menu of high-quality burgers that include unusual options such as a Roast Beef Burger and Foie Gras Burger, as well as more usual choices such as a Wagyu Cheese Burger.

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Straw Hat Cafe, Ghibli Museum, Mitaka

Located within the leafy grounds of Ghibli Museum, which celebrates the studio that produced such classic animations as ‘My Neighbour Totoro’ and ‘Spirited Away’, the Straw Hat Cafe captures some of the magic of Ghibli and combines it with healthy dishes made from organic ingredients. Themed dishes include Bacon and Eggs with Toast (from ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’) and Madame’s Petite Chocolate Cake (from ‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’). This restaurant and the museum (see below) are a must for any fans of Studio Ghibli. You can even get breakfast before you start your tour of the museum.

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Pokémon Café, Chuo-ku

Tokyo has numerous themed restaurants including a Robot Restaurant, Vampire Café, Harry Potter Cafe, Hedgehog Café, and even a Kawaii Monster Cafe. However, there are few restaurant themes more Japanese than the Pokémon Cafe, which pays homage to Pikachu and friends. Diners can choose from artistically created and imaginatively named plates such as Pikachu and Bulbasaur’s Best Friends Forever Curry Plate and Snorlax’s Tummy Filling Nap Lunch Plate. Desserts include the Poké Ball Dessert Bowl which includes a surprise dessert.

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Things to do in Tokyo

With so many activities to choose from in Tokyo, it’s impossible to do justice to the variety and quality of entertainment in the city, but here are just a handful of our favourite activities for families.

Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea

Many family visitors to Tokyo will probably be intending to visit one or both of arguably its most famous theme parks, Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. Although these parks are adjacent to each other they require separate tickets and offer slightly different themes.

Disneyland has the cowboy-inspired Westernland, jungle-themed Adventureland, animal-focused Critterland, fairytale-inspired Fantasyland, futuristic Tomorrowland, and the town-based World Bazaar. DisneySea offers a slightly different focus with its zones that include a fishing village-inspired American Waterfront, an ancient civilization-themed Lost River Delta, a mermaid-inspired Mermaid Lagoon, and a Jules Verne-inspired Mysterious Island. Whichever park you choose you will have rides of all types plus the opportunity to meet Disney characters.

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Pokémon Center

If you’re not lucky enough to fly to Tokyo on a Pokémon-themed plane, you can still visit one of the city’s six Pokémon Centres. The highest rated of these is generally Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo in the central Toshima district. Here you can see displays, buy themed merchandise, or get a sugar fix in Pokémon Sweets Cafe. This café offers all manner of themed desserts, such as cakes, ice cream and bubble tea, but you can also buy souvenirs such as keychains and mugs.

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Ghibli Museum, Mitaka

No fan of Studio Ghibli’s world-famous animated films, such as ‘Spirited Away’ and the 2023 movie ‘The Boy and the Heron’, can visit Tokyo without seeing the Ghibli Museum. This maze-like building, set in beautiful gardens, was designed to inspire the imagination of young and old. Inside you can watch original short films in the Saturn theatre with its blue-sky ceiling and flower-covered walls. Indeed, wherever you look throughout the museum, you can see Ghibli’s most famous characters, such as Kiki on her broom and Nausicaä on her jet glider. Other special features include five rooms where you can see ‘Where a Film is Born’, and a Cat Bus for younger kids to climb on. The Ghibli Museum also hosts special exhibitions based on its famous films.

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Japanese Tea Ceremony

There are few things more quintessentially Japanese than a tea ceremony and there are few better places to experience one than Tokyo. This activity is perfect for younger children who will probably enjoy dressing up in traditional costumes, such as kimonos, and enjoy taking part in the ceremony. Maikoya is one company that hosts a tea ceremony within a traditional tea house which has a landscaped Japanese courtyard that includes bamboo groves and red torii gates. Guests get to participate in the ceremony, drink green tea, and try Japanese sweets.

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Cup Noodles Museum, Yokohama

Nearly every kid in Singapore has tried Cup Noodles at some point, and many of them love them. However, even if you don’t like Cup Noodles, you might find the museum interesting as it gives a fascinating insight into this food phenomenon. This cleverly designed museum offers lots of opportunities for play and hands-on interaction through its attractions such as Cup Noodles Park (where kids pretend to be noodles as they pass through the factory on slides), My Cup Noodles Factory (where they can design their own packaging), Chicken Ramen Factory (where they can make their own noodles by hand), and the Momofuku Theatre (in which they can watch a CGI animation about the history of Cup Noodles).

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MORI Building Digital Art Museum (TeamLab Planets), Koto

If your children have enjoyed visiting the ArtScience Museum in Singapore, they are sure to enjoy the TeamLab Planets at the MORI Building Digital Art Museum as it was designed by the same creative geniuses. TeamLab Planets has four huge exhibition rooms and two gardens, through which visitors walk barefoot to be totally immersed in the digital art experience. In a place where the boundaries between the art and themselves become blurred, kids will enjoy a virtual experience in which they can walk through water and become flowers in a garden. The intriguing exhibitions include The Infinite Crystal Universe, Waterfall of Light Particles at the Top of an Incline, and Moss Garden of Resonating Microcosms.

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Tokyo is a unique fascinating city that offers numerous opportunities to see exciting attractions and have one-off experiences. As it’s a place where it feels like anything can happen, everyone in the family is bound to find something they love in Japan’s capital city. So, get ready to say ‘Kon’nichiwa’ to Tokyo!

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Make Some Furry Friends at Desaru Mini Zoo

For kids who’d like to get up and personal with some animals, rather than seeing them from afar in the wild, Desaru Mini Zoo offers an opportunity to pet some cute and friendly birds, reptiles and furry 4-legged friends. Visitors can feed foods such as corn and beans to a wide varierty of animals including alpacas, rabbits, camels, horses, and ducks. There are also plenty of other hands-on experiences on offer, such as feeding milk to baby goats, holding a sugar glider and stroking a bearded dragon. No animal-lover will come away disappointed after a visit to this welcoming little zoo.

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Make a Splash at a Waterpark

Image Credit: Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark via Facebook

Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark isn’t just any old water park, it’s one of the world’s biggest and has over 20 exciting rides. Visitors can choose between a long looping lazy river, one of the world’s biggest wave pools, or a mix of wet and dry rides. These exciting rides include a surf simulator, a pirate ship that swings through 180 degrees, tube slides, and a rollercoaster that includes a 360-degree loop. Another highlight is The Tempest, an exhilarating ride that sends you down a 20-metre tube before dropping you 8 metres. Smaller children can enjoy a more tranquil splash zone for kids called Kids Ahoy. Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark does not have a dedicated website, but tickets can be purchased through all the major ticketing companies, such as Tripadvisor, Klook and Viator.

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Get the Juice at a Fruit Farm

Desaru Fruit Farm is a huge farm that extends over 180 acres through the tropical countryside. You can do a guided tour of the farm which includes a visit to the fruit orchards, fishpond, and the vegetable and herb garden. Visitors can see fruits such as durians, jackfruit, guava, mangoes, starfruits, passion fruits, rose apples, and soursops. Kids can feed koi carp in the fish pond and even visit the farm’s petting zoo, which includes animals such as rabbits and goats. There’s also a bee farm where visitors can see how honey is made and taste the honey produced on the farm. The farm has a restaurant the offers a tasty lunch menu that is unsurprisingly weighted towards fruit-influenced dishes and ends with an all-you-can-eat fruit buffet.

• Email: [email protected], Telephone: +60 12-772 1817
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Learn Some Tall Tales at an Ostrich Farm

Image Credit: Imani Nadiah via Google reviews

With its flock of over 100 ostriches, Desaru Ostrich Farm is the largest ostrich farm in Malaysia. The ostrich is the largest flightless bird and, indeed, the largest of all birds. These birds also produce the biggest eggs on the planet, the equivalent of about 24 standard chicken eggs. At Desaru Ostrich Farm, visitors can learn fact like these about ostriches, take part in ostrich feeding, ostrich riding, and will often see baby ostriches. The Farm’s restaurant has a menu that includes ostrich dishes, and its shop sells products such as ostrich egg cake.

Address: Jalan Telok Ramunia, Kampung Changi, 81600 Pengerang, Johor, Malaysia

Look for Crabs on a Rockpool Walking Tour

Image Credit: Junglewalladesaru.com

Kids always love the anticipation of finding a tiny fish or crab in a rockpool. With its 17km of beaches, Desaru offers plenty of opportunity for impromptu exploration for marine life. However, if you’d prefer to do an organized activity, led by an expert in marine habitats, various companies offer guided tours of the beaches and tidal flats. JungleWalla Tours is one such company and provides 2-hour tours that help participants find the best rockpools containing creatures such as crabs, barnacles, anemones, and even small fish.

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Desaru Mangrove Tour

Companies such as JungleWalla Desaru also offer tours which can introduce you to one of the world’s most important ecosystems, the mangrove. Mangrove forests can be found on the Desaru coast where they grow in the saltwater and play important roles such as reducing soil erosion and providing nurseries for small fish. In Desaru’s Sungai Lebam mangroves you might be lucky enough to see kites, sea eagles, herons, mudskippers, and monitor lizards from the tour boat. Alternatively, if you want to get closer to the action, you could enrol on JungleWalla’s kayaking tour of the same Lebam river. This 90-minute adventure includes a stop at Desaru Fruit Farm to sample and buy fresh fruits.

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Swing Some Clubs at the Els Club

Image Credit: The Els Club via Facebook

Golf fanatics, or even those who aspire to be golfers like the eponymous Ernie Els, should head to the Els Club Desaru Coast. Boasting 27 championship holes, designed by the great man himself, as well as a 50,000 square foot clubhouse, this world-class golf course is open to non-members and offers golf in a tranquil setting. One of its three 9-hole courses, called the Valley Course, was recently recognized as the best golf course in Malaysia at the World Golf Awards.

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See the Lights at Kota Tinggi Firefly Park

Image Credit: Kota Tinggi Firefly Park via Facebook

Living in Singapore we never get the opportunity to see the beautiful firefly, also known as the ‘lightning bug’, which is in fact a species of beetle. However, Kota Tinggi Firefly Park is only a 30-minute drive from the Desaru Coast and offers the opportunity to see these twinkling fairies. In fact, this area is a natural feeding spot and breeding ground for fireflies so is one of the best places in the world to see them. Kota Tinggi Firefly Park organize a boat trip which departs at sunset and allows guests to see daytime wildlife such as monkeys and lizards before night falls and the fireflies come out to dance! You can contact the park directly or book via a number of tour companies.

• Address: Jalan Kota Tinggi, 81900 Kota Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia. Telephone: +60 17-460 7775

Polish off the Binoculars for Birdwatching

Image Credit: JungleWalla Desaru via Facebook

If you’re more interested in seeing flying animals of the feathered kind, the Desaru coast is a fantastic place for birdwatching, thanks to its coastal, wetland and mangrove habitats, which are home to over 100 bird species. If you’re lucky you might see birds such as the White-bellied Sea Eagle, Crested Sea Eagle, Pied Hornbill, Common Kingfisher, Blue-throated Bee Eater, and Ruby-cheeked Sunbird. Most tours last around 90-minutes to 2 hours and provide experienced guides and transport.

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Get Wet Doing Water Sports

Bordering the South China Sea, the beaches along the Desaru coast are generally shallow and calm, and thus offer a great location for partaking in numerous different watersports. Virtually all the beaches are suitable for swimming, and many of Desaru’s resorts offer water-based activities such as parasailing, jet skis, banana boats, and fishing trips. Lotus Desaru is one of the hotels offering such water-based activities.

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With so many world-class hotels and such a variety of fun-filled activities available, Desaru is sure to become a favourite of Singapore families who want the thrill of an overseas vacation without the long journey. Why not plan your holiday today?

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Universal Studios, Singapore

Image Credit: Rwsentosa.com/en/

Universal Studios is somewhere that everyone will probably already know. However, it’s worth a mention because it’s a top class theme park that is incredibly easy to access and offers a host of exciting attractions. Universal Studios has something for everyone across its 6 zones: Far Far Away, The Lost World, Ancient Egypt, Sci-fi City, New York and Hollywood. It has rides for small kids (e.g. Sesame Street Spaghetti Space Chase) two 4-D rides (Transformers and Shrek), wet rides (Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure), gentle rollercoasters (e.g. Puss in Boots’ Giant journey, Enchanted Airways), scary rollercoasters (e.g. Battlestar Gallactica’s Cylon/Human and Revenge of the Mummy), a live show with pyrotechnics (Waterworld), and even character meet-and-greets (e.g. Shrek, Minions). Despite being packed with so many attractions, Universal Studios is small enough that you can do every ride in a single day, crowds permitting.

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Ocean Park, Hong Kong

Image Credit: Oceanpark.com.hk

Hong Kong has two fantastic theme park options. The oldest (but not the least) is Ocean Park, which first opened its doors in 1977. Two things that set Ocean Park apart are the size of the park (it covers nearly 1 million square feet) and its variety (it offers traditional theme park rides plus an aquarium and conservation-focused animal enclosures). The only problem is that you will need more than one day if you want to see the whole park! Its animal attractions include penguins, giant pandas, red pandas, dolphins, meerkats, and giant tortoises, with plenty of the sites offering interaction with animals. For those who are more interested in rides, Ocean Park offers everything from adrenalin-boosting rollercoasters, such as Hair Raiser, The Flash, and Rev Booster, to gentle rides for smaller kids, such as a Merry-Go-Round and Balloons Up-Up-and-Away.

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Disneyland, Hong Kong

Image Credit: Disneyland Hong Kong via Facebook

Although it’s a relative baby in terms of age and size when compared with Ocean Park, Hong Kong Disneyland is just as appealing in its own right. It’s especially great for younger kids who will get swept up in the magic of Disney and enjoy the many opportunities to meet their favourite characters, such as Iron Man, Buzz Lightyear, Moana, Tinker Bell and the most anticipated character of all, Elsa. Indeed, the World of Frozen is the newest zone at Hong Kong Disneyland, joining the jungle-themed Adventureland, fairytale-inspired Fantasyland, mining town-focused Grizzly Gulch, town-themed Main Street USA, supernatural Mystic Point, futuristic Tomorrowland, and eponymous Toy Land Story. Kids and adults can choose from attractions that include gentle rides for smaller children, 4-D rides, rollercoasters, a jungle river cruise, a railway ride, and even a boat to Elsa’s Ice Palace!

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Universal Studios, Japan

Image Credit: Usj.co.jp

Located close to the city of Osaka in Japan, Universal Studios Japan is worth a visit even if you’ve been to its sister park in Singapore as its attractions are largely different. Although this park has familiar zones such as New York, Hollywood and Jurassic Park, it has the unique ‘worlds’ that include Amity World (where you can come face to face with Jaws), Super Nintendo World (with its rides based on games such as Donkey Kong and Super Mario), and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (where you can visit Hogwarts). Across these zones visitors can choose between stage shows, meet-and-greets with characters, game zones, 4-D rides, rollercoasters, water-based rides that will make you wet, and a host of other rides that cater for children of all ages.

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Disneyland and DisneySea, Tokyo

Image Credit: Tokyodisneyresort.jp

If you’re planning a trip to Japan’s capital city, Tokyo, you might want to consider visiting its most famous theme parks, Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. Although these parks require separate tickets, they are only a short shuttle ride apart, so you can choose between them or visit both. The best way to decide between them is to consider which magical zones your kids will enjoy most. Disneyland has the cowboy-inspired Westernland, jungle-themed Adventureland, animal-focused Critterland, fairytale-inspired Fantasyland, futuristic Tomorrowland, and the town-based World Bazaar. DisneySea offers a slightly different focus with its zones that include a fishing village-inspired American Waterfront, an ancient civilization-themed Lost River Delta, a mermaid-inspired Mermaid Lagoon, and a Jules Verne-inspired Mysterious Island. Whichever park you choose you will have rides of all types plus the opportunity to meet Disney characters.

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Ba Na Hills Sunworld, Vietnam

Image Credit: Banahills.sunworld.vn

Ba Na Hills Sunworld is located close to the Vietnamese coastal resort of Da Nang, and so makes a great day-trip when on a family beach holiday. It’s a great theme park for kids who like transport as it features two funicular (cable-drawn) railways as well as a cable car that traverses the park and has been ranked as one of the top 10 cable car systems in the world. The park’s main rides are found within Fantasy Park, which was inspired by the Jules Verne books ‘Journey to the Centre of the Earth’ and ‘Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea’. Ba Na Hills Sunworld also has an alpine coaster ride, a 4-D theatre experience, and a wax museum. Unusually for theme parks, Ba Na Hills Sunworld also has a number of Buddhist temples, and the Golden Bridge which spans over 150 metres and is suspended by a huge architectural hand.

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Legoland, Malaysia

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You don’t have to be fan of the world famous construction toy, Lego, to enjoy what is arguably Malaysia’s premier theme park, but it certainly adds some excitement if you are. Situated close to Johor Bahru at the southern tip of Malaysia, Legoland is a theme park, water park and aquarium all in one. Across its different zones, which include Miniland, Lego Ninjago World, Land of Adventure, and Imagination, the park offers over 40 different attractions. These include rollercoasters, such as Merlin’s Challenge, a Lego city which includes an airport and driving school, and a log ride up a volcano. The water park’s attractions include a wave pool, lazy river, and multiple slides, whilst the aquarium features over 120 different marine species across 11 different habitats.

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Siam Amazing Park, Bangkok

Image Credit: Siamamazingpark.com

Many adults love a trip to Bangkok for its shopping, culture and delicious cuisine, but sometimes kids need something more active and exciting. That’s the reason that Siam Amazing Park was created just 30 minutes from central Bangkok. This theme park is comprised of 5 zones: Water World is the largest water park in Asia and features the world’s largest wave pool, a lazy river and multiple slides; Xtreme World is where you’ll find all the rollercoasters such as the Vortex and Boomerang; Adventure World has traditional theme park rides; Small World has the gentler rides for the smaller children; and Family World has an observation tower and Big Double Shock, a horror attraction that is definitely only for the brave!

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Taman Safari, Bali

Image Credit: Balisafarimarinepark.com

The paradise destination of Bali, Indonesia, is ever popular with adults who love to absorb the stunning scenery, the culture, and the food. However, kids often crave activities with a faster pace. Luckily, Bali Safari & Marine Park (also known as Taman Safari Bali) ticks all the boxes when it comes to entertaining the children. Kids who like wildlife are sure to love seeing the 100+ species from Asia and Africa that include elephants, rhinos, lions, tigers, zebras, and Komodo dragons. As well as this, the park boasts a water play zone with slides and other watery activities, a rainforest trail, and Fun Zone. However, at the heart of everything in this park is the wildlife, and the star activities are the safaris by jungle hopper and 4×4 Jeep that let you see the animals in an almost wild environment.

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Everland and Caribbean Bay, Korea

South Korea’s largest theme park is located close to Yongin, to the south of Seoul. Indeed, it is currently the world’s 7^th largest theme park so none of the family will be short of entertainment when visiting. In fact, Everland Resort comprises two separate theme parks: Everland and Caribbean Bay. Each requires a separate admission ticket and offers different attractions. Everland is a traditional theme park with themed areas (Zootopia, European Adventure, Magic Land, and American Adventure) which contain rides that include the world’s 3^rd longest wooden rollercoaster; Caribbean Bay is an indoor and outdoor water park which offers a wave pool, lazy river, nine water slides, and a spa and sauna.

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There are many theme parks across Asia, often close to its bigger cities, so you can often find one close to the destination for your latest holiday. Or, alternatively, you could use our recommendations to plan your next vacation around a world-class theme park. Fasten your seat belt and get ready for an exciting experience!

Cover Image Credit: Tokyodisneyresort.jp

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