AMAZING MAGIC SCIENCE

Hey presto! Children aged nine to 16 can learn how to perform experiments by applying scientific principles learnt in school.

Safra Toa Payoh, Nearest MRT station: Toa Payoh, Sat: 9am - 5pm, Fee: $53.50 (Safra member), $64.20 (guest), Tel: 6355-4506 or e-mail Ljean@safra.sg

WORLD BOOK FAIR

Families and manga fans can browse through a special exhibition featuring well-loved manga characters, costumes, wigs and accessories while students can pick up writing tips from experts, hone their problem-solving skills, sharpen their financial judgment and learn valuable lessons through play. The book fair features new publications, books, teaching materials and enrichment programmes by more than 200 exhibitors across Asia. Organised by Singapore Press Holdings' Chinese Newspapers Division and Marshall Cavendish Business Information.

Suntec Singapore, Exhibition Halls 401-404, Nearest MRT station: City Hall, Till Sun: 11am - 10pm, Free, Tel: 6319-1902 (SPH Chinese Newspapers Division), 6213-9428 (Marshall Cavendish Business Information)

GET-KIDS-AFLOAT

Children aged seven to 17 can have fun learning how to sail at this holiday sailing programme by the SAF Yacht Club. It also instils confidence and hones decision-making skills.

SAF Yacht Club, Sembawang Clubhouse, 53 Admiralty Road West, Nearest MRT station: Sembawang, Tue - June 13, June 17 - 20: 9.30am - 5.30pm, Fee (four days): $74.90 for SAF Yacht Club members, $107 for the public, includes sailing equipment such as craft and life jacket, lunch, certificate, souvenir T-shirt and a one-year membership, Tel: 6758-3359 or visit www.safyc.org.sg

COMIC HEROES SCIENCE LAB

Comic fans can have fun unravelling the science behind the super powers of their favourite comic characters - like discovering how Spider-Man dangles from his web and how Storm from X-Men creates clouds - through interesting hands-on activities.

Safra Yishun Country Club, Multi-purpose Room inside the Air Weapon Shooting Range, Nearest MRT station: Yishun, Next Tue: 2.30 - 6pm, Fee: $40.60 (Safra member), $48.10 (guest), E-mail esli@safra.sg

NATURE & FARM TOUR

Let your children have a close encounter with nature at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. The trip covers a visit to Hay's Goat farm, a Dragon Fruit plantation, a bull frog farm and an organic vegetable farm.

Safra Mount Faber, Nearest MRT station: HarbourFront, Next Thu: 9am - 5.30pm, Fee: $30 (Safra members), $35 (guests), including lunch and handouts, E-mail cshuling@safra.sg

KOOKY MONSTERS UNDER THE BED

Children aged five to 12 can take part in a two-day creative and interactive, hands-on camp, which features story-writing and making of edible props, aimed at helping them think independently and learn about teamwork. At the grand finale, parents play the role of judges as their children showcase their works.

Creative Escape, Level 2, 306 River Valley Road, Nearest MRT station: Somerset/Clarke Quay, June 16 & 17: 9am - 5pm, Fee: $199, including lunch and materials, Tel: 6100-4363 or www.mutb.com.sg

X-PLORING GARDEN CRAWLIES!

The beetles have landed... and your little ones can catch giant robotic bugs developed in cooperation with the creators of E.T. in Asia for the first time. Discover the Emperor Scorpion and the Black Widow Spider at Plaza Singapura, the Carpenter Ants and Unicorn Beetle at IMM, and the Tarantala and Praying Mantis at Junction 8.

Plaza Singapura, Orchard Road, Main Atrium, Nearest MRT station: Dhoby Ghaut, Till Wed: 11am - 8pm (stage games: 3 & 7pm daily, science shows: 3.30 & 7.30pm), Watch science shows and take part in hands-on activities to learn more about garden crawlies (children can have fun in stage games and win prizes), IMM, Atrium, Nearest MRT station: Jurong East, Till Wed: 11am - 8pm daily (children aged seven to 12 can go for a Build-A-Bug workshop and take part in an on-the-spot drawing competition), Junction 8, Atrium, Level 2, Bishan, Nearest MRT station: Bishan, Till Wed: 10.30am - 10pm (you can assemble an ant, take a mechanical insect with six moving legs for a walk and listen to recordings of common and unusual animal sounds), Free, Tel: 6332-9298 (Plaza Singapura), 6665-8268 (IMM), 6354-2955 (Junction 8) or visit www.science.edu.sg/sitm

DINOSAUR DESCENDANTS

Flightless birds such as the ostrich, emu, double-wattled cassowary and rhea are the closest relatives of the dinosaurs. And they are showcased at the Jurong BirdPark's new Dinosaur Descendants exhibition area. Visitors can have their caricature drawn with the flightless birds and more.

Jurong BirdPark, 2 Jurong Hill, Nearest MRT station: Boon Lay, Till June 22: 9am - 6pm daily, snap photos with larger-than-life puppet ostriches, flamingoes and cranes at the Dino Descendant Void Area from noon - 12.20pm on weekends and get your caricature drawn among the flightless birds at the Dino Descendants Hut from 11.30am - 12.30pm on weekends, Tickets: $18 (adults), $9 (children aged three to 12) or pay $40 (adults) and $20 (children aged three to 12) for a Park Hopper ticket which is valid for a visit each to the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari for a month from the date of purchase, Tel: 6265-0022 or visit www.birdpark.com.sg

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Jun 5, 2008