Octoburst! activities: 1 - 5 October

Turns out there's more to Esplanade's Octoburst than just a drawing competition - it's going to be a full-fledged lil fest with theatre, music, ballet and Bharatanatyam which is great news for kids. 

Ticketed events include The Japanese Garden, another edition of the Tick, Tock and Tack series and The Nutcracker by the SDT. Free events include a concert by the young folks at NAFA's Chinese instruments programme, Mouse and Cookie by The Players Theatre and Shakuntala by Bhaskar's Arts Academy.

MAAD - 2 & 3 August

MAAD and its popular OIC Portrait Day are back this weekend.

MAAD: 5- 6 July

The next MAAD weekend is back. Portraits at $8 are still part of the deal. Saturday, 2pm - 7pm.

Night Festival, National Museum: July 18-19 & July 25-26

There's nothing scary about these nights at the museum. The first weekend features aerial performances on the premises and in its gardens by Italian group Studio Festi who have performed at the opening ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.

If your kids are the the kind who fight for their right to party into the night, the National Museum and other museums including the ACM and SAM will offer free admission to the public on July 25 till 2am. I'd think this one was more to draw the teenagers in, though there are a couple of younger child friendly activities from 6pm - 10pm including open-air screenings of the original 1971 film adaptation of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Hairspray.

Since we're hitting the museums a lot these days, thought I might get the annual individual membership costing $50 (LO is below 3 so she gets in for free most times) next time I'm there as they have a discount of 15% off membership subscriptions till 6 July. Dual membership is $80, family $120 and student $20. More details here.

Singapore Art Street - the heartlands edition: 21, 22, 28, 29 June

If you missed the Art street this weekend at Clarke Quay, it's making it's way to you. Well, if you live around Hougang, that is.

Still, loads of stuff to do with family and kids - gawking at the art wall, street performances, graffiti art or getting your hands messy doing street painting or hands-on painting.

Singapore Garden Festival: 25 July - 1 Aug

As for life beyond the holidays, the garden festival's coming up. We like their mascots, though we're biased; LO likes anything with ladybirds.

MAAD: June 7-8

The next edition is coming up this weekend. Our picks are the Chinese ink workshops on both days and portrait day on 7 June, 2-7pm.

They have their own blog too.

Heritage Marathon - 19 July

 Sign up for the treasure-hunt style race Fun on Foot here.

ACM Viet Fest: 31 May - 1 Jun

On the heels of the ACM's Songkran event comes the Viet Fest. Lots of activities for kids and families including woodblock print and weaving demonstrations, storytelling sessions, performances and a children's art competition.

Earth Day - Apr 26

So what are you doing on Earth Day?