SINGAPORE — The school term has closed; the children are unleashed. With four whole weeks of holidays, it is the perfect time for some parent-kids bonding — especially in light of a recent survey by Families for Life Council revealing that one in 10 of us spend six hours or less with our immediate families a week.

“it’s not just about the quantity of time you spend with children — it’s also important to spend quality time,” said National University of Singapore (NUS) sociologist Dr Paulin Straughan. “For instance, if you spend a lot of time with them doing homework or enrichment exercises, it doesn’t lead to the creation of meaningful family memories.”

To Dr Straughan, making such family memories means parents joining in to play and letting the kids run free to make their own choices. “We should not prescribe their childhood too much. Listen to them. Find time to do things together,” the associate professor elaborated.

This June holidays is filled with tons of opportunities to do just that. The scene for kids’ activities has never been bigger with recent new entrants: South Korea’s Pororo Park, which opened last November; Mexico’s KidZania in April and the upcoming “adrenaline arena” and trampoline park BOUNCE Singapore hailing from Melbourne set to welcome guests on June 3.

“Having lived here in Singapore for over seven years with two young children, it became clear there is always a demand for world class, all-weather (and air-conditioned) entertainment venues that are fresh, provide a variety of healthy and fun activities, and are just as enjoyable for those who are not participating, as for those who are,” said Simon Ogilvie, co-founder and executive Director of BOUNCE Singapore on the decision of BOUNCE Inc to open here. He added that he expects BOUNCE Singapore to be “very successful”, and that he has seen Singaporeans frequenting Bounce’s three venues in Melbourne as well.

Already enjoying the warm reception from kids and parents alike is “edutainment” theme park KidZania, which sees a 90 per cent capacity every weekend since it opened. And KidZania Singapore’s general manager Leong Yue Weng expects this to continue as tickets are selling fast for the school holiday period.

There is no lack of major homegrown initiatives for families during this period too. Resorts World Sentosa is starting its first creative festival for children to promote books, reading and marine conservation called Imagine|Native. The 17-day event hosts a series of activities ranging from book launches by personalities such as actor Edmund Chen and Wang Shijia (who created the popular character Ang Ku Kueh Girl) to appearances of mascots from children’s books like Clifford the Big Red Dog and Geronimo Stilton.

Jason Horkin, senior vice president of attractions in Resorts World Sentosa calls the first edition of Imagine|Native a “signature event” which RWS has built to inspire kids and nurture their creativity through various interactive activities. “Reading is essential to a child’s development and we want to play a part in nurturing and broadening their knowledge,” he elaborated.

Also happening at Sentosa is the Sentosa FunFest returning for the second year at Palawan Green. The event runs till June 5 and tickets for today’s session are already sold out. “This year, we are happy to bring more, newer and better activities suitable for the young and young at heart. Apart from child-friendly water-oriented activities and inflatables, guests can look forward to new activities such as the Cliff Jump, Balance Beam and Traversing Wall,” shared Agatha Yap, director of sales and marketing at Sentosa Leisure Management.

It appears there is definitely a demand for such kid-friendly outlets and events. Family carnival Aviva Superfundae has duly bumped up its offerings for its second edition after last year’s “great response”, said Benjamin Wee, co-founder of IMAGINE+, organiser of Aviva Superfundae. “We’ve created more specific zones (five in all) when we had only three last year. We’ve also gotten more partners on board so we’ll have more provisions and activities for participants,” he added.

And even though an outing in the likes of Pororo Park or Aviva Superfundae may only be for a day, the father of three said it’s key that parents make an effort to continue engaging with children constantly.

Dr Straughan agrees. “Singapore is a small place and it’s good that parents have options for where to bring their kids, but we should not dictate what they want to do. If they’re happy to just spend time with you at home, that’s great too. We need to be mindful of the everyday interactions and strike a work-life balance.”

HERE ARE SOME HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS:

BOUNCE Singapore

This is the only BOUNCE outlet outside Melbourne to have an X-Park, an adventure challenge course designed to have elements of parkour, ninja warrior and climbing, with a zip-line to the finish line. To celebrate the opening, it’s having an introductory offer for its general access tickets, which will be priced at S$19 an hour instead of S$24. Party packages are also discounted to S$49 per person (usual price S$59).

BOUNCE Singapore. Cathay Cineleisure Orchard, #09-01. Opens from June 3. For more info visit www.BOUNCEinc.com.sg

KidZania Singapore

Besides its usual offerings, KidZania will have the Intan Peranakan Museum Children’s Parade this June where kids don colorful Nyonya sarong kebayas or a smart batik shirts, and carry various Peranakan celebratory objects such as the chye kee and wedding baskets for a one-of-a-kind street parade. From May 28 to June 26, daily at 2.45pm. Limited to a maximum of 10 children per parade.

It’s also running a Kids for a Greener World Programme with art installations by eco-artist Didier Ng. Children can participate to create their own turtle hatchings using recycled materials. From May 28 to June 26.

Imagine|Native

There’ll be a sale of children’s books from 20 publishers such as Armour Publishing, Epigram Books and Scholastic. Popular Singaporean children’s books authors and illustrators such as Stephanie Wong (The Diary of Amos Lee), Pauline Loh (Playtime with Ye Ye), A.J. Low (Sherlock Sam) and David Seow (Return to the S.E.A. Aquarium) will host workshops and meet-and-greet sessions. There’ll also be musical performances, story-telling sessions and specially set-up touch pools for encounters with marine life.

At Maritime Experiential Museum at S.E.A Aquarium, from May 27 to June 12. Tickets priced at S$5 for adults, S$3 for children. All kids get a goodie bag worth S$25. Log on to www.rwsentosa.com/ImagineNative for details and tickets.

Sentosa FunFest

Billed as “Singapore’s biggest beach festival”, there’s plenty to do here with its gigantic inflatables, mazes, obstacle courses and foam pools. Live DJ performances and food and beverage stalls complete the experience.

At Sentosa Palawan Green, from May 28 to June 5. Tickets priced at S$28 for adults, S$18 for children. Available from https://store.sentosa.com.sg

Aviva Superfundae

Touting active and creative play to “enrich a child’s physical, cognitive and emotional wellbeing”, Aviva Superfundae has set up five different zones such as Circus World and Pirate Castle to boost the fun factor. A movie screening of Kung Fu Panda 3 will be held in the evening. Kids can look forward to F&N Ice Cream, Magnolia Milk and Vitagen drinks. There’s even a can of complimentary beer for adults. At The Meadow at Gardens by the Bay, June 4. Tickets are priced at S$19.90 for adults and children under three enter for free. Available from http://www.superfundae.com.sg.