My two elder children went to the Science Centre KidsSTOP as part of their preschool excursion years ago. KidsSTOP is created especially for children between 18 months to 8 years old. Since they liked the place a lot, I decided to bring them there again. I thought the trip could also help prep my eldest child, who will be taking Science as his 4th subject next year. He is feeling a little apprehensive about taking on a new subject.
I brought them to the Science Centre a couple of times before, and I thought that they could not appreciate the place very much. After visiting KidsSTOP, I realised that this is the place is indeed more appropriate for younger children.
Dino Pit
We were first attracted to the pit because of its location to the entrance. Armed with brushes and other excavating tools, the children uncovered dinosaur fossils replicas beneath the sand. Note that the fine and dry texture of the sand is nothing like the wet sand you find on the beach. The fine sand particles do not stick to our feet.
We were attracted by a hanging climbing structure and another station with a gigantic slide.
Two big kids (adults actually), and five adventurous juniors spent the next one hour crawling up and down the hanging structure.
Giant J
We experienced free falling on the 7m slide.
The staffs gave us each an astronaut-like jumpsuit to put on. We held on to a handle that pulled us up the slide. At 4m high, I was still leaning on the slide. It was easier to let go of the grip and slide down. On my second try, the friendly and encouraging staffs brought me straight up to the highest point at 7m high. At that point, my back was no longer leaning on the slide. I felt like I was hanging in mid-air. Releasing my hands from the handle was a real mental challenge. It took me many nos and many encouragements from the ground before I braced up and let go of my hand.
Below is a video of my son moving up the slide and letting go. I am not going to share my long-winded and embarrassing video that documented my many nos.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqZb9uMBiAo/
Small World
While we had our many attempts in Giant J, the toddlers spent their time playing with giant foam lego blocks.
The Big Dream Climber
We could see this hanging structure from far, and it attracted us right away. Adults and toddlers are encouraged to climb up this sturdy structure, though some of the corners may be slightly narrow for the adults, and we had to squeeze through certain corners.
Music
We reached the top of the Big Dream Climb and discovered with a secret garden – the Music Room.
The kids had a go on the gigantic keyboards and many other instruments.
Virtual Pond
This digital installation is similar to the one we saw in FutureWorld @ Art Science Museum. We filled a piece of drawing with colour and placed it under a digital scanner. Ta-da! Our artwork appears on the screen!
Supermarket
Every corner is filled with informative and yet simple to understand notes on healthy eating and sustainable food sources.
We tried out a couple of questionnaires on the computer. Do you know which is healthier, fruits or fruit juice?
Flight and Space
Children are given an early introduction to the solar system and constellation here.
We entered the Typhoon Simulator as well to experience the hair-raising effects of a typhoon. Even our little ones tried!
In this station, we discover how kinetic energy is converted into wind energy. Our toddler thoroughly enjoyed her experience here.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqZbeDWh9RF/
Built Environment
Our budding builders worked non-stop here to get the balls up the shafts, and our little ones tried manoeuvring the wheelbarrow.
The children had a go in connecting the gears and tried to get all interfaced parts to rotate at the same time.
There are a couple more stations that we did not explore, such as the Tinkering Lab and the Kiddie Theatre. KidsStop holds workshops in these stations at 3 pm on certain weekdays every week. We really need to revisit the place soon. Check out my follow-up post on the stations we missed out here.
You may also be interested in:
We saw dinosaur fossils in the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum.
Art Science Museum – Future World: Where Art Meet Science
A trip to the amazing Resorts World S.E.A. Aquarium, Singapore
A Beautiful Experience in the Jurong Bird Park
Why I like KidsSTOP
As a mother of four children below eight, including a pair of toddler twins, I look out for play experiences that are affordable, safe and hassle-free.
Science Centre KidsSTOP’s 4-hour play session costs only $10 per child during the school holidays. With a Science Centre Family Membership, I get an additional 10% discount.
Children spend their time meaningfully there. They enjoy playing, and at the same time learn science unknowingly.
Moreover, KidsSTOP is gated. This additional safety measure means a lot to me because my two hyper-energetic toddlers run in different directions!
Keen to Go Science Centre KidsSTOP too?
This attraction is eligible for SingapoRediscovers Vouchers. Redeem your vouchers via Klook now!
Klook.comAddress: 15 Science Centre Road, Singapore 609081. Click here for map.
To get there by the MRT, alight at Jurong West MRT station. Exit and walk past J-Cube and Jurong Regional Library. You should see the library on your left. The Science Centre is straight ahead after the cross-junction. Estimated walking time is 8 minutes.
By the way, the Science Centre is having a promotion from 17 Nov 2018 – 1 Jan 2019. You get a two-year membership for the price of one!
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