4 MUST-DOS when you visit the fire station

Do you know you can visit fire stations every Saturday between 9am to 11am?

 

We have been to a few and here are some MUSTS!

(1) Decide which type of fire station you wish to visit

Boon Lay and Woodlands fire stations are more kampung style. They are only two storeys as compared to new and modern ones like Bukit Batok fire station which can go as high as 8 storeys! Technology and facilities also slightly different.

(2) Ask and you may be given!

Don't be afraid to ask for demonstrations or some opportunities to ride on the vehicles or even have some hands-on activities like trying out the water hose and search for items in a smoke room!

The smoke room experience was really quite interesting. The kids were told that we have to find someone who is stuck in a fire in the room. We went in groups of 6, with two kids given torch lights. The room was so smokey that the visibility is like 1-2 metres. To help the visitors, they have placed little flashing green arrows to guide us to the "person" (which is actually a big jacket placed at a corner on the floor). It was a great simulation that allowed our kids to know the job of a fireman better. AWESOME!

The water hose! The kids got to increase and decrease the volume and also the type of spray (Wide or narrow).

 

 

By far, all the SCDF personnels have been nice and always agreeable to let the children experience the vehicles, gadgets and facilities.

 

Previously, Boon Lay station also brought our kids to visit the operation room which you can see the map and the different buttons. It was so cool!!!!!

At our last visit (this time with the kiddos' school), the firemen also demonstrated how to suit up and even simulated saving someone from third floor! Imagine all the action! Taking the long ladder from the fire engine, extending all the way up to the top and bring the person down! The kids were cheering when the firemen succeeded in the Mission!

 

 

(3) Ask for a fireman helmet!

For Neighbourhood fire stations, you will surely get it. BUT if you go for popular sites like Central fire station, be prepared to be there early and snatch for your piece. (I personally don't see a need to rush for popular sites. there are so many fire stations around!)

 

The firemen issued the hats and briefed the kids about the history of the station. Woodlands fire station is one of the oldest fire station in Singapore.

(4) Teachable Moments

There are so many teachable moments visiting the fire station. But do take the opportunity to educate the children on appreciation and a heart of gratitude ❤️. Tell the children about how fireman's job is dangerous but they choose to put others above themselves. Firemen are on shifts, which means some times they have to stay up at night which is not good for health. They have to stay in the station and not be able to go home. Yet, they chose to be firemen. :)

Hope these information will help you have a fruitful excursion with your kiddos! 

HAVE FUN!!!!!!

 

For more information, visit the SCDF link below!

visit to fire station

8 Tips to Enjoy Art Zoo 2017

8 Tips to Enjoy Art Zoo 2017

 

Tip 1: Decide the time slot you want to visit

We recommend (i) 5.30pm to 7.30pm or (ii) 7pm to 9pm.

We feel that 1.5hrs is quite sufficient for kids as frankly, too much of the jumping and playing is actually not gonna be too good for the night's rest. Imagine over-hyper kids right before bed time!!

For (i), you will get to see Art Zoo both in the day and when it is lit up. After playing, you can just head out for dinner at Makansutra Gluttons Bay for local delights or Esplanade for restaurants (expensive ones, other than Toast Box). THEN take a walk around the area to search for iLight at Marina Bay displays.

 

For (ii), try to have dinner before 6.30pm and something that is not over filling. If not you will not only see Merlion spitting water opposite the zoo, you will also see your kid vomiting inside the zoo. 

For us, we went in about 7pm and came out at 8.30pm so we took a stroll along Esplanade, bought a drink and some popcorn and just look look see see. Left Marina at about 9.30pm. :)

 

Tip 2: Clear your bowels before entering the zoo

I know this tip sounds totally weird but you better follow and make sure your kiddo squeeze out the last drop of pee in his/her bladder because THERE IS NO TOILET IN THE ART ZOO! AND once you exit the zoo, YOU CANNOT RE-ENTER!

 

Tip 3: Bring a good backpack

In some of our LIVE videos, you would see my kids holding bottles -> mama took over the bottles -> bottles disappearing because all went into papa's back pack!

The kids are jumping and having any loose item is just super dangerous. Having a good backpack means all these loose items go into the bag. 

For the one carrying, just tighten the straps and you can still hang around in the enclosure with your kiddo!

BUT GENERALLY, TRAVEL LIGHT.

Tip 4: There is NO wet weather plan.

If it rains, no refund! Because you can just happily turn your experience into a wet one! WATER PLAYYYYY!

However, if there is lightning alert, of course, it is indoors for everyone. :))

Bring along a small towel and change of clothes if you already know the weather isn't great. If you wanna be even more hardcore, just dress your kids in wet suit then! 

Word of caution: it gets really slippery when it is wet. Every jump may means falling. You will not be injured because inflatables are bouncy and there are no sharp edges but be prepared for muscle aches like what we are experiencing now.

Tip 5: Don't be a Cinderella! You need the correct shoes for play!

Tapered slip-ons are the best shoes for best experience at Art Zoo.

• If the weather is dry, jumping bare footed is shiok, so you will need to put on and take off your shoes very often. 
• If the weather is wet, you will be wearing your shoes most of the time and you will not want wet, soaked socks in your shoes.

I strongly discourage slippers. It is dangerous to jump in slippers. You either cut yourself or end up spraining your ankle. Just take them off when you are on the inflatables.

Tip 6: Read the information board at each zone

We love to make everything educational. *obsessed with teachable moments* at each zone, there is an information board that will give you the name of the zone and also what animals or plants or insect you can find in that particular inflatable. 

We recommend that you

(1) point at each animal on the board and read it to your kid. If you child is older, have them take note of the spelling; 

(2) ask your child to explore the whole inflatable and search for the animals in this display.

 

 

If not, you can also just let the kiddo jump jump jump then go to the next one then jump jump jump again then onto the next one. :)

Tip 7: We are Drivers too!

If you're driving to Art Zoo, you can either park at the Esplanade or at Marina Square. Personally, I would advise that you park at Marina Square BUT enter the carpark from the Raffles Avenue entrance (just before Mandarin Oriental). That way, you park literally opposite the event location! Also, Marina Square will help to fulfil your toilet/dinner needs (food at the Esplanade is just generally a lot more expensive too). There's a traffic junction there too, so you don't have to worry about jaywalking (both illegal AND dangerous!).

Tip 8: Cheap cheap tickets please!

There are many famous (more famous than us for sure!) bloggers who offer discount codes for their readers.

I found 2 so I'm just gonna share the love!

For 20% off online purchase of tickets, just type '20AZCHLOE' or '20AZJAYNE'.

I feel a bit bad... because I don't even follow them... :p

*updated: Mother Care also has discount code! '20AZMC'.

**updated: Passion Card holders and Safra members also get 20% off!

This 20% off is actually cheaper than the 4 tickets package offered by ART ZOO. 

You can purchase 4 tickets for $50 online or $54 onsite.

Single tickets are at $15 be it online or onsite but with promo code, ONLY $12!

So I got 4 tickets for $48!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now with these 8 tips, I hope you can enjoy the Art Zoo thoroughly and make your $12 sooooooo worth while! 

Frankly, I won't even mind going again with the kiddos! Maybe The Foong Family will see you there!

HAVE FUN, FOLKS! :)

 

P/S: our Favourite zone is the WHALE! Make sure you visit that!

 

Other general information:

1. ART ZOO IS FOR ALL AGES! Ah Mah and Ah Gong also can! :)
2. FREE admission for children below two years old BUT accompanied by two paying adults
3. Opening hours: 5pm to 11pm on WEEKDAYS and 2pm to 11pm on WEEKENDS